Who We Are: AFI, A Fire Inside, From Ukiah to Today
If you've ever shouted along to "Girl's Not Grey" or "Miss Murder", you already know us. But where did we come from, and what do the three letters mean? Here's a quick guide.
What does AFI stand for?
AFI stands for A Fire Inside. The full name first appeared on our 1997 album Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes, and it has stuck ever since.
Where are we from?
We formed in Ukiah, California, in 1991. Singer Davey Havok started the band in high school with friends, and drummer Adam Carson has been there from the start.
Who is in the band?
The line-up has been the same since the late 1990s:
- Davey Havok: lead vocals
- Adam Carson: drums
- Hunter Burgan: bass, since 1997
- Jade Puget: guitars, since 1998
What do we sound like?
We began as a fast punk and hardcore band and grew darker over time, into gothic rock, horror punk and post-hardcore. Our newest album leans into a moody, 1980s-style post-punk sound.
The albums
- Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995)
- Very Proud of Ya (1996)
- Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes (1997)
- Black Sails in the Sunset (1999)
- The Art of Drowning (2000)
- Sing the Sorrow (2003)
- Decemberunderground (2006)
- Crash Love (2009)
- Burials (2013)
- AFI, also called The Blood Album (2017)
- Bodies (2021)
- Silver Bleeds the Black Sun... (2025)
The big songs
"Girl's Not Grey" and "Silver and Cold" from Sing the Sorrow both reached No. 7 on the US modern rock chart, and "Miss Murder" from Decemberunderground went all the way to No. 1.
Wear the fire
Every piece at AFI Merch comes on tees, hoodies, sweatshirts and in kids' sizes. Whether you've been listening since the punk days or just found us, there's something here for you.