Editing Anti-Flag (section)

===First three albums (1996–1999)===
In 1996, Anti-Flag released their first album, ''[[Die For the Government]]'', on [[New Red Archives]]. Andy Flag left the band in mid-1996 because of personal disputes with Justin. After Andy's departure in 1996, Sean Whelan from the Pittsburgh band the Bad Genes briefly filled in as their bassist. During this time, Sean was also playing in another band (57 Defective) with Pittsburgh guitarist Chris Head, whom he introduced to Anti-Flag.

In early 1997, Chris Head began filling in on bass. In late 1997, Jamie Cock took over as the new bassist, giving Chris Head his preferred role as the second guitar. The band's current lineup was finalized in 1999 when Chris Barker, also known as Chris No. 2, replaced Jamie Cock on bass.

In 1998, Anti-Flag released their second full-length album, ''[[Their System Doesn't Work for You]]''. The album contained all nine Anti-Flag songs from the 1996 Anti-Flag/[[d.b.s.]] split album ''North America Sucks'', as well as 10 new unreleased songs. The band decided to release the album independently, and ''Their System Doesn't Work for You'' became the debut release for the band's own [[A-F Records]].

In 1999, Anti-Flag released the album ''[[A New Kind of Army]]'' on [[Go-Kart Records]]/[[A-F Records]]. The album addressed topics such as abortion, political corruption, racism, [[fascism]], troubled youth, police brutality, and unity amongst American youths. The cover art page unfolded into a poster featuring the phrase, "Too smart to fight. Too smart to kill. Join now. A new kind of army." In addition, the band had a disclaimer at the bottom of its album cover, which said, "Anti-Flag does not mean Anti-American. Anti-Flag means anti-war. Anti-Flag means unity."