Old school punk rockers go biblical

By Eric Jaen
Collegian Staff
April 5, 2006

Since its formation in 1983, California’s own NOFX has established itself as a living punk rock legend. Though they signed with Epitaph Records in 1989, it was not until the 1994 release of the classic album, Punk In Drublic, that the band had a breakthrough. Because of the group’s refusal to sign with a major label, it failed to match the overwhelming popularity of other thriving punk acts of the time such as The Offspring and Green Day. However, NOFX was still among those to receive popular acclaim in the mid ’90s without being thrown into the same category as those so-called “sell-outs.”

With nine full-length albums under its belt, split between Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords, the quartet is back with Never Trust A Hippy, a six-song EP serving as a preview for the soon-to-be-released full-length album, Wolves in Wolves’ Clothing.
Never Trust A Hippy gets things going old-school NOFX style with “Seeing Double At The Triple Rock.” This mid-tempo barn burner is sure to please older fans with its guitar licks reminiscent of, say, Ribbed, or even White Trash-era material.

It is nice to know that after 23 years, NOFX still loves to participate in bibulous activities, as singer/bassist Fat Mike sings, “What we know is that we don’t want to be anywhere but here. Please don’t make us leave, when in Minnesota and you got a drinking quota.”

“The Marxist Brothers” is a fun, slower, reggae-based track comparable to some material found on The War On Errorism and the band’s split with Rancid in 2002. Adding a touch of comedy to what may be a response to the naysayers questioning punk credibilities, Fat Mike sings, “I get frequent flyer mileage and a booklet of upgrades. So next time I visit the third world, I won’t have to fly second class. The people’s revolution is going to be a podcast.”

Before listening to “Golden Boys,” listeners should first ask themselves if they are adequately prepared to rock, then proceed to make an appointment for reconstructive face surgery. This track exemplifies the signature sound that, like a thief in the night, has stolen the hearts (or Dead Kennedys back patches) of fans over the years. Things settle down at the midway point with the acoustic track, “You’re Wrong,” a clever song with lyrics that can be considered bold, yet funny at the same the time.

Back to the more traditional, fast-paced style, “Everything In Moderation (Especially Moderation)” serves as a testament to NOFX’s old age and successful career.

Fat Mike says it best with the lyrics, “OK, my liver is my senior part, but that’s a part you can trade in when your band has been a band longer than The Ramones, and critics coin you ‘the punk Rolling Stones.’ That’s when you know this is for life.”

The EP ends with a catchy track, properly titled “I’m Going To Hell For This One.” While it is unlikely that this song will end up in any hymn books any time soon, it is sure to become a fan favorite. It describes the band’s own image of an angry Jesus Christ coming back to beat up Mel Gibson and collect his royalties.

At this point in its career, NOFX does not have much left to prove, except that after more than two decades of dishing out the rock, the band is still capable of creating fun, classic punk rock jams for the masses. Despite having a few tracks already released on last year’s “Seven Inch Of The Month Club,” Never Trust A Hippy is still a solid release from a solid band. The two opening tracks, which will be featured on the upcoming full-length, should get fans salivating and ready for seconds, thirds and so on and so forth. Look out for NOFX’s 10th full-length, Wolves In Wolves’ Clothing, set to drop on April 18 via Fat Wreck Chords.

jaene1@lasalle.edu