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AFI Information
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'AFI' (A Fire Inside) is an American hardcore band. AFI was formed in 1991 by Davey Havok (vocals), Markus Stopholese (guitar), Vic Chalker (bass) and Adam Carson (drums) in Ukiah, California. Bassist Vic was later replaced by Geoff Kresge. Kresge was replaced by Hunter Burgan. Eventually, guitarist Markus Sopholese was replaced by Jade Puget.
AFI formed when the members got bored in between skate sessions. Adam and Davey played school soccer together, and Adam used his brother's drum kit. Havok was in the school's choir. After doing a few live shows in parks and such, AFI broke up while its members moved away to different colleges, including University of California at Berkeley (where Havok began a double major of English and Psychology) and University of California at Santa Barbara. After reuniting to perform a very successful live show, the members decided to drop out of college and play in the band full-time. They released a few independently made vinyl EP's, and eventually released their debut full-length album Answer That and Stay Fashionable in 1995. Their second album, Very Proud of Ya, was released in 1996 by the Nitro Label, after which their bassist Geoff Kresge decided to leave the group for personal reasons. Their current bassist, Hunter Burgan, formerly of The Force (and currently, also doing the side projects of The Frisk and Hunter Revenge) filled in for Kresge for the tour in support of Very Proud of Ya. Hunter prefers to go by the single name Hunter. He helped AFI record Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes. Shortly after, he became their full-time bassist. Over the course of four following LPs, the band has established a dedicated fan-base following and is widely respected as one of the better rock bands of the 1990s.
After the recording of the A Fire Inside EP in 1998, Mark left the band to be replaced by guitarist Jade Puget, formerly of Redemption 87 and Loose Change, who was critical in forming the band's new sound over the following albums. Following on from the new approach they had taken on the aforementioned A Fire Inside EP (released on Adeline records) the band recorded their Black Sails in the Sunset (Nitro 1998) a musical turning point. On this album, and the following All Hallow's EP (Nitro 1999), other EPs and the seminal The Art of Drowning album (Nitro 2000) their original hardcore roots were still quite apparent in their musical approach, but more 80s horror punk seemed to appear in the lyrics. However, many fans feel their latest album Sing the Sorrow which was released on the much larger DreamWorks label on March 11, 2003 displays a different musical approach which has lost some of the punk aggression and connected more with its lyrical (and angsty) subject matter.
AFI was nominated in the MTV Video Music Awards 2003 in the MTV2 award category for the video Girl's Not Grey. They won it. It was their first VMA.
A special edition box set of Sing the Sorrow includes a bonus DVD with the short film Clandestine.
They are followed by a devoted fan base called the Despair Faction. Consisting of fans old and young, the Despair Faction attends every AFI show in its areas.
Hunter, who replaced Geoff (who went on to join Tiger Army but is now in The Horrorpops), is from Grass Valley in Northern California. He was in a number of bands, including The Force. Currently he has a solo band Hunter Revenge and is in The Frisk, as well as being in AFI full-time.
The meaning of the initials "AFI" means A Fire Inside. Some claim differently but, Davey Havok claims that the meaning of AFI has always been "A Fire Inside." However, earlier AFI records like Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes list contact information addressed to "Asking For It." They have also used the moniker "Anthems For Insubordinates."
2004 saw AFI record two cover songs: The Cure's "Just Like Heaven" for the MTV Icon television show and
Nine Inch Nails' "Head Like A Hole" for the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack: this song appears only in the 2-disc set, and is not present in the game.
As of March 2005 the band is continuing to work on their new album, the name and release date yet to be announced.
According to Adam's continuous posts in the Despair Faction forum, the completion of the drum tracking can be deduced. Jade is now recording the guitar track. Next comes Hunter and the last to record will be Davey. The band claims they will incorporate more rock and electronica elements and adapt more of a 'cold-pop' into their sound than their previous work.
Recently, Davey has posted in the forum saying he is recording the vocals, which would indicate that they are in the last stages of recording.
On October 7th, 2005, AFI went on KROQ for an interview on the radio. They released an unreleased song from the Sing the Sorrow sessions, entitled "Rabbits are Roadkill on Route 37". This can somewhat explain the picture of a rabbit on the second to last page of the Sing the Sorrow lyric booklet.
