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AFI
Huge stylistic changes are usually reserved for pop stars. Few bands have successfully waded into uncharted musical territory, yet AFI managed to take deep genre swings without alienating their fan base. Musical history is littered with the vestiges of bands brought down by their own success, yet AFI has avoided this fate for over thirty years.
From MTV to MySpace, this book explores AFI's groundbreaking role in shaping online fan culture and their journey as musical chameleons. From their humble punk roots to their experimental electronic era, AFI's ability to reinvent themselves while maintaining their artistic integrity is a testament to their enduring influence.
From MTV to MySpace, this book explores AFI's groundbreaking role in shaping online fan culture and their journey as musical chameleons. From their humble punk roots to their experimental electronic era, AFI's ability to reinvent themselves while maintaining their artistic integrity is a testament to their enduring influence.
- GenresMusic
144 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2024
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15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2025
A note on bias: AFI are my favourite band, and that being the case I went into this expecting very few surprises; just please someone was paying them their due with a biography. I really couldn't tell you whether you'll enjoy this without already having an interest in the band - I think you would, but again: bias.
Anyway! I read this in an afternoon and had a great time. It's as much a deep dive in to the DIY punk scene of the 90's, and how music and culture shifted between that era and today, as it is about AFI. It just so happens that AFI expertly manoeuvred their way from those days of physical community, all the way through to online community and beyond.
Being a long time fan, from the other side of the world, although I went in wanting to learn new things about the band, I think the focus on how malls, Myspace and MTV all significantly impacted popular culture was actually more fascinating. The author certainly knows her stuff, and the way these insights around youth influencing industry were woven in to the narrative was natural and engaging.
AFI have always been famously private band, so I was curious to see if there was anything in here that wasn't already counted among the scarce known details of their personal lives. I was pleased to find a few tidbits that surprised me, but also that this book didn't even attempt to devolve into gossip or scandal.
My only real gripe is that I wish it was longer! Not a case of always wanting more, I just felt that post-Crash Love era, we sped through the next three album cycles, and as a musician myself I'm always keen for as much process stuff as possible.
Hardly a complaint though - I had a great time with this!
Anyway! I read this in an afternoon and had a great time. It's as much a deep dive in to the DIY punk scene of the 90's, and how music and culture shifted between that era and today, as it is about AFI. It just so happens that AFI expertly manoeuvred their way from those days of physical community, all the way through to online community and beyond.
Being a long time fan, from the other side of the world, although I went in wanting to learn new things about the band, I think the focus on how malls, Myspace and MTV all significantly impacted popular culture was actually more fascinating. The author certainly knows her stuff, and the way these insights around youth influencing industry were woven in to the narrative was natural and engaging.
AFI have always been famously private band, so I was curious to see if there was anything in here that wasn't already counted among the scarce known details of their personal lives. I was pleased to find a few tidbits that surprised me, but also that this book didn't even attempt to devolve into gossip or scandal.
My only real gripe is that I wish it was longer! Not a case of always wanting more, I just felt that post-Crash Love era, we sped through the next three album cycles, and as a musician myself I'm always keen for as much process stuff as possible.
Hardly a complaint though - I had a great time with this!
December 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of information that I knew but a whole lot that I didn’t know. The book does spend a lot of time talking about the bands music leading up to decemberunderground but I was a bit disappointed that it skimmed over some of the later albums. AndI does a good job of breaking down how AFI was able to maintain their level of success while also covering some of bodies and recognizing that even though it’s not their most commercially successful album, it’s still a good one that has a lot to say. I definitely recommend this for any kind of fan of AFI. Either old or new or even if you’re curious about a lesser talked about side of the early 2000s internet/myspace days.
February 21, 2025
English is not my maternal language so I apologize for any typos or grammatical barbarie that I evidently wrote here.
Is beyond imagination what AFI causes in many of us: Either inspiration, tattoos or as the book itself showed us: for some of us they made social media part of us and that’s why I felt the necessity to write a review even tho I finished it a few days ago.
So, having this wonderful project that not only made me remember curiosities as well as it give us explanations in a pretty prose is very welcomed.
I expected further inquire on the delightful albums that are Burials and Blood, not because I wanted an opinion, because album praise wasn’t a review or anything like that, as it was clarified in the book, but only because nowadays it’s fundamental to me to speak about those records when it comes to AFI talking. Outside that, is a comforting AFI apreciación book and I’m grateful for it.
Is beyond imagination what AFI causes in many of us: Either inspiration, tattoos or as the book itself showed us: for some of us they made social media part of us and that’s why I felt the necessity to write a review even tho I finished it a few days ago.
So, having this wonderful project that not only made me remember curiosities as well as it give us explanations in a pretty prose is very welcomed.
I expected further inquire on the delightful albums that are Burials and Blood, not because I wanted an opinion, because album praise wasn’t a review or anything like that, as it was clarified in the book, but only because nowadays it’s fundamental to me to speak about those records when it comes to AFI talking. Outside that, is a comforting AFI apreciación book and I’m grateful for it.
January 8, 2025
A fantastic read which reminded me how much AFI were trailblazers in “the scene.”
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews