I offer grace, I offer blood, I offer everything till my heart is crystal clear
Las Vegas, NV, US
Growing up in a strict religious family of was incredibly difficult when you’ve decided you want to live your life the way you want and not by how your parents want or how god supposedly wants you to. AFI’s music resonated with me in a way nothing else ever had. AFI was there for me and helped me through and when I needed help to carry on. Decades later, I still have them to thank for giving me strength.
When I was 13 I saw AFI live for the first time with Bleeding Through in Las Vegas and my life was forever changed. My stepdad was able to buy us tickets from Ebay after the show had sold out which I’m sure was not cheap at all but I was eternally grateful. It was extremely worth it and meant everything to me both then as a teen and especially now.
10 years later in 2003 I went to see them again here in Las Vegas. This time with Touché Amoré. I finally repaid my stepdad by getting him a ticket this time. Less than a year later he passed away but I’m grateful that I was able to take him to the show this time around. These are memories I’ll always treasure. Just like a fire inside of me, I keep his memory alive in my heart. My love for AFI burns stronger than ever. Happy 30th Anniversary AFI. Through our bleeding, we are one 🔥
Yo he estado aquí, muchas veces antes…
CIUDAD DE MEXICO, MX
I remember being in my early teen years when I got the notice from my best friend that AFI was coming to México. It happens that by that time I lived at the south of the country and off course had no budget and no permission to go by myself to see my favorite band of all times. There was not much I could do, but to spend most of classes looking through the window imagining you guys coming to my high school and giving this blast of a concert on the rooftop of my building.
This photo reminds me a lot of those teenage years when I wanted to find a way to send all the stuff I made about you guys to let you know how grateful I was (and still am) for opening my mind to a very genuine and sincere sound. Seems like now is the right time.
Happy anniversary guys 🖤
I remain, and shadows growing wings.
Santa Cruz California , US
From the very beginning I have been a fan of this band. Seeing them at venues like Gilman Street, downstairs vets Hall in Santa Cruz, to Palookaville and the Catalyst, Haunting of the bay at Slims (RIP) secret shows under secret names, double shows at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall, The Living Room, and countless other venues. Better time we’re hard to find. I first met Davey Havok, sometime in the late 90s at what was no doubt a Numbskull Productions show. He was sweet and kind then, as he is now. Eventually I started working for Numbskull Productions, and over the years we have done countless shows for them at many different venues across the state of California. I can remember being backstage hanging out at the Catalyst, or Palookaville, or interviewing the band for a ‘zine I was doing at the time, or watching bands play from the crowd hanging out with Davey and Smith or Adam, at warp tour in Ventura or anywhere else. Over the years I’ve ran into all the members of this band in different places, record stores, random shows, etc. None of them have changed in character or personality through these past 30 years. I’ve loved this band from the beginning. I still love this band today. I like to think that I am one of the one in one 1000 acquainted. As many others are as well. I’ve tattooed myself with their lyrics and other images, collected all the merchandise in the vinyl. And there isn’t a song on any record that isn’t cathartic and comforting, when I hear it, and I always want to sing along. So thank you for all the music inspiration and friendship over these past 30 years. Here’s to another 30. AFI Forever. Through our bleeding we are one. Beyond and to all time I stand. From here to forever it’s Will I will follow. XXX
That first taste
Austin, Texas, US
I’ll never forget the first time I heard AFI. It was the fall semester of my junior year of college. I was hanging out with a new friend from the opera production and they put on some music once we finished rehearsing. The opening track of Sing the Sorrow came on. I stopped in my tracks. I was hooked from that first phrase. I had to sit down and listen to the entire album at that moment. I had no idea who AFI was before that moment and I’ve been a fan ever since. decemberunderground literally saved my life. I listened to that CD so much I had to buy another copy. I’ve loved all their music and their “older stuff” (to me) evens gets to me. They’re one of my top 5 bands. When the blood album came out, I knew I had to get a tattoo to pay homage to them and my two favorite albums of theirs. So now I share a photo of my tattoo with y’all. I know a lot of you will appreciate it as much as I do. 🩸🖤
Lucky Socks
Texas, US
I found AFI when I was about 9 years old and loved them since then. When I was a sophomore in high school my mom got me a pair of AFI socks. I wore them all the time. The same day I got them I met the guy that would be my boyfriend, who I am still dating today. I introduced him to AFI and now we have tickets to see their newest concert. I am so excited!
