When AFI was a hardcore band

I will look at the Pre-Sing the Sorrow era of AFI and how they manage to change their sound later on.

[@mrgvnmcld]

I saw AFI play in 95 or 96 in Tucson, Arizona at a club called the Paragon. They opened for Guttermouth or Glue Gun… I can’t remember. It was right before very proud of ya came out. I asked Davey what AFI stood for and he told me “Asking for it”. I remember they played file 13 and it blew my damn mind.

[@harmatodlamstel6435]

Man these guys pumped out Albums. I didn't know they had such an extensive history!

[@alb7290]

It’s crazy that they went Punk to Emo and to Post Punk or New Wave.

[@kaydgaming]

@@alb7290they basically went through every punk era in their discography

[@KingofCrusher]

They fucking rule, some of my favorite albums of all time.

[@Intentspunk19]

Enjoy! Black Sails forever!

[@michaelflanagan1185]

​@@Intentspunk19❤

[@Plagues138]

I'll always remember the day I heard Girls not grey, and was like "....wtf?". And when when Davey decided to become a scene queen at 30 when miss murder came out. basically dropped them then.

[@chesspunk489]

It was a sad time. They were such a good band and then they decided to go that route.

[@punkrockstormchaser]

I personally have nothing wrong with it I think it was cool I’ll always love both versions I love 90s AFI and 2000s AFI I’m not too picky

[@michaeltylerstewart]

AFI will forever be my favorite band

[@IvarKarm]

I loved skating to very proud of ya when I was a kid

[@salinaember9527]

if you look at this band with rose tinted glasses and soley focus on them being a "punk" band originally, you will be forever disappointed and heartbroken. speaking of heartbroken, if you're a die hard emo fan, or a goth aesthetics enjoyer, you will forever view this band as legendary. the most creative and emo hardcore band to ever do it.

[@BelakorVenator]

95-00 was a fun time listening to this band, practically a release every year and all of them great. Then Sing the Sorrow, aptly titled, was like crashing into a brick wall. They’ve been dead since.

[@oldghostbilly]

I also found them in the mid 90s, I was a big fan of the misfits already so I was very down with BSITS, AH, and AOD- sing the sorrow took my whole group of friends by surprise. i did end up growing to love the album...and even love quite a few tracks from Burials. but as much as I love this band, just couldnt get into the glam stuff. absolute legends though.

[@mrmusickhimself]

I got into AFI when they were basically a Misfits-esque punk band. Then in 2004, I dated a girl who asked if I'd ever heard of them, I excitedly said yes, and when she played Sing the Sorrow, my face just DROPPED. What a tonal shift, I hated it.

[@FalseChipmunk52]

I dig the Cursive album art for your profile

[@DaveyNavarro]

2nd disc on the remaster was crazy good

[@xx7secondsxx]

AFI originally stood for ASKING FOR IT

[@dustinpine3705]

Someone said anthems for insubordinates too. But ive only heard asking for it and a fire inside.

[@tuchesuavae]

It's had lots of meanings butbI believe anthems for insubordination predates asking for it

[@shadowdouglas450]

Facts 100% still got my 1st black cat hoodie.

[@DrMooseknuckle0]

And then was it "Another Fucking Idiot"? I remember being like "A Fire Inside, what?"

[@reidellis1988]

I remember Davey with cropped bleached hair and an Ignite t shirt. 1996. ASKING FOR IT.

[@severed111]

I bought Answer This And Stay Fashionable (wingnut records version with the Police - Man In A Suitcase cover 14 minutes after High School Football Hero as a hidden track, there's like 3 versions of the CD on wingnut, only one has the cover, I got lucky) and Very Proud of Ya at the same time in 1996 after hearing a vinyl EP called Eddie's Picnic's All Wet and the Very Proud of Ya LP at my much older cousin's place, the guy who taped me so many of his hardcore and punk records, he saved my life in ways he doesn't even know, those 90 minute cassette tapes with stuff nobody knew about when I was in like grade 10 helped me deliver my 2 persons worth run of newspaper every morning in the freezing cold in Canada on my walkman waking up everyday at 5 AM for 3 years, that was my first job, and AFI was part of the experience, I had more money than almost anybody I knew in high school (dealt some weed on top just to help out on my growing need to buy expensive imported CD's over at HMV! hah).

