Interview with Davey Havok- 1999
By Alex Capasso

AC: First off, thanks for helping me out, this is really cool.

DH: What's up Alex C. This is Davey Havok. Thanx again for all your work. Nick 13 says hello. The TA record is finally finished, but he's still in LA. He says he'll get that interview to you in a few weeks. I'll answer as many questions here as best I can.

AC: You guys started about 8 years ago, is it weird to think that you've been around for close to a decade and are influencing other bands?

DH: When I really think about it, it's amazing to me how long we've been together and how far we've come since the days of Low Gap Park in Ukiah. What's even more amazing to me is that not only do kid's come out to see us wherever we play, but (if that didn't make me feel good enough already) as you have said, I have come to learn that we have become an influence to other bands. I mean, while we were practicing in my parents living room, if you would have told me that afi was going to influence anyone to do anything I would've just laughed. It's a very great feeling to think that some people have looked to our band and my lyrics for inspiration, just as I looked to the bands that influenced me.

AC: How were you guys treated in school? Do you have any high school tormentors from Ukiah who try to be your friends after they learned of your success? What about girls? Davey sings in This Secret Ninja: "Before you knew would you have felt the same?"

DH: People always thought we were weird in highschool. You have to remember we got out of highschool right before punk hit and Green Day (Great band) made it okay to be a punk rocker in the trendies' eyes. I remember when I first started highschool people used to call me Satan because they thought I worshiped the devil. (Look how much things have changed!!) Girls were no exception either. Since then alot of people who weren't actually vicious towards us but who were very apathetic, have come to really appreciate the music. This is cool. I can't really blame them for not caring before - we sucked quite hard back then. Girls still don't talk to me (*cough* bullshit *cough* -Alex).

AC: What inspired you to form the band, was it just something to pass the time or was this a lifelong ambition?

DH: For me it was kinda a combination of the two. In Ukiah there was really nothing to do. We would pass the time killing ourselves on our skateboards, but other than that our options were doing drugs with the hippies, doing drugs with the jocks, convincing the trendies that we didn't do drugs, or running from the guys with the gun racks on the back of their trucks. None of this was very appealing to us. So inspired by our love for the music and the current local HC band "Influence Thirteen" (Jade, Geoff and Nick 13 were in this band) we started AFI. At the same time, there has only been two things that I every really wanted to do - I either wanted to be an actor, or be in a band professionally. I never thought I'd get to do either, but so far I've been very lucky.

AC: I know that you've had a couple of line up changes throughout the life of the band. Were they all pretty much amicable splits?

DH: Were still on good terms with Vic Chalker. He's been living in Oakland and Santa Cruz the past few years and we run into him every once in a while.

AC: Could you explain some of the circumstances regarding Mark's departure?

DH: Mark was asked to leave the band because he made it painfully clear that his love for playing music, making music, touring, and being friends with the rest of us, had completely disappeared

AC: Since the release of "Shut Your Mouth..." there have been some noticeable changes in lyrical subject matter, as well as heavier music. What lead to this?

DH: Well, as far as my lyrics go, I think I have always written dark lyrics-aside from the obvious exceptions. I quickly got bored with the few light hearted songs, because it's a lot more comfortable to put all of myself into singing something that has meaning for me rather than a song that might make someone laugh. As the lyrics became more complex, so did the music. It was really a natural progression for us, as the music and the lyrics came to compliment each other more and more. I think we achieved this best on Black Sails. Why did we progress towards this darker heavier sound? I think it's the type of music I most enjoy and I find most relevant today. Dark heavy music that is, not necessarily our version of it.

AC: A lot of people are talking about the "new style" as opposed to the "old style". Do you look at the two "styles" as being dissimilar? I maintain that they are to be appreciated on different levels. What's your take?

DH: I've come to believe that we have changed drastically over the years because that's all I've heard people say, and when I compare "Answer that" to "Black Sails" I must admit they are worlds apart. However, I have always believed that each record is only a slight departure from the last. I honestly don't think that "Black Sails.." is too dissimilar to "A Fire Inside" or "Shut Your Mouth.." I, like you, think that each record was relevant at the time they were released, and can be appreciated for what they are. Although I can't really listen to anything before "Shut Your Mouth " without being embarrassed but I'm biased.

AC: This one is for Davey (at this point I didn't know who would be answering my questions- Alex): I am seeing a few archaic and Latin words in the lyrics/song titles. Could I ask what some of them mean or what the meaning behind them is?

DH: You ask about most of these later so I'll just address this in future questions.

AC: Exsanguination: Is that not being drained of your blood? Is this song about a sort of personal renaissance, or to quote Davey "...my rebirth"?

DH: Yes, someone who has been exsanguinated has been drained of their blood. I don't really like to discuss the meanings of my lyrics. I like to allow people to draw their own meanings from my songs and I feel that if I reveal what the songs mean to me, it may sway peoples interpretations in a way that does not allow them to relate to the words on their own level. I must say that I'm very impressed with some of the interpretations I''ve seen on the main EBHC page. It makes me feel so good that there are some people who actually read my lyrics, and what's more, actually think about them.

