Hi everyone, it is Three Tune Tuesday, where we are encouraged to choose three songs to talk about and share with the Hive Community. You don't have to choose one band, but, I decided I would take to opportunity to talk about the band NOFX, I always find choosing 3 songs isn't enough haha But, I'll do my best!
I remember watching an interview with them, or maybe it was in their book, but, they said that they had been together since 1983, traveling around America, with minor success. But, it was in the '90s when their album Ribbed came out when they came to Europe for the first time that they found success and from there, they rose in popularity. Leading to where they are now.
The lead singer established and runs the label, Fat Wreck Cords, which produces not only all of their own albums, but, also records and distributes other bands' music. As a band, they live and have lived by the DIY mindset, which is what Punk Rock is all about, they are a prime example that if you can't get signed or "Make it" in the music world, you have to persevere and keep going. Even if that means doing it all yourself.
I've been listening to this band since I was a little kid, my parents were both fans of the band and I heard them secondhand through them. When my mum was pregnant with my sister, I was apparently singing. "How did mummy get so fat." Which was a parody of the NOFX song from their Punk In Drublic album, Perfect Government.
"How did the cat, get so fat?" I think is the perfect analogy to describe greedy politicians or corporate leaders. I think this song has such high energy, the drummer from this band Eric "Smelly" Sandin, is relentless. All of the members of this band are such great musicians. But, the drummer is a stand-out one for me, the guy just doesn't slow down.
The second song I'd like to enter into three-tune Tuesday is this gem, "Dinosaurs Will Die." From the album Pump Up The Valuum.
This album is one of my favourites and is literally an example of the lyrics in this song,
"Music written from devotion, not ambition, not for fame. Zero people are exploited, there are no tricks, up our sleeves.
We're gonna fight against the mass appeal, kill the seven record deal, make records, that have more than one good song."
Which is true, as far as I'm concerned, they have never released an album with only one good song on it, I'm a fan so my opinion is pretty biased though.
This song is about the parasitic music industry exploiting artists and also ripping off fans of certain artists, who are essentially owned and controlled by music labels.
"This is not a test, of the emergency broadcast system. This is the real thing!" I love that opening, over the distortion of the guitars, which reaches its crescendo with the beating of the drums in unison with the guitars and bass. Great opener. Which, I may have stolen.
I wrote a zombie short film back in College, it was my first film and it's pretty terrible. But, I had an actor read that out and I put some alarms over it and used the words as an emergency broadcast, which opened the short film. Bit of a nod to NOFX, one that will most likely never be heard, on account of how embarrassingly bad the film is!
This is another of my favourite songs, I love the slow intro, that just stops, before kicking into another relentless track. The lyrics of which are sung in a way that doesn't quiet match the back track of it, but, it just works.
"She had denied all allegations of her loneliness,
The battle had been won, with scars still under wraps.
She may have dropped the world!
She would not let us down!
Endorphin rush she loved!
She may have dropped the world."
I love those lyrics, the song has a sadness to it, but, it's hard to stay too sad with the balls-to-wall music accompanying them.
The three albums, Heavy Petting Zoo, Pump Up The Valuum and Punk in Drublic are great. There isn't one song on either of them that I don't like and NOFX is one of those bands that, no matter how long I have listened to them, I've never gotten sick of them.
I saw them here in Ireland back in 2008, when I was about 14 or 15 and they are to date, the best band I've ever seen live. They kicked ass, but, they were also so funny and witty in between their songs, they are able to change lyrics on a whim, to fit whoever they are performing to, which is something you don't see much when going to a gig.
Apparently, next year will be their final tour, I'm hoping they come back here, but, since they haven't been since 2008, I doubt they will. I don't understand why they don't come to Ireland, to be honest, it wasn't like the gig was empty, I'm nearly sure they packed out the venue, but, how or never. If they play England I'll be heading over to see them, without a doubt.
They also have an autobiography called The hepatitis Bathtub, in which they talk about their entire lives as individuals and as a collective. It was a great read, gave some insight into each of them and something which I wasn't expecting when reading it, was how dark it was.
End Notes
I hope you like my submission to this week's Three Tune Tuesday, it's a lot of fun going through and choosing some songs to talk about, being able to discuss a little bit of why you like the songs in particular.
Most people like music and I think this is a great opportunity to share some of your thoughts with the rest of the community, if you haven't joined it so far I think you should.
Also, reading through other submissions is a great chance to be introduced to some songs and artists you may not have heard of before!