At 29 years of age, I’ve had to face the harsh reality that most the bands I like these days are younger than me. There’s a few old favourites kicking around though…
NOFX formed in 1983, 4 years before I was even in born, yet continue to sell out shows across the world. That in itself is a rare achievement, but to still be releasing exciting, relevant albums 33 years later? Well thats practically unheard of. All the more impressive when you consider they’ve never signed to a major label and still deliver a big “fuck you” to the musical establishment.
…and this brings me to First Ditch Effort.
Kicking off with the 92 second “Six Years on Dope”, this track has all the hallmarks of that instantly recognisable NOFX sound, but still feels fresh. This feeling holds throughout the album; “Ditch Effort” is hard and heavy, but undeniably NOFX and “Oxymoronic” could’ve been taken straight from the classic Pump Up The Valuum.
If you’ve read “The Hepatitis Bathtub” then you’ll know NOFX have taken a long, often dark, road over their career. Lyrically, they address many of the themes raised in the book, but do so in their own unique way – see “I’m A Tranvest-Lite” for example:
“You’d probably get hurt in heels and a skirt
When you’re in the middle of a circle pit
So I’d only wear panties under boxers to keep it all a secret
Now I’m telling everyone ‘cause it’s fun and I don’t give a shit”
Fat Mike pays tribute to his close friend Tony Sly, the No Use For A Name frontman who sadly passed away in 2012, in the poignant “Im So Sorry Tony”….as for Mikes late father however…well.. just listen to “Fathers Day”.
I last saw NOFX at this years Download festival and even in the shittiest weather, it was the tightest set I’ve seen them play in a long time. With their live game back on point and a banger of a new record to promote; I’m already impatient for the inevitable tour announcement.
Is this the best NOFX record ever? No, but it’s by no means a bad one. Whilst they may be guilty of a few forgettable releases in recent years, “First Ditch Effort” is a solid return to form.