AC: Tome: A volume or part of a series of scriptures/writings. I sort of look at all the songs on "Black Sails..." as just that. Small pieces to a bigger story. Did you have this in mind?

DH: I had no intention of tying the songs together when I was writing the lyrics, but yes, in a way they do. The thing is, when I write I'm just writing from inside. I know it sounds cliche, but it's true, and as a result, songs tend to blend together.

AC: What do the words "Malleus Maleficarum" mean? I know that "Male" is the prefix denoting evil or bad.

DH: The literal translation is "bad hammer." What it actually is, is the "Witches Hammer." It was the ledger used in Puritanical days to determine whether or not someone was a witch. It also provided "just" punishment for the accused.

AC: The publishing title has been changed to "Ex Noctem Nacimur". I assume this has some meaning connected to the night. Am I correct?

DH: Born of night music.

AC: This one is also for Davey: The new album seems to deal with things of a spiritual, or supernatural level, even self inflicted harm. Without asking you to go too deep, is this a reflection of how you have felt lately? Or are you writing these lyrics with a story in mind, like as an author of fiction?

DH: No story. It's just me.

AC: How about the whispering in "Midnight Sun"? Is Davey saying anything in particular, or is it just kind of a creepy effect?

DH: I'm reciting a poem. "De Profundis Clamavi" by Baudelaire.

AC: Would you ever consider compiling all of your old stuff and releasing it on CD? A band called Millencolin just did that. A lot of people would be interested in hearing the old stuff, which I'm sure you realize is hard to come by.

DH: Most of our old stuff has been released as bonus tracks on the vinyl versions of the full lengths. I wouldn't really want to make those songs as accessible as they would be if they were on CD.

AC: I hear that a tour is in the works with SOIA. So is this good news true? What was it like playing with them a few years ago? Was it intimidating?

DH: Yes, it's true and I'm so, so excited. Touring with them was such a great experience. Not only are they the nicest guys, but I got to play with and watch one of the best live bands ever to grace a stage. They are amazing. And, yes it was intimidating at first. I wasn't sure how there crowds were going to respond to us, but for the most part, people were very open to us and the responses were very good. Oddly enough, the only show that we got heckled on that tour was in SF.

AC: Speaking of playing shows with other bands, who was your favorite to play with?

DH: SOIA, Rancid, Good Riddance, The Offspring, At The Drive In, Snapcase, The Swingin Utters

AC: While we're on the topic of other bands, what have you been listening to at home or on the road as of late?

DH: Before I left I was listening to a lot of the Pixies. Also Dimu Borgir, Bauhaus, 45 Grave, and Alien Sex Fiend. Since I've been home I've been listening to the new NIN single, Jawbreaker, Jets to Brazil, Emperor, the Lords of Acid, Filter, Neurosis, The Cure, Joy Division and Marilyn Manson.

AC: I know that a 7"/EP has been recorded or in the works for Hallowe'en. After that when do you guys think that you'll hit the studio again? Or is that way to far ahead to think about?

DH: I can't imagine we'll be doing another full length for quite some time.

AC: Speaking of recording, you seem to have an allegiance to Andy Ernst, whom you've used on almost all of your records. Is he an old friend or something?

DH: We've been recording with Andy for years. He's a great guy and we feel very comfortable working with him.

AC: Now I know that this is a little personal but, a lot young ladies are wondering, any of you involved in relationships? Anyone tied the knot yet?

Davey had no comment

AC: What kind of musical equipment did you guys start with, and what are you using now?

DH: I don't know exactly what kind of drums Adam started with, but I know it was nothing special. The bass was originally played out of an old seventies home-made cabinet, the vocals were sung out of a home-made seventies base combo, and of course the guitar was played out of a tiny little Peavey. Now adam plays DW's and Hunter and Jade both use Mesa. We finally got a PA system in "94 or '95.

AC: Who is straight edge or drug free (but don't consider themselves straight edge)?

DH: I am sXe as is Jade. Hunter is drug free but doesn't claim the X.

AC: Anyone been in other bands before? I know that Jade comes from Redemption 87 and Hunter was bassist for The Force. Anything besides those?

DH: Jade is in a band called Loose Change and used to be in Influence Thirteen. Hunter's been in many different smaller bands other than the Force. This is Adam and my first band.

AC: It's not really important but, anyone drive? If yes what kind of car? Or are we more likely to see you guys taking public transportation?

DH: We all drive very old dying cars. I drive an "83 honda, Hunter and eighties Nissan, Adam and Eighties Toyata truck and Jade drives the quantum heap.

AC: Okay I'm running out of good questions here so let's call an end to this. Any closing words or shout outs?

DH: Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to come to this site and read this far. I appreciate it. Also, thank you for all the kind words said by all of you who grace our message board. It makes me feel really good. Also I'd like tot hank all my new online friends for talking to me during my insomnia the other night."

AC: Thanks a lot Davey, this has been awesome. See you at the Phoenix!