Well lets fast forward to August. The New York show was on going to be on September 7th but it was like a week before the show when BA announced that they were coming to the 9:30 Club. OMG I was literally jumping around my house screaming that they were coming. Now unfortunately I ended up not being able to go to NYC, which would’ve been awesome. The 9:30 Club show was on September 8th and how fabulous it would’ve been to go see Blaqk Audio back to back. But alas it wasn’t to be. I tried selling my NYC tickets but in the end I lost money from that. Oh well, right?

I’m going to fast forward to September 8th. More like the day before; I was freaking out man. Especially since I was in school already, so I was trying to remain calm as the big day got closer. Now the wondrous day has arrived. I got up über early just to make myself ready for the show. I had everything planned out; what I definitely didn’t have planned was how bloody hot it was going to be. It was a bit unreal how hot it was. The show didn’t start till about 8 but I left, with my mum, at about 12:30. Wicked early I know but I started hearing that there was a line forming already. There was but it wasn’t very long yet but I wanted to get a spot that guaranteed me a close spot to the stage.

My mum and I drove around looking for a spot to park and we found a pretty close one to the club. Well as it was about one o’clock, the sun was really high and it was disgustingly hot and humid. Well I got to the club and was behind this one girl who is now a friend of mine. My mum and I started walking around a bit and went to Johns Hopkins hospital to see if their cafeteria was open still. It wasn’t, so we went to this little restaurant to grab a few bottles of water to try, emphasis on the try, to cool off. We went back to our car to sit for a little bit with the A/C pumped up. Not a very smart idea as when I went back to the line, the girl in front of me told me that Smith had come out for a bit. WTF?!!!!! Oh man was I disappointed. Oh well, in the end it was a minor detail, which I will continuously remember.

Continuing on, I was becoming more chill with my new friend, Ellie, who was with her mum as well. With how hot it was that day, the hours seemed to be crawling ever so slowly. Slowly more people started getting there, still pretty early. This one lady got there and was standing behind me and Ellie. She was telling us how she was getting over a cold and that she had a few drinks that night before. Not a good thing as she started not feeling too good and ended up passing out on the sidewalk. People from the club got her inside and hydrated and she was fine. A couple of guys who worked at the 9.30 club got everyone some water, probably so there wouldn’t be another moment like that.

Finally the time was getting closer to when they would be opening the doors to let people in. Of course someone came out and spoke of the rules such as how no one was allowed to have any cameras, otherwise it would be confiscated and said person would be kicked out. They were saying that Davey and Jade didn’t want anyone to be taking any pictures but a lot of people didn’t believe them. I think they were just being douche bags. I had my camera with me and was thinking of ways on how to sneak it in the club but in the end decided it wouldn’t be worth it if I got caught and was removed. Hell no would I be missing Blaqk Audio.

Finally we were going into the nice cool club which was fantastic. It looks so blah on the outside but inside it was awesome. The had this balcony where you could watch the show “upstairs”. Anywhere you stand in the club, you’d get a fantastic view. I was lucky that I was in the “second row”. Quotes around that because it wasn’t too specific, especially when one continuously is being pushed forward. Of course at all the BA shows there was a local DJ opening up; well for DC I really had no clue who this DJ was and he wasn’t very good. The music was kind of bland. Every once in a while he might’ve played a decent song but, not too impressed.

Now the moment everyone was waiting for…the DJ was leaving the stage and Smith was getting on making sure of the final details for Jades equipment. Of course everyone started freaking out. Then of course Jade walks on stage looking absolutely amazing in his suit…then…Davey walks on stage. *screaming of fans being heard once again* He looked so beautiful and relaxed. They started the show with a bang, Davey with his adorable dancing. My mum was loving it, me and Ellie was just being fangirls as neither of us have seen AFI so this was the next best thing. I can’t even describe how amazing everything was. The lights were fantastic, Davey looked beautiful, Jade looked gorgeous and was amazing with his keyboards and computers. *sigh* Both Jade and Davey came close to the crowd plenty of times, especially when they performed Girls and Boys. They just looked so relaxed and happy, kept smiling at each other and the crowd.

It was just surreal and once again, probably one of the best days ever. Unfortunately it just seemed to short because it almost seemed like they were already performing Stiff Kittens after 15 minutes, when it was actually an hour. Oh too soon it all ended. Everyone started leaving the club and Ellie and I exchanged any necessary info to keep in touch, which we still do. Unfortunately she lives in VA, but hey. People started lining up behind the club to see if Davey and Jade would come out and say hi to the fans. I heard they did, but in the end, they unfortunately did not. I wasn’t too bummed about it, but hey.

Best day ever. I still have my tickets and I basically laminated them; I shall keep them forever. Of course we know that Jade has mentioned that they’ve been working on another BA album for which I shall be patiently waiting for. Of course after AFI comes out with their album. Hopefully it’ll be this year; I know I will definitely be seeing them if/when they come around my area. I will be standing outside waiting and hoping to meet them. I know it’ll happen, when I’m not sure but I’m determined to meet them. I will definitely be posting another blog on here when I see them on tour and hopefully I’ll be able to meet them in person.

I still get excited when I think about that day. Love it. <3

Yay. =D

By Nicole (myspace.com/bleedblack12)

I think it was late 2002 almost 2003 when I first heard about AFI. Ironically as it is, my ex introduced me to them, kept on telling me how fascinating they were etc…so I checked them out and I soon realized that she was indeed right – they were fascinating. There was something about them that was different from any other band I was listening to to that time. I HAD to see them live.

The bad thing? I was too young to that time and literally not allowed to drive anywhere as long as it was 10 m away from my house. I missed almost every AFI concert to that time and it made me sad beyond words. 2 Years later…I got my long awaited chance: Not long after I joined the schwarze segel community AFI announced a concert in Berlin. The only one in Germany…in a tiny club that just held around 300 people. First I was disappointed because it all seemed like I couldn’t go and quickly tried to forget about it which was definitly not easy since everyone kept talking about it. By the time I finally made a decision, the tickets were already sold out. This was probably one of the most depressing days in my life – I had missed AFI so many times already and it looked like I would never be able to see them. Desperate as I was I went on ebay…and luckily found someone who was selling his ticket. Unfortunately a lot of people were bitting for that ticket as well and instead of 10 € I paid around 101 € for my first AFI concert ticket. Once the auction was over I literally went down on my knees and thanked the Gods. I just had to organize my trip to Berlin, which lasted exactly 17 hours. <- This is were my submission got it’s name from after all.

A few weeks before the show would take place, I went to our train station and bought a ticket. I wanted the fastest but cheapest way straight to Berlin. After 5 minutes of explaining my problem to the woman that sold me the ticket and another 100 € lighter, my trip to Berlin was set although the woman did wonder why I just wanted to stay a few hours there but I didn’t mind her giving me weird looks. I was so happy that I didn’t even bother about the fact that I had school on that day or that my mum didn’t even know where I was going as long as I came home on the next morning. I told her I was going to meet a friend somewhere…I don’t remember my exact words but it was closer to my hometown as Berlin was.

With all those problems solved, I took 1 bag with myself that literally just consisted of nothing but some toothpaste, socks (Why the hell would you bring that?) and a book because I knew I wouldn’t stay that long in Berlin. I got into the ICE at around 12. It took me 3 1/2 (Hahahahah! don’t you think that was a sign? ) hour to get to the main train station. And my adventure had just begun to that time. I needed some time to get comfortable with the trainsystem in Berlin because that city is just so fucking huge that you just don’t know where to start at all. Luckily there was always someone around who would patiently explain something to me so that I wasn’t completly fucked. I had nothing but a crappy map that I had printed out at home earlier and as good as my orientation is: I still got lost somehow and ended up running down the same street at least two times until I realized that it was the wrong one. (and yes: I think I saw every alley and every tourist spot in Berlin on that day.) So I went back to my starting point and already thought about how horrible it would be if I didn’t reach the Magnet Club in time. I had just spent 200 € for the whole journey and I was out of money. I had no hotel room, no travelmate, not enough money on my cellphone to call anyone, I was hungry, I was thirsty and I was lost. For the first time since I had planned my whole journey, I was starting to doubt if all of this bullshit was worth seeing a band that would eventually play closer to me one day. And while I was just standing there and starting to get desperate again, I spotted two people wearing AFI shirts across the street. I didn’t think twice and just started to follow them – in a safer distance of course because I didn’t want them to think I was some scary freak from god knows where. And where else would those girls have gone if not to that AFI show? so I was even more surprised when they leaded me to a big building I quickly recognized as Universal – AFI’s label. Later I found out that the guys were supposed to be there at some point and the two girls had just went there because they could have met them. This was my first encounter with Kathy and Tanja without me even realizing it. Bless them.

