AFI's Biography

AFI (A Fire Inside) is a rock band from Ukiah, California, United States. AFI was formed in 1991 by Davey Havok (vocals), Mark Stopholese (guitar), Vic Chalker (bass) and Adam Carson (drums) in Ukiah, California as a four-piece hardcore punk outfit. Bassist Vic lost interest and was replaced by Geoff Kresge. Kresge left AFI eventually becoming part of the band Tiger Army (now plays for The Horrorpops) and the spot was filled by Hunter Burgan. Eventually, guitarist Mark Stopholese was replaced by Jade Puget, who at the time was in the band Loose Change.

Early Years

AFI formed in 1991 while the members were attending high school in Ukiah, California. AFI were formed by Mark Stopholese, Vic Chalker and Davey Havok. Unfortunately, they had several problems. Chief amongst them was their lack of a drummer. Mark suggested his friend Adam Carson be in the band. Furthermore, they didn't know how to play any instruments, but they knew that Davey was able to sing, and Adam had a drumkit. So Mark learned guitar and Vic learned bass (he was later replaced by future Tiger Army bassist Geoff Kresge). AFI made their first foray in recording with the EP Dork (1993) with the band Loose Change, which included future AFI guitarist Jade Puget.

AFI disbanded when its members attended different colleges, including the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Songwriter and bassist Geoff Kresge moved to New York where he played with the band Blanks 77. After reuniting to perform a live show, the other members decided to drop out of college to play in the band full-time. Between 1993 and 1995 they released many vinyl EPs (Behind the Times; Eddie's Picnic All Wet; Fly in the Ointment; This is Berkeley, Not West Bay; AFI/Heckle) independently. They released their debut full-length album Answer That and Stay Fashionable in 1995 with Wingnut Records; which was re-released in 1997 by Nitro Records. Their second album, Very Proud of Ya, was released in 1996 on the Nitro label. After several tours in support of the album, bassist Geoff Kresge decided to leave the group. Bassist Hunter Burgan (formerly of The Force) filled in for Kresge for the remaining Very Proud of Ya tours. He went on to help AFI record Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes and was invited to become the new bassist. Shut Your Mouth and Open Your eyes introduced AFI fans to a much more aggressive sound that included much more shouting and an overall angry sound that was clearly influenced by hardcore bands such as Sick of it all.

Black Sails/Art Of Drowning Era

After recording the A Fire Inside EP for Adeline Records in 1998, Mark left the band and was replaced by Jade Puget. Following the new approach they had taken on the A Fire Inside EP, the band recorded Black Sails in the Sunset (Nitro 1999), a musical turning point. On this album as well as All Hallow's (Nitro 1999), other EPs, and The Art of Drowning (Nitro 2000), their original hardcore sound is still present but their sound is much darker. The Offspring covered AFI's Totalimmortal (All Hallow's EP) for the soundtrack of Me, Myself & Irene (2000). It got a fair amount of radio play, and helped in exposing AFI to larger audiences. The lead singer of The Offspring, Dexter Holland, at the time owned the label to which AFI was signed (Nitro Records), and was featured as a backing vocalist on a number of Black Sails in the Sunset tracks.

Mainstream Success

Their next album, Sing the Sorrow, was released on the DreamWorks label on March 11, 2003. This album displays a different musical approach and lost some of the aggressive hardcore energy in favor of softer, more catchy sound. This album created a feeling of alienation from some of the older fans of the band. The signing on a major label created accusations of selling out, and the change in musical style made some of these fans feel betrayed. AFI's seventh album, Decemberunderground, was released on May 29, 2006 in the UK and June 6, 2006 (06/06/06) in the U.S. The album displays an even greater progression in sound for AFI, featuring many more electronic, pop, New Wave and (on some tracks) even emo elements. The release reflects the continually changing and growing fan base of the band, and the album debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. This release further annoyed and disillusioned some older fans of the bands as they continue accusing the band of selling out.