Davey Havok

Summary

David Paden Marchand (born David Paden Passaro, November 20, 1975), known professionally as Davey Havok, is an American singer and musician who is the lead vocalist of the rock band AFI, the synth-pop band Blaqk Audio, the hardcore punk band XTRMST, and the new wave band Dreamcar. Among various other ventures, he performed lead vocals for Son of Sam's debut album and for fictional band My Purple Agony in the animated series Harvey Girls Forever!.

Davey Havok
Havok at the Mélange Fashion Show in 2011
Background information
Birth nameDavid Paden Passaro
Born (1975-11-20) November 20, 1975 (age 48)
Rochester, New York, U.S.
OriginUkiah, California, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • actor
  • fashion designer
  • author
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1991–present
Member of
Formerly of

Havok is an outspoken advocate of the straight edge lifestyle[1] and veganism.[2]

Early life edit

Havok was born David Paden Passaro,[3][4][5] in Rochester, New York on November 20, 1975.[6] He is of Italian ancestry.[3][7]

When Havok was age 5, his father died,[8][9] and he and his mother moved from Rochester to Sacramento, California to be closer to family.[10] His mother remarried and Havok took on the surname of his stepfather (Marchand),[8][9] and was enrolled in Catholic school through eighth grade.[11] The family moved to Ukiah, California in the late 1980s,[10] where he graduated from Ukiah High School in 1993.[12][13]

Following high school, Havok attended University of California, Berkeley. Following his sophomore year, his career with AFI started, and Havok did not return to the university.[14]

Musical career edit

AFI edit

 
AFI performing live in 1995

Havok and his friends, Mark Stopholese and Vic Chalker, decided to start a band in high school, but they did not own or play any instruments. Stopholese suggested that Adam Carson might be able to fill the role of drummer because he owned a drum set.[15] That band became AFI.

After high school, the band broke up when its members left for college. Havok attended UC Berkeley. There, he began writing lyrics that later appeared on AFI's first two albums.

After gaining some popularity in their absence, AFI played a show at the Phoenix Theater for several hundred fans. Following the positive reception, they decided to reunite and record an album. In 1995, Answer That and Stay Fashionable, the band's first album, was released on Wingnut Records and in 1996, Very Proud of Ya was released on Nitro Records. In 1997, the band released Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes.

The next release was the A Fire Inside EP, which features covers of "The Hanging Garden" by the Cure and "Demonomania" by the Misfits. In 1999, the band released Black Sails in the Sunset, which was the first album to include the current line-up: Havok, Carson, Hunter Burgan and Jade Puget. In the fall of 1999, they released the All Hallows EP.

In 2000, they released The Art of Drowning to fair record sales. The group had toured with another band, Samhain, on their reunion tour; Havok later joined three members of Samhain and recorded an album under the name Son of Sam. In 2000, when Michale Graves had left the Misfits, Havok was approached by Roadrunner Records to be the lead singer of Misfits. However, Havok told an interviewer that he never would leave AFI as it was his own band.[16]

AFI continued to tour for a few years and released a few EPs along the way. In 2003, Sing the Sorrow, the band's first major label release, was released, achieving platinum status in the U.S. and Canada and Gold in Australia. On June 6, 2006, Decemberunderground was released on Interscope Records, again achieving platinum status in the U.S. and Canada and Gold in Australia.

AFI's DVD I Heard a Voice – Live from Long Beach Arena was released on December 12, 2006, containing a live concert from Long Beach Arena from September 15, 2006. This DVD was released as a CD-version in November 2007. Decemberunderground achieved double platinum status in 2013, having sold more than 2 million copies worldwide. AFI's eighth studio album Crash Love was released on September 29, 2009, and Burials was released on October 22, 2013.

In late 2016, AFI released a series of teaser videos featuring song clips and backwards audio, eventually revealed to be promotion for AFI (also known as The Blood Album), released on January 20, 2017 via Concord Music Group.[17] In 2022, AFI had the Bodies tour. [18] For the 20 year anniversary of Sing the Sorrows, AFI performed the album in its entirety on March 11, 2023 at a sold out concert in Inglewood, CA .[19]

Son of Sam edit

In 2000, Havok formed Son of Sam alongside the 1999 reunion lineup of Samhain. This lineup released one album Songs from the Earth in 2001.[20]

Blaqk Audio edit

 
Havok performing in 2007

On August 14, 2007, Havok's electronic side project with AFI guitarist Jade Puget, Blaqk Audio, released their first album, titled CexCells. Blaqk Audio went on a two-month-long American/Canadian tour following the release. Blaqk Audio's Bright Black Heaven was released in September 2012, and a brief American tour followed. Material was released on April 15, 2016; Only Things We Love was released on March 15, 2019; Beneath the Black Palms was released August 21, 2020; Trop d'amour was released on September 16, 2022. On September 24, 2022, the Fonda had a one night only record release concert.

