Digest

This podcast delves into the evolution of AFI, tracing their roots from early punk and hardcore influences in the Bay Area to their eventual rise to prominence. It highlights the importance of DIY ethics, community, and personal style within the hardcore scene, referencing venues like 924 Gilman Street. The narrative emphasizes the impact of key members like Jade Puget and Hunter on the band's evolving sound, particularly the introduction of melody and signature elements like the "Jade Chord." Discussions cover the creation and reception of pivotal albums such as "Black Sails in the Sunset" and "The Art of Drowning," alongside the band's association with Halloween themes through the "All Hallows" EP. The conversation also touches on personal style, cinematic influences, vocal technique, and memorable experiences within the music industry, including interactions with other artists and navigating the complexities of fame.

Outlines

00:00:00

Early Punk, Hardcore, and Scene Ethics

The podcast explores early influences of punk and hardcore music, personal discoveries through magazines and media, and the aesthetic and cultural aspects of these genres. It delves into the ethical stances prevalent in the East Bay scene of the 90s, emphasizing anti-fascism, animal rights, and women's rights, with a nod to venues like 924 Gilman Street. Personal anecdotes from the hardcore scene, including intense moshing and accidental injuries, are shared, alongside reflections on the definition of "hardcore" as a code of ethics and DIY principles. The discussion also touches on the controversial infusion of Christianity into hardcore and the importance of understanding the genre's core values.

00:24:11

AFI's Formation and Early Sound

This segment focuses on the early days of AFI, including the band's formation, the addition of Adam, and their initial struggles. It covers their growing presence in the Bay Area music scene, frequent performances at Gilman Street, and the band's efforts to build a fanbase. The signing with Nitro Records and the recording of "Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes," along with the addition of Hunter, are discussed, as are musical influences from cinema and their impact on music videos.

00:52:29

Stylistic Evolution and Key Contributions

The podcast highlights Jade Puget's significant musical contributions to AFI, including his previous band Loose Change and his role in backing vocals, praising his talent and unique guitar playing. Hunter's joining AFI and his musical impact on the band's sound are detailed. The discussion also delves into the intentionality behind personal style, referencing the "devil lock" hairstyle and drawing inspiration from cinematic elements like long nails from "The Lost Boys." Jerry Cantrell's observation about the speaker's style is recounted, influencing their evolving aesthetic.

01:01:43

Visual Expression, Cardio, and Musical Influences

The speaker emphasizes the importance of visual expression, linking their style to punk music's captivating artist imagery. Cardio preferences, specifically walking, are discussed for their ability to induce a flow state for creative ideas. Backing vocals by Jade and Nick 13 are mentioned, alongside early AFI influences from bands like The Misfits and The Cure. The recording of AFI's cover songs, including "Hanging Garden" and "Demonomania," and the challenges faced are detailed.

01:13:19

Misfits, Bad Religion, and AFI's Sound Rebirth

Favorite Misfits songs and vocal challenges are discussed, along with an experience seeing Glenn Danzig perform. The Misfits' songwriting, particularly Glenn Danzig's, is praised, with theories about their talent. Parallels are drawn between the Misfits and Bad Religion, highlighting the latter's significant influence on the hardcore scene. The arrival of Jade Puget is described as a turning point for AFI, marking a rebirth of their sound with the introduction of melody and collaboration, including the signature "Jade Chord."

01:21:06

Early Songwriting and Album Direction

The early songwriting process with Jade Puget, including the creation of "Malleus," is recalled. Strategic considerations behind AFI's album releases, such as EPs like "All Hallows" being conceived as standalone pieces or preludes, are explored. The intentional process of creating a new AFI record, with a focus on reintroducing melody spearheaded by Jade Puget, is detailed. The emergence of "God Called in Sick Tonight" as AFI's first ballad is discussed, along with the sonic and emotional impact of slower songs.

01:25:17

"Black Sails in the Sunset" and Fan Reception

The album "Black Sails in the Sunset" is revisited, with fondness expressed despite its initial reception. The emotional connection to the music and the desire to play these songs live are mentioned. The traditional way of experiencing music through full-length records and track order is reflected upon, noting the decline of this practice. Compilations like The Damned's and Minor Threat's are discussed for their impact on musical development. "Black Sails in the Sunset" is highlighted as a significant turning point for AFI, both musically and in fan reception, becoming a fan favorite despite initial label confusion.

01:29:51

"All Hallows" EP and Halloween Theme

The creation of the "All Hallows" EP is discussed, focusing on its Halloween theme and the band's desire to release something fun and seasonal. The EP's eventual success and the label's initial reluctance are mentioned. The music video for "Total Immortal" and the band's rehearsal space, decorated for Halloween, are discussed. The speaker reflects on their physical transformation around the time of the "Total Immortal" video and their reaction to seeing their image on magazine covers.

01:37:36

AFI's Halloween Connection and Fan Interactions

The band's association with Halloween is explored, clarifying that while they love Halloween, they didn't anticipate becoming a "Halloween band." A hypothetical scenario involving attending a Nine Inch Nails and Perfect Circle concert highlights challenges with arena shows and an unexpected encounter with an AFI shirt. The story continues with the speaker being asked to cut in line using the AFI "I Hate Punk Rock" shirt as recognition, detailing the refusal and subsequent reaction.