Discography
AFI Albums
Studio Albums
Release Date| Title | Release Type | Label | Info | | March 2 1993 | Dork EP | 7" Vinyl | Key Lime Pie Records | This is a split 7" with Loose Change. This was AFI's first release. | | June 11 1993 | Behind The Times EP | 7" Vinyl | Key Lime Pie Records | Released on the 11th of June in 1993 on Key Lime Pie Records. This 7" was re-released in early 1994. | | March 18 1994 | Eddie Picnic's All Wet Live EP | 7" Vinyl | Key Lime Pie Records | | 1994 | This is Berkeley, Not West Bay EP | 7" Vinyl | Zafio Records | | 1995 | Bombing the Bay | 7" Vinyl | Sessions Records | Split 7" with Swingin' Utters | | March 31 1995 | Fly In The Ointment EP | 7" Vinyl | Wedge Record | | August 1 1995 | Answer That and Stay Fashionable | CD & 17" Vinyl | Wignut Records | Originally released on Wingnut Records. | | December 1995 | AFI/Heckle Split split with Heckle | 7" Vinyl | Wignut Records | | June 16 1996 | Very Proud of Ya | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Nitro Records | | April 22 1997 | Answer That and Stay Fashionable | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Nitro Records | Re-released on Nitro Records. | | November 11 1997 | Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Nitro Records | | August 14 1998 | A Fire Inside EP | CD, & 7" Vinyl | Adeline Records | | April 27 1999 | Black Sails EP | CD | Nitro Records | | May 18 1999 | Black Sails in the Sunset | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Nitro Records | | 1999 | Alternative Press EP | CD | Unknown | Released by Alternative Press, this CD was a bonus when purchasing a copy of their magazine. Cardboard fold-out case. | | October 5 1999 | All Hallows EP | CD, & 17" Vinyl | Nitro Records | | September 26 2000 | The Art of Drowning | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Nitro Records | | April 30 2001 | The Days of the Phoenix EP | CD | Nitro Records | | December 2 2002 | 336 EP | 10" Vinyl | Nitro Records | 336 AKA "Now the World Picture Disc." This is AFI's first 10". It is a picture disc with one side displaying AFI logo artwork and the other a photo of the band. | | February 10 2003 | The Nitro Years Box Set | Box, 7" Vinyl | Nitro Records | The box set comes in a black velvet box and contained 5 of AFI's first LPs. The LP jackets were also re-designed as black on black images. Thrown in was a full-colour booklet outlining AFI's history with liners from past and present band members and some great photos | | March 11 2003 | Sing The Sorrow | CD, 17" Vinyl, & Cassette | Dreamworks Records | AFI's First major label debut album. | | November 2 2004 | A.F.I explicit lyrics | CD, 7" Vinyl | Nitro Records | This album showcases a selection of songs from AFI's time at Nitro records. | | November 2 2004 | A.F.I clean lyrics | CD, 7" Vinyl | Nitro Records |
Singles
Release Date| Title | Release Type | Label | Info | | June 9 2003 | Girl's Not Grey UK 7" | 7" Vinyl | Dreamworks Records | | June 9 2003 | Girl's Not Grey UK CD1 | CD | Dreamworks Records | This CD single is only available in the UK and is enhanced. | | June 9 2003 | Girl's Not Grey UK CD2 | CD | Dreamworks Records | This CD single is only available in the UK and is enhanced and is also a poster-pack, meaning it comes with a free poster. Wallet style case. Limited edition. | | June 9 2003 | Girl's Not Grey Europe | CD | Dreamworks Records | This is a very rare item. | | June 9 2003 | Girl's Not Grey Germany | CD | Dreamworks Records | This is a very rare item, and comes is a card jacket. | | August 3 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt.II Australian Tour Edition | CD | Dreamworks Records | Exclusive to Australia only | Slimline case. |
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| September 8 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt.II UK 7" | 7" Vinyl | Dreamworks Records | | September 8 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt.II UK CD1 | CD | Dreamworks Records | Slimline case. | | September 8 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt.II UK CD2 | CD | Dreamworks Records | Slimline case. Limited edition. | | September 8 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt.II Germany | CD | Dreamworks Records | Rare. | | September 8 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt. II EU Cassette | Cassette | Dreamworks Records | This was released only in Europe. | | 2003 | Silver and Cold | Video | Dreamworks Records | Released to selected video channels |
