The times they are a-changing in the Dutch punk rock scene. After the break up of befriended bands like Smash the Statues, 1000 Miles Ahead and Progress Antillectual couldn’t fall behind. For some it might be a surprise, others might have seen it coming since Pieter (Omission, Rush n Attack) replaced Yvo on the past three tours. But Yvo has decided to leave Antillectual. Read his statement on how and what below.

“This is it, I quit! I could not combine my family life with the band anymore. I always gave everything I had for this band, and I wouldn’t want to give any less. As much as I love Antillectual, I want to focus on my family life now. They need me, I need them. It sounds as simple as that, but we all know decisions like this are tough … This is probably one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Antillectual is the very first band I ever played in. When we started I never would’ve thought this band would have such a huge influence on me. On every single tour I was overwhelmed by the inspiring social centres we’d play, I was touched by the people and collectives taking care of us, I was moved by the late night talks and discussions. Beautiful landscapes and fucked up border cops. Endless drives and endless landscapes.

Above all, Antillectual was the proof of taking matters in our own hands. We wrote the songs, we screamed from the top of our lungs, we booked the tours, we brought political books to shows, we organized shows, we almost killed ourselves a couple of times. We trusted strangers on the other side of the world, we made friends who we might never see ever again. Why? Because it felt like the right thing to do. And that’s exactly the reason why I’m stepping off this crazy train ride. Antillectual was my place, my home, and my safe haven. I could say what I want, do what I want, I could be the person who I am. Something that can be hard in daily life I’ve discovered. I’ve read several articles and books describing Autonomous Free Zones. Well, Antillectual was one of those zones for me. At least that’s how I experienced it. Now is the time to create those autonomous zones/ spaces in daily life.

Even though a part of my world has crumbled into pieces, I’m also looking forward to new challenges. Raising my kids in a loving and caring way is the biggest, most intense and beautiful challenge of all. Next to that I’ve always said I should spend more time on political ideals so I’ll be working on that. So I hope to see you on the barricades!

I wish my dearest friends in Antillectual all the best in the world. Thanks to everyone.

Love & rage, Yvo”

Riekus and I understand Yvo’s decision, even though we would have loved to continue with him. We wish Yvo all the best in his future life and activities. In “true Antillectual style” Riekus and I have already been working hard on our next chapter. And with the break up of Smash the Statues it seemed the most logical step to ask our friend Tom if he felt like playing bass in our band. And he did. This makes us more eager and ready to go on than ever before. We are sorry for Yvo to leave, but Tom is the best replacement we could hope for. A lot of new perspectives are opening up to us. New songs are being practised; new tours are being booked.

Tom’s first show will be our next show in Walhalla, Sevenum (NL) on November 21. Yvo’s last show will be on January 23 in De Onderbroek in Nijmegen (NL), which coincides with Smash the Statues’ farewell show. Be there! We are playing all previously booked shows and we are looking for new shows to get both Tom and the newly written songs kicked into shape. Antillectual will continue to bring the Typewriter book distro to shows.