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
Perfect Government
NOFX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's your definition of freedom?
And who the fuck are you, anyway?
Who the fuck are they?
Who the fuck am I to say?
What the fuck is really going on?
How did the cat get so fat?
Why does the family die?
'cause there hasn't been a sign
Of anything gettin' better in the ghetto
People's fed up
But when they get up
You point your fuckin' finger
You racist, you bigot
But that's not the problem
Now is it?
It's all about the money
Political power is takin
Protecting the rich denying the poor
Yeah, they love to watch the war from the White House
And I wonder how can they sleep at night?
How can they sleep at night?
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
The NOFX song "Perfect Government" is a politically charged critique of those in power who claim to offer freedom but instead perpetuate inequality and suffering. The lyrics challenge the listener to consider what true freedom means and who is really benefiting from the status quo. They question why the rich and powerful protect themselves at the expense of the poor and marginalized, and why so many people are suffering even in supposedly free societies.
The lyrics acknowledge the frustrations and anger of those who are marginalized and oppressed, but also confront the complex web of systems and structures that contribute to these problems. The song suggests that blaming individuals for their circumstances misses the larger picture of economic and political power dynamics that perpetuate inequality. The repeated refrain of "How did the cat get so fat?" is a potent metaphor for the accumulation of wealth and power by those in positions of privilege.
Overall, "Perfect Government" is a powerful call to action for listeners to question political structures and demand change. It challenges the listener to think deeply about the nature of freedom and justice, and to consider their own role in creating a more equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
Even if it's easy to be free
Is it really easy to be free, and what does freedom truly mean?
What's your definition of freedom?
What personal meaning do you give to the term 'freedom'?
And who the fuck are you, anyway?
Who are you to define freedom for me or anyone?
Who the fuck are they?
Who are the government and those in power making decisions for the masses?
Who the fuck am I to say?
As an individual, what gives me the right to speak against those in power?
What the fuck is really going on?
What are the true intentions and motivations behind the actions of those in power?
How did the cat get so fat?
Why is the wealth gap between the rich and poor so significant?
Why does the family die?
Why do so many individuals and families suffer in poverty and struggle to survive?
Do you care why?
Do those in power even care about the suffering and poverty of the masses?
'cause there hasn't been a sign
Of anything gettin' better in the ghetto
People's fed up
But when they get up
You point your fuckin' finger
You racist, you bigot
Despite the lack of improvement in low-income areas, those in power blame and insult those who protest for change.
But that's not the problem
Now is it?
Those in power deflect and focus attention on issues that are not the root of the problems faced by the masses.
It's all about the money
Political power is takin
Protecting the rich denying the poor
The root of societal problems lies in protecting the wealthy while denying and exploiting the poor for political and financial gain.
Yeah, they love to watch the war from the White House
Those in power enjoy observing and participating in wars and conflicts from the safety and privilege of their positions.
And I wonder how can they sleep at night?
As a bystander, I question how those in power can be morally okay with their actions that cause so much harm and suffering.
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
How did the cat get so fat?
Reiterating the question of why the wealth gap between the rich and poor is so significant.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARK E. CURRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rinzler46
Best punk album of all time. Used to sing this word for word in the late 90s with my buddies as teens. Never forget those years
@patrickwest1794
Never
@erpunketo
Never
@royreynolds4366
One of the most beautiful songs of our generation...
@LicMegags
ikr?
@jerryhigginbotham3828
Roy Reynolds
you
@gerbandnl
Roy Reynolds im 15 i life in the nederlands al the kids of my age hate this music. I fucking love it and i just met a girl who loves it 2 so im so glad i listen to punk and im telling you it wil never die
@nouseforafap
Yeah and unsurprisingly it is a cover
@mossie7920
@gerry Band yeah! Keep it up kid! See ya at Jera on Air!!
@theneash2965
Fun fact, that’s actually Mark Curry of Hefe’s first band “Crystal Sphere” singing the opening line. He also wrote and recorded the original version of this song