American Hi Fi: Starting Over

Want to save yourself time and not read this entire article? Wouldn't it be nice if writers just let you know what was going on in their editorial right off?

OK, here's the point: In the slew of teen pop wanna be divas, whiney angst-driven rock and the excessive garbage that riddles MTV, American Hi Fi stands out like no other band on this planet.

From day one, Hi Fi brought us their all. When their hooky anthem, precariously titled Flavor of the Week, hit radio, critics and listeners alike had them pegged as just that. Then came Safer on the Outside and Another Perfect Day. Now, American Hi Fi has hit on a level not many have, somehow sticking around in the public's minds with little radio and MTV play. One problem; Many people know the name American Hi Fi and even more can recognize their music, but not a lot can put it all together. We met up with lead singer Stacy Jones in Baltimore just hours before their soundcheck.

"I don't really care too much about album sales and things like that, we don't keep updated or strive to write poppy music to sell records. We just want our music out there. This album is a lot less poppy than our first, I'll give you that, but it wasn't anything conscious, we just grew. It's a bit of a heavier record, but I think the fans will still be into it."

And got into it they have.

"The crowd's response to the new material has been tremendous. The CD just came out a few days back and they are already singing along with every song, it's amazing."

Amazing or not, Hi Fi still have the new band syndrome to overcome. Although this is their sophomore album, many think this young band still has a lot to prove.

"We're not the kind of band to win Grammys or sell a million albums in a week and we don't really strive for that either. We didn't even watch or pay attention to the (Grammys). Proving ourselves is only something we need to do for ourselves and our fans, not anyone else, and I think we have by making it to a second record without really losing ourselves in the process."

The new album has been seen for as low as $5.99 new at Target, something a label usually does for emerging artists.

"I think it's great. Record prices are outrageous. I think someone will be more apt to buy a record to hear a new band for five bucks rather than eighteen."

The seemingly step backward that The Art of Losing has brought American Hi Fi would tear a lesser band apart, but these guys are all for it.

"I'm ready to do it again. Being paid for my dreams is remarkable to me. Plus, we have an advantage this time. We played one show before our first record was recorded; now we have played 300. I think that experience will show in our music and this is how we want it to be. I wouldn't call it starting over. It's just doing it right."