AFI (abbreviation for A Fire Inside)[a] is an American rock band from Ukiah, California, formed in 1991. Since 1998, it consists of lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backing vocalist Adam Carson, bassist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Hunter Burgan, and guitarist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Jade Puget.[5] Havok and Carson are the sole remaining original members. Originally a hardcore punk band, they have since delved into many genres, starting with horror punk and following through post-hardcore and emo into alternative rock and gothic rock.
AFI has released eleven studio albums, ten EPs, one live album and one DVD. The band first reached substantial commercial success with their fifth album, The Art of Drowning (2000), which peaked at number 174 on the Billboard 200.[6] They then broke into the mainstream with their sixth, Sing the Sorrow (2003), which peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 51 weeks.[6] The album was supported by popular singles "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold", both of which peaked at number seven on America's Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2003. "The Leaving Song Pt. II" was also released as a single, reaching number 16 on the chart. Sing the Sorrow was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2006[7] and is AFI's best-selling release, having sold over 1.26 million copies as of September 2009[update].[8]
AFI's seventh album, Decemberunderground (2006), debuted at number one on the Billboard 200[6][9] and featured the hit single "Miss Murder", which topped the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100[b] and appeared in the video game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2013.[10] Their next three albums, Crash Love (2009), Burials (2013) and AFI (2017), were also successful, peaking at increasing positions on the Billboard 200.[c] An EP, The Missing Man, followed in December 2018.[11] The band released their 11th album, Bodies, on June 11, 2021.
History
Early years (1991–1994)
While still in high school in Ukiah, California, lead vocalist Davey Havok formed a band called AFI in November 1991 with Mark Stopholese and Vic Chalker. At the time, the band did not know how to play any instruments. Stopholese suggested that his friend, drummer Adam Carson, join the band.[12] Stopholese learned guitar and Chalker learned bass, but Chalker was soon replaced by Geoff Kresge. By the end of October 1992, the band had played their first three shows, generally as an opener for a few other punk bands, including Influence 13, which featured future AFI guitarist Jade Puget and frequent collaborator Nick 13.[13] AFI recorded their first EP, Dork (1993), with the now defunct band Loose Change, which also featured Puget.
The band briefly broke up in 1993, when the members left Ukiah to attend different colleges. They decided to commit to AFI full-time after an extremely positive experience and enthusiastic crowd response at a reunion show they played at The Phoenix Theater over Christmas break.[14][15]
AFI's first full-length album, Answer That and Stay Fashionable was released July 4, 1995, on Wingnut Records. It was co-produced by Doug Sangalang and Rancid's Tim Armstrong and Brett Reed. The album featured fast and upbeat hardcore songs, with humorous lyrical themes, which are vocalized in songs such as "Nyquil", "Cereal Wars", and "I Wanna Get a Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One)".[17] Around this time, they coined the term 'East Bay hardcore' to describe their genre.[18]
AFI signed on to Nitro Records, a record label started by The Offspring's Dexter Holland and Greg K. AFI would remain with the label until the release of the 336 EP (2002). In 1996, they released their second album, Very Proud of Ya. Two songs from their previous album, "Yurf Rendenmein" and "Two of A Kind", were re-recorded for this album. After several tours in support of the album, Kresge decided to leave the group. His spot was filled by current AFI bassist Hunter Burgan for the remaining album tour dates.
Burgan went on to help AFI record Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997) and was invited to become their full-time bassist.[19][d] Jade Puget, a former member of Influence 13 and Havok's close friend, also provided background vocals and additional guitar on the album, making it the first to feature all four current members of the band. It is also the first album to be copyrighted to the band's official moniker, A Fire Inside.[a] Subsequently, the A Fire Inside EP (1998) was released, after which Stopholese left the band and was replaced by Puget.
The band's next album, Black Sails in the Sunset (1999), was a musical turning point which featured a darker sound,[20] mixing the band's original hardcore roots with dark romantic influences[e] and an emphasis on a more somber atmosphere and lyrics. The New York Times later referred to this as the point where Havok "developed into a singer and songwriter of substance".[21] During this period, AFI's style was considered punk rock.[22] The influence of death rock and gothic rock was also apparent. Offspring frontman Dexter Holland was featured as a backing vocalist on two tracks.
The All Hallow's E.P. (1999) further explored the horror punk genre, featuring artwork and lyrics containing Halloween themes, including a cover of the Misfits song "Halloween". The song "The Boy Who Destroyed the World" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3,[23] and the single "Totalimmortal" was later covered by The Offspring.[24]
On September 19, 2000, AFI released The Art of Drowning, which debuted on the Billboard Charts at number 174, and peaked at number 9 on the Heatseekers chart.[25] It continued to touch base with the horror punk genre, but expanded into styles that were a departure from previous works.[26] The album featured slower, more melodic songs that were more reminiscent of alternative rock, such as "Ever and a Day" and "6 to 8". Hardcore influences were present, more overtly on some tracks. The album sold over 100,000 copies.[27] "The Days of the Phoenix" was released as a single and video and had some moderate mainstream success, garnering the band more TV and radio airplay. The song reached the UK Singles Chart with its titular EP in 2001, peaking at number 152.[28] The success of The Art of Drowning helped to encourage the band to pursue higher mainstream notoriety.