XTRMST edit

A number of cassette tapes appeared around some California record stores in early 2014, bearing the band name XTRMST. Listeners soon noted that the band's vocalist sounded like Havok, and rumors began spreading that he was the group's singer. On March 17, 2014, Jade Puget confirmed via Twitter that XTRMST was his and Havok's project.[21] The band, a straight edge metalcore act, released its self-titled album via Dim Mak Records in late 2014.

Dreamcar edit

In 2016, it was revealed that Havok had formed Dreamcar with No Doubt members Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal and Adrian Young.[22] The band performed at Coachella 2017 on April 15 and 22 and performed at Austin City Limits 2017 on October 7 and 14.

Other ventures edit

 
Havok in 2012

Fashion and modeling edit

Havok and Jeffree Star modeled for Tarina Tarantino's jewelry line, Tokyo Hardcore in 2007.[23] Havok was a presenter at the Mélange Fashion Show on August 6, 2011 in San Francisco.[24] He was featured in the June 2012 issue of VAR Magazine [25] and in Herring & Herring: Framed in 2014.[26]

Acting edit

Havok played a supporting role in Sarah Jacobson's 1997 film Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore.[27] In 2009, Havok joined the cast of the "illustrated film" series Godkiller. Havok voices the antagonist role, a fallen god named Dragos.[28] For March 2011, Havok joined the cast of Green Day's American Idiot on Broadway, playing the role of St. Jimmy.[29] Havok is featured in at least one episode of Tim Armstrong's musical web series "Tim Timebomb's RockNRoll Theatre".[30] In addition to Armstrong's web show, Havok voiced Hay in Armstrong's 2006 stop motion animated film Live Freaky! Die Freaky! which tells the story of the Manson family. He had a small acting role in the 2012 film Knife Fight.

Books edit

On February 21, 2013, Havok announced that he had written Pop Kids and published it through Black Candy Publishing. The novel was released April 2013.[31]

Havok released Love Fast Los Angeles in February 2018.[32]

Clothing lines edit

Glitterboy was a short-lived fashion line created by Havok. It was partly inspired by the 1970s glam music scene, among other things.[33] Clothing line Paden was released in 2007 and was available exclusively through Fred Segal clothing stores in California.[34]

Havok's Zu Boutique was launched in August 2008. The line was vegan[2] and featured T-shirts with a limited pressing of 100 shirts per design.[35] A jewelry line was released in March 2009 in collaboration with PNUT Jewelry, the side project of Rusty Pistachio of punk band H2O fame. The jewelry was also limited, with only 10 to 90 pieces of each design made.[36] In August 2009, in collaboration with Macbeth Footwear, Zu released a line of limited-edition shoes.[37] Plagued by legal trouble, Zu Boutique vanished in 2012.[38] Havok continues to collaborate with PNUT Jewelry.

Personal life edit

 
Davey Havok performing live in 2009

Havok is a vegan and was voted the winner of peta2's annual World's Sexiest Vegetarian contest in 2007.[39] Havok appeared on the cover of Vegan Health and Fitness magazine for their March/April 2015 issue.[40] He has said reading Diet for a New America by John Robbins caused him to adopt a vegan diet.[41]

In more recent years, Havok had some of his tattoos "blacked out", saying "I'm constantly changing, and it's an attempt to cover up bad decisions with worse decisions. That's how I live life."[42]

Discography edit

With AFI edit

With Son of Sam edit

With Blaqk Audio edit

With XTRMST edit

With DREAMCAR edit

Guest appearances edit

Havok has appeared as a guest vocalist on releases from various other bands, including:

Acting roles edit

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore George
2003 Clandestine himself
2006 Live Freaky! Die Freaky! Hay voice
2009 Godkiller: Walk Among Us Dragos voice
New Brow: The Rise of Underground Art himself
2011 American Idiot St. Jimmy musical
Tim Timebomb's RockNRoll Theater Devil
2012 Knife Fight Jimmy McSorley
2013 Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton James Broughton's journals voice
2015 Talking Marriage with Ryan Bailey himself special guest
Darknet Delivery: A Silk Road Story The Pop Philosopher
Dacryphilia Pablo voice
2017 Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk himself documentary
2019 Harvey Street Kids Victor Lavender voice
2023 Free LSD Davinatrix / The Promoter
Punk Rock Vegan Movie himself documentary