Promos
Release Date| Title | Release Type | Label | Info | | 1999 | Totalimmortal Promo Single | CD | Nitro Records | This is a CD released by mp3.com under licence from Nitro Records in 1999. It contains only one track and is quite rare. | | 1999 | Totalimmortal | Video | Nitro Records | Released in 1999 on Nitro Records, this VHS was a promotional item sent to select video stations in the US. This contains a bonus introduction. NTSC Stereo. | | 2000 | Wester Promo Single | CD | Nitro Records | This was released on Nitro Records in 2000. It is a promotional single with no cover art other than back sleeve. The CD art is fairly poor and cheap. Often considered a fake, but definitely not. Sells cheap due to this. | | 2000 | The Art Of Drowning Promo | CD | Nitro Records | This was released on Nitro Records in mid 2000. Contains all tracks but has alternative artwork and CD artwork. Identical front cover to the LP release, fountain back cover with tracklist, and the CD contains only AFI logo as artwork on silver backing with white tracklist. This is very hard to come by. | | 2000 | The Art Of Drowning Promo Cassette | Cassette | Nitro Records | Promotional cassette given to people who found an AFI postcard and sent it into AFI. This cassette is in a cardboard sleeve with The Art Of Drowning written on the tape and the normal artwork on the cover cropped to fit with the release date printed as well. This cassette is backed with a Vandals promo song. Released on the 14th of July in 2000 on Nitro Records. This cassette is VERY RARE. | | 2000 | The Days Of The Phoenix Radio Promo | CD | Nitro Records | Released in 2000 on Nitro Records. Was distributed to radio stations for airplay of the UK single. This is a one track promo and has the Nephilim on the cover. Rare. | | 2003 | | CD | Nitro Records | Released on Nitro Records prior to the 2003 release of Sing The Sorrow, this CD contains a selection of tracks from each full length LP released on Nitro Records. This CD is fairly rare and was given out to a select number of AFI orders from the Nitro website. | | 2003 | Sing The Sorrow Advance CD | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released early 2003 on DreamWorks Records. Contains 12 tracks (does not contain This Time Imperfect or the Spoken Poem) on CDR. | | 2003 | Girl's Not Grey Radio Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released in January 2003 to selected radio stations. | | 2003 | Sing The Sorrow 4-Track Sampler | CD | Dreamworks Records | This was released early 2003 on DreamWorks Records and contains 4 tracks from the full length LP. This version of the samplers is much harder to come across. | | 2003 | Sing The Sorrow 6-Track Sampler | CD | Dreamworks Records | This was released early 2003 on DreamWorks Records and contains 6 tracks from the full length LP. This version of the samplers is not too rare. | | 2003 | Sing The Sorrow Sampler (Australia) | CD | Dreamworks Records | This was released in early/mid 2003 on DreamWorks Records. It is a sampler for the album Sing The Sorrow and was handed out for free at selected record stores around Australia. Cardboard jacket. | | 2003 | Sing The Sorrow Test Pressing | CD | Dreamworks Records | This was released early 2003 on DreamWorks Records. It came as a press kit for selected media sources. Contains 12 tracks with no secret track. There is no artwork or solid casing. Tracklisting, band name and record logo on CD face. | | 2003 | Girl's Not Grey Advance Promotional Single | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released on the 6th of January in 2003 on DreamWorks Records. This CD has a plane white face with track details. There is no artwork. Rare. | | 2003 | Girl's Not Grey | 7" Vinyl | Dreamworks Records | Promotional 7" released in March of 2003 on DreamWorks Records. | | 2003 | Girl's Not Grey | Tape | Dreamworks Records | Released in March 2003, this VHS was a promotional item sent to selected video stations. | | 2003 | Girl's Not Grey Single Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Girl's Not Grey Single Promo - This was released in mid April on DreamWorks Records. It is identical to the