01:45:37

1999: A Pivotal Year and Identity Proof

The year 1999 is highlighted as significant for AFI, marking a shift in their sound and the introduction of melody, influenced by Jade Puget. An experience at an AFI show in 1999 where their identity was questioned is recounted, leading to a challenge to prove authenticity by singing a song. The speaker opted to recite lyrics from "Cruise Control" instead, which was accepted as proof of identity, contrasting it with being a "dancing monkey."

01:47:53

"The Art of Drowning" and Charting Success

The speaker discusses a "poser" and the album "The Art of Drowning," noting the band's charting success in 2000. The shock of charting at number nine on Heatseekers in 2001 while recording "Son of Sam" is detailed, along with the lack of immediate digital communication. The band discusses the unexpected success and delves into the recording process of "Art of Drowning" in a legendary studio.

01:51:51

"Art of Drowning" Mix and Song Inspirations

The producer's rock-oriented mix for "Art of Drowning" is discussed, which the band felt was misaligned with their sound, leading to comparisons with Mötley Crüe. Favorite songs from the album, including "Nephilim," "Western," and "Sacrifice Theory," are highlighted, with the inspiration behind "Sacrifice Theory" discussed. The song "Days of the Phoenix" is mentioned, along with the tradition of referencing the Fireside Bowl before playing it in Chicago.

01:55:13

Retrospective Discussions and Early Hardcore Dancing

The speaker notes the lack of contemporary discussion about early records, with conversations only happening retrospectively, and mentions limited press coverage from fanzines. Memories of the Fireside Bowl are revisited, acknowledging potential exaggeration, and a dangerous show involving electrocution and self-harm with tuning pegs is recalled. Playing with At the Drive-In and the origins of hardcore dancing styles like "mashing" and "kickboxing" are discussed, tracing them back to the late 80s and early 90s.

02:03:22

Origins of Hardcore Dancing and "Son of Sam"

The discussion focuses on the origins of hardcore dancing styles like "mashing" and "karate," crediting Saab from Marauder and Chaka from Burn, and exploring motivations like self-protection. The formation of the band "Son of Sam" is discussed, with the vocalist being approached due to Glenn Danzig's unavailability. The speaker notes AFI's rising success and their decision not to play shows with "Son of Sam."

02:12:11

Coachella Entry and Recognition

The speaker shares an anecdote about trying to sneak into Coachella and being recognized by a security guard due to their involvement with "Son of Sam," which secured them entry.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did the guest discover punk and hardcore music in the Bay Area?

  The guest discovered punk rock's aesthetic through visual media and fashion in Sacramento. He later found hardcore music through Thrasher magazine in junior high, which exposed him to bands like Minor Threat and the straight edge movement.

• What is the significance of Gilman Street in the punk and hardcore scene?

  Gilman Street is a crucial DIY venue in Berkeley, California, known for its strict ethical code. It provided a platform for many bands, including AFI, and fostered a strong sense of community and shared values within the scene.

• How did AFI's early sound evolve with new members?

  The addition of Jade Puget and later Hunter significantly influenced AFI's sound. Jade's guitar work and Hunter's musicianship contributed to the band's evolving musical direction, moving from their early punk roots to a more diverse sound.

• What was the significance of signing with Nitro Records for AFI?

  Signing with Nitro Records marked a pivotal moment for AFI, providing them with a platform to release their music more widely. The label's belief in the band was crucial, especially as other record labels were hesitant to sign them.

• How did Jerry Cantrell's comment influence the speaker's style?

  Jerry Cantrell's description of the speaker's look as a "60s desert sex cult" resonated deeply, influencing the speaker's aesthetic choices and reinforcing their commitment to self-expression through style.

• What is the significance of Jade Puget joining AFI?

  Jade Puget's arrival marked a pivotal moment for AFI, leading to a "rebirth" of their sound. His collaborative approach and introduction of melody significantly shaped the band's musical direction.

• How did AFI's "All Hallows" EP come about?

  The "All Hallows" EP was conceived as a fun, seasonal project with a Halloween theme. Despite initial reluctance from the record label, the band pursued it, solidifying their association with Halloween music.

• What was the reception of the album "Black Sails in the Sunset"?

  While the album "Black Sails in the Sunset" was a significant artistic step for AFI, it initially confused the record label. However, it eventually became a beloved fan favorite, marking a crucial turning point for the band.

• How did AFI's musical style evolve with the addition of melody?

  With Jade Puget's input, AFI began to reintroduce melody into their songs, moving away from a purely aggressive sound. This shift was a conscious decision to explore a broader range of musical expression.

• What is the significance of the year 1999 for AFI?

  The year 1999 was a pivotal time for AFI, marked by the release of several EPs and an LP, including "Black Sails in the Sunset." This period saw a significant evolution in their sound, largely influenced by Jade Puget's integration into the band.

• How did the speaker prove their identity at the AFI show?

  The speaker proved their identity by reciting the lyrics to the song "Cruise Control" when asked to sing by an individual questioning their authenticity.

• What was the speaker's involvement with the band "Son of Sam"?

  The speaker was invited to sing for "Son of Sam," a project influenced by Samhain, but ultimately decided not to play shows due to AFI's increasing commitments and success.

• How did the speaker gain entry into Coachella?

  The speaker was recognized by a security guard at Coachella who knew them as the singer of "Son of Sam," leading to them being granted a ride and access to the festival.

Show Notes