The beginning of…
Mexico City , MX
I don’t have many memories about AFI, I would like to have more.
One of the only ones they I have is the day that I discovered their existence.
Was a normal day in May 2006 , like every day, me and my sister would return from high school at 2pm, We turn on the television to look for something interesting to watch on tv. That day, there were not many homework and we watched “The 10 most requested” an MTV program in Mexico, where they broadcast the ten music videos most requested by fans. That day among the most requested videos they mentioned AFI with the song “Miss murder”, when we watched the video , we watched a boy with medium short hair, he sang and had a black bunny in his hands. The beat was pretty cool, the catchy chorus with a dark aura. What struck us the most was the way he screamed, we liked it so much that later days we went to an “internet cafe” to look for information about the band, we looked for the songs translated into Spanish, to understand the lyrics of the song. We printed some images for our notebooks and every day we looked forward to seeing the program, obviously always wanting to see them in the first positions, they were so good, that they deserved no less. We always searched among the other music channels, to see if they showed any of their videos. We begged our mother to buy us the album “Decemberunderground”, as we didn’t have much money, she could only buy us one for both of us. And later she gave us the dvd “I heard a voice.” Every day we listened to it without exception. Sadly, I was never able to attend their events that took place in Mexico. I was small enough to go and as a teenager, I only had money to go to school. Now as an adult and earning my own money, I hope I can see them, there is not a day that I don’t think about it. I am infinitely grateful to have known them, the impact that they have caused is incredible, because they have taught me not to stop and pursue my dreams, always with passion. Well, I had already given up. I’m still working on it. It is never too late to do what you really love. They inspire me to keep doing what I love: drawing.
Thanks AFI! 🖤🇲🇽
Best friends
Washington, D.C., US
After being friends for well over a decade, my best friend Desi and I finally had the chance to see AFI together. If not for this band that saved us both, we would never had met. Getting a chance to tell Adam thank you was a dream. He was so lovely and it’s a night I’ll never forget.
Meet and greet with your favourites
Brisbane, Queensland, AU
Meeting your favourite band or celebrity doesn’t always work out the way you imagine it in your head.
Meeting AFI did.
They were humble and chatty and genuinely interacted with the small group of us who won a meet and greet at their September 2017 show in Eatons Hill in Brisbane. The memory is one I’ll cherish forever.
They then went on to play a killer show turning my husband, who came with me, from someone who knew a few songs because his wife always had them on to fully impressed, those guys have got the complete package fan.
Here’s to another 30 years.
2 Generations of AFI
Saskatoon, SK, CA
When I first heard of AFI through the Offspring, I searched local record stores in an attempt to purchase their albums but to no avail. I mentioned it in passing and my uncle said “Well I have AFI CDs, in fact, I met them”. Next time I saw him, he handed me ATASF and VPOY. The rest is history.
Keylime pie, a cat in boots, and a creature only Davey could design
Chicago, Illinois, US
I’ve traveled to so many cities thanks to your concerts. I’ve made so many friends thanks to the DF boards. I was able to survive thanks to your music. The impact of AFI on my life is indescribable.
I jokingly asked if you’d draw something instead of an autograph… you surpassed my expectations.
My 2010 college admissions essay about my love for AFI
Madison, WI, US
First heard AFI in elementary school in 2001, started following them in middle school, continued to be a fan in high school, wrote my college admissions essay about AFI in 2010, and now in 2021 AFI continues to inspire me in graduate school as I finish my PhD.
… But Your Fire Makes It All Worthwhile
Clarks Summit, PA, US
You guys are such role models who have taught so much about integrity & have been the brightest light in my darkest moments for 15+ years…I can’t thank all 4 of you enough for that. ❤️🔥 I have too many memories for one post: my first show in ’06, ’09 Scranton signing, meeting Jade and Davey at/backstage after ‘American Idiot!!’, watching side stage in ’13 & the recent short film+Q&A are only some of the highlights. I can’t even try to count the many, many times you’ve saved me in these 15+ years – I can never thank you enough. You bring me so much inspiration & have greatly impacted my life. Your ethos taught me so much & your music inspires me everyday. It’s been 30 years, 11 records, but Bodies is likely my favorite; every single track slaps.
