AFI frontman Davey Havok has detailed unusual advice from the band's major label while recording their 2006 album Decemberunderground.
Havok described the period as miserable in a Metal Hammer interview. The label suggested a collaboration with 50 Cent to gain attention from Jimmy Iovine at Interscope.
An even stranger proposal involved creating a full album of ringtones, which were popular at the time. Havok noted he still sees the person who made the suggestion regularly.
The band did not pursue either idea. Decemberunderground topped the Billboard 200 upon its June 2006 release and featured singles Miss Murder and Love Like Winter.
AFI released their latest album Silver Bleeds the Black Sun… in October 2025. They are scheduled for UK dates and appearances at All Points East in London on August 23 and the Día de los Deftones festival in San Diego in November.