[ Pics were stolen from www.epitaph.com ]

OK… lets start with some history. In the start, before he made NOFX, Fat Mike played bass guitar in the band Me first and the Gimme Gimmes. Fat Mike is a vegetarian. Cool, ha? He used to write songs about how stupid are vegetarians. He is also married and he plays golf with his wife in on weekends. NOFX started around 1983 in L.A. (or in Berkley, I don’t know). In the start NOFX had three members (Fat Mike, Eric Melvin and Erik Ghint). Those three original members are still in the band. After a while they became a four piece, ‘cause Izzy Stradlin (Al Bino) joined them.
Soon they managed to record some stuff for the guy named Doug Moody from the local label Mystic records. But he seriousely ripped them off, so they left Mystic Records. They recorded a bunch of stuff under Mystic Records. The most knowned album is Maximum Rock'n'Roll. Maximum Rock'n'Roll is kinda garage punk. In 1986 they decided to record an album on their own named Liberal Animation (re-released in 1991 under Epitaph). But they didn't make a penny from that album. Finaly the producer of the Liberal Animation (Brett Gurewitz - member of the Bad religion) decided to start his own label Epitaph records and asked NOFX to sign. They agreed and in 1989 came out their third album S&M Airlines. This is a great punk album.
Next album Ribbed came out in 1990. It's kind of hard core. Then Izzy Stradlin left and El Hefe was incorporated in band. At this time NOFX stept on the next level, cause with El Hefe also came his trumpet and NOFX music got a new instrument. In 1992 they released two albums. The first one they released in 1992 with El Hefe is The longest Line and it is the first NOFX full album released under Fat Wreck Chords (before this album they only recorded some 7" on Fat Wreck Chords). Fat Wreck Chords is Fat Mikes label. If I'm not misstaken Fat Wreck Chords started in 1987 or maybe a year before. Second one, White Trash two Heebs and a Bean is a melodic punk rock album and it was released under Epitaph. Next album was released under Epitaph in 1994. This album is Punk in Drublic and it is the most popular and probably the best NOFX album. This album catapulted NOFX in the first league of punk music.

At that time NOFX didn't have a live album, so in 1995 they decided to record a live album
I HEARD THEY SUCK LIVE ! Album was recorded live in Hollywood at Roxy club. This is the quickest NOFX album and it contains songs from different albums. Album was released under Fat Wreck Chords. Then in the year 1996 came out NOFXs most successful, most wanted and most problematic album Heavy petting Zoo (released on Epitaph). It didn't reach the popularity of Punk in drublic, but this album still knocked down all the records. On the cover of the CD was drawn someone holding an ewe and touching it in a delicate place. The cover of the LP was even more problematic. It looks like the person is fucking the ewe. But you can't see him doing that really. It's all suggestion. Well, the album was rejected at French border, some stores had to close down and some stores got sued for the posters. Last NOFX’s album in Europe was released on 31^st Oct 97 (in US on 11^th Nov 97) under Epitaph. It's called So long... and thanks for all the Shoes . It's a great album!

NOFX are in some way different from other bands. You won't see their video on MTV or hear their song on commercial radio. They don't commercialise their new albums, but they suceded anyway. They suceded by touring around the world numerous times. They were about ten or more times around USA, seven times around Europe, two times around Canada and they were even touring in South America, Japan, Australia, New Zeland... They are staying good old roamers, road band (or whatever you like to call them) who promote their albums by circling around the world and spreading around positive energy. Their concert are almost allways sold out and they have one of the best live preformance. NOFX songs talk about racism, politics, social problems, sex, drugs, lesbians, bums, alcohol, animal freedom,... and about lots of other weird stuff. In their music you will mostly find punk of course, but also rock, hard core, ska, even regaee and jazz. If you ask me they are a PunkRock band. Songs are interesting and different from one to another, albums are also different from one to another. Each has their own characteristics. Lyrics are very interesting, sometimes strange, sometimes incomprehensible or person can understand them in his own way.

Find out more about NOFX at FAQ !

[ BACK TO HOMEPAGE ]