[@potterpotter8953]

I saw them with Rancid In 95. They were fucking LOUD!!!

[@sals1987]

I always wondered where the shut my eyes got there album from it makes soo much sense now

[@mwright3471]

Afi used to be sick as hell

[@captainmofongo584]

I first saw AFI open for Sick of it All at the Roxy in NYC in the mid 90s. After that I got a hold of Shut Your Mouth & Black Sails, and by the time the All Hallows Eve ep dropped I was completely hooked. The Art of Drowing to me was the peak of the Horror punk era for the band and the best iteration of them. I remember seeing them during their tour at Roselands and the stage was chuck full pumpkins and creepy trees with smoke. I've continued to follow them throughout the years, but their last album was not good. The last album they made that I genuinely liked was the Burials album in 2013.

[@orb2150tx]

Yes! I 🖤 early AFI. Black Sails turned my ears to ash! 🔥

[@dkratos2640]

He who laughs last was the first afi song I heard on cinema beer nuts compilation

[@jenniferjones8453]

Cursive-The Ugly Organ. One of my absolute favorite cds. I just listened to it the other day.

[@mikeydubbs8565]

Tons of good bands on Saddle Creek Records. Cursive is probably my favorite off that label, though

[@chesspunk489]

Wow, I wasn't expecting the Bomberman Hero redial tune. Good choice.

[@davidbucky7634]

TOTAL IMMORTAL GOES HARD ASF and im happy daveys always stuck to his harcore vegan stuff

[@kevinkeene9158]

Still listen to there older stuff. Some mire recent. Shut your mouth and open your eyes is still and will always be great

[@jakeuhhb]

I feel like they used A Fire Inside on Shut Your Mouth. Literally in the opening lines of Keeping Out of Direct Sunlight “… we are the ones who have A Fire Inside”

[@le_beatbox]

On one of the first albums they also refered to AFI standing for "Asking For It"!

[@14Titus]

Listened to them last night working on art projects with my first lady

[@bushleague3472]

I feel terrible for anyone who got an AFI tattoo back then. The Black Sails era sound was so unique when it dropped, and still has never really been approximated, so when AFI moved on it left a big hole in my sonic landscape. Not only that, but to currently attempt to explain how hugely important AFI seemed in 99 would be near impossible, as well as embarrassing. I doubt I'll ever quite forgive them for that. I get that bands evolve, but I simply cant understand how a band that recorded some of the most interesting punk, somehow manages to make such boring music in every other genre they try to tackle.

[@We.do.not.scissor]

Right? Their music was about perfect for that genre.

[@cassafrassbloodshred9551]

Hey man I love my art of drowning half sleeve 😂

[@bushleague3472]

@@cassafrassbloodshred9551 Yeah, I almost got a Nephilim tattoo around that era... by December Underground I was quite glad that I didnt.

[@daviddr115111]

I first saw afi back in 01 at the big ass show in slc ut. They had a pretty big crowd I'd say over a few thousand. They also had an autograph signing that had a long line. I guess I thought they were somewhat popular lol. Like seeing mcr back in 04 on warped tour. Afi was that popular

[@kylemorrison8390]

Good video, dude. Well researched.

[@alb7290]

Thanks!

[@danhule]

the good ol days

[@bongsnhell]

this guy must be from around the bay area or the north bay if he knows this much AFI lore. this rules- thanks for being specific, because all this is to the point- and true. Ukiah pride! North Bay pride! one of the biggest band staples in the bay area and most definitely to the north bay. thank you for this! this rules!