Somehow I actually found the right way and after I had bought a pack of stupid oat cookies and a bottle of water to get me trough the rest of the day (I had not eaten ANYTHING at all) I’ve started walking down the road that would – according to the map – lead me to the street where the club was. I had already walked over 100 miles on one day and I was getting sick of it. Okay I was sick of everything in general. The endless traveling with the trains had worn me out as well and you can probably imagine the expression of pure relief on my face when I reached the club at around 5pm in the afternoon. A really heavy weight fell off of my shoulders in that moment and I was just so blown away that I missed that Smith had passed me. I just walked straight to a group of people and I recognized the girls from earlier. We all introduced ourselves and I had fun telling Kathy, Tanja, Kati, Laura, Dave and Maria how much trouble I had went through to be here with them. After all it was funny…and I forgot about it because I was just too happy to be here. And when Smith passed us a second time and Kathy started fangirling and telling us about the “Puget Smell” I knew this was really happening and not just a dream.

We killed most of the time with talking to each other and listening to the guys through the doors when they did their Soundcheck. I was so excited about the upcoming show that nearly forgot that I had to call the guy who sold me the ticket on ebay. He had planned on visiting the same concert, hence why he had promised me to bring the ticket and I was really getting nervous because he wasn’t showing up at all. I wanted to have a good spot in the club and combined with the whole chaos with the tickets that was happening to that time I was in a bad mood once again. Here and there you could hear people fighting and complaining. There were so many people from so many different countries waiting outside that it was a natural thing to happen and let me tell you…the whole organisation was ridiculous. Finally, 30 minutes before the show started the seller from ebay arrived and immadetily bullied his way through the mass of people that were currently all trying to get inside the club. He came back smiling broadly and handing the ticket to me. I thanked him at least 20 times before I hurried inside as well. Sadly the front row had already been occupied by a couple of crazy english people but I was fine with the second row because…hell the club was really TINY. Not even half of the people were inside the club and it was already stuffed and getting hot but there was no way that I would be leaving my spot.

And then it started…I just remember getting shivers down my spine as soon as I heard the thunder like drums of Miseria Cantare kicking in. I completly forgot to mention that I had gotten my first AFI tattoo just a few weeks before I traveled to Berlin. I lifted my arm up in the air, flashing my “Nothing from Nowhere”, showing my dedication and screaming along those words I knew by heart. “LOVE YOUR HATE. YOUR FAITH LOST. YOU ARE NOW…ONE…ONE OF US.” one by one the guys entered the stage and once Davey started singing and pumping his fist up in the air we just felt provocated enough to do the same. I think we were even louder than the guys themselves. This was so different to any over concert I’ve been to and that easily made it one of the best, memorable and influential gigs I’ve ever been to. They were even to you and you were so close to them that you could have reached out and touched them. I must admit: I suck with words and I can hardly explain the energy that got exchanged between the fans and the band. I also completly forgot about the set list but there were a lot of old goodies they never played again on their future shows I went to. I just remember “The Despair Factor” – one of my all time favourites. Davey dedicated it to us with “This is for our faction.”…and I think if you check several websites you’ll find a few videos from that show. It was amazing…breathtaking. As said: I hardly have words. Everyone who visited the same concert probably knows what I mean. To this day we’re always talking about “our tiny club gig” and speculating if they might do it again in the future. With AFI you never know…this is one of the many reason’s why I love them.