References edit

  1. ^ Childers, Chad (November 21, 2014). "XTRMST's Davey Havok Talks Straight Edge Inspiration, Future Plans + More". Loudwire. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Trostle, Patricia. "Davey Havok's Zu Boutique Giveaway!". peta2.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008.
  3. ^ a b Yeung, Neil Z. "Davey Havok | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "BMI Repertoire Search". Repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Interview with Adam Carson". YouTube. 3:50. Retrieved May 23, 2010. People don't know my middle name? /--/ Dave's is Paden.
  6. ^ @AFI (November 20, 2019). "Happy Birthday, @DaveyHavok. 🌑 Photo:..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. ^ Sullivan, James (March 9, 2003). "East Bay band ready for big breakthrough". San Francisco Chronicle.
  8. ^ a b Metal Hammer interview, February 2003
  9. ^ a b Hartmann 2013, 0:54.
  10. ^ a b "Davey Havok from AFI from 100 Words Or Less: The Podcast". Stitcher.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  11. ^ Chattman, Jon (September 29, 2009). "AFI's Davey Havok Weighs In on Rock Band, Surviving Catholic School, and Crash Love". The Huffington Post.
  12. ^ "Davey Havok, Class of 1993". Classmates.com.
  13. ^ Larkin, Colin (May 27, 2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. p. 1967. ISBN 9780857125958. OCLC 804879997. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  14. ^ Hartmann 2013, 3:59.
  15. ^ An Extended Interview With AFI's Davey Havok. Rolling Stone. Austin Scaggs. Jun 01, 2006
  16. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: ""Malfunction TV Show": Davey Havok Interview". YouTube. February 12, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  17. ^ Reed, Ryan (October 28, 2016). "AFI Plot 'AFI (The Blood Album),' Release Two Dramatic Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  18. ^ Patterson, Mary (June 23, 2021). "Bodies Tour 2022". AFI. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "AFI Play 'Sing The Sorrow' Deep Cuts At Its 20th Anniversary Concert". Stereogum. March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography Son of Sam". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "AFI's Davey Havok + Jade Puget Launch Hardcore Band XTRMST". Loudwire.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  22. ^ "No Doubt Members and AFI's Davey Havok Announce New Band Name «". Radio.com. November 16, 2016. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  23. ^ "Tokyo Hardcore Starring Davey Havok and Jeffree Star". LA Weekly. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  24. ^ Global looks at Melange Fashion Show. San Francisco Chronicle.
  25. ^ Davey Havok by Louie Aguila. VAR Magazine. 2012
  26. ^ "Herring & Herring". Magazine.herringandherring.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2015. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  27. ^ "#77 - Mary Jane's Not A Virgin Anymore".
  28. ^ Gingold, Michael (February 25, 2009). "Genre Names Speaking Up For Godkiller". Fangoria.
  29. ^ "Davey Havok, Justin Guarini Join American Idiot". CBS News. February 9, 2011.
  30. ^ "Rancid's Tim Armstrong Launches musical theater web series]". Rolling Stone. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011.
  31. ^ AFI Singer Davey Havok to Release Debut Novel "Pop Kids" Loudwire
  32. ^ "Davey Havok to Release 'Love Fast Los Angeles' Novel in 2018". Loudwire.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  33. ^ "Glitterboy - blog on Myspace". Glitterboy.
  34. ^ ""Triple X" Tee From the Paden Collection". Popcrunch. November 29, 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  35. ^ "Zu Boutique - T Shirts by Davey Havok". Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  36. ^ "PNUT Jewelry". Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
  37. ^ "Davey Havok's Macbeth X Zu Boutique Shoes". peta2.
  38. ^ "ZuBoutique Domain Seized". AFI News Headquarters. Archived from the original on May 18, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
  39. ^ "AFI mainman voted '07's sexiest vegetarian". Kerrang!. July 13, 2007.
  40. ^ Sarah Brightly (March 1, 2015). "March – April 2015 | Vegan Health and Fitness Magazine". Veganhealthandfitnessmag.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  41. ^ "Got (Dairy-Free) Milk? An Interview With Davey Havok / Ones To Watch". Ones To Watch. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  42. ^ Valcourt, Keith (February 5, 2017). "AFI: 'History Cannot Be Erased'". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  43. ^ Masim, Austria (June 17, 2021). "Lane 8 celebrates 100 releases on This Never Happened with Davey Havok collaboration 'Riptide'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.

Sources edit

  • Hartmann, Graham (October 28, 2013). "AFI's Davey Havok Plays Wikipedia Fact or Fiction: Family, Fashion, the Misfits + More" (video). Loudwire. Retrieved April 23, 2018.

External links edit