Music Is My Weapon

Just because it's long overdue, this is an article on NOFX. They seem to have gathered momentum with Bush's recent follies as president. NOFX is a skate punk band from San Francisco, California, United States, formed in 1983 in Los Angeles.

The original lineup included singer/bassist Mike Burkett, drummer Erik Sandin, and guitarist Eric Melvin. Since 1991 Aaron Abeyta has played second guitar and trumpet. The band's sound is diverse, utilizing elements of skate punk, hardcore punk, ska, 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.

In 2002, NOFX sifted through countless tapes and recording sessions, eventually collecting 47 songs for 45 or 46 Songs That Weren't Good Enough to Go on Our Other Records. "Pimps and Hookers," which was the only new song on the album, was recorded in one day. Later that year, BYO Records got the band to release the NOFX/Rancid split album BYO Split Series, Vol. 3. This particular album had Rancid covering six NOFX tracks while NOFX returned the favor by switching up six Rancid songs. The four-song EP Regaining Unconsciousness came out in March 2003 and served as a teaser for May's The War on Errorism, released on Fat Wreck and littered with political criticisms. With the band's outspoken and leftist nature, it was then not surprising when they launched Punk Voter, a movement of punk bands that sought to politically empower disenfranchised youth and vote George W. Bush out of office. The organization still remained in action, even after Bush's 2004 re-election. Back on the music front, NOFX next released the EP Never Trust a Hippy in March 2006, and the full-length Wolf in Wolves' Clothing followed a month later.

NOFX has released 10 studio full lengths, 10 EPs, and many 7" singles. The group has sold over 6 million records worldwide, and are one of the most successful independent bands of all time.

Their name is derived from the Boston hardcore band Negative FX. Fat Mike and other band members are admitted fans of Straight Edge bands like Minor Threat, and some members of NOFX have experimented with the Straight Edge ethos.