You may ask how I got home at all and why the hell this is called 17 hours: I ended up sleeping in the train station because my train was not leaving at around 5 am in the morning and I calculated it before: I spend exactly 17 hours in Berlin minus the time it took me to get back home.  I was sweaty, I was probably smelling horrible, I had spent 203 € on just one concert and I had to brush my teeth on the toilet in the train because the awful taste in my mouth nearly drove me insane. A friendly woman from the train service team gave me a sandwhich that literally saved me from starving. While I was looking out of the window as the scenery passed by, I knew that this one concert had changed my life. Better: AFI had completly changed my life and showed me that it can be worth it to take a risk once in a while. Quickly after that I joined my own band and…well changed my life to the better. I’m a happier person now and I can gladly say that those four guys from CA are a damn good reason I decided to become a better person. I’ve never cared about the shitload of money I had spent. Or how horrible it had been to get lost, without a proper meal and no one there to help me out. Because this one little trip lead me to my closest friends. Friendship is a damn strong bond and I guess the guys just transfer all those emotions and feelings on their fans somehow. I love my DF/AFI family and I’m thankful to have them in my life now.

Thank you Davey, Hunter, Jade and Adam…you mean more to me than I could probably put in words. Thank you for the places you showed me, the memories you gave me and the people you lead me to. Those things can’t be bought with money.

PS: Nope, my mum still doesn’t know…I’m planning on telling her in…let’s say 10 years from now

PPS: Yes, I’ve missed my chance to meet the guys after the show because I left too early but I’ve met them countless times on the next shows. But I guess those deserve their own submission…

by Jimmy – myspace.com/akiraofficial

From the moment I began listening to them I KNEW I needed to see them live. So I bought tickets to their next show – only $20, which is the second to lowest price I’ve paid to see a concert in my life. Not only that, but it was at this tiny venue that only holds five-hundred or so at the most. I’m lucky I even scored the tickets.

I can remember the days leading up to the show pretty vividly. I’d bought tickets for my friend as well, and every day the concert got closer, we got more and more excited to see them. We had no idea what to expect, how good they were going to be live, and how amazing it was going to be to actually be in the pit at a show rather than in seats.

I met up with another friend once we got to the venue after standing out in line for about an hour in the freezing cold, only in t-shirts. He assured me that they were amazing live, so I stuck by him and slowly made my way towards the front just before the show began.

The opening acts that night were Dear and Departed and Sick of It All. The first band was awful – it was almost impossible to get amped with them. But when Sick of It All came onstage, that was when the real fun began. Moshing is one of the single best experiences ever, and Sick of It All really helped to compliment AFI with their energy and ready the crowd for the main event. So when AFI came on stage, the band shrouded by a white curtain so we saw nothing at first but a silhouette, I knew it was going to be epic.

The funny thing about such dedicated fans and pits is that it’s the only time you don’t mind having smelly bodies surrounding you and a sweaty armpit or two in your face. I hardly noticed that when AFI performed, hardly noticed anything at all but the atmosphere and the sheer emotionality Davey expressed through the lyrics, Adam through the pounding of his drums, Hunter through his bass and Jade through his guitar. Each of them were so in tune with the music – even Hunter, who I later found out had the flu – and each other. The moment I remember most vividly is the comraderie between them, the way they joked on stage, particularly Davey and Jade after Davey managed to rip his pants.

After the show, I knew this would be a band that I’d have to follow, and now, they’re one of my favorite bands of all time. I’ve never been so happy to be proved wrong.

The trip to the US had been planned already long ago, we just had to see AFI on the Download festival in San Francisco, since it was their only show since their tour in May. We decided to combine it with a few days in New York, a cruise around Northern Cali and in the last minute, a trip to LA!

We flew from New York to LA and got a car to drive to SF with it the following day. The weather was fantastic, our excitement ready to burst through the roof. We had a quick stop at the venue and said hi to Jessie, who had come all the way from Florida and was waiting there for half a day in the queue. Laura and I decided to see the city instead and picked up a friend, who stayed in LA as well. We went to see the Hollywood-sign, the stars on Hollywood boulevard, the Chinese theater and Beverly Hills, where we parked our car as if one of the beautiful houses there was ours, haha.

