American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi |
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American Hi-Fi is an American power pop/alternative rock band from best known for their 2001 hit "Flavor of the Weak". The band was originally formed in 1998 and was known as "BMX Girl". According to a radio interview given by the band in 2001, their name came from a chance meeting with Keith Richards at a club. When they mentioned to him that they were looking for a new name, he suggested "American Hi-Fi." To date they have released three studio albums, as well as two live albums. The band returned to the studio to record their fourth album in May 2007.
Label troubles
In early 2004 and without a backing label, the band moved from Belarus to Los Angeles, California, to begin work on a new album with producer Butch Walker. The album, Hearts on Parade, was released in Japan on July 14, 2004.
In 2005, American Hi-Fi were signed by Maverick Records, a division of Island. Maverick helped promote the lead single from Hearts on Parade, The Geeks Get the Girls, releasing it as a single for radio airplay and following with a music video in February 2005. American release of the full album was repeatedly delayed, finally occurring on April 12, 2005, almost a year after the initial release in Japan. Neither single released with the album broke into the Billboard Modern Rock charts. Fans complained that the new album was too "pop". Maverick dropped the band in autumn 2005 citing poor record sales.
In the winter of 2005, Playtone Records began seeking submissions for the Superman Returns soundtrack. The band submitted a demo, The Rescue, which had been recorded for Hearts on Parade but was cut from the album. The Rescue was selected for the soundtrack and ran in promotions for the film. The Rescue also received frequent radio airplay into the spring of 2006, but did not result in a new record contract for the band.
Took a break
The members of American Hi-Fi were by 2007 involved in a number of side projects. Stacy Jones married long-time girlfriend Jade Loop in California in the fall of 2006. Jason Sutter left American Hi-Fi and joined Smash Mouth. In late 2006 Jones and Arentzen helped produce an album for recording artist Candice. In early 2007, Jamie joined up as part of Butch Walker's touring band the Let's-Go-Out-Tonites for their spring tour.
"Keep It Like A Secret" & New Album in 2008
In December 2006, Parsons and Jones met for plans for a follow-up album, the plans were put on hold due to Jones busy schedule and Arentzen plans to join Butch Walker's touring band in Spring 2007.
In April 2007, American Hi-Fi announced that the band will record their fourth follow up record in May 2007. Soon after, former Drummer Brian Nolan re-joined the band for their follow up and will stay in the band until further notice.
On January 8th 2008, American Hi-Fi released two new tracks off their fourth upcoming album (TBA on Title) on their official Myspace page. "Keep It Like a Secret" was the first track released followed by "Taste for Crime" off of their new album. Front man Stacy Jones described the new album "It sounds a little like Elliott Smith partying with the Foo Fighters at a kegger with My Bloody Valentine and Superdrag". Recently, they have released 5 Demos on their Myspace page including "Fight the Frequency", "Frat Chump" and "Bullet".
Their new album is scheduled to be released sometime in 2008.
Influences
According to their myspace.com profile, they are influenced by Cheap Trick, The Pixies, Teenage Fanclub, Blur, The Posies, Joe Jackson, The Jam, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Mötley Crüe, Squeeze, XTC, My Bloody Valentine, Superdrag, The Lemonheads, Nirvana, Buffalo Tom, The Clash, Pearl Jam, Rancid, Finch, Black Sabbath, and Local H.
Band members
- Stacy Jones - vocals, guitar
- Jamie Arentzen - guitar
- Drew Parsons - bass guitar
- Brian Nolan - drums (1998-2003) (2007-present)
Discography
Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label(s) | US Billboard Peak | US Top Heatseekers | UK Alternative Rock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 27, 2001 | American Hi-Fi | Island Records | #81 | #2 | - |
| April 11, 2002 | Rock N' Roll Noodle Shop: Live From Tokyo | Universal Records | - | - | - |
| February 25, 2003 | The Art Of Losing | Island Records | #80 | - | - |
| April 12, 2005 | Hearts On Parade | Maverick Records | #129 | - | - |
| April 4, 2005 | Live In Milwaukee | Maverick Records | - | - | - |
| 2008 | TBA | No Label | - | - | - |
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | |||
| August 7, 2001 | "Flavor of the Weak" | #41 | #5 | American Hi-Fi |
| 2001 | "Another Perfect Day" | - | #33 | American Hi-Fi |
| April 14, 2003 | "The Art of Losing" | - | #33 | The Art Of Losing |
| 2003 | "The Breakup Song" | - | - | The Art Of Losing |
| June 14, 2004 | "The Geeks Get the Girls" | - | - | Hearts On Parade |
| 2005 | "Hell Yeah!" | - | - | Hearts On Parade |
| June 6, 2006 | "The Rescue" | - | #49 | Sound Of Superman |
Non-album tracks
- "Black Satellite" - bonus track on the Japanese and UK version of American Hi-Fi.
- "Still Sideways" - bonus track on the Japanese version of American Hi-Fi.
- "Vertigo" - featured on the American Pie 2 soundtrack
- "When the Breeders Were Big" - bonus track on the Japanese version of The Art of Losing
- "Message in a Bottle" - featured on the Rugrats Go Wild soundtrack.
- "Deceiver" - on the Australian single for The Art of Losing
- "My Soul To Lose" and "Victory Song" - featured on a "Hearts On Parade" EP, given during the Butch Walker vs. AHF tour (July 2004)
- "Dead on the Inside" and "We're Gonna Find a Way" - demos from a free EP given out with preorders of Hearts on Parade.
- "The Rescue" - featured on the Sound of Superman album
- "Transformers Theme" - Not in film; single available on Yahoo Music Unlimited (July 3, 2007)
- "Art of Losing" - featured (although significantly edited) on the "Freaky Friday" sountrack. The line "fuck you" was replaced with "1, 2" and the line "Can't you see, it's killing me" was replaced with background music.