History Music / AFI

AFI (A Fire Inside) is an American alternative rock band, formed in 1991. Originally formed as a {{Hardcore Punk}} revivalist band, they continued much in the same way for their first three albums: ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'', ''Very Proud of Ya'', and ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes''. Then things took a different turn.

''[[NewSoundAlbum Crash Love]]'' was stated to be a "straightforward rock record" by the band, with a {{New Wave|Music}} feel and focus on catchy, more upbeat songs. However, it [[BrokenBase caused some alarm]] due to percieved abandonment of their hardcore roots. Their 2013 album ''Burials'' continues that merger of styles, featuring a dark, operatic feel to most of the songs.

Not to be confused with the American Film Institute. Lead singer Davey Havok and lead guitarist Jade Puget also head an [[ElectronicMusic electronic]] side project, Blaqk Audio and a {{Hardcore Punk}} side project, XTRMST.

* AudienceParticipationSong: "Strength Through Wounding," "Miseria Cantare (the Beginning)"

* ConceptAlbum: Not hard-and-fast examples; WordOfGod states that the major themes of ''Decemberunderground'' and ''Crash Love'' are isolation and society's obsession with celebrity and instant gratification, respectively. The ''All Hallow's E.P.'' could be considered one of these, though arguably only half of it ("Halloween" and "Fall Children")" would really count. Similarly, ''Sing the Sorrow'' is about death and rebirth, while ''Burials'' is about the emotional fallout of a failed relationship.

* ObligatoryBondageSong: Mentions are made of wrist restraints in "Kiss and Control", and "The Interview" refrerences an honest-to-god OBS, "Master and Servant" by Music/DepecheMode. Then there's "Dream of Waking"...

* PuttingOnTheReich: Davey playing a fascist dictator in the "Miss Murder" video. The video got some criticism, presumably from people who didn't know the whole band are hardcore left wing activists.

* SoloSideProject: Davey Havok and Jade Puget started a side project called Blaqk Audio, releasing an album called ''Cex Cells''. They later started another side project called XTRMST, releasing a self-titled album.

* VocalEvolution: There's a big difference between Davey's voice on ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'' and his voice today; partially due to a change in singing style and the fact that people's voices naturally continue to deepen somewhat over time.

* DudeLooksLikeALady: lampshaded in [[http://www.mitchclem.com/nothingnice/151/ this comic]].

* AltumVidetur: "Miseria Cantare", "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda" (somewhat justified in that it's a medical name for a disease)

* [[AltumVidetur Gratuitous Latin]]: "Miseria Cantare", "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda" (somewhat justified in that it's a medical name for a disease)

* LoveNostalgiaSong: "The Days Of The Phoenix" is not too far into their career but still very nostalgic for their super-early concert days, and a particular lovely girl.

* VocalEvolution: There's a big difference between Davey's voice on ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'' and his voice today; partially due to a change in singing style and to the fact that people's voices naturally continue to deepen somewhat over time.

''[[NewSoundAlbum Crash Love]]'' was stated to be a "straightforward rock record" by the band, with a NewWaveMusic feel and focus on catchy, more upbeat songs. However, it [[BrokenBase caused some alarm]] due to percieved abandonment of their hardcore roots. Their 2013 album ''Burials'' continues that merger of styles, featuring a dark, operatic feel to most of the songs.

* DrugsAreBad: The use of drugs by companions is mourned in songs like "Clove Smoke Catharsis" and "Veronica Sawyer Smokes". AFI follow a StraightEdge lifestyle and are resolutely against drugs.

* NonAppearingTitle: Too many examples to list. They usually have at least one song per album that averts this. Burials is the one with most aversions.

On their 1999 album ''Black Sails in the Sunset'', they supplemented their hardcore sound by experimenting with {{Goth Rock}} influences. This trend would continue with their next two albums, ''The Art of Drowning'', which also brought in {{industrial}} elements, and ''Sing the Sorrow'', which became AFI's breakthrough album and reaching #5 on the Billboard charts. Then ''Decemberunderground'' came around. While somewhat lighter in tone, it was a major success and produced some of AFI's most popular songs, such as "Miss Murder" and "Endlessly She Said".

On their 1999 release ''Black Sails in the Sunset'', they supplemented their hardcore sound by experimenting with {{Goth Rock}} influences. This trend would continue with their next two albums, ''The Art of Drowning'', which also brought in {{industrial}} elements, and ''Sing the Sorrow'', which became AFI's breakthrough album and reaching #5 on the Billboard charts. Then ''Decemberunderground'' came around. While somewhat lighter in tone, it was a major success and produced some of AFI's most popular songs, such as "Miss Murder" and "Endlessly She Said".

* Vic Chalker – bass, backing vocals (1991–192)

* LoveIsADrug: The song "Medicate" is about this, more or less.

