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Interview
with Davey Havok Alex Capasso: What do you think of your newfound success? I can't even imagine you guys playing to a crowd of less than 500 now. It must take some getting used to... having people come up to you and asking you to sign their shoes or whatever... Davey Havok: As far as our success goes I'm extremely happy. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing that more and more people are starting to appreciate what we do, and what we love more than anything. We put our whole lives and hearts into afi and we love it when people enjoy our band. However a lot of people have the misconception that we're a lot larger than we are. There are plenty of places we can be seen playing to less than five hundred people, they're just not in places where you (Alex C) usually see us play. As far as people asking to sign their shoes or take pictures or whatever, I find it very flattering. It makes me feel good that a small thing like that could make someone so happy. AC: What was it like playing to a completely sold out Phoenix Theatre crowd in March? You pretty much grew up there... DH: Yeah, selling out the Phoenix theatre was like a dream come true to me. As you noted we used to go to shows there all the time and the only bands that would sell that place out were Green Day, NOFX, Bad Religion, Primus, Jawbreaker, bands like that. It was really strange for me, it's such a big place, and I just never imagined we could actually do it. I hope to do it again. AC: How was the Warped Tour? I heard you guys were put on the main stage at one event... weren't you also band of the week or something? Wow! DH: Warped tour was absolutely amazing. Everyone on the tour were really cool...all the bands, all the people working. We had a great time. Our shows, aside from having to play outside during the day, were really fun. I was very relieved to see that all our fans had come to see us, even when we were playing the side stage during NOFX or Green Day or whoever. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out to represent at the warp tour. It made it so fun for us. And, yes, we eventually did get moved to the big stage..I think we ended up doing half main half side stage, and that was cool for us too. AC: Do you ever wish you could go back to playing to a small crowd? A lot of people look back fondly to your old Gilman days... DH: Yeah, like I noted early there are a lot of places where we do play small clubs, some smaller than gilman, to small crowds. So it's not like I miss it because we still experience those type of shows every tour. AC: Do you see your biggest crowd in the Bay Area or have your legions of fans taken over elsewhere? If so where? DH: I think that Hollywood/SOCAL, and the bay hold our largest concentrated fan bases. Seattle, Portland, Vegas, Denver, and Phoenix are definite contenders though. AC: How many days a year are you on the road? How do you travel? DH: We were on the last tour for a month. Usually our tours range from three weeks at the shortest to Ten weeks at the longest. We travel in a van with a trailer. On the warp tour that made it tough because the tour is designed for bands with buses, which meant we would leave the show and drive straight through to the next show to arrive by seven a.m. This meant that Smith and I would switch of sleeping on the floor of the van. Adam sometimes would sleep on top of the van if we got to the show by four or five in the morning. AC: What do you think of the constant prying into your personal life that has now become so commonplace amongst fans? Can you accept that you're an, umm... I suppose a mini-celebrity? DH: Ha, mini celebrity, while I don't really like to disclose too much information about my personal life, I don't mind that people wonder. Hey, at least they care enough to think about me or afi at all right?
AC: Your new album is probably the most anticipated AFI album yet, is that pretty exciting? Does it relieve pressure knowing that so many people are looking forward to it? Or does it add pressure by creating more potential for disappointment? I can't wait to hear it! DH: I too have sensed that this album is probably the most anticipated of our albums, and while that is really cool, it does kinda stress me out. I think it's our strongest album yet, but with how excited everyone is to hear it, I feel a bit nervous. You know?
