In 1988, Sane formed Anti-Flag with friend Pat Thetic. In 1996, they released their first album, "Die for the Government". Later that year, Andy Flag left the band as a result of personal disputes. Various band members came and went during 1997 and 1998, after which they finally settled on a permanent line-up consisting of Sane as lead guitarist/vocalist, Thetic as drummer, Chris Head as guitarist/backing vocalist, and Chris "#2" Barker as bassist/second vocalist. In 1998, the band released their second album, "Their System Doesn't Work For You".