Girl's Not Grey Radio Promo, however it has different artwork and is not intended for distribution to radio stations. Back of case has an information sticker on tour dates and single characteristics. Rare. Slimline case. | | 2003 | Rockline Promotional Radio Interview CD Set | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released on the 21st of April in 2003 by Rockline. This CD contains an interview by AFI and Powerman 5000 intended for promotional purposes on radio stations in the United States. | | 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt. II Radio Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released in early/mid 2003 on DreamWorks Records. This was produced to be AFI's second single from Sing The Sorrow. This is a 1 track CD and is most likely slightly more common than the Girl's Not Grey Radio Promo. | | 2003 | The Leaving Song pt. II Australian Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | 1-track promo | | 2003 | The Leaving Song Pt. II | Tape | Dreamworks Records | Released in July 2003 on DreamWorks Records, this VHS was a promotional item sent to select video stations in the US. This is the Director's Cut. NTSC Stereo. | | 2003 | Silver And Cold Promotional Single | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released in late November of 2003, this is a two track promo single on DreamWorks Records. This is not too rare, but a good item to own. One of the last promotional AFI items released by DreamWorks Records. | | 2003 | Live At The Hard Rock Cafe Promotional CD | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released in late November of 2003, this is a five track live performance CD recorded in Orlando, Florida on the 20th of August in 2003. | | 2004 | Head Like a Hole Radio Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released to radio stations on the condition that they send them back... so you won't find too many of these floating around. This was released early on before the song had even been mastered. | | 2004 | Head Like a Hole Radio Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Released to selected US radio stations. | | 2004 | Head Like a Hole Australian Promo | CD | Dreamworks Records | Head Like a Hole Australian Promo | }
Full Length Albums/EPs/Vinyls/Box Sets
*Dork EP released in 1993 on 7" vinyl
*Behind The Times EP released in 1993 on 7" vinyl
*Eddie Picnic's All Wet live EP released in 1994 on 7" vinyl
*This is Berkeley, Not West Bay EP released in 1994 on 7" vinyl
*Bombing the Bay split with Swingin' Utters released in 1995 on 7" featuring AFI's cover of "Values Here," by Dag Nasty.
*Fly In The Ointment EP released in 1995 on 7" vinyl
*Answer That and Stay Fashionable album released in 1995 by Wignut Records
*AFI/Heckle Split split with Heckle released in late 1995 by Wignut Records
*Very Proud of Ya album released in 1996 on CD, 12" and cassette.
*Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes album released in 1997 on CD, 12" and cassette.
*A Fire Inside EP released in 1998 on CD and 7"
*Black Sails EP released in 1999 on CD.
*Black Sails in the Sunset album released in 1999 on CD, 12" and cassette.
*All Hallow's EP released in 1999 on CD and 12"
*The Art of Drowning album released in 2000 on CD, 12" and cassette.
* The Days Of The Phoenix EP released in 2001 on CD.
*336 (a.k.a. "now the world picture disc") EP released in 2002 on 10" vinyl
*The Nitro Years Box Set vinyl box set released by Nitro in 2003. Contents:
**Answer That and Stay Fashionable Clear Vinyl
**Very Proud of Ya Clear Vinyl
**Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes Clear Vinyl
**Black Sails in the Sunset Clear Vinyl
**The Art of Drowning Clear Vinyl
*Sing the Sorrow album released in 2003 on CD. 12" and cassette. Also avaiblable in the special edition "Sing the Sorrow Special Edition" (Book, CD, and DVD- Clandestine)
*AFI retrospective released on November 2, 2004
Singles
*Girl's Not Grey UK 7" June 9 2003
*Girl's Not Grey UK CD1 June 9 2003
*Girl's Not Grey UK CD2 June 9 2003
*Girl's Not Grey Europe June 9 2003
*Girl's Not Grey Germany June 9 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II Australian Tour Edition August 3 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II UK 7" September 8 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II UK CD1 September 8 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II UK CD2 September 8 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II Germany September 8 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II EU Cassette September 8 2003