In June 2006, AFI's seventh studio album, Decemberunderground, was released on Interscope Records. The album's first single, "Miss Murder", reached No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Charts.[31] The release reflects the continually changing and growing fan base of the band, and the album debuted as No. 1 on the Billboard charts.[32] The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 copies of the album.[33] The album's second single, "Love Like Winter", was successful on MTV's Total Request Live and was retired after 40 days on the countdown.
On December 12, 2006, AFI released their first DVD, I Heard a Voice – Live from Long Beach Arena, featuring a live performance shot in Long Beach, California. The performance was later released on December 13, 2007, as a live album, and charted at number 133 on the Billboard 200, and number 16 on the Hard Rock Albums chart.[34] The album was well-received, with punknews.org giving it a four-star rating and commenting that when hearing or seeing the performance "you begin to realize AFI are truly a great live band," and that at some points "Pantera would say turn the noise down."[35]
Crash Love, Burials and The Blood Album (2008–2017)
In July 2009, Havok announced that after two years of writing and recording, a new album titled Crash Love would be released on September 29, 2009.[36] It was recorded with producer David Bottrill (who was later dismissed in favor of Joe McGrath and Jacknife Lee).[37][38] The first single from the album, "Medicate", was released on August 25, 2009, and reached number 7 on the Billboard Alternative Songs Chart. Another single, "Beautiful Thieves", followed later in the year. Havok called Crash Love "the album by which we'll be remembered".[39] It was the band's first release to make a significantly smaller impact than their previous effort,[40] but peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200.[6]
From April to June 2013, several teaser videos were released on AFI's website.[41]
The band was announced to play Riot Fest 2013, as well as being signed to Republic Records.[42] A single titled "I Hope You Suffer" was released on July 23,[43] and the title of the album, Burials, was announced.[44] Another single, "17 Crimes", was released on August 6.[45] The third single from the album, titled "The Conductor", was released on September 9. The album was released on October 22, produced by Gil Norton. It peaked at number 9 on the Billboard 200.[6]
In a June 2016 interview with Aggressive Tendencies, Puget confirmed that AFI had begun working on new material for their tenth studio album.[46] On October 27, the band released two new songs via Spotify, "Snow Cats" and "White Offerings".
The band's tenth album, AFI (also known as The Blood Album), was released on January 20, 2017. Puget served as the main producer. The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200.[6] Other singles were released, including "Aurelia" and "Hidden Knives".
The Missing Man and Bodies (2018–present)
On October 26, 2018, the band surprise-released a new single called "Get Dark" on Spotify and iTunes. This was followed by The Missing Man EP on December 7, featuring five new songs.[11]
On March 25, 2020, AFI was announced as a headliner for the Two Thousand Trees Festival on July 10 of the same year. Puget was interviewed by Kerrang! to promote the festival appearance and said that "hopefully at least a couple of songs" from the band's eleventh album would be released by then.[47] On April 27, 2020, Puget said that the album was finished, but that its release date was being pushed back as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[48] The next day, it was announced that the Two Thousand Trees Festival was being pushed back to 2021, also due to the pandemic.[49]
On January 15, 2021, the band released the tracks "Twisted Tongues" and "Escape from Los Angeles".[50] On February 25, it was revealed that the album would be called Bodies, and be released on June 11. Along with the announcement, the band revealed two new songs as another joint single, "Looking Tragic / Begging for Trouble".[51] On April 9, "Dulceria / Far Too Near" were released,[52] followed by "Tied to a Tree" on May 25.[53]
On March 11, 2023, AFI played Sing the Sorrow in full for the first and last time at the Kia Forum on the album's 20th anniversary, supported by Jawbreaker, Chelsea Wolfe and Choir Boy.[54]
Musical style
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (August 2023)
AFI's sound has constantly changed.[78] AFI originally were a hardcore punk band.[79][80] AFI's first three albums, Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995),[81]Very Proud of Ya (1996),[79] and Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997),[82] all have been described as hardcore punk. AFI's fourth album Black Sails in the Sunset and the band's fifth album The Art of Drowning both have been described as horror punk.[78] AFI's 2003 album Sing the Sorrow is considered post-hardcore[83] and emo.[84][83]Decemberunderground, which features elements of music genres like electronic, new wave, industrial, punk rock, hardcore punk, and synthpop,[85][86][87] is considered alternative rock,[88] post-hardcore[78] and emo.[89] AFI's 2009 album Crash Love is considered alternative rock[69] and pop rock.[78] AFI's 2013 album Burials is considered alternative rock[90] and gothic rock.[78] AFI's 2017 self-titled album, also referred to as The Blood Album, has been described as new wave, post-punk and gothic rock.[91][92]
