Where to Start With...NOFX
Keeping the Punk Rock flame alive since 1983, NOFX is an extremely influential Skate Punk/Melodic Hardcore band that play loud, fast and often hilarious punk inspired music. Led by charismatic, regularly drunk frontman and bass player "Fat" Mike Burkett NOFX have always tried to stay true
to the punk ideal, shunning major labels, playing fun and chaotic concerts and
self releasing many of their records through Fat Mike's very own Fat Records
label. Described as great when they're terrible and terrible when their great
NOFX have always retained a sense of fun amist the often sharply observed
political and social satire that peppered throughout their extensive
discography. With some 11 albums and counting as well as countless E.P.s it can
be a daunting task to try and tackle the swathes of material that the band have
commited to tape. Below is a handy guide to help get you started.
to the punk ideal, shunning major labels, playing fun and chaotic concerts and
self releasing many of their records through Fat Mike's very own Fat Records
label. Described as great when they're terrible and terrible when their great
NOFX have always retained a sense of fun amist the often sharply observed
political and social satire that peppered throughout their extensive
discography. With some 11 albums and counting as well as countless E.P.s it can
be a daunting task to try and tackle the swathes of material that the band have
commited to tape. Below is a handy guide to help get you started.
The Essential Purchase: Punk In Drublic (1994)
Without a doubt this record is many a fans go to album when describing NOFX and the only one of their records to achieve Gold status. This skate punk classic contains countless anthems such as “Linoleum”, “The Brews”, “Lori Meyers” and “Reeko.” The guitars buzzed the drums pounded and singer “Fat” Mike Burkett achieved the perfect balance between snotty humour and cynicism. The record is not perfect by any means and with a mammoth 17 songs it can sometimes feel overlong but songs such as the brilliantly observed “Don’t Call Me White” more than make up for “My Heart Is Yearning.” This record is a skatepunk staple and an album that fans of both the band and the genre simply cannot do without.
The Underrated: White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean (1992)
This record is seen by many as the point where NOFX truly found themselves and their sound. Previous records “Ribbed” and “S+M Airlines” contained snatches of the NOFX formula but former guitarist Steve Kidwiller’s love of metal made the band veer dangerously close to hybrid status at times. NOFX replaced Steve in 1992 with the young and enthusiastic Aaron Abeyta a.k.a El Hefe and it was in him that NOFX found the missing piece of the jigsaw. Hefe got the humour (his impressions are a part of the NOFX stageshow to this day) and was an amazing guitar player to boot. Evidence of said ability can be found on songs such as the amazingly technical “Soul Doubt” and blisteringly fast fan favourite “Stickin’In My Eye”. The former was picked for one of the Guitar Hero games and the latter remains a must for every NOFX concert setlist. Other classics like the trumpet heavy “Bob” and the humorous “Please Play This Song On The Radio” make certain that this record stands proudly next to many of the bands later, more accomplished releases.
The Band Favourite: So Long and Thanks For All the Shoes (1997)
This is by far the fastest and some would say most consistent NOFX LP committed to tape. The band veritably blasts through thrashy classics such as “Its My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite” and “Im Telling Tim” and sound like they’re having a great time
playing “Murder The Goverment” and “Monosyllabic Girl”, both of which whiz by in under a minute. The band experiments with ska, adds a dash of metal and keeps their foot on the gas at all times. It’s either NOFX at their creative peak or the point in their careers where they were having the most fun...whatever the case it rocks like a motherfucker!
playing “Murder The Goverment” and “Monosyllabic Girl”, both of which whiz by in under a minute. The band experiments with ska, adds a dash of metal and keeps their foot on the gas at all times. It’s either NOFX at their creative peak or the point in their careers where they were having the most fun...whatever the case it rocks like a motherfucker!
The Political Album: War On Errorism (2003)
This album sees the band aim their snotty, snide vitriol against “The Idiot Son of An Asshole”
George W. Bush and seem to be revelling in having a common enemy to fight against once more. Political barbs such as “The Idiots are Taking Over”and lead
single “Franco Unamerican” sees the band attacking right wing ideology and criticizing the wave of American Nationalism that swept over the country in the wake of 9/11. The record isn’t all seriousness though, as you’d expect, and cuts such as the hilarious “Anarchy Camp” and “She’s Nubs” (a loving ode to a disabled fan) are some of the bands funniest moments.
