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
Franco Un-American
NOFX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I never thought about the problems of this planet at all
Global warming and radioactive sites
The imperialistic wrongs and animal rights, NO!
Why think all the bad things when life is so good
Why help with an "am" when there's always a "could"
Let the whales worry 'bout the poisons in the sea outside of California, it's foreign policy
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, that's no way to go Franco Un-American
I never looked around never second guessed, then I read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy, all because I read a little Noam Chomsky
I'm eating vegetation 'cause a Fast Food Nation, I wear uncomfortable shoes 'cause of globalization
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth, I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I see no world peace 'cause of zealous armed forces, I eat no breath mints 'cause they're from de-hoofed horses
Now I can't believe what an absolute failure, the president's laughing 'cause we voted for Nader
That's no way to go Franco Un-American, where can we go Franco Un-American
I want to move north and be a Canadian, or hang down low with the nice Australians
I don't want to be another I don't care-ican, what are we gonna do Franco Franco
The lyrics to NOFX's song Franco Un-American depict the journey of the singerâs political and philosophical transformation as he develops a greater awareness of global issues. The song initially starts with the confession that the singer never thought about the universe or the problems of the planet. He disregarded the issues like global warming, radioactive sites, imperialistic wrongs, and animal rights, choosing instead to focus on the good things in life. Nevertheless, his outlook changes after he reads books by Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky, and he becomes depressed, unable to sleep due to his years of apathy.
The song continues with the singer adopting a more socially conscious lifestyle. He begins by eating vegetarian, wearing uncomfortable shoes as a symbol of protest against globalization. The singer is constantly critiquing government systems and consumer culture, and refrains from participating in them. He is listening to music from Public Enemy and Reagan Youth. Apparently, he wants to leave the country and find a place that would better match his political stance.
The song encourages the listener to reject Franco-American political ideologies and suggests that voting for a third-party like Ralph Nader has been fruitless. In summary, the song suggests that it is time to become more educated, become more socially conscious, and not blindly follow societal norms.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought abouit the universe, it made me feel small
The enormity of the universe made me feel insignificant, so I avoided thinking about it.
I never thought about the problems of this planet at all
I ignored the issues of our planet and didn't give them any thought.
Global warming and radioactive sites
Environmental catastrophes like global warming and nuclear waste sites go unresolved.
The imperialistic wrongs and animal rights, NO!
I rejected discussions of imperialistic actions and animal welfare because they were uncomfortable topics.
Why think all the bad things when life is so good
I refused to acknowledge negative aspects of my life because I was content.
Why help with an "am" when there's always a "could"
I avoided taking action and making positive changes because it was easier not to act.
Let the whales worry 'bout the poisons in the sea outside of California, it's foreign policy
Issues outside of my immediate surroundings were of no concern to me, including foreign policies and environmental damage.
No I don't want changes I've no reactions your dilemmas are my distractions
I was disinterested in change, and other people's problems were a nuisance to me.
I never looked around never second guessed, then I read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed
After studying the work of Howard Zinn, I became more aware of the world's injustices and it left me feeling hopeless.
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy, all because I read a little Noam Chomsky
My continued indifference towards the state of the world has turned into crippling guilt ever since reading Noam Chomsky's work.
I'm eating vegetation 'cause a Fast Food Nation, I wear uncomfortable shoes 'cause of globalization
I now make decisions based on the negative impact corporations and globalization have on society, like choosing to eat plant-based diets or wear uncomfortable shoes.
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth, I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I consume media that reveals social injustices and messages of protest through artists like Michael Moore and Public Enemy.
I see no world peace 'cause of zealous armed forces, I eat no breath mints 'cause they're from de-hoofed horses
I reject violent solutions to world issues and also avoid products of animal exploitation.
Now I can't believe what an absolute failure, the president's laughing 'cause we voted for Nader
I'm disappointed with our political system and the outcome of past elections.
I want to move north and be a Canadian, or hang down low with the nice Australians
I'm considering moving elsewhere to escape the flawed US government.