Kate
XXX
My Long-Awaited AFI Tattoo
Austin, TX, US
After years of mulling AFI tattoo ideas over in my head, I finally landed on this design. I wanted something a little more feminine than the traditional artwork. It combines the artwork of my favorite albums, The Art of Drowning and Decemberunderground. I hope y’all love it as much as I do!
Meeting Adam at a Vegan Food Truck
Austin, TX, US
After a show at Stubb’s in Austin, we went around the corner to grab some vegan food. Aren’t I lucky that the boys are vegan?! My friend past me walking and subtly said, “Kelly, don’t freak out, but Adam is behind us.” So naturally, I turned around and freaked out. We invited him to sit and chat with us while we waited for our food, and he did. We talked about their tour, music, movies, and specifically Childish Gambino. Hands down one of the best nights of my life!
The Best Birthday
San Marcos, TX, US
I thought my 25th birthday would be my last. To my surprise, it turned out to be my very best. After the concert, for the very first time, I got to meet all of AFI. I teared up in front of Davey and was able to explain that it was a very special day for me. He wished me a happy birthday and even complimented my makeup. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to end my night.
Care Packages
San Francisco, CA, US
I served in the US Army from September 2002 until January 2009. Decemberunderground was released in the middle of my first deployment to Iraq.
I had already been a fan for years and eagerly watched the Mystery unfold during my brief periods of Internet access, but I wasn’t able to participate directly.
However, my close friends and family all knew that I was an AFI fan and reacted accordingly – by sending AFI-themed care packages.
Magazines, picture discs, concert merch, fan art… pretty much any piece of DU shwag that could fit in a flat rate box found its way to Baghdad that summer.
I’m on the Autism spectrum, so my behavior is a bit unusual and I have trouble interpreting social cues. As such, I’ve always felt isolated from the rest of society – a feeling that was magnified exponentially when I went overseas and was cut off from all the weirdos who actually liked me. AFI’s music and the kindness demonstrated by both friends and strangers helped to make that year a little less bleak.
The photo you see here is a copy of Decemberunderground that a friend got signed for me when she went backstage at BFD. I kept it by my bunk throughout both of my deployments as a reminder that someone cared enough about me to schlep backstage and get that thing signed.
Awkward Angsty Teen Years
Atlanta, GA, US
December Underground came out when I was 16. My then boyfriend sent me Prelude 12/21 via IM, which took hours to download via dial-up. I had to sneak to listen to it (strict parents), then later skipped school to go to FYE one town over to buy the CD, which I had to hide between layers of Mercy Me & Vivaldi. This album was my constant through my angsty, awkward teen years, and remains an album I enjoy revisiting as an adult. (I had to buy a new copy as I wore the old one out.)
The First Show
Reed City, MI, US
My first concert was AFI (2010) and it couldn’t have been more surreal. Before the show, I snuck away for Adam’s autograph(Very patient and kind!) and later, had an angelic Davey in my arms as he leaned over me to sing. The energy there was a spiritual one, where everyone felt like very old friends.
Through our bleeding, we are one
Curitiba, PR, BR
I haven’t met or seen the band live (yet, hopefully this will change very soon!) but over the last 15 years, whether I’ve been happy, sad, tired, anxious or just want to appreciate good music, AFI has always been there for me. Many memories are tied to your songs for me. Your music have left an indelible mark on my soul (and skin!) and I’ll be forever grateful for you and everything you’ve done and still do for us. Happy 30 years, here’s to another 30!
When I met AFI for the first time after 15 years
Modena, IT
Being an AFI fan in Italy it’s not easy. I’m a fan since 2003 and saw them live in Milan the 5/5/07. Incredible thing is that the 5/5/17 I met them in London winning a M&G thanks to Afi HQ. Best day of my whole life (and they signed my arm so I could ink their names too)!
Toronto, 2017
Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA
In 2017, I flew to Toronto for the Blood tour. I had been a DF member since 2007, but I had not yet had the opportunity to see AFI headlining. Watching my favourite band perform a headlining show from the front row made it well worth the wait, and I hope to see AFI the next time they come to Canada.
