96 - NOFX

NOFX
Irving Plaza
15 October 2008

NOFX got together back in 1983 when most of the band was still in high school. They started out as Erik Sandin on drums, Eric Melvin on guitar and Fat Mike on bass and vocals. Throughout their first few years, aside from an extra guitarist here and there or a temporary substitute, the line up didn't change much. Since 1991, the band has been Sandin, Melvin, Fat Mike and El Hefe (guitar). Influenced by bands like Minor Threat, Black Flag and Misfits, NOFX has paved its way through to punk royalty while remaining a wildly successful independent act. Their first gig was in Hollywood at an open mic night of sorts at Cathay de Grande. After that, they put together a demo tape, sent it out and followed up with lots and lots of phone calls. They started touring in one of the guy's parents' station wagon and the rest is history.

An appropriate event for the night of the last Presidential debate if you ask me. With songs like, "Idiot Son of an Asshole" unquestioningly directed at the President, "American Errorist" and "Idiots are Taking Over," the band has been waging war on the Bush administration since the 2004 punk tour, "Rock Against Bush." The concert was ear-numbingly wonderful. They played a gamut of songs from all different albums, including one of my favorites, Linoleum, and closed of course with Theme From a NOFX Album. They are playing a second show tonight.

100 in 6 budget: $1279