American Hi-Fi
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| American Hi-Fi | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts, USA | |
| Genre(s) | Alternative rock Pop punk Power pop |
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| Years active | 1998–present | |
| Label(s) | Island Records Maverick Records |
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| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Stacy Jones Jamie Arentzen Drew Parsons |
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American Hi-Fi is a power pop/ alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, best known for their 2001 hit "Flavor of the Weak". To date, they have released three studio albums as well as a Japan-only live album release. The band has suggested on their official website [1] that a fourth would be recorded in summer of 2006 (So far no word on recording yet).
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[edit] American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi was formed in Boston, MA in 1998. Stacy Jones had been a drummer for several bands (among them Letters to Cleo and Veruca Salt). Stacy had never sang a note nor played guitar so after shows he bought a Mel-Bays guitar book and taught himself to play the guitar in the back of the tour bus. After the Veruca Salt tour, Stacy formed his own band with three of his friends, Brian Nolan, Jamie Arentzen and Drew Parsons. Though all members were in other bands at the time, they found time to "hang out, drink beer, and play Cheap Trick covers."
In the summer, Stacy headed to Maui to help record Nina Gordan's debut solo album with producer Bob Rock. While he was there, he told Bob Rock about his band and slip demos here and there. Mr. Rock was interested and had the band fly to Maui to record an Album. During that time, they played at local bars in Maui for seven months. During this time, their band was called "BMX Girl" but Bob Rock felt that it "sucked" and changed it to American Hi-Fi.
Flavor of the Weak was written by Stacy Jones and was originally produced and written for Nina Gordon's debut album, Jones at the last minute took the song away and kept it for himself as a demo for his new band American Hi-Fi.
Their debut album, American Hi-Fi, was released on February 27, 2001. The first single Flavor of the Weak (almost Nina Gordon song) became a huge hit and the song flooded the radios throughout the summer. The album was a success and was followed by a world tour.
Their sophomore album The Art of Losing ditched the old school rock style and went with producer Nick Launay. The album was more of a Punk rock meets College rock days kind of style. Their first single The Art of Losing was a semi-hit but never became as successful as Flavor of the Weak. The album was not as successful as their debut, and the band was dropped by Island Records during their European Tour.
In the winter/spring of 2004, American Hi-Fi was without a lable and was looking to change the style of the band. The band headed to Los Angeles to work on their new album with singer/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, Maverick helped promote the single The Geeks Get the Girls, released it as a single and released a music video in February 2005. After many attempts to release the album Hearts on Parade in the U.S. it was first supposed to be released in January 2005 then the date was moved to March 27 2005 but then officially released it on April 12 2005.
[edit] Island Records
In 1999/2000, Mercury Records were bought out by Island Records at which time PolyGram and Universal Records were merged. The merger resulted in hundreds of artists/bands, who were not very "popular", being dropped by their labels. In 2001, Island Records then merged with Def Jam. The company was known more for its Hip-Hop, R&B and Pop taste, began to sign Rock, Indie and Classic Rock bands like Autopiot Off, Hoobastank American Hi-Fi and more.
In 2003, just before heading to Europe for a European tour with Matchbox Twenty, The band was dropped by Island Records. The record company went on to say that they were looking to go with "Emo" bands instead. The band had no promotion before and during the time when "The Art of Losing" album came out.
[edit] Maverick Records
In the winter of 2005, Maverick Records signed the band just before the album Hearts on Parade was near to hit stores in the spring. Maverick, a branch of Island Records, meant the band was signing another deal with their former label. Hearts on Parade, was released in April 2005. There were two singles to the album, The Geeks Get The Girls and Hell, Yeah!, but both failed to even enter the US Modern Rock charts. The album has a much more "pop" sound than their two previous offerings, leaving many fans bitterly disappointed and some going as far to call them "sell-outs".
In the fall of 2005, Maverick decided to drop the band after a poor album sales.
[edit] The Rescue
In the Winter of 2005, Playtone Records were looking for submissions for Superman Returns soundtrack. The band submited a demo, The Rescue that didn't make the cut for the album Hearts on Parade, it was picked up for the soundtrack and in promotions for the film and soundtrack. The Rescue hit the Radio air play in the spring of 2006.
[edit] Where are they Now?
Members of the band are currently involved with side projects as well as spending time with family and friends. Stacy Jones got married to his long-time Girlfriend Jade Loop. The marriage took place in California in the Fall of 2006. Jason Sutter is currently with the band Smash Mouth and plans to stay with the band permitted. Drew Parsons has been spotted doing side projects with other bands. In December 2006, Parsons recently met up with Stacy Jones for a plan to record an album soon, the set date has yet to be determined. In the Summer/Fall of 2006, Jamie Arentzen and Stacy Jones helped produce an album for recording artist [Candice[2]. The album is in stores now.
[edit] Band members
- Stacy Jones - vocals, guitar, drums
- Jamie Arentzen - guitar, piano and backing vocals
- Drew Parsons - bass and backing vocals
- Jason Sutter - drums
- Brian Nolan - drums (1998-2003) (However, He is currently filling in for Jason Sutter)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Full Length
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart positions | Album | |
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| US Hot 100 |
US Modern Rock |
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| 2001 | "Flavor of the Weak" | #41 | #5 | American Hi-Fi |
| 2001 | "Another Perfect Day" | - | #33 | American Hi-Fi |
| 2003 | "The Art of Losing" | - | #33 | The Art of Losing |
| 2003 | "The Breakup Song" | - | - | The Art of Losing |
| 2005 | "The Geeks Get the Girls" | - | - | Hearts on Parade |
| 2005 | "Hell Yeah!" | - | - | Hearts on Parade |
| 2006 | "The Rescue" | - | #49 | Sound of Superman |
[edit] Non-album tracks
- "Black Satellite" - bonus track on the Japanese 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
