The band's sound is diverse, utilizing elements of skate punk, hardcore punk, reggae, and other music genres. Their lyrics generally satirize issues such as politics, society, various subcultures, racism, the music industry, and religion, often using a large amount of comedy.
NOFX's first recording was a demo from 1983, produced by The Germs drummer Don Bolles, which did not sell any copies. They released their self-titled debut EP on Mystic Records in 1985, which was later re-released in 1992 as part of the Maximum RocknRoll CD. For a year, Erik Sandin left the band and was replaced by Scott Sellers, then Scott Aldahl. Dave Allen was in the band for about four months, until he died in a car accident. In 1986, the band released So What if We're on Mystic!. Dave Casillas joined the band on second guitar in 1987 and was featured on the EP The P.M.R.C. Can Suck on This!, attacking the PMRC's call for censorship of music. The original cover was an edited S&M photo, but the re-released version was changed to a photo of Eric Melvin.
Eric Sandin returned and they recorded Liberal Animation in 1988 (before Dave was replaced by Steve) with Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion. Although the title and some lyrics mocked vegetarianism and animal rights, Fat Mike says that he became a vegetarian after he wrote Liberal Animation. 'If a big enough animal had a chance it would eat you up!' The album was re-released in 1991 on Gurewitz's label Epitaph. Dave then left the band and was replaced by Steve Kidwiller. NOFX had signed to Epitaph by 1989, releasing their second album, titled S&M Airlines. 1990 saw the release of Ribbed. By 1991, Aaron Abeyta (aka El Hefe), joined to round out the group. White Trash, Two Heebs and a Bean was released in 1992, which originally had the title White Trash, Two Kikes, and a Spic. The original title was changed because Eric Melvin's grandmother was upset about the racial epithets.
It was not until the 1994 release of Punk in Drublic that the band had a commercial breakthrough, with the album going gold. In the same year, pop punk entered the mainstream with the success of The Offspring's Smash and Green Day's Dookie.
In 1996 they released Heavy Petting Zoo, which wasn't very popular among its fans because it showed a different sound in some tracks. Their 1997 record So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes was faster, with more ska and reggae, and was well received by the public, although its title shocked everybody because it seemed as it was going to be their last album. They soon stated it wasn't true.
In 1999, the band released The Decline, a fiery and pessimistic social commentary. Having a duration of 18 minutes and 23 seconds, it is nearly the longest punk song to date, second only to "Yes Sir, I Will" by Crass, which spans more than 22 minutes.
The coming of a new century marked the end of NOFX in Epitaph Records. In 2000 they released Pump Up the Valuum, which in many people's opinion is a good record but still is missing something.
In 2003, NOFX released War on Errorism, and launched their anti-George W. Bush campaign. Fat Mike organized the website Punkvoter.com, compiled two chart-topping Rock Against Bush compilations, and kicked off a Rock Against Bush United States tour. The band has released many EPs (i.e. Fuck the Kids, The Longest Line) on Fat Mike's own label Fat Wreck Chords. In February 2005, they launched the NOFX 7" of the Month Club, a subscription-based service which saw the release of one new EP almost monthly, from February 2005 to March 2006 (a total of 12 releases). The cover art for these EPs were chosen from fan-submitted entries. The first 3000 subscribers to the club received all of their records on colored vinyl. Fat Wreck Chords later released full sets of the EPs.
On March 14, 2006, an EP entitled Never Trust a Hippy was released. The EP was followed on April 18 by the album Wolves in Wolves' Clothing. On September 12, 2006, the video game EA Sports NHL07 was released, featuring the title track of the latter album on its soundtrack.
The band recorded three nights of shows in San Francisco, California for the live album, They've Actually Gotten Worse Live! that was released on November 20, 2007.
NOFX aired in 2008 a reality show on Fuse TV called NOFX: Backstage Passport, chronicling their recent worldwide tour full of mishaps and fun stuff.
NOFX released their eleventh full length, Coaster, on April 28, 2009.
NOFX released their twelfth full length, Self/Entitled, on September 11th, 2012.
Official site: http://nofxofficialwebsite.com
Electricity
NOFX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Electric blue for me never more to be free
Electricity nuclear and H.E.P.
Carbon fuels from the sea wasted electricity
One source of energy electricity
All we need to live today a gift for man to throw
Away, the chance is nearly gone
Solar electricity
The lyrics to NOFX's song Electricity speak to the different sources of energy that are used in modern society. The first verse refers to different types of energy - nuclear, H.E.P. (hydroelectric power), and carbon fuels from the sea - and how they have been wasteful in their use. The second verse speaks to the idea that electricity is really the only source of energy that we need to survive as a society, and the importance of finding alternatives before it's too late.
The line "Electric blue for me, never more to be free" speaks to the fact that electricity has become such an essential part of our lives that we are almost enslaved by it. We can't live without it, so we are constantly dependent on it, which has led to the waste and overuse of other sources of energy.
The final verse suggests that solar electricity could be the answer to our energy needs. Solar power is a renewable energy source that doesn't produce carbon emissions, making it a more sustainable alternative to carbon fuels, nuclear power, and hydroelectric power.
Overall, the lyrics to Electricity are a commentary on our society's dependence on energy and the need for us to find sustainable alternatives before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
One source of energy the ultimate discovery
Electricity has been the most significant discovery in the history of energy sources.
Electric blue for me never more to be free
We rely so much on electricity that we can never be free from it.
Electricity nuclear and H.E.P.
Nuclear and Hydroelectric Power are two major sources of electricity generation.
Carbon fuels from the sea wasted electricity
The electricity generated from burning fossil fuels like coal and oil is just a huge waste.
One source of energy electricity
Electricity is the most important source of energy that we use today.
All we need to live today a gift for man to throw
Electricity is so indispensable for our lives that we take it for granted.
Away, the chance is nearly gone
If we keep on wasting electricity, we will run out of non-renewable energy sources soon.
The alternative is one final source of energy
Renewable energy sources like solar energy are the only hope for the future.
Solar electricity
Electricity generated from solar energy is indeed the safest and the ultimate source of renewable energy.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW MC CLUSKEY, PAUL DAVID HUMPHREYS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
muler321
Both are awesome, I enjoy this version very much because NOFX is probably my favourite band, and it has much more energy, but I also enjoy the original, plus the drums in the original are much easier to play along with. lol :D
systematicrisk
I thought this was the original until I read your comment. Now I'm listening to the actual original for the first time. Thanks for the New Year's gift, you beautiful stranger.
sweatysocksarecool
this song is great reminds me of my skating days when we would go around to all theskate parks and skate the days away listening to music and being loud and hanging out
dexterproject
One source of energy Electricity All we need to live today A gift for man to throw away The chance has nearly gone The alternative is one Final source of energy Solar electricity
nate Johnson
Great Band a huge part of my childhood and adulthood, punk never dies just goes underground then rises like the Phoenix and destroys!
Pepemike
So true! 🤟🏻😎
Ivy Sly
This needs an actual album
Coe Brand Whiskey
I remember listening to a loveline episode years ago with fat mike on it, and Dr. Drew kept telling them to play this song. He was eager to hear it, perhaps as an OMD fan.
Youpidou
I like both punk and synthpop and this cover is quite good.
bretpac
NOFX knows what music should be like. Every time I hear a new song from them , I feel like I have been waiting for them to release it and I have been a fan for more than 20 years. Of course, it does not apply to covers, just sayin..