AC: How many songs will be on the new album? Care to share any or all of the titles? DH: There will be fourteen tracks on the new album. You should know the titles soon enough. AC: Touring plans? Tell me the Rancid tour is true! (And if I might make a suggestion: What about Tiger Army and the Nerve Agents?!) DH: Yes, we are touring with Rancid starting starting in November. I think it was sorta a secret but Tim told me I could tell, so there you go. It will be Rancid, AFI and The Distillers. Needless to say we are very excited. AC: What was it like playing w/ Danzig? I understand he's something close to an idol for you... DH: Yes, Danzig was a huge inspiration to me my whole life. If he hadn't of created the music he did, I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today. Touring with him, seeing Danzig and Samhain every night was beyond amazing. They were all very cool people and those were some of the most powerful performances I've seen. The man sang two sets every night and never let up for a second. AC: Would you like to say anything to the people who had a problem w/ the Offspring's cover of Totalimmortal? I happen to think it wasn't that bad... DH: Well, as far as the cover goes first I'd like to beg people to stop asking me "What's up with the Offspring covering your song?" That being said, The Offspring are our friends, they asked to cover our song, we were flattered and said okay. That's all. As far as people disliking their version, well, that's really their own opinion, and they have a right to it. The way I see it if you like the Offspring you'd probably like there version, if not you won't. As far as people saying we sold out, or they did, or they sold us out or that they should die because they covered our song...that's all garbage. They are good people. AC: On that note, did you ever meet any criticism from Danzig/Misfits fans for your Misfits covers? How was the response from Danzig fans' to you guys on the Danzig tour? DH: We didn't play the Misfits songs on the Danzig tour, but we got a very good response at those shows none the less. I don't think I can recall anyone saying anything negative to me about our Misfits covers...every once in a while people say they like our version better which is of course insane flattery. I definitely could understand if there were people who thought no one should ever cover the Misfits because they were so great...but hey, we loved them and it's fun to play their songs. AC: Where do you see yourselves fitting into the music scene today? AFI has been called punk, hardcore and even "death rock"... you always manage to blur the lines between genres. I hate to ask you to pigeonhole your sound, but, what's the best way to describe your current sound to a potential listener? DH: It's so difficult do describe our music. We don't really fit anywhere because we don't really try to fit anywhere. Luckily, people still seem to like us even though we don't fit any one predetermined niche. They pay more attention to what we sound like rather than what people call us. We're not a punk band, we're not a hardcore band, we're not a deathrock band, and at the same time we're all of those things. AC: How did you hook up w/ Alan Forbes? He's done your latest 3 album covers...you must like him a lot! DH: Yes, we love Alan. Not only is he an amazing artist, he's a great guy. He has many cool toys in his house too. I met his wife one day and we started talking...I found out Alan liked our band and asked him if he'd be interested in doing some stuff for us and he's been taking care of us ever since. Wait till you see the art for the new album..Goddamn! AC: What do you think of band member look-a-like fans? Is imitation truly the sincerest form of flattery? You've also been known to don aparrel similar to your influences. Do you think it's basically a natural step for anyone heavily into music or a similar sub-culture? DH: Um, yeah, I do think that imitation is the highest form of flattery. If I see someone that looks similar to me my first thought is, wow, we must have some thing in common. I don't really try do dress like my influences, I just dress the way I want to. There are a lot of people who dress the way I do..we share similar interests. AC: What are some of your favorite bands currently? Albums? (I know I asked this last time, but opinions can change!) DH: I can't stop listening to the new Perfect Circle Cd. It's amazing. They're probably my favorite new band. I've also been listening to the new Sunny Day Real Estate, the new Elliot Smith, the latest Dillinger Escape Plan, the latest Hot Water Music, and the new Nerve Agents cd. I'm anxiously awaiting a new At The Drive In, the new Cult, and the new Tool CD's. I just got the new Electric Hellfire Club disc but haven't had the chance to listen to it yet. AC: What do you like most about the music scene today? DH: The music scene today is very strong and growing. It's nice to see that people are becoming less and less concerned about what they call themselves, i.e. Punk, Hardcore Kid, Metal kid, Gothic, Indie, Emo whatever, and more concerned with good music. AC: What do you dislike most about the music scene today? How has it changed for the worse since you became involved? DH: There doesn't seem to be as much good music being made as there once was. AC: What recent band break-up affected you the most? I know it's old news by now, but I'm pretty put out that Strife is pretty much done for... DH: Smashing Pumpkins. AC: What new or emerging band impresses you the most? DH: Tiger Army, At the Drive In, Hot Water Music. AC: What was your favorite movie of 1999 or 2000? I was partial to American Beauty and Sleepy Hollow. I also was a big fan of 10 Things I Hate About You. How about you? DH: My sentiments exactly on the best recent films. (Alex's Note: I don't think Dave was referring to 10 Things... I added that in afterwards.) AC: I see that you've gotten your other arm sleeved... care to describe some of the new work? DH: My new work is Halloween town from Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack is in it. Tombstones, Jack O lanterns, the fountain in town square is on my elbow..... AC: What world or national event gripped your attention the most in the past year? Columbine was pretty scary and I think it's interesting how it was blamed on music. Do you have any thoughts? n/c How do you feel about the 2000 election year? Do you even vote? n/c DH: Alex, I apologize but I don't really want to talk about the political stuff right now, but I'm down for the yay or nays.... Short answer section: Yay or nay?
AC: I saw this in a magazine and I thought it was a good question... if you could completely eliminate any one person from history, who would it be? DH: You know, I'm not down for the erase a person from history question, I've had it before and it just doesn't do it for me. But it's all good. AC: Which question did you like the least from this interview? DH: I'd say the interview as a whole was very very good. Thank you Alex.
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