* Vic Chalker – bass, backing vocals (1991–1992)
* Geoff Kresge – bass, backing vocals (1992–1997)
* Mark Stopholese – guitars, backing vocals (1991–1998)

* AnachronicOrder: Possibly. "The Leaving Song Part II" is placed before "The Leaving Song" on ''Sing the Sorrow.''

* CelebrityIsOverrated: From ''Crash Love'', "I Am Trying Very Hard To Be Here" is a vain, sassy song about being recognized everywhere and living as a persona.

* EmoMusic: Of classic[=/=]PostHardcore variety. They were also key {{Trope Codifier}}s in the early 2000s post-hardcore scene along with Music/{{Thursday}}, Music/BrandNew and Music/TakingBackSunday, particularly with ''Sing the Sorrow'' and ''Decemberunderground''.

* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: Their later albums get into this. ''Black Sails in the Sunset'' has several songs with GothRock elements in it, ''The Art Of Drowning'' has a couple songs with industrial intros, Sing the Sorrow continues to build on these two genres while having a few unique departures of its own such as "Dancing Thru Sunday" which outright has Jade playing a HeavyMetal style shred solo, while ''Decemberunderground'' adds more "mainstream" elements while still continuing with a similar sound to STS. ''Burials'' is an outright modern GothRock record, with layered production and keyboards.

* PuttingOnTheReich: Davey playing a fascist dictator in the "Miss Murder" video. The video got some criticism, presumably from people who didn't know the whole band is hardcore left wing activists.

* ShoutOut: to ''Film/{{Beetlejuice}}'' in "The Despair Factor," ''Film/{{Goodfellas}}'' in the "He Who Laughs Last" video (the "as far back as I can remember..." line) and ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'' in the "Girl's Not Grey" video. Also to ''Film/ReservoirDogs'' on the "Answer That and Stay Fashionable" album cover; the album title itself is a line from the short film ''[[Series/TheComicStripPresents Bad News Tour]]''. "Veronica Sawyer Smokes" is a big one to ''Heathers''.

* VocalEvolution: There's a big difference between Davey's voice on "Answer That..." and his voice today; partially due to a change in singing style and to the fact that people's voices naturally continue to deepen somewhat over time.

[[AC:AFI Members:]]

[[AC: Former members:]]

[[AC: Discography:]]

!!Tropes used by this band include:

* ClusterFBomb: "Cruise Control", albeit not to the extend of most examples

* CoverVersion: "Halloween", "Demonomania" and "Last Caress" by Music/TheMisfits, "The Hanging Garden" by Music/TheCure, "Don't Change" by Music/{{INXS}}, "Jack the Ripper" by Music/{{Morrissey}}, "Head Like a Hole" by Music/NineInchNails, "My Michelle" by Music/GunsNRoses, "Ziggy Stardust" by Music/DavidBowie, "Man in a Suitcase" by Music/ThePolice, "Today's Lesson" by Filth and ''Song 2'' by Music/{{Blur}}.

* {{Emo}}: Of classic/ post-hardcore variety. They were also key TropeCodifiers in the early 2000's post-hardcore scene along with Music/{{Thursday}}, Music/{{Brand New}} and Music/{{TakingBackSunday}}, particularly with ''Sing the Sorrow'' and ''Decemberunderground''.

* [[AltumVidetur Gratuitous Latin]]: "Miseria Cantare," "Porphyria Cutanea Tarda" (somewhat justified in that it's a medical name for a disease)
* HiddenTrack: "No Dave Party" (pre-gap track), "Battled," "Midnight Sun," "This Time Imperfect" after the last track, "And Then I'll Be Back Home" after "Affliction".
* KnuckleTattoos: Davey has 'em. (They say "Ciao Baby.")
* LongRunnerLineUp: Type 2

** His hair has changed distinctly between each album since ''The Art of Drowning.''
** The band's clothing motifs has also changed, from the white of ''Decemberunderground'' to the suits of ''Crash Love'' to now the leather and black of ''Burials.''

* NeoclassicalPunkZydecoRockabilly: Their later albums get into this. "Black Sails In The Sunset" has several songs with GothRock elements in it, The Art Of Drowning has a couple songs with industrial intros, Sing the Sorrow continues to build on these two genres while having a few unique departures of its own such as Dancing Thru Sunday which outright has Jade playing a HeavyMetal style shred solo, while Decemberunderground adds more "mainstream" elements while still continuing with a similar sound to STS. Burials is an outright modern GothRock record, with layered production and keyboards.

* ObligatoryBondageSong: Mentions are made of wrist restraints in "Kiss and Control," and "The Interview" refrerences an honest-to-god OBS, "Master and Servant" by Music/DepecheMode. Then there's "Dream of Waking"...

* OlderThanTheyLook: Davey and Jade both fit the bill. Davey has the general appearance and energy of a man in his late twenties-early thirties despite being 40, and Jade's haircut makes him look far younger than he actually is(Jade is the oldest in the band).

* RefrainFromAssuming: "Prelude 12/21" is not called "Kiss My Eyes and Lay Me to Sleep," or any variation thereof.