*Silver and Cold in 2003
Promotional releases
*Totalimmortal Promo Single 1999
*Totalimmortal 1999
*Wester Promo Single 2000
*The Art of Drowning Promo mid 2000
*The Art of Drowning Promo Cassette July 14 2000
*The Days Of The Phoenix Radio Promo 2000
*AFI: A History early 2003
*Sing the Sorrow Advance CD early 2003
*Girl's Not Grey Radio Promo January 2003
*Sing the Sorrow 4-Track Sampler early 2003
*Sing the Sorrow 6-Track Sampler early 2003
*Sing the Sorrow Sampler (Australia) early 2003
*Sing the Sorrow Test Pressing early 2003
*Girl's Not Grey Advance Promotional Single January 6 2003
*Girl's Not Grey March 2003
*Girl's Not Grey March 2003
*Girl's Not Grey Single Promo mid April 2003
*Rockline Promotional Radio Interview CD Set April 21 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II Radio Promo mid 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II Australian Promo mid 2003
*The Leaving Song Pt. II July 2003
*Silver and Cold Promotional Single late November 2003
*Live at the Hard Rock Cafe Promotional CD late November 2003
*Head Like a Hole Radio Promo 2004
*Head Like a Hole Australian Promo September 2004
Compilations
*Satan is Love Volume 1 1996
*Punk Nation Unification 1996
*Bacteria Sour 1996
*Go Ahead Punk... Make My Day September 24 1996
*Godmoney August 12 1997
*Punk Fiction late 1997
*10 Years Later September 23 1997
*Cinema Beer Nuts September 23 1997
*The Show January 14 1998
*Deep Thoughts July 28 1998
*California Hardcore: A Call to Arms November 3 1998
*No Time to Kill 1999
*Short Music for Short People June 1 1999
*Cinema Beer Belly October 12 1999
*Punk You 1999 | *The Thought Remains the Same January 25 2000
*The Way It Should Be February 14 2000
*Punk Goes Metal August 1 2000
*For Those Who Stand December 4 2000
*Punk Rawk Show December 11 2000
*The Cornerstone Player #016 early 2001
*That Darn Punk March 6 2001
*The Show Volume 1 April 27 2001
*The Vans Warped Tour June 21 2001
*Moto XXX Volume 2 July 21 2001
*Nitro Records: Warped Tour 2001 Compilation 2001
*Plea for Peace/Take Action August 7 2001
*PBS: Punk Broadcasting System September 4 2001
*Nitro Records Video Compilation 2001
*DreamWorks Cheat Sheet Sampler 2002
*Punkzilla January 22 2002
*Punk Chunks 2 February 15 2002
*Punk Rawk Show - Taking Back the Airwaves April 23 2002
*MTV Road Rules August 6 2002
*Monitor This April 2003
*Concrete Corner Sampler April 2003
*Universal Music International: Weekly Showreel 14/03 April 14 2003
*Universal Music International: Weekly Showreel 17/03 May 5 2003
*Universal Music International: Weekly Showreel 24/03 June 23 2003
*High Voltage June 24 2003
*The Cornerstone Player #44 July 2003
*Cinema Beer Buddy July 8 2003
*Universal Music International: Weekly Showreel 27/03 July 14 2003
*SoundGear New Music August 2003
*Cinema Board Buddy August 12 2003
*MuchMusic: Big Shiny Tunes 8 November 11 2003
*Nu Rock Traxx Volume 105 November 25 2003
*DJ Elitizk Ultimate late '03/early '04
*Backbeat Video Magazine Vol. 1 December 30 2003
*99x Up Start Bands Volume 1 2004
*Triple j Hottest 100 March 14 2004
*Vans Warped Tour Live 2003 April 2004
*Hitman: Contracts DVD April 20 2004
*XDoaneX2 mid 2004
*99X Joyride 2004
*Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (soundtrack only) November 23 2004
*Music from the Cutting Edge. Razor Vol. 11 January 1 2005
*Magazine Comps
*Metal Hammer RIOT Video ??/??/??
*Search and Destroy: The History of Punk Volume 1 June 2000
*Metal Hammer CD November 2000
*Rock Sound CD December 2000
*Rock Sound CD April 2002
*Rock Sound: Music & Attitude May 2003
*20 Tracks Compiled By The Offspring's Dexter Holland... July 5 2003
*NME: Rock 'N' Roll Riot (CD 2) November 9 2003
*Visions: All Areas Volume 39 late '03/early '04
Videos
*He Who Laughs Last... 1996 Video-Single (only)
*Third Season 1997 Video-Single (only)
*Totalimmortal 1999 Video-Single (only)
*The Days of the Phoenix 2000 Video-Single (only)
*Girl's Not Grey 2003 CD/Video Single
*The Leaving Song Pt. 2 2003 CD/Video Single
*Silver and Cold'' 2003 Video-Single (only)
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