Sticking to punk convictions is tricky business — something NOFX know all too well. Their unwitting involvement in the pop-punk explosion of the mid ’90s put them in the same awkward position every band from that scene faced: either they could move to a major label, as Green Day and the Offspring did, or they could stick to the indie infrastructure that had supported them since they became fixtures on the SoCal punk scene in the late ’80s. Not only did NOFX take the latter course by continuing to release material on Epitaph, but frontman Fat Mike eventually formed his own imprint, Fat Wreck Chords. Still, no matter how hard they tried to keep hype to a minimum (there are even disclaimers on their CDs asking radio programmers not to put their music into rotation), success dogged NOFX, as did absurd cries of “sell out.” Fat Mike refused any kind of mainstream coverage until the Rock Against Bush campaign he helped launch gave him a reason other than promoting his band to speak to the press.
Reflecting NOFX’s enduring popularity, the Worcester Palladium was a sold-out madhouse a week ago Friday, even though Wolf in Wolves’ Clothing (Fat Wreck Chords) isn’t due till April 18. They played long-time slam-and-egg faves “Bob” and “Linoleum” and treated the crowd to a couple of new tunes from the upcoming disc. Between songs, an apparently very intoxicated Fat Mike bragged about out-drinking Dropkick Murphys and insisted that Big D and the Kids Table smoke too much weed for a ska band. There were no cries of “sell out” at this NOFX show: the kids were having too much fun slamming around and laughing along with Fat Mike to care.
Related:
Boston music news: January 25, 2008, Playlist: Octorber 19, 2007, Original Sinner, More 
- Boston music news: January 25, 2008
Mark Zaleski is only 22, but the saxophonist, who just began his final semester at New England Conservatory, has played with both Dave Brubeck and Jethro Tull.
- Playlist: Octorber 19, 2007
Viva Viva, Drug Rug, DJ Kon, and more
- Original Sinner
I met Joan Jett because of Lisa King. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen the way it was supposed to. Joan Jett, "A.C.D.C." (QuickTime)
- Boston music news, February 16, 2007
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones started it with their yearly Yuletide multi-night “Hometown Throwdown,” which ended after 2002. Now Darkbuster have revived the tradition with their “Hometown Throwup,” which in its second year takes over the Abbey Lounge February 18-24.
- Hail to the thieves
There’s a not-so-small quadrant of the World Wide Web that has been going bananas since Radiohead kicked off their spring/summer tour on May 6 in Copenhagen.
- Starting over
They Won’t Stay Dead is nothing if not appropriately named.
- The rites of Robby
“At first he was a douchebag,” says Roadsteamer (a/k/a Rob Potylo) of the character he created.
- Brass tacts
In case you’ve missed it, it’s all the rage.
- Mixing it up
B. DOLAN and SAGE FRANCIS provided memorable highlights at this year’s Rock the Bells in Mansfield; watch the Strange Famous reps slay Jerky’s Bar (401.621.2244) with special guest SLEEP on THURSDAY (the 12th).
- Potvin's luck
DJ Michael Potvin is many things to many people.
- Made to order
For a 16-year-old “recovering band geek” who has just had, by her own description, the best night of her entire life, Alexa Fay is slightly hysterical.
- Less
Topics:
Live Reviews
, Entertainment, Music, Dropkick Murphys, More
, Entertainment, Music, Dropkick Murphys, Green Day, Ska, Fat Mike, NOFX, Less
