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AFI

Very Proud of Ya (1996)
Nitro Records

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Contributed by: Chris
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on October 22nd 2001

What more can be said about AFI? You either really like them, or really hate them. Some dig the new Goth look, others despise it. But before such conceptual pieces as 'Black Sails in the Sunset' and 'Art of Drowning' were conceived, there stood a bay-punk hardcore band with Misfit influences. We all know the story, AFI starts in 1991, breaks up, plays one reunion show and bam! Back on the scene. The group's first full-length album, aptly titled 'Very Proud of Ya', showcases the group's hardcore roots. West coast hardcore. Flowing melodies mixed with ultra-paced drumbeats and bass throbs were what started it all.

If you love Davey's singy voice of recent albums, watch out. This is hardcore Davey. No singy ballads. Yelling, screaming and the continuous mid-song breakdown of words just spilling out of his mouth were what these days were all about. Care-free punk songs about misguidance, confusion and anger stood before the dark poetry. Don't get me wrong, I like the direction AFI has gone, but I'm offering full disclosure before anyone reads this. There are 2 AFI's, and if you've never heard anything before "Black Sails...", you're gonna be surprised.

'Very Proud of Ya' is an album to go out for a night on the town to. Or for that hour long ride to the show 70 miles away that you can't wait to go nuts at. You can't help but scream along. So pile up the gang, find some shit to do and throw this one in the stereo. Enjoy, you can thank me later.

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Chaosweaver144 (March 25, 2010)

Their first full length? What about Answer That And Stay Fashionable? It's a hell of a lot shorter, but it's got 15 tracks. Anyways, I'm not sure how to feel about this album. It's fun, but I prefer SYM&OYE and AT&SF when it comes to hardcore punk AFI. Maybe it's because some of the tracks get lost in the giant sea that is this album. Tracks like This Secret Ninja, Perfect Fit, and Soap-Box Derby are some of my favorite by AFI, though.

StandAlone (October 3, 2009)

Great album. Their best "punk" album by far.

AFIrulez1 (July 29, 2008)

I love this album not just because it came out on my birthday June 19 1996!

hatefulromance (June 5, 2007)

This album is the best if you want fast paced, hardcore music...

ifuckingh8you (February 24, 2007)

here's our lesson for today better listen up real fucking goooood

randomhero323 (September 4, 2006)

amazing

JohnnyTwoTits (August 30, 2006)

this fucking album is punk... the other afi albums, not so mutch... (i htink they are fucking lame) i love this album...if afi and chuck noris met, i think that they would al lexplode, and the chuck noris would rebuild himself, and kick afi in the face, because chuck noris does not support transvestites, or whores, and a kick from chuck noris, will turn afi into men...

JohnnyTwoTits (August 30, 2006)

this fucking album is punk... the other afi albums, not so mutch... i live this album...if afi and chuck noris met, i think that they would al lexplode, and the chuck noris would rebuild himself, with little afi bits, glued on, like hed have one afi kidney, and lung....

Anonymous (April 6, 2006)

this the best afi album.
so shut your mouth and sail away.

Anonymous (October 19, 2005)

truly one of the best punk records ever made.

Anonymous (April 22, 2005)

Great album.. 21 songs or so of pure hardcore punk.. 90's hardcore was the best..this is evident in very proud of ya.

great album art work too !

Anonymous (June 25, 2004)

very great hard and kickass punkrock record! and to the other comment: FUCK blink182!

Anonymous (August 13, 2003)

AFI kicks ass with a capital k AND a.

cawknocker (July 19, 2002)

whatever, afi rule, but this album is crap. it all sounds the same. i'm 22 now and just can't listen to this shit. its kids stuff.

Anonymous (March 21, 2002)

AFI sucks...we should all listen to blink 182. -fathead

Anonymous (December 14, 2001)

I'm SO GLAD that AFI is on a major label! What more could you ask from a band than to leave thier original record label for the chance to "go somewhere in life". Man I couldn't be happier.SHIT!

Rock (November 15, 2001)

Glad a band sounds like the chipmunks. They suck. Doesnt anyone agree with me?