* SpecialGuest: Dexter Holland of TheOffspring provides uniquely emotional vocals on "The Prayer Position", "Clove Smoke Catharsis" and "God Called In Sick".

* SurrealMusicVideo: "Snow Cats" off of The Blood Album has a trippy video with mirror images of the band playing, the camera zooming into the band members' eyes and mouths, slow-mo shots at points, and uncomfortable angles.
* TitleByNumber: "3 1/2," "6 to 8," "37mm," "Prelude 12/21", "Greater Than 84"

On their 1999 release ''Black Sails in the Sunset'', they supplemented their hardcore sound by experimenting with {{Goth Rock}} influences. This trend would continue with their next two albums, ''The Art of Drowning'', which also brought in {{industrial}} elements, and ''Sing the Sorrow'', which became AFI's breakthrough album and reaching #5 on the Billboard charts. Then Decemberunderground came around. While somewhat lighter in tone, it was a major success and produced some of AFI's most popular songs, such as "Miss Murder" and "Endlessly She Said".

AFI (A Fire Inside) are an American alternative rock band, formed in 1991. Originally formed as a {{Hardcore Punk}} revivalist band, they continued much in the same way for their first three albums: ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'', ''Very Proud of Ya'', and ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes''. Then things took a different turn.

AFI (A Fire Inside) are an American alternative rock band, formed in 1991. Originally formed as a {{Hardcore Punk}} revivalist band, they continued much in the same way for their first three albums: ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'', ''Very Proud of Ya'', and ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes''. Then things started to take a different turn.

''[[NewSoundAlbum Crash Love]]'' was stated to be a "straightforward rock record" by the band, with a NewWaveMusic feel and focus on catchy, more upbeat songs. However, it [[BrokenBase caused some alarm]] due to percieved abandonment of their hardcore roots. Their most recent album ''Burials'' continues that merger of styles, featuring a dark, operatic feel to most of the songs.

''[[NewSoundAlbum Crash Love]]'' was stated to be a "straightforward rock record" by the band, with a NewWave feel and focus on catchy, more upbeat songs. However, it [[BrokenBase caused some alarm]] due to percieved abandonment of their hardcore roots. Their most recent album ''Burials'' continues that merger of styles, featuring a dark, operatic feel to most of the songs.

'''AFI''' (A Fire Inside) are an American alternative rock band, formed in 1991. Originally formed as a {{Hardcore Punk}} revivalist band, they continued much in the same way for their first three albums: ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'', ''Very Proud of Ya'', and ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes''. Then things started to take a different turn.

On their 1999 release ''Black Sails in the Sunset'', they supplemented their hardcore sound with {{Goth Rock}} influences. This trend would continue with their next two albums, ''The Art of Drowning'', which also brought in {{industrial}} elements, and ''Sing the Sorrow'', the latter album. adding some EmotiveHardcore elements into the mix and becoming AFI's breakthrough album and reaching #5 on the Billboard charts. Then Decemberunderground came around. While somewhat lighter in tone, it was a major success and produced some of AFI's most popular songs, such as "Prelude 12/21" and "Endlessly She Said".

On their 1999 release ''Black Sails in the Sunset'', they supplemented their hardcore sound with {{Goth Rock}} influences. This trend would continue with their next two albums, ''The Art of Drowning'', which also brought in {{industrial}} elements, and ''Sing the Sorrow'', the latter album becoming AFI's breakthrough album and reaching #5 on the Billboard charts. Then Decemberunderground came around. While somewhat lighter in tone, it was a major success and produced some of AFI's most popular songs, such as "Prelude 12/21" and "Endlessly She Said".

* DrugsAreBad: The use of drugs by companions is mourned in songs like "Clove Smoke Catharsis" and "Veronica Sawyer Smokes".

* {{Emo}}: they're closer to classic/ post-hardcore emo than scene emo. They were also key players in the early 2000's post-hardcore scene along with Music/{{Thursday}}, Music/{{Brand New}} and Music/{{My Chemical Romance}}.

''[[NewSoundAlbum Crash Love]]'' was stated to be a "straightforward rock record" by the band, with a focus on catchy, more upbeat songs. However, it [[BrokenBase caused some alarm]] due to percieved abandonment of their hardcore roots. Their most recent album ''Burials'' continues that merger of styles, featuring a dark, operatic feel to most of the songs.

AFI (A Fire Inside) are an American alternative rock band, formed in 1991. Originally formed as a {{Hardcore Punk}} revivalist band, they continued much in the same way for their first three albums: ''Answer That and Stay Fashionable'', ''Very Proud of Ya'', and ''Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes''. Then things started to take a different turn.

->My soul brings tears to angelic eyes.''

->''(What follows) me as the whitest lace of light,\\
(Will swallow whole) just begs to be imbrued,\\
(What follows) has led me to this place,\\
Where I belong, with all erased.''
-->"Girls not Grey"