The show was amazing. There was probably everyone you would normally see hang out with the AFI guys, it was surreal. You just could not miss Jeffrey Star’s pink hair, haha. AFI were in a great mood, just so relaxed and amongst friends and DFers.. Even though they ended the set with Miss Murder, they played a bunch of unusual songs, much to our delight.

Some of the remarkable moments were Davey’s two (!!) stagedives (one in unison with Nils) and the long funny debate on what to play next. Everyone practically screamed for their own favorite song and in the end ..but home is nowhere was chosen.

After the show we went to talk to Fritch so he might give us some touristy tips for San Fran. Psst, cable car and Alcatraz! (though we didn’t do the latter, sorry, Fritch..) Janice, our AFI mommy, let us stay at her place for the night, which was more than generous. I can’t thank her enough for that! It was great to rest for the night before we drove all the way to San Fran, in eleven hours, taking our time to enjoy the scenery, have dinner and take pictures.

There would be much more to tell, about the Download, our amazing time in NorCal.. but I think it’s enough for now. Right now I’m not listening to AFI at all, but the way they have helped me through a dark phase in my life, the way they have been inspiration and most of all, good times with friends, touring with them, amazing intimate shows as well as big shows, all the crazy, wonderful, nerve-racking, tiring, but also joyous and overwhelming moments, I owe them all to AFI and they will forever be special to me. Where would I be without them and without all the friends I found through them? I don’t even want to imagine..

We left in the morning, but had several delays before arriving to Canada. Basically mistakenly believing we forgot a passport, really forgetting my ticket, and getting slightly lost at one point. Luckily the first two we’re before we got to Canada. We had to answer some extra questions at immigration when crossing over the border, but otherwise we didn’t really have any problems.

It was so muddy from all the rain. I was afraid I was going to slip in it. Ha ha. We got there a little bit before Alexisonfire played. They played a short, but fabulous set. I can’t wait to see them at Warped in July. The crowd was crazy while they played. After they finished, we headed over to the merch tent. I bought a Crash Love shirt. I haven’t tried in on yet, but I can tell it’ll look great on me. Hah.

Afterward, we headed back to the stage that AFI was going to be on. After slipping through to be as close as we could, we befriended some fellow Despair Faction (DF) members. They had pins with their board names on them. I thought that was nifty and made a note to perhaps fashion one for myself before the Fall. We chatted before the band came on and made plans to meet after the band played.

When AFI came on, I was engulfed in so much excitement. Saying they sounded great would seriously be an understatement. Despite a few technical difficulties through out the show, they did such a fucking fantastic job. I’m still in slight awe that I was able to experience it. And this was at a festival show! Can you imagine when I see them on their own tour?!

Anyways, details ^_^ …The set list was:

1. Girl’s Not Grey
2. The Leaving Song, Pt. 2
3. Kill Caustic
4. Summer Shudder
5. The Days of the Phoenix
6. Bleed Black
7. Silver and Cold
8. A Single Second
9. The Missing Frame
10. Dancing Through Sunday
11. Ziggy Stardust
12. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing
13. Miss Murder
14. Totalimmortal
15. Love Like Winter

Davey was very entertaining in between songs. During one point, Smith was sweeping the stage and Davey thanked him, making a comment about how could he get mud on these shoes. Some smart-asses decided to respond by picking up mud and throwing it at him. He laughed it off by saying something along the lines of “I deserve that. I’ve had worse thrown at me, trust me.” At another point someone threw a flip flop at the stage and he dodged it and said if he had a flip flop, he would want to get rid of it too. He also talked about the steam room at his gym and how he couldn’t say more of what happens there because it is a “family show”. Ha ha. Oh and he dedicated a song to Rise Against (WEDNESDAY!), which made me super happy! He also stated that Crash Love is to be out in late September. I’m really hoping we’ll get some concrete dates for the release and tour soon.

