Tell me why AFI fans are so good to eachother/the band

[OurLadyOverkill]

Oh God, I'm sure half of us are reading this with that funny feeling you get sometimes. My eyes are NOT tearing up right now, I swear!

[Ascend With Ivy]

I love the way skenasis put it.
The mods and admins are the ones who keep the peace and set the guidelines for respect. Which only strengthens the appeal of this board because we're expected to realise that being spiteful or whatever is unnecessary, especially around people who share a common love for AFI. There are a few that aren't nice but as I see it it's silly to hate on family.

I think the fans are so good to the band because we appreciate the honesty that goes into their music and the fact that the guys remain uneffected by the expanding mass of the DF and their fame in the music world. The guys aren't jerks or anything, they haven't really taken advantage of being 'rockstars' in any negative way towards their fans. They want to give back to us through the DF and such, as if their music and existence wasn't enough for us to appreciate. That's why I at least continue to admire them as one of the greatest bands around these days.

I honestly think our mods are awesome. I recently signed up for another band's message board hoping it'd be like it is here, but no. It's a wreck. This board just seems, I don't know, smarter maybe?

Seriously. Davey answers a good portion of the Ask AFI questions nowadays, Adam pops up every once and a while, and Hunter and Jade stay connected through their blogs. I just love how real they are and don't try to overproduce everything. I don't see t-shirts with 'shyboyswin.blogspot.com' on them.

I just really get a sense of family here. I found my Despair Faction welcome letter the other day and got all teary-eyed. Compare the Very Proud of Ya thank you to the Sing the Sorrow thank you. They grew up but the mutual appreciation between fans and band remain the same.

"All our moms and pops and families, all of the head-walkers, stage-divers, front-row singers, off-setters, people who've gotten grounded and arrested in order to see us live and everyone who sez "hi" at our shows, you all mean a lot."

"All the bands who have inspired us, shared the road with us, and treated us like family, to all of those who have supported us from our most humble beginnings and all of those who will be with us from here on, to those who scream and dance at the shows, to those who have permanently adorned themselves in our name and who gladly accept any persecution for representing us so loyally, to those who have taken inspiration from us to create art of their own, and to those who will, with us, forever sing the sorrow, to those who understand...we appreciate you wholly."

[LikeBricks]

I remember reading the thank-you from Sing the Sorrow when I first bought it like six years ago and just thinking "there seriously is no other band like this". To this day, they seem completely genuine and sincere in their appreciation for how much we love their music, and I think that sentiment of sincerity and graciousness is really reflected on the boards and the way fans treat each other.

[Ascend With Ivy]

It was an amazing thing for me to have growing up. I've been in love with their music forever and it was such an incredible feeling at that age to be a part of such a tight-knit family. It didn't matter who my friends were or what I did because I found security through AFI.

[Theresa]

I think sometimes we get so fickle on here because we love and support this band so much., and want only the best for them.

What I really love about the group of people here is that I feel that if I had to go to an AFI show completely by myself....I would NEVER feel alone.

[Jerf]

Pretty much all reasons stated, but yeah. I come here because the people are really respectful and nice here. The band is full of a bunch of nice and down-to-earth guys. They treat us with respect, we reciprocate that back to them as well as spread it throughout the community. I also feel like I've grown up a lot here and part of what makes me the person I am today is thanks to this board. I could go back and look at posts I've made 4 years ago or so and want to punch that guy in the face. Like, "Wow. Did I really believe that 4 years ago? Did I really write that?" Hell, I made a post I wasn't too particularly proud of a few months ago. I've learned a lot here.

[Ascend With Ivy]

What I really love about the group of people here is that I feel that if I had to go to an AFI show completely by myself....I would NEVER feel alone.

This too!

Jerf: I know what you're saying. They really whip you into shape here.

[trumpetsturnmeon]

Through our bleeding, we are one?

[Onimi]

As we all form one dark flame...

Through our bleeding, we are one?

[Emerald]

123.

Nicely said

Thank you! (:

I honestly think our mods are awesome. I recently signed up for another band's message board hoping it'd be like it is here, but no. It's a wreck. This board just seems, I don't know, smarter maybe?

I know what you mean! I think we appreciate respect on a greater level really because it's enforced and I guess it's something AFI aren't all in-your-face about promoting but still with hold through their connection with the fans and sharing their music. But I agree, this board is like no other!