AFI

A Fire Inside (AFI) is a band made up of hardcore punk revivalists that first came together in 1991 when high school friends: Davey   Havok (vocalist), Markus Stopholese (guitarist), Vick (bassist), and Adam Carson (drums), got together in Ukiah.  Vick was replaced by Geoff Kresge then the band released their split 7" that was called Dork with another local band called Loose Change, after they played some local gigs.  Ironically, Loose Change's member, Jade Puget, later became a member of AFI.  They also released an EP called Behind the Times.  Alas, the band members decided to go to separate colleges so they all went their own way.  

Everyone was sure that AFI was no more, even Kresge, who moved to New Jersey, joined Blanks 77.  When the band members got back together on a school holiday break, they decided to play one show and they were so surprised about the response from the fans that they all quit school to start the band back up.  They gave up their education to pursue their music full-time.

The second album came after a couple of singles after they got a record deal with the Nitro label.  The name of the second album was called Very Proud of Ya, and came out in 1996, which was followed by two LPs in 1997.  One was a re release of their debut album that first came out in 1995 called Answer That and Stay Fashionable, and the other was Shut Your Mouth & Open Your Eyes. Right after that, the band started separating and personnel shifts proceeded with Kresge being the first to leave.  He was replaced by Hunter Burgan, and Stopholese was switched out with ex Redemption 87 guitarist Jade Puget, who at that time was doing songwriting with Havok.  

In 1998, the newly formed AFI released an EP called A Fire Inside and came out with a definitely more mature full length EP in 1999 that was called Black Sails in the Sunset. 1999 was also the year they released the All Hallow's EP and then in 2000 they came out with The Art of Drowning. Even though the band had a huge following of fans, the 2000 album brought forth an even bigger crowd of fans.  Many believed that this was due to the huge success of the hit Days of the Phoenix.