After they finished up, Micheal and I headed over to the merch tent where we agreed to meet the DFers we met earlier. When we couldn’t find them, we scoped out the place to see if we would be lucky enough to find someone in the band. I know, based on others accounts, that Adam is not only super-friendly…but often makes an effort to hang out himself. When no such luck arrived we headed back to the tent. We high-fived some other people in AFI shirts. Finally, we found everyone from before. After chatting quite a bit longer, we made plans to hang out.

While, making our way though the parking lot we found a few people whose car was stuck in the mud. A lady frantically asked us if we could help. In good spirit, we all rocked and pushed the car until it finally gave and got unstuck. We all cheered and clapped. Ha ha.

So we (Micheal, Nikki, Angela, Mike, Graham, and me) went to Mike’s apartment/dorm to hang out for a bit, which was a really nice place. We checked the boards (because we are cool and spend Saturdays like that). Everyone thought we were super-hardcore for driving 4-5 hours from MI. After wards we went out for sushi. We were joined by a couple of other guys we met earlier (another Mike and Roy) who came in for the show from New York. I had sweet potato rolls, which were as good as others said they were. Micheal paid for me, which I was not expecting, but I thought was a really nice gesture. (Considering he was also doing all the driving…)

After wards we went to a bar, which isn’t my thing, but I still enjoyed hanging out. There was a DJ and dance music, but no dance floor. Strange. I suggested we leave a bit earlier than the others just because we were planning on going back that night. We exchanged numbers with everyone and made promises to keep in touch. After giving several hugs we walked with Mike #1 to the subway station, so he could give us directions.

On the drive back, I could tell Micheal was getting to sleepy to drive, so I suggested we stop to take a nap. We did so, and after two hours got on the road again. Passing the border to the US was, surprisingly, easier than when we crossed over to Canada. I had heard that it would be the opposite.

We finally got to my place at 7:00am on Sunday morning. Despite how much fun I had, after the long trip I was relieved to be home. We said our byes for now, and I crashed. Later I woke up to find a message from Angela making sure we made a safe trip. I really appreciated that. When I’m in Toronto again I will be sure to try and meet up with everybody. I also told them to call me if they were ever in MI. I’m sure I will meet up with everyone at the next show.

An After-note:

I included the extra details from the trip, to show what a positive experience I’ve had from being in the DF. Michael and I started dating shortly after the trip, and I am so happy with our strong, healthy relationship. We also made a trip recently up to Toronto and visited our friends we met at the show. The point I’m trying to make, I guess, is that being a fan of AFI and in the DF has brought me close to many wonderful people in my life. It truly means a lot to me.

Contact details:

Lia Adamopoulos

serpentxdreamer@yahoo.com

AFI, even though my obsession has gone down just slightly (which I
simply blame on me getting older), I still love you with all my heart,
and I can’t imagine what I’d be without you!

I remember loving the song, but not knowing whom the band was, or what the song was. Later, I searched for the song name (and eventually found it). Although I knew that one song, I sang Miss Murder for the longest time.

The month later, in the first week of June, we had a class trip to Ottawa. At that time, I was till crazy over AFI (yes, I still only knew one song). One day on the trip, we had a chance to eat at the mall for a quick lunch. They told us we had about 20 minutes, and to just get something fast. Well, I did that… My roommates and me swallowed our lunches whole (thank you guys!) so I could run to the nearest HMV to buy Decemberunderground. I ran like crazy in that mall just so I would be sure I would get that CD before we had to leave.

I bought Decemberunderground, and listened to it non stop all summer. If you would’ve asked me then anything about AFI not relating to DU or the name’s of the guys, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you. But hey, that was 2 and half years ago.

So I literally went backwards with their albums. I bought STS the winter that year, and now I have two more albums left in order to complete my collection (VPOA, SYMAOYE are hard to find here).

At this point in my life, I don’t know what I would do with out AFI. And everyone says that about his or her favourite band, but it’s true. I look to them for inspiration every single day, and those times when it feels as if all odds are against you, I listen (or think about) AFI.

