A story about seeing NOFX
On November 26th I went to the Stone Pony in New York to see another of my
favorite bands, NOFX. NOFX is a punk-ska band. Punk meaning fast paced
drumbeats and quick singing and ska meaning a song played with trumpets. The
band members are Fat Mike (vocals, bass), El Hefe (guitar, trumpet, vocals),
Eric Melvin (guitar, vocals), and Erik Sandin (drums). The one thing I found out
there was that El Hefe sings a lot. I thought he only sings in a few songs but
when I heard them play, I noticed that he sang about half of the songs.
NOFX music has considerable groove for a punk band and is sparked by the two
lead guitarists, Eric Melvin and El Hefe. Tight play between the band's four
members, and short, fast, punchy songs, with a laid back approach would even
have non-punk fans entertained.
Their songs talk about racism, politics, social problems, sex, drugs, lesbians,
bums, alcohol, animal freedom... and many other strange subjects. In their
music you will find punk, of course, but also rock, hardcore, ska, even reggae
and jazz. If you ask me they are a just a punk-ska band. Their songs are
interesting and different from one another. Each song has it's own
characteristics. The lyrics are very interesting, sometimes strange, and
sometimes incomprehensible. You basically just have to understand them in your
own way.
The club was packed, or more accurately, stuffed. After much anticipation the
punk gods, NOFX hit the stage and the crowd surged with excitement even
before they opened the set with one of my favorite songs, "Reagan Sucks." The
next song they played was "Bob". They played songs from the album "Flossing a
Dead Horse" - which is one massive trumpet solo presented by El Hefe. The next
song they played was "Eat the Meek" with trumpet and lead vocals by El Hefe.
The mosh pit was monstrous and seemed to gain in size as it rotated in circles
and swallo...