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
Straight Edge
NOFX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and fuck my head
Hang out with the living dead
Snort white shit up my nose
Pass out at all the shows
I don't even think about Speed
I've got the straight edge
I'm a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and smoke dope
Cause I know I can cope
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue
Always gonna keep in touch
Never want to use a crutch
I've got the straight edge
The lyrics to NOFX's "Straight Edge" speak to the idea of being straight edge, which is a term used for those who choose to live a lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol. The song suggests that the singer is just like any other person, but they have made a conscious decision to pursue more worthwhile things in life than getting high or drunk. They mock those who do indulge in substances, referring to them as the living dead and suggesting that their drug use causes them to miss out on life experiences.
The song emphasizes the straight edge philosophy of avoiding drugs and alcohol, as the singer explicitly states that they do not think about using speed, smoking dope, or using crutches. They find the idea of using drugs or substances laughable, and instead commit to living a sober lifestyle. The use of the phrase "straight edge" in the chorus becomes a declaration of identity, a way to signify to others that they have made this choice, and that they are committed to living their lives differently than those who choose to use substances.
Overall, "Straight Edge" is a clear and straightforward anthem for the straight edge movement, and it provides a window into the mindset of those who choose to live this way. It highlights the belief that sobriety is a worthwhile pursuit and celebrates those who have made this choice.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm a person just like you
I am an ordinary person like you.
But I've got better things to do
However, I have more important things to do.
Than sit around and fuck my head
Instead of wasting my time, getting high and ruining my mental health.
Hang out with the living dead
Being around people who are always high and not fully conscious.
Snort white shit up my nose
Ingesting harmful and illicit white powder through my nostrils.
Pass out at all the shows
Going to performances and events under the influence and losing consciousness.
I don't even think about speed
I do not even consider using the drug speed.
That's something I just don't need
I have no need for that kind of drug.
I've got the straight edge
I choose to live a drug-free lifestyle (known as 'straight edge').
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
I find the idea of using the sedative drug, ludes, ridiculous and amusing.
Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue
I also find the idea of inhaling glue to get high both funny and idiotic.
Always gonna keep in touch
I will always stay grounded and aware of myself.
Never want to use a crutch
I do not want to depend on any type of substance to get through life.
I've got the straight edge
I choose to maintain a lifestyle free of drugs and harmful substances.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A Pigeau
nofx are actually really good creative musicians. this is Minor Threat! its also very NOFX.
Kelli Hill
Love this song!
Kelli Hill
Still love this song
Jeremiah Campbell
So good!!
Oci Huenu
El Mejor Jazz Punk
lintang aditya
this version hear before sleep
minor threat version for alarm
Eradicator
The anti-straight edge version of straight edge.
Luc Heijnen
Irony at its finest!
darn frick
I love smoking weed to this song
Pyrus Rex
I've been trying to figure this out for 20 fucking years. Is the straight edge in this song a reference to actually being straight edge, or is it about the edge of the razor used to chop a line?