AFI
BY: LIDIA GALVAN


For the East Bay based band AFI, the road to the fame has lasted over a decade and a half but it is now, so much time later that the band has a sold out tour throughout not only the US, but worldwide.

Though they've drifted some from a full on "East Bay" sound, the band continues to deliver a perfect blend of music to please their old fans and gain a fateful allegiance of new ones, which they call the Despair Faction.

But to understand AFI is to be an AFI fan and most importantly, to catch a live show. I remember when I was a preteen I caught a show of theirs at an East Bay venue, now long gone, so to see them at their sold out show at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium was a huge step up and almost surreal. The difference in fans, which ranged from 12-year old mall Goths to old hippies, creates an environment that only a band with the talent that AFI has can make work.


Opening act Saosin, is a different story. Though they're a good band, upon which Capital records is spending loads on promoting, they belong more on a Warped Tour stage then they do on tour with AFI. Don't get me wrong, I love Saosin, they're great people and they have a good stage vibe, they just didn't have the right support. The band delivers an energetic stage show and tries to involve the audience as much as possible, but regardless of the jokes, the guitar flips and jumps from 12- foot speakers to the stage, the band failed to please the audience as a whole, which lead to a death threat yelled out, which vocalist Cove Reeve quickly turned into a joke. A fun show nonetheless, and a very loving quintet.

Tiger Army, on the other hand, has played with AFI a countless number of times. The rockabilly trio had a lot more audience participation, but was not fun to see. Vocalist Nick 13 would only walk around within an 8 foot perimeter, and his vocals are better heard when a studio is involved. Jeff Roffredo, who plays a stand-up bass, was rather interesting as he tried to move around carrying the large instrument. They did nothing out of the ordinary, and most of their songs blend together or sound about the same.

The real anticipation arrived during the almost 30-minute wait in between Tiger Army getting off the stage and AFI getting on stage. A large black curtain was placed in front of the stage while a white light was turned on. As the members took the stage their silhouettes showed through during the intro song of Prelude 12/21, off their latest release DecemberUnderground. As the curtain fell the screams rose and anticipation ended.

In full white outfits the band spin-kicked, posed and spun through songs off DU and Sing the Sorrow. Sticking to songs from their two most popular albums, most fans were able to sing along and even dance. The fists thrown in the air and the crowd surfing seemed endless until "Silver and Cold" was played, which is more a rock ballad, so of course led to the clichés of couples hugging and lighters being lit began. In the midst's of a harlequin light show, with white lit trees and white glitter paper strips dropped to represent snow for the next single, "Love Like Winter," the band reached to the crowd, and made everyone feel as one. As they departed, as usual leaving the audience wanting more, the band came back out and sang the always favorite "God Called in Sick Today" in which Davey Havok walks above the crowd in an attempt to reach closer to his fans. After about an hour set, the show came to its ending the with their biggest single to date, "Miss Murder." Guitarist Jade Pudget and Bassist Hunter Burgeon have the most unique and electrifying stage presence. Though drummers hold the band together, yet are always almost ignored, Adam Carson makes sure the crowd know he is present with his skill and ability to make every hit to the drum seem like a heartbeat. Of course Havok, appearing in full makeup, including fake eyelashes, not only completes the perfect ensemble but takes it one step further. AFI has already been around this long, in which time they've released 8 full lengths and won two moon men. Their peak is obviously their ability to please during a live show and it will only get better through time. They are just finishing this leg of the tour and will head overseas with The Explosion and the other Bay Area favorites, Dispute.