Louder wrote, "Long before My Chemical Romance topped the charts with the anthemic ‘'Welcome to the Black Parade'’, California's AFI were already injecting their brand of punk with gothic imagery and a sense of theatricality. By the time Gerard Way’s band arrived, AFI had already built a devoted fan base incorporating punks, hardcore fans, goths, metallers and every other type of musical pariah imaginable. They were a band that couldn't help but stand out everywhere they went."[55]AllMusic described AFI as "Northern California hardcore punk revivalists" whose style "evolved to include alternative rock, post-punk, emo, and new wave flair".[56]The Chicago Tribune said that the band "morphed from a conventional garage-punk band into a gothic-rock arena act."[65]Loudwire said that the band "developed from more of a SoCal punk style into a somewhat gothic post-hardcore band".[93]The Encyclopedia of Popular Music said that "Although often described as a cross between goth rock and hardcore punk, by the time of their commercial breakthrough in 2003, [AFI] started out as a straight ahead skate/punk band."[94]PopMatters wrote, "To call California-based hardcore/screamo quartet A.F.I. a band without a flag in the current modern rock landscape is not an unfair assessment of their situation."[95]Rolling Stone categorized the band as pop-punk.[96] AFI has often been labeled as "gothic punk" due to the band's appearance, but AFI band members never considered the label accurate. Jade Puget has said, "Goth-punk isn't a style of music, it doesn't even exist."[97]
Puget, who has produced much of the band's music, stated in 2021:
Anyone who knows our catalog knows that no two records really sit together. Some sit a little closer, maybe. We do certain things, just by virtue of who we are, that are consistent, but those things come about organically. Every time we do something, I have to judge it on its own merits. Some fans are going to judge a new album, or a new song, based on what's come before. But as artists, we can't do that, because it would only hinder our creativity.[50]
The Sydney Morning Herald has written that AFI have been "hailed as being responsible for bringing back the big '80s rock chorus."[104] The band has received much praise in particular from Alternative Press, which has supported the group since the mid-1990s. The publication rated the band's major label debut, Sing the Sorrow as the most anticipated album of 2003, and noted that it "blew the doors off goth-punk as we knew it".[105] AFI has also been granted responsibility for paving the way for the rise of the visual element of rock bands in the 2000s; in a December 2006 article, Revolver Magazine wrote that "AFI have increased the importance of a band's visual identity and the flair for the theatrical," adding that "when a group like Panic! at the Disco borrows imagery from a movie such as Moulin Rouge!, you have to consider the precedent AFI set when they borrowed cues from Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas."[106]Shoutmouth.com placed AFI at number 22 on its list of the 25 most influential punk bands, noting that the band "have evolved with each album, showing that a punk band can not only change, but stay true to their sound at the same time. AFI have been on a constant rise through their career, and as such, eeked [sic] out the honors".[107] After Sing The Sorrow's release, Yorkshire Evening Post described Havok's voice as one of those "you'll love or hate, but one thing can't be denied, this guy has range beyond belief".[108] Recognized by his trademark flair and vocal style, Havok has been recognized as "a bona fide rock god" by Alternative Press.[105]
In 2003, The Pitch described the band's fan club as a "particularly excitable bunch", adding that "there's also the type of sentiments that put the cult back into cult success, such as links to something called 'the Church of Havok'."[30]
^ abc"A Fire Inside" is first attested on the 1997 album Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes.[1] Previously, monikers such as "Abuncha Fuckin' Idiots" and "Anthems for Insubordinates" were used,[2][3] with "Asking for It" being listed for fan mail.[4][1]
^Another single, "Love Like Winter", reached number four on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
^Crash Love peaked at number twelve, Burials at number nine, and AFI at number five.[6]
^Snapcase member Frank Vicario had been asked to join the band on bass, and was even featured in a photo shoot, but Burgan's performance on the album convinced the rest of the band that he should join permanently.[19]
^A poem by Charles Baudelaire, "De profundis clamavi," is present in the hidden track "Midnight Sun".
^Colin Larkin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. Although often described as a cross between goth rock and hardcore punk, by the time of their commercial breakthrough in 2003, the Ukiah, California, USA-based quartet AFI (an acronym for A Fire Inside) started out as a straight ahead skate/ punk band.
^Colin Larkin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. Although often described as a cross between goth rock and hardcore punk, by the time of their commercial breakthrough in 2003, the Ukiah, California, USA-based quartet AFI (an acronym for A Fire Inside) started out as a straight ahead skate/ punk band.
^"AFI – What's in My Bag?". YouTube. Amoeba. Archived from the original on November 13, 2021. Retrieved December 21, 2020. Davey Havok: "I can pull out the Suicide record. What a rough past year we had, because we lost Alan, amidst other great, hugely influential artists. Safe to say that we're all fans here of their work and this record, which is just so wildly ahead of its time and cutting edge in what they were doing with electronics and soundscapes and mood and creating darkness within this minimal crunchy noise art sound."