[@briangarcia2358]

I grew up listening to AFI, some people thing they sold out.. I disagree.. they evolved and grew up just like we all grow and change. I never bought DreamCar, but I did watch them as in concert now that I’m a grown man , married with kids. These guys will always be a part of my youth

[@xx7secondsxx]

I followed them from the SHUT UR MOUTH... all Hallows EP time. I said "man!! This band should be everywhere!!! They're soooo amazing!!!" I remember when their website had "please request days of the Phoenix video to MTV!" AND of course I did!! I didnt even have cable! This band, Anti-flag and Bouncing souls were def my fave 3 at the time! When AFI blew up like they did! Me being like 17 was "dude! That's lame!!" And when people would have thier new shirts on and I had the EASTBAY HARDCORE cat shirt on, kids would come up to me and "we like the same band!" I was NO WE DONT! they changed and arent what they used to be! Being a knucklehead dunski at that young age! Now I look back and I'm "I knew they could be HUGE!!! I helped get them there by bid requests and by buying their CDs and all their stuff!... why did I get pissy when they GREW as artists and reaped the benefits to be as huge as they got?" Then I realized I was just some dumb kid... no matter HOW OLD AND SMART I WAS AT 17 and 18. You dont kno crap. I knew they'd be big in the punk scene and maybe RADIO play!... TRL next to brittany spears? I would've NEVER guessed that!!! This is an amazing piece my man!!🤘🎸🤘🎸🤘 great coverage of an amazing and diverse band! The BLEW down the walls for many bands to get big!! The TOURED sooooo long in Sing the Sorrow and didnt put out and LP SOOOOOO..... it left the floor open and MCR came in and was a full for many people whim were Jonesing for some new AFI. Took me a while to get into StS but when I did... I fell in deep. Have the BOOK edition that has the short film Synesthesia they made with it. Saw them live in Orlando for the MTV taping! Great great great show!!!! December UG is where they lost em though. All the new stuff I've heard is a lil too newWave for me but of well!!! I'm a grunge geek so I just dont dig it but there are MILLIONS thatd say "dude, shut up!" LMADO Great piece you've put together! Will def be sharing ot because I've explained this MANY 'O TIME!!! but this is a beautiful illustration of it!🤘🎸🤘🎸🤘🍻🍻😎🤩✊

[@oldghostbilly]

the anti-flag news mustve come out like the next day after you wrote this. oof i always hated justins whining, but never expected to hear any of that. the loudest voice is sometimes hiding the biggest secret.

[@oldghostbilly]

also i used to sport that same cat shirt in HS. wish i still had it, the new all black one is cool tho (not trying to drop 50$ after shipping on a tshirt tho)

[@giovannitigalo7011]

Answer That and Stay Fashionable is still their best album.

[@ultrviolence369]

3:09 you can see the back of my head in crowd lmao

[@scottwooster4584]

East Bay Hardcore. Saw them at the Phoenix in Petaluma

[@DrMooseknuckle0]

I used to see them there and Gilman all the time.

[@shawnmccomb1843]

Legends

[@alb7290]

Couldn’t agree more! Wish AFI would’ve been on the same level as MCR

[@HeshLord]

I am lucky enough to be from Northern California and old enough to have first seen AFI before Answer That came out. Through the 90’s they were one of my favorites (along with Screw 32 and Fury 66). I liked Black Sails musically but when I saw them at the record release show I was dumbfounded at all the pleather and fishnet. On the plus side Eric from Nerve Agents ran out on stage and tossed out a dozen copies of their debut record on vinyl that wasn’t out yet, and I caught one. Still have it! Anyway AoD was a miss for me, but I liked a couple songs. Everything after that I hated. To me the band is like 3 bands, the punk version, the borderline goth but still hXc version, and the atrocious but commercially successful pop version. I’ll always love them ultimately and my favorite era is like 94-99. I sold Fly in the Ointment 7” on Yellow, a Fire Inside ep first press on black, and 2 copies of All Hallows 7” on preorder orange for $1800 when StS came out and bought a Les Paul. So it wasn’t all bad. Haha.

[@shadowdouglas450]

Great show.

[@NeroBaelside13]

I love all of AFI up until Bodies. Bodies is sadly unlistenable for me

[@markshadows3667]

Same. I've loved them since 98. Seen them live 16 times . But Bodies is the first album of theirs that I genuinely think is terrible

[@tonimcgrath4046]

The Fireside Bowl

[@AtlasCompleXtheProd]

Am i the only one that read this title in Pumbaa's opera voice?

[@wisef00l76]

6:29 Irene is pronounced I-REEN, not ERIN. 🤦‍♂

[@KillTheStar916]

Nor cal bebeh! There’s something out here!

