Not a NOFX Interview at the Empire
NOFX Live – Sheperds Bush Empire – 3 May 2009
Words by Brendan Monteiro / photo’s by Marcus Maschwitz
For weeks prior to tonight’s show we frantically attempted to get an interview with the notorious NOFX, but to no avail. In our search we came upon the fact that they have a no interview policy. Yes this is a shame but obviously the band has their reasons and to read the full explanation you can view it at http://www.nofx.org/qa/qa.html . So you guessed it, this is not a NOFX interview but a review of the most recent show and final leg of their tour.
It’s odd to think that the name NOFX was originally from their guitarist Eric, as an indication that the band (except Mike of course) was straightedge and needed no effects. Looking at the band on stage tonight and its clearly evident that those days are over, NOFX are more like a touring keg party and the fans tonight are prepared for the shindig. From the get go it is evident to any first timer that contrary to their own jokes, they don’t suck live. They might stumble around the stage like a bunch of drugged up street bums but they play each song effortlessly, and with the amount of drugs they boast to have taken tonight its quite an accomplishment to play them so well.
They blister through old and new with ‘linoleum’ and ‘mattersville’ getting the crowd going in the early parts of the show. Mike, always the chief of the shenanigans, has neatly got his drink holder attached to his Mic stand, which is an added touch of genius. Yes that’s right, genius, as it only makes it that much easier for the consumption of copious amounts of alcohol through his neon pink straw.
One thing that is great about this band is how they have over the years kept it punk! Veering away from the mainstream and keeping things the way they want it, what I mean by that is they couldn’t care what anyone thinks. That is what is truly weird yet great about them, they flip people off in the audience and the fans just love every bit of it. In the past the band have acknowledged the fact that maybe they talk a bit more than play while up on stage but it’s not so evident tonight as the pit swells wider and the set list grows longer. The only thing really evident is that, though they might be getting older, they still know how to party it up and rock out hard.
