The Agitators

The Agitators

The Agitators are a Belgian punk band, active since 2000, with origins in Antwerp and Brecht. The group forms around Bart van Lier and Marc Verbeeck. Their music sits in punk, with a strong Oi! and street punk character, built around sing-along choruses and lyrics about everyday life.

Formation and early releases

The band starts in 2000 after members of earlier groups including Double U.S. and Eightball come together for the project. After recording a demo in 2001, they issue a split 7-inch with The Heartaches, another Antwerp punk band, on Rock and Roll Radio.

Albums and label work

In 2003, Street Anthem Record in the United States releases the band’s debut album, Meeting The Lads. The record receives strong reviews in Europe and the United States. Their second full-length, Salute To All, appears on SOS Records in 2005.

Live activity

Live performance is central to the band’s identity. They play their first show at the Lintfabriek in Belgium and go on to perform more than a hundred concerts and festival appearances. Their touring and live sets take them beyond Belgium, including a three-week tour of the United States in March 2005 with Funeral Dress, covering more than 15 shows at venues including The Troubadour and CBGBs.

The Agitators also appear at Holidays In The Sun in the UK in 2003 and are invited back for later editions of that event as well as Wasted festival. They also share bills with bands including Cock Sparrer, Deadline, The Last Resort, Hard Skin, The Forgotten, Bombshell Rocks, Sixer, The Real McKenzies, The Kids, Beerzone, D.O.A., The Adicts and The Casualties.