[@Peilla]

I thought The Boy Who Destroyed the World was Tony Hawk 2.

[@brad5392]

Black Sails was the epoch to me.

[@davev7615]

got old lost edge story of punk music

[@brandocalrissian3294]

Aside from their newest release Bodies, i love every album they have put out. Obviously some are better than others (black sails, shut your mouth and art of drowning being the best in that order). That new album aside from the song "Dulceria" is just ridiculously repetitive and boring. It sounds like they phoned it in.

[@thepunkrockreview]

Any AFI post Nitro Records is terrible

[@chilipismysignature5031]

Me, myself and aaron

[@tuchesuavae]

No halloween ep?

[@alb7290]

I mention All Hallow’s EP if that what you mean.

[@cannibalfan333]

Art of Drowning is by far their best album. Before they became a bubble gum pop rock band

[@GTRrocker84]

Sing the sorrow and December underground are still great albums

[@erniecoshow]

I saw AFI with blood Brothers and Death by stereo in the 90s I think it was black sails tour they were great and I seen them again in 2001 sing the sorrow tour and I just wasn't into the new stuff and was very bummed.

[@danrichards742]

A hardcore band… please

[@severed111]

Those were the best times, first 3 albums and all the 7 inches, real AFI died after Shut Your Mouth And Open Your Eyes....when the band had so much energy with the initials meaning "Asking For It". Black Sails LP/EP is okay, but I knew they were going in a bad direction and that was confirmed when all the 13 year old girls suddenly started buying their shit and listening to them. Everyone left the band except Davey and the guy on bass after SYMAOYE, that explains a lot on why the songwriting started to suck suddenly. RIP AFI 1992-1998

[@DominickChirchirillo]

Fireside Bowl Chicago

[@orb2150tx]

Berkeley has good lsd!

[@ronanderson6837]

Why just a brush over there 2nd album. I love Very Proud Of Ya. I started losing interest after All Hallows

[@asaprabbit8305]

Well they were a punk band lol not hard-core ( two different genre entirely) but on another note everything before black sail is not good lol ( just my personal opinion)

[@Headead5231]

This should read when A.F I. was a Orange county punk band.

[@VoiceoftheRight0341]

I hate to say it because AFI was such a great band up through Black Sails...but Davey is such a poseur. This guy has had how many different looks? Try something artistically? Now I wear fishnets and even more make-up! Clearly he tried his darndest to emulate Danzig, but he derailed a long time ago. At least they made good music back then. While once great, it has appeared for roughly 20 years this guy is more into his image than actually being a real person/artist. Simply put, he tries so hard to be an "individual" it's like he's stuck in middle school.

[@mildew1634]

I wish he'd stop talking long enough to hear some of these old songs

[@theoneandonly713]

The band is Misfits not da misfit tardie

[@austin_l]

Turns out they were probably always posers.

[@RoryLynott]

I saw them when they were a "hardcore" band. They sucked.

[@lifeandliberty0172]

Dead and Gone were 100 times the band AFI were and are.

[@drunkpunk5393]

I think you mean punk. Afi were punk originally. They eventually got to hardcore genre but def didn’t start hardcore. Not hardcore punk. Just punk originally. Cereal wars isn’t hardcore punk. Cereal wars is a punk song.

[@cicolasnage5684]

No not really, those were definitely hardcore beats, Daveys vocal may not be the most hardcore sound but AFI was definitely a hardcore punk band. Up until art of drowning.

[@deadtome44]

They branded themselves as “East Bay Hardcore”

[@guitarbxl]

You're absolutely right, It was never a hardcore band. It was a good punk rock band. Then they changed to seduce an immature audience who never knew what hardcore is or was or whathever...

[@drunkpunk5393]

hmmm no. remember when you read in my comment cereal wars is a punk rock song. cereal wars is a punk rock song. not hardcore punk. punk rock. literally not a single thing about cereal wars is hardcore and very little of the rest of the almbum has any hardcore resemblence. so to state the obvious yet again. AFI was punk rock in their beginning albums. NOT HARDCORE. @@cicolasnage5684

[@drunkpunk5393]

thats fine. guess they themselves had zero idea what they sounded like then. @@deadtome44