When they announced they were recording the new album, I went absolutely crazy! Thousands of thoughts rushed through my head. But the one thing I am anticipating the most is a tour. I’ve only been able to watch recording of AFI concerts, but the reality of me possibly seeing them live in the next year thrills me. I sang along to IHAV in my room, but to be able to sing along with Davey in person would be hands down the greatest moment of my life. I don’t want to jinx anything (I probably have already), but I cannot wait. I will do anything for those tickets. Anything.

So I’ve only been an AFI fan for 2 and half years, don’t know the lyrics to the first song they recorded, and I definitely don’t have any killer tattoos yet. But I’m only 14, and am just glad to be a part of this fan base. I know it sounds cheesy, but even though we are from all over the world and large variety of ages, we are still able to come together for the one thing we all have in common: an immense love for AFI.

I have AFI to thank for so much, and I have only the upmost respect for them.

When I was a junior in high school, a new girl came tomy school that
I met through a mutual friend. She was a freshman, and she was wearing
an AFI shirt. My first words to her? “Hey, can I steal your shirt?”.
Now, almost 6 years later, we’re engaged. If it wasn’t for AFI, I’d have
not had the courage to talk to her, and I doubt we’d be who we are
today.

AFI has saved my life, and seen me through some of the roughest
things I’ve ever gone through. For 10 years, they’ve been my lifeline,
and my salvation.

Event: My life (the new beginning)

I’m sure you’ve heard the “AFI changed my life” stories this is another one of those stories. But to say this is a story about a band and me is an understatement. Its about finding the family I needed when I most needed it. The rules say to choose an event, but I could no sooner pick a favorite star in the sky.

Before AFI I was a pathetic excuse for a human being. I drifted along, desperately wanting to fit in with the world. Actually, it was worse than that, I had had it. I didn’t fit in, regardless of how bad I wanted to. Kansas (where I’m from) was full of people that I just didn’t seem to click with and I was left alone and confuse wasting my time watching whatever was on MTV. One day a new video came on from a band called AFI, it caught my eye because it was awfully similar to my favorite childhood story, Alice in Wonderland. The song (Girl’s Not Grey) was amazing and I couldn’t get it out of my head. To say that it was love at first sight would be a lie. I liked AFI from then on, but as with all great loves, it needed time to blossom. It wasn’t until that summer, when AFI magically appeared in my hometown, thanks to a random Warped tour show that I fell. Oh god how I fell. I knew they were going to be there and I decided that perhaps I should catch them. The crowd was tiny (because this is Kansas we’re talking about pre-Miss Murder, no one had ever heard of AFEEEYY) But then, Miseria Cantare came on and I felt like I was hit with a ton of bricks. My heart raced; the little show was amazing, I’m still a bit in awe of how lucky I am to have seen them with the handful of people that surrounded that stage (I’m talking maybe 100 people, if that). After that day I bought Sing The Sorrow and found my new favorite band. I had found that little piece of paper about the gathering in the darkness that first day I got STS but I decided I should give it some time. I waited about a year from the day I first saw the video for Girl’s Not Grey before I too joined in the Despair Faction. I joined the boards, although I rarely posted I lurked daily. All this lurking got me to cave and finally sign up for a myspace so I too could have the little [DF] at the end of my name. This is the 1st really significant change, before this I was not a social person, I didn’t want to talk to people unless they talked to me first. As soon as I got my profile 3 DFers sent me friend request 1 of them remains one of my dear friends and the connection to most of my other DF friends. I immediately feel comfortable around AFI fans, even if they aren’t DF (although I have so much love for my DF buddies) just because they all somehow get me. Its like AFI cured me of my social retardation and gave me the confidence to take control of my life. I know I did most of it, but I truly believe that had I not seen that little video on MTV I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. AFI and the DF opened a whole world of possibilities my mind was ignorant of. They (the band and the community) are who I turn to when I’m upset, when I’m happy, and when I’m content. They are the loves of my life and my family. Without them I would be nothing.

This all might seem very sappy, I’m all right with that. Might seem a bit fan girl, I’m all right with that too, because you and I both know that AFI is more than just a band, and the DF is more than just a fan club. It’s life.

This lyric from Girl’s Not Grey best sums it up for me:

“What follows has led me to this place where I belong, with all erased.”