The Amity Affliction is an Australian post-hardcore/metalcore band from Gympie, Queensland formed in 2003. The band's current line-up consists of Troy Brady (Lead Guitar), Ahren Stringer (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Joel Birch (Vocals), Ryan Burt (Drums, Percussion) and Dan Brown (Rhythm Guitar). The Amity Affliction have released three studio albums, Severed Ties, released in 2008, Youngbloods in 2010 which debuted at number 6 on the ARIA Charts, and Chasing Ghosts in 2012 which debuted at number 1 on the ARIA charts.\r \r Joel Birch- Vocals\r Ahren Stringer- Bass, Clean Vocals\r Troy Brady- Guitar\r Ryan Burt- Drums\r \r Formation and early releases (2003–08)\r The Amity Affliction formed in Gympie, a South-East Queensland town by friends Ahren Stringer and Troy Brady in their final year of high school. The band was named for a close friend of the band, who died in a car accident at the age of 17. 'Amity' referred to the friendship and 'Affliction' was to indicate the struggle which dealing with the death caused the band members. Whilst still at High School, the band spent many times playing at school concerts and lunch breaks.\r \r In 2004, the Amity Affliction released a three track self-titled demo. At the time there were four members with former members Garth Buchanan on bass and Lachlan Faulkner on Drums.\r \r In late 2004, vocalist Joel Birch joined the band. Following, mid-2005, the Amity Affliction released their debut self-titled EP. After the release of the EP they toured the East Coast on their 2005 East Coast Tour.\r \r In 2007, there was a line up change when Lachlan Faulkner quit and Garth Buchanan left to join Behind Crimson Eyes. Lachlan Faulkner later joined Saint Lucia. They then hired drummer, Troels Thomasson, Chris Burt on Guitar (originally on Bass), Ahren Stringer now on bass and the addition of a keyboardist, Trad Nathan. The Amity Affliction released a new five track EP entitled High Hopes which was named for the house in which The Amityville Horror took place. The first pressing came in a CD/DVD package. The DVD featured the band discussing the recording of the EP, it also featured the band on the road and performing.