I don't want to be another I don't care-ican, what are we gonna do Franco Franco
I no longer want to be apathetic towards issues and want to take action, even if I am unsure of how to begin.
Lyrics Š Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: MICHAEL JOHN BURKETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@callcentersilvi4175
I never thought about the universe, it made me feel small
Never thought about the problems of this planet at all
Global warming, radio-active sites
Imperialistic wrongs and animal rights!
No!
Why think of all the bad things when life is so good?
Why help with an 'am' when there's always a 'could'?
Let the whales worry about the poisons in the sea
Outside of California, it's foreign policy
I don't want changes, I have no reactions
Your dilemmas are my distractions
That's no way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco, Franco Un-American
I never looked around, never second-guessed
Then I read some Howard Zinn, now I'm always depressed
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy
All because I read a little Noam Chomsky
I'm eating vegetation, 'cause of fast food nation
I'm wearing uncomfortable shoes 'cause of globalization
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth
I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I see no world peace 'cause of zealous armed forces
I eat no breath-mints 'cause their from de-hoofed horses
Now I can't believe; what an absolute failure
The president's laughing 'cause he voted for Nader
That's no way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
Where can we go, Franco Un-American
I want to move north and be a Canadian
Or hang down low with the nice Australians
I don't want to be another "I-don't-care"-ican
What are we gonna do Franco, Franco Un-American
TERJEMAHKAN KE BAHASA INDONESIA
@keineahnung4914
never thought about the universe, it made me feel small
Never thought about the problems of this planet at all
Global warming, radio-active sites
Imperialistic wrongs and animal rights! No!
[Verse 1]
Why think of all the bad things when life is so good?
Why help with an 'am' when there's always a 'could'?
Let the whales worry about the poisons in the sea
Outside of California, it's foreign policy
I don't want changes, I have no reactions
Your dilemmas are my distractions
[Chorus]
That's no way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco, Franco Un-American
[Verse 2]
I never looked around, never second-guessed
Then I read some Howard Zinn now I'm always depressed
And now I can't sleep from years of apathy
All because I read a little Noam Chomsky
I'm eating vegetation, cause of Fast Food Nation
I'm wearing uncomfortable shoes cause of globalization
I'm watching Michael Moore expose the awful truth
I'm listening to Public Enemy and Reagan Youth
I see no world peace cause of zealous armed forces
I eat no breath-mints cause they're from de-hoofed horses
Now I can't believe what an absolute failure
The president's laughing cause we voted for Nader
That's no way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
No way to go, Franco Un-American
Where can we go, Franco Un-American
[Bridge]
I want to move north and be a Canadian
Or hang down low with the nice Australians
I don't want to be another "I-don't-care"-ican
What are we gonna do Franco, Franco Un-American
@markbatch6374
How old is this song?
Has ANYTHING changed?
Left or right, all US leaders oppress middle east for oil & israel
Instead of troops, drones kill hundreds of innocents
Only death toll that comes close is the suicide toll of returned US veterans who get virtually no help & are left scarred inside & out, homeless, addicted & worse
Having said that, great track, loved it then love it now
peace M
@Sage-qd6tf
I was high and making waffles and this song popped in my head and so now I'm listening to it and eating my waffles.
@lilyanhermann1753
valid reason ,but same
@happytortoisee
Waffles đ§
And punk rock đ¸
Y
E
S
@MybodyYourChoice
and you were high?
@andrew4060
Great, now I want waffles
@misdirectionuntold2510
đđđđźđđźđđź
@Allakain
Same problems, different generation. âI donât want to be another âI-Dontâ-care-icanâ really hits hard.
@gabe_s_videos
Same problems, same generation.
In case you haven't noticed, those of us who were there for this twenty years ago are still here.
@tonylego2364
The song "the decline" hits harder lol
@chrisjamro1369
I even feel "attacked". I hate the world so much I started ignoring the news because it only resulted in me feeling bad. But that's how I become a "I-don't-care-ican". And it does give me more rest, but my 10 year old is already starting talking about world issues like modern slavery, animal rights, ... And is this the example I want to give him? So yeah. This hits hard.