AFI: Sell Outs?

I'm really starting to like AFI, and not just the more radio-friendly (ugh) stuff off of Decemberunderground. I didn't realize AFI used to be much more punk. I've never been a big fan of punk music, but I sort of like a few of their songs. I can't listen to it too long, though, because after awhile it gets annoying. I mean, there's enough noisy noise in my own house without adding to it.

The well-known "Miss Murder" (with prelude 2/21)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3wH6y6-768

Contrast that video with this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R34SA1qTfQw

Whoa, right?

And then there's this beautiful song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D05LF7gcyz4

I find it interesting to see how this band has evolved from noisy screaming punk to more melodic music. I don't necessarily agree that it's selling out. Not all bands' sound evolves into something so drastically different, but that doesn't mean the ones whose music does change are trying to get more fans and money. I think AFI gained more fans with their last album Decemberunderground, which added to their fanbase. Another reason why Blaqk Audio did so well-->AFI fanbase.

Maybe they are sell-outs. Who knows? Who cares? If you like their new music then listen to it. If you don't, then don't listen. Pretty simple, really.

Comments: 7

Ethan . Jul 21, 2008, 2:10pm EDT

I agree - who does care?

Brand New started out as a bit grunge-punk then went quite melodic, and is now so totally different altogether. I think there is just a natural evolution to each band.

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El Toro Bravo de Amor Jul 25, 2008, 11:36pm EDT

I'm inconsistent with "sellouts." Sometimes a band "sells out" and gains my appreciation while they went without it during their so called "true and real" period. Korn for instance. Hated their stuff till Twisted Transistor came out. Dug it. My Korn loving friends hated it. Sell out they said.

J. Geils first album, Dire Straits first album, Journey's first three albums, loved those bands. Hated what they sounded like when they went platinum. Do they care? Hell no. They were able to buy summer homes and jets and stuff. Trust me, if I get a chance to sell out, I'm there!

I'd still be able to play whatever I wanted. At my new summer home!

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Alex In Wonderland Sep 10, 2008, 9:18am EDT

I wondered if they were the same AFI as the punk band. I liked them a long time ago. I don't like really like them now. A lot of punk music isn't given enough credit. If you listen to the words behind the screaming there is a lot of emotion involved without the whine of popular bubblegum punk. There was a song that I heard once where the singer screamed the whole song. You couldn't understand a word. I found a translator and listened again. He was singing about a little girl who was dying from a terminal illness. When I could understand him he had me in tears.
I think that a lot of their evolution was just them growing up and realizing that they didn't like the screaming as much as they used to. And some probably had a bit to do with a power-hungry manager that insisted they upgrade.
When I was younger I took selling out a bit personal. Now I can understand it and I think that each person should do what works for them!

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Bryan B. Sep 26, 2008, 12:33am EDT

I have to agree. My wife loves AFI and to be honest I have only heard the radio stuff like Miss Murder, but I have liked what I heard. Sadly my dial up is too slow to look at the You Tube stuff or I would check it out! As far as selling out I dont see anything wrong with getting paid and wanting to be paid for doing something you love. Its when you let the money rule over your music and fans. great post!

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Bob Cronley Oct 30, 2008, 10:00pm EDT

When I was younger, I used to think the bands were selling out, but later I figured out that a lot of them were just mellowing out. After a few years of getting shook to death by thousands of watts of amplification every gig, doing an all acoustic album can look pretty good. :) But, what can I say, I'm 55 years old, and just went to an event called Waynopalooza. There were 13 total thrash bands at this event, and I enjoyed all of them. No selling out at Waynopalooza!

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Brook D. Apr 14, 2009, 10:49pm EDT

This is my first ever comment, so bear with me. I was always told that AFI's stuff was much better in the earlier days, but i never took the time to check out their older stuff. As far as the whole "sell out" thing is concerned, I think that once a band gains a lot of fans the original fans get upset so they begin using the term "sell out". I think original fans sometimes get upset, because they felt like they had a band all to themselves and then BOOM! Everyone likes them and it kind of takes the fun out of the band you liked. I have been known to do the same thing, but once you think about it people change, and therefore their music is bound to do the same thing.

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amy r. Oct 3, 2009, 1:13am EDT

They are awesome. I am listening to some of their wicked old stuff right now actually. I want to bear Davey Havok's children, of course I will have to mail them to him after they are born, but yeah...one can dream.

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AFI: Sell Outs?

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