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AFI

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Band Timeline

1991

Formation of AFI in Ukiah, California

In November 1991, while still in high school in Ukiah, California, lead vocalist Davey Havok formed the band AFI (A Fire Inside) with Mark Stopholese and Vic Chalker. None of them initially knew how to play instruments, but they soon recruited drummer Adam Carson. Stopholese learned guitar, and Chalker started on bass but was soon replaced by Geoff Kresge. Early connections included Jade Puget, who would later join the band. This formative period set the foundation for AFI's hardcore punk roots.
1993

Early Releases and Initial Breakup

By October 1992, AFI played their first few shows and recorded their first EP titled 'Dork' in 1993, collaborating with the now-defunct band Loose Change. The band briefly broke up in 1993 as members pursued college but reunited after positive audience receptions during a Christmas break show at The Phoenix Theater. They relocated to Berkeley, California, and lived in a squat, where they independently released several EPs including 'Behind the Times', 'Eddie Picnic's All Wet', and 'Fly in the Ointment', building underground recognition.
1995

Release of First Full-Length Album, 'Answer That and Stay Fashionable'

On July 4, 1995, AFI released their first full-length album, 'Answer That and Stay Fashionable', on Wingnut Records. Co-produced by Doug Sangalang and members of Rancid, the album featured fast-paced hardcore punk with humorous lyrics. This release solidified their early hardcore punk presence and began to define their style. The album included notable tracks like 'Nyquil' and 'I Wanna Get a Mohawk (But Mom Won't Let Me Get One)' and contributed to their reputation within the East Bay punk scene.
1998

Lineup Changes and Evolution

In 1998, AFI's lineup solidified into what would become the long-standing roster with Davey Havok on vocals, Adam Carson on drums, Hunter Burgan joining on bass and keyboards, and Jade Puget on guitar and keyboards. This period marked a turning point as the band began to evolve their sound away from hardcore punk towards more varied genres such as horror punk, post-hardcore, and emo, setting the stage for wider recognition.
2000

Release of 'The Art of Drowning'

AFI released their fifth studio album, 'The Art of Drowning', in 2000. This album achieved significant commercial traction, peaking at number 174 on the Billboard 200 chart. It demonstrated the band's maturing sound and songwriting skills, blending emotional depth with punk energy. This success marked AFI's transition from underground punk to a broader audience and helped lay the groundwork for future mainstream breakthroughs.
2003

Breakthrough with 'Sing the Sorrow'

In 2003, AFI released their sixth album, 'Sing the Sorrow', which became their mainstream breakthrough. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and stayed on the chart for 51 weeks. It featured hit singles like 'Girl's Not Grey' and 'Silver and Cold', both reaching number seven on Hot Modern Rock Tracks, and 'The Leaving Song Pt. II' which reached number 16. The album was certified Platinum in 2006 and is the band's best-selling release, with over 1.26 million copies sold by 2009, cementing their place in alternative rock.
2006

'Decemberunderground' Tops Charts

AFI's seventh album, 'Decemberunderground', was released in 2006 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, signifying their peak commercial success. The album featured the hit single 'Miss Murder', which topped the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also gained cultural recognition by featuring in the popular video game Guitar Hero III. The album was later certified Platinum in 2013, highlighting the band's sustained popularity.
2009-2017

Continued Success and Subsequent Albums

Between 2009 and 2017, AFI released several more albums including 'Crash Love' (2009), 'Burials' (2013), and a self-titled album 'AFI' (2017). All these albums were commercially successful, with each peaking higher on the Billboard 200 chart. This period demonstrated AFI’s ability to evolve musically while maintaining a loyal fan base. They also released an EP titled 'The Missing Man' in December 2018, showing continued creative output.
2021

Release of Eleventh Album 'Bodies'

On June 11, 2021, AFI released their eleventh studio album, 'Bodies'. This album continued to represent the band's evolution in sound and lyrical themes. It showcased AFI's resilience and relevancy in the rock music scene after three decades, offering new material to both longtime fans and new listeners, and reinforcing their status as influential figures in alternative rock and post-hardcore genres.
2025

Upcoming Album 'Silver Bleeds the Black Sun...''

AFI announced their twelfth studio album titled 'Silver Bleeds the Black Sun...', scheduled for release on October 3, 2025. This upcoming album marks the continuation of the band's extensive career and commitment to producing new music after more than 30 years. Anticipation is high among fans and critics, eager to see how AFI further develop their sound and artistic expression in the next phase of their journey.

Albums

afi_1st_album
Answer That and Stay Fashionable
17 tracks
1995
📷
No Image
Very Proud of Ya
23 tracks
1996
afi_3rd_album
Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes
14 tracks
1997
afi_4th_album
Black Sails in the Sunset
12 tracks
1999
afi_5th_album
The Art of Drowning
14 tracks
2000
afi_6th_album
Sing the Sorrow
14 tracks
2003
📷
No Image
DECEMBERUNDERGROUND
13 tracks
2006
afi_8th_album
Crash Love
15 tracks
2009
afi_9th_album
Burials
15 tracks
2013
afi_10th_album
AFI (The Blood Album)
14 tracks
2017
afi_11th_album
Bodies
11 tracks
2021
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Hunter Burgan

1997

Bass guitar

Background vocals

Davey Havok

1991

Lead vocals

Adam Carson

1991

Background vocals

Drums (drum set)

Jade Puget

1998

Synthesizer

Guitar

Keyboard

Piano

Background vocals

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Geoff Kresge

1992
1997

Background vocals

Bass guitar

Markus Stopholese

1991
1998

Guitar

Vic Chalker

1991
1992

Bass guitar

Background vocals

Story of AFI

AFI: A Journey Through Genres, From Hardcore to Gothic Rock

AFI (an acronym for A Fire Inside), hailing from Ukiah, California, emerged onto the music scene in 1991. Since 1998, the band's core has remained a constant, featuring Davey Havok (vocals), Adam Carson (drums, backing vocals), Hunter Burgan (bass, backing vocals, keyboards), and Jade Puget (guitar, backing vocals, keyboards). Havok and Carson, the original members, have steered the band's evolution through diverse sonic territories.

Starting their journey in the raw energy of hardcore punk, AFI embraced the darkness of horror punk. They ventured further, exploring the complexities of post-hardcore and emo, eventually establishing themselves as a force within alternative rock and gothic rock.

Over their illustrious career, AFI has cultivated a discography that includes eleven studio albums, ten EPs, a live album, and a DVD. Their breakthrough came with their fifth album, The Art of Drowning, released in 2000. This album, while reaching a respectable position at number 174 on the Billboard 200, set the stage for their mainstream success.

Their sixth album, Sing the Sorrow (2003), catapulted them to new heights, peaking at number five on the Billboard 200 and holding a remarkable chart presence for 51 weeks. This album was fueled by popular singles like "Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold," both reaching number seven on the Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart in 2003. "The Leaving Song Pt. II" also saw success as a single, reaching number 16 on the chart.

Sing the Sorrow achieved Platinum certification from the RIAA in 2006 and remains their best-selling album, exceeding 1.26 million copies sold as of September 2009.

AFI, a band that constantly pushes musical boundaries, has cemented their legacy through their relentless pursuit of artistic expression and enduring connection with fans across multiple generations.

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