Anonymous (November 15, 2001)

A ten cannot give justice to the appreciation I have for AFI. When I think back to the summer before my freshman year, I think of all the new friends I made. most of them were hard-core punkers (or so i thought). Iwasn't really into punk in the least bit. That was all about to change. My sister's boyfriend left some CD I had never heard of before at my house. It was "Very Proud of Ya". At first, I gave no thought to listening to it, but she put it in the player! It was awesome! my sister wrote it off as a waste of time, but I knew it was an important thing. Ever since then, i have been an avid fan of AFI and devoted to the scene. And when all my so called friends eventually became a bunch of punk rock police fascists that were more worried about being punks than FEELING punk and eventually gave up on the scene cause they were bored with it, I just sat down with an AFI CD and let it all melt away.
AFI, thanks a bunch for everything. Your CD get a score of 999(100 is saved for the day I become a member of my own Ska band.
-Patty P.

Anonymous (October 29, 2001)

Fathead-

1.) You should give old AFI a chance, it's good punk rock...

2.) The song on MTV was 'Third Season'

3.) Their song on radio "rotation" is 'Days of The Phoenix'

4.) They had a feature spread in last months AP

Anonymous (October 29, 2001)

thankfully, I don't have MTV, but what AFI song is on there? I can't belive they, of all punk bands, are on MTV.- fathead

Anonymous (October 29, 2001)

This is by far my favourite record by AFI. This was the first "punk" album that I ever heard (back in like grade 9!!!), and I have never put it down since!

AFI still rocks - could do without MTV though.....

Anonymous (October 27, 2001)

This is a great record, probably the best from their "Asking For It" era. And i'll agree with the Anonymous, Asking for It is very different from A Fire Inside. I fondly recall them introducing the "I don't want to fuck you" song as "This is a love song". I saw this band when Davey used to front in a suit and a devil lock and the rest of the band wore skater attire and the bassist played a headless bass. I saw them open one of the Descendents reuninon shows at the Whiskey in LA (with Sensefield...weird) and they practically destroyed the place for me and the 19 other people who knew them. So incredible.

And now... I like them, but i'm not as interested as I used to be. I liked "Black Sails.." but the power ballads are a bit much. Somebody needs to tell the band you don't need to wear black leather pants and white make-up and have jack-o-lanterns onstage to play evil music. It just cheapens the whole effect.

--Cos

Anonymous (October 27, 2001)

I could give a big reason but I wont so I'll just say their new stuff is poop, this is golden.

Anonymous (October 26, 2001)

when i saw this band, th guitars sounded like shit, it was broad daylight, outside, and and the singer still looked like a Vampire, and most of they're set was goth-metal. I'm not saying they don't have some good songs, but I've never even thought about buying an (full-lngth)album by them.- fathead

punky (October 26, 2001)

one very disturbed individual made me laugh...see below

Anonymous (October 26, 2001)

I love the kind of comments that AFI gets like, "'Very Proud of Ya', showcases the group's hardcore roots." or the ever so famous "This is hardcore Davey."
WAKE UP!
AFI from 'ATASF', 'Very Proud', and 'Shout Your Mouth' is not the same AFI that is now seen in Rolling Stone, AP, and on MTV.

AFI used to stand for "Asking For It", amongst others.
Then 1/2 the band left and they changed their name to "A Fire Inside"... the conclusion.. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME BAND... I know, I know they have the same singer/drummer... but their 2 song writers (musically) left! They have 2 new song writers (musically) so all of you people that just got into them... AFI (a fire inside) is METAL... not punk... and it pisses me off because they used to be a great band about 3 years ago, before they died.. Hell I saw them at punk house shows twice, no arenas or opening for Offspring... I'm talking a punk house with 25 people there! ... that was then this is now and AFI (asking for it) is not AFI (a fire inside)so don't try to act like your punk because you listen to AFI (a fire inside) your not!
And no I am not a punk eiltest... but neither are you...

Anonymous (October 26, 2001)

i feel this cd would be perfect if it got rid of the songs that are also off ATASF. (i don't see the point of bands doing that)
old stuff afi kicks the shit out of new style afi. -faceecaf

punky (October 26, 2001)

i like this a lot, it sure is different from the newer stuff, but i like it anayway.Not too much experimenting, just straith forward mixture of hardcore and pop punk.

coldjuly (October 25, 2001)

I love AFI and, this is their only record I Don't have. God I need to go get professional help about my CD buying problem.

ETx310 (October 25, 2001)

I can't believe they're still playing "He Who Laughs Last." That songs over with.

Bryne (October 25, 2001)

Good stuff. Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes is their best album, I think.

sickboi (October 25, 2001)

You're right, I completely forgot that ATASF was released in 95', then re-released in 97', thank you for pointing out my ignorance. No more Jack Daniels when making reviews.

Anonymous (October 25, 2001)

It's their second record. ATASF was the first