Originally a punk band started in 1991 in California by Mark Stopholese, Vic Chalker and Davey Havok. Their message was largely associated with punk, hardcore, and straight edge kids. A.F.I. means A Fire Inside. They started in high school and released a bunch of EP's then split to go to college. After getting back together they released their first album called "Answer that and Stay Fashionable" in 1995 on Wingnut records. This was an amazing album. They signed to Nitro records and released other awesome albums like "Very Proud of Ya" (1996), and "Shut your Mouth and Open Your Eyes" (1997).
A.F.I. started adding more gothic influences to their punk music after the "A Fire Inside EP" (1998) Adeline Records. This includes "Black Sails in the Sunset" (1999 Nitro), "All Hallow's EP" (1999 Nitro), and "The Art of Drowning" (2000 Nitro) which gained more mainstream success then any other.
In 2002 AFI sold their souls to Dreamwork Records and MTV, releasing Sing The Sorrow(2003) and DecemberUnderground (2006 Interscope Records). Their music, look, and message went through an extreme change. They are well known by the mainstream and have a huge nazi-like new fanbase that knows little of the old punk band or scene. The new fans often think just because someone doesn't like AFI means they have never heard their music. Their music is now more heavy rock, new-wave emo, pop-punk sounding with a touch of flamboyantness. Some would even say AFI were kidnapped, murdered, and had their identities stolen by a group of giggling gay boys in eyeshadow who now pose as being "A.F.I.".
A.F.I. started adding more gothic influences to their punk music after the "A Fire Inside EP" (1998) Adeline Records. This includes "Black Sails in the Sunset" (1999 Nitro), "All Hallow's EP" (1999 Nitro), and "The Art of Drowning" (2000 Nitro) which gained more mainstream success then any other.
In 2002 AFI sold their souls to Dreamwork Records and MTV, releasing Sing The Sorrow(2003) and DecemberUnderground (2006 Interscope Records). Their music, look, and message went through an extreme change. They are well known by the mainstream and have a huge nazi-like new fanbase that knows little of the old punk band or scene. The new fans often think just because someone doesn't like AFI means they have never heard their music. Their music is now more heavy rock, new-wave emo, pop-punk sounding with a touch of flamboyantness. Some would even say AFI were kidnapped, murdered, and had their identities stolen by a group of giggling gay boys in eyeshadow who now pose as being "A.F.I.".
New AFI fan: I LOVE A.F.I. AND DAVEY HAVOK THEY ARE MY LIFE!
Old AFI fan: Davey Havok is gay and had a sex change.
New AFI fan: Well.. I STILL LOVE AFI, ALL THEIR ALBUMS ARE AMAZINGZ@!
Old AFI fan: Have you even heard anything by AFI before they left Nitro records?
New AFI fan: No, what other albums? OMGOMG MTV IS SHOWING THE RERUN OF AFI'S MUSIC VIDEO IN 5 MINUTES! BYE!
Old AFI fan: Davey Havok is gay and had a sex change.
New AFI fan: Well.. I STILL LOVE AFI, ALL THEIR ALBUMS ARE AMAZINGZ@!
Old AFI fan: Have you even heard anything by AFI before they left Nitro records?
New AFI fan: No, what other albums? OMGOMG MTV IS SHOWING THE RERUN OF AFI'S MUSIC VIDEO IN 5 MINUTES! BYE!
by kaystinks August 23, 2006