AFI, or otherwise known as A Fire Inside, has been a revolutionary band for almost 2 decades, and with their new album, “Crash Love”, they show no slowing down in putting out music to the masses. The band started in northern California in the early 90s, with Davey Havok (vocals) and Adam Carson (drums), who were still in high school at the time. The now lead singer of the band, Tiger Army, was also in the band at that time. Then, in later years, Nick from Tiger Army left the band, and Jade Puget (guitar) and Hunter Burgan (bass) joined the band. In the beginning, AFI’s sound was more punk-rock with albums such as Shut Up and Open your Eyes and Art of Drowning, but now it is considered more alternative rock. This Cali band has put out 8 albums in their almost 20 years together, and with each new record, they consistently show that they do not conform to the current culture, and put out what they feel is important.

Over the years, AFI has received 2 platinum albums for their work, and unlike other bands, fame is not a notable existence in their image. The band is known for being straightedge (which means you do not consume any sort of drug, including alcohol), vegan/vegetarian, and breaking the mold for the rock genre. They also are known for giving back to their fans, for their fan club-The Despair Faction, is more like a small community than a fan club. As quoted for their biography on their website, “AFI and The Despair Faction have long enjoyed an intimate relationship that goes beyond more conventional fan club perks such as exclusive merchandise and ticket pre-sales to sound check parties regularly organized and attended by DF members who come bearing gifts ranging from homemade AFI artwork, clothing and other keepsakes to vegan baked goods for Havok and Burgan. “They’re not really a fan club per se," says Puget. "The Despair Faction was conceived to be more interactive than that, to have more of a direct connection with us."

With AFI’s new album, Crash Love, their major focus is what they consider the crash of the current culture, and how fame and power can become an antagonist in society. The lyrics of their music are usually filled with a deeper meaning, which in my opinion, is becoming less and less relevant in today’s music. As a fan, I am excited to see what AFI will put out next in their history of inspiring work in music.