George W. Bush and seem to be revelling in having a common enemy to fight against once more. Political barbs such as “The Idiots are Taking Over”and lead
single “Franco Unamerican” sees the band attacking right wing ideology and criticizing the wave of American Nationalism that swept over the country in the wake of 9/11. The record isn’t all seriousness though, as you’d expect, and cuts such as the hilarious “Anarchy Camp” and “She’s Nubs” (a loving ode to a disabled fan) are some of the bands funniest moments.
The Modern Great: Wolves In Wolves Clothing (2006)
The band took all the lessons they learned from “War On Errorism” and distilled them into this fantastic punk rock behemoth. Fast, funny and oozing with snotty satire this record sees NOFX at their very best. The band seems to show no signs of slowing down, even after almost 30 years of playing together. Songs such as “U.S.A. Holes” and “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock” rank up there with some of NOFX’s best work and the Christian bashing ditty "Leaving Jesusland" is one of the funniest (yet truest) moments in their catalogue. NOFX achieve the perfect balance between the serious and the humorous and always sound like they are having a blast on every song, doing what they want when they want and totally without compromise. As Fat Mike sings on “60%”: “I’m not here to amuse
you...I’m here to abuse my body!” Hefe even sings in Spanish!
you...I’m here to abuse my body!” Hefe even sings in Spanish!
The Essential NOFX Playlist
“Bob” (White Trash Two Heebs and a Bean)
“Soul Doubt” (White Trash Two Heebs and a
Bean)
“Stickin In My Eye” (White Trash Two Heebs and a
Bean)
“Linoleum” (Punk In Drublic)
“Leave It Alone” (Punk In Drublic”)
“Don’t Call Me White” (Punk In Drublic)
“Lori Meyers” (Punk In Drublic)
“The Brews” (Punk In Drublic)
“What’s The Matter With the Kids Today?” (Heavy Petting Zoo)
“Drop The World” (Heavy Petting Zoo)
“It’s My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“I’m Telling Tim” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“180 Degrees” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“The Decline” (The Decline E.P.)
“Dinosaurs Will Die” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Thank God It’s Monday” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Bottles To The Ground” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Separation of Church and Skate”(War On Errorism)
“Franco Unamerican” (War On Errorism)
“We Got Two Jealous Agains (War On Errorism)
“Seeing Double At The Triple Rock” (Wolves In Wolves Clothing)
“U.S.A Holes” (Wolves in Wolves Clothing)
“Leaving Jesusland” (Wolves in Wolves Clothing)
“We Called It America” (Coaster)
“Blasphemy” (Coaster)
“Eddie, Bruce and Paul" (Coaster)
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“Soul Doubt” (White Trash Two Heebs and a
Bean)
“Stickin In My Eye” (White Trash Two Heebs and a
Bean)
“Linoleum” (Punk In Drublic)
“Leave It Alone” (Punk In Drublic”)
“Don’t Call Me White” (Punk In Drublic)
“Lori Meyers” (Punk In Drublic)
“The Brews” (Punk In Drublic)
“What’s The Matter With the Kids Today?” (Heavy Petting Zoo)
“Drop The World” (Heavy Petting Zoo)
“It’s My Job To Keep Punk Rock Elite” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“I’m Telling Tim” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“180 Degrees” (So Long And Thanks For All The Shoes)
“The Decline” (The Decline E.P.)
“Dinosaurs Will Die” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Thank God It’s Monday” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Bottles To The Ground” (Pump Up The Valuum)
“Separation of Church and Skate”(War On Errorism)
“Franco Unamerican” (War On Errorism)
“We Got Two Jealous Agains (War On Errorism)
“Seeing Double At The Triple Rock” (Wolves In Wolves Clothing)
“U.S.A Holes” (Wolves in Wolves Clothing)
“Leaving Jesusland” (Wolves in Wolves Clothing)
“We Called It America” (Coaster)
“Blasphemy” (Coaster)
“Eddie, Bruce and Paul" (Coaster)
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