Thursday, July 27, 2006
The bands new album includes various types of music.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Capturing a moment in time is how most bands describe the writing and recording process.
For rock act AFI (A Fire Inside), the makeup of its recently released album "DecemberUnderground" was almost entirely different. In the spring of 2005, with roughly 20 ideas, the California band was set to begin recording a follow-up to its breakthrough 2003 platinum album "Sing the Sorrow." But something didn't feel right.
"There was a moment when we were debating whether or not we should go into the studio," said drummer Adam Carson, calling from Salt Lake City. "And we ultimately spent another four months writing. If we had gone into the studio when we originally intended to, half the songs wouldn't be on the record. It's a weird thing, and it's something you can't necessarily count on."
Carson explains that AFI, which has roots dating back to the early '90s when the drummer and singer Davey Havok released a split 7-inch record, often has trouble finding its true starting point. Instead, the band writes collectively and waits for an organic vibe or theme to take hold before moving forward.
Extra time
However, "DecemberUnderground' was different from the band's previously released five albums. AFI -- which appears July 27 as part of the Vans Warped Tour at the Post Gazette Pavilion At Star Lake in Pittsburgh and July 31 for its own headlining show at The Agora in Cleveland -- had the luxury of studio time to flush out its ideas. So instead of forcing the issue, patience was a virtue that the band members relished.
"With other releases, we didn't have a lot of extra time in the studio or a budget," Carson said. "Years ago, we'd make a record in a week. This time we purposely wanted to take our time. That was a challenging task to assemble a good collection of songs that worked well together."
There's no doubt "Sing the Sorrow" ushered in a new era of notoriety for AFI. With any major label debut comes increased pressures, but platinum success definitely ups the ante. Carson said the band members still felt like outsiders within the mainstream, which manifested a winter-like theme on "DecemberUnderground."
Various styles
What makes "DecemberUnderground" so compelling is the fact AFI transcends any hint of pigeonholing with various approaches that include emo, goth rock, new wave, hard-core punk, punk revival and alt pop. Perhaps the only thing missing is a country or a rap influence. Think again.
"Actually if you listen to introduction ["Prelude 12/21"] of our record, it kind of has a little bit of a hip-hop beat," Carson said. "We were kind of joking about it when we were writing, that it has that 50 Cent 'In Da Club' groove. So maybe you can add hip-hop to that."