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NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories
NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories is the first tell-all autobiography from one of the world鈥檚 most influential and controversial punk bands. Alongside hilarious anecdotes about pranks and drunkenness and teenage failures鈥攆eaturing the trademark NOFX sense of humor鈥攖he book also shares the ugliness and horror the band members experienced on the road to becoming DIY millionaires. Fans and non-fans alike will be shocked by the stories of murder, suicide, addiction, counterfeiting, riots, bondage, terminal illness, the Yakuza, and pee鈥ots and lots of pee. Told by each of the band members (and two former members), NOFX looks back at more than thirty years of comedy, tragedy, and completely inexplicable success. 听
Available as an audiobook for the first time, read by band members "Fat Mike" Burkett, Eric Melvin, Erik "Smelly" Sandin, and Aaron "El Hefe" Abeyta along with special guest narrator musician and comedian Tommy Chong. In addition, the audiobook features exclusive, previously unreleased tracks, "Bouncy" (a NOFX instrumental), "La Pieta" (Fat Mike piano & vocal song about his mother), and "Young Drunk & Stupid" (live NOFX song from an Idaho basement gig in 1986)
Narrated by: NOFX, Jello Biafra, Tommy Chong
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
Available as an audiobook for the first time, read by band members "Fat Mike" Burkett, Eric Melvin, Erik "Smelly" Sandin, and Aaron "El Hefe" Abeyta along with special guest narrator musician and comedian Tommy Chong. In addition, the audiobook features exclusive, previously unreleased tracks, "Bouncy" (a NOFX instrumental), "La Pieta" (Fat Mike piano & vocal song about his mother), and "Young Drunk & Stupid" (live NOFX song from an Idaho basement gig in 1986)
Narrated by: NOFX, Jello Biafra, Tommy Chong
Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins
Audiobook
First published March 1, 2016
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2,765 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
May 23, 2016
I never thought I'd say this, but this is one of the best punk rock memoirs I've ever read. Readers of my reviews know that while I'm pretty generous with the four- and five-star rankings, I don't throw the word "best" around. Here's what makes NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories so interesting and arresting: 1) It's a memoir told from multiple points of view. It's not a group interview where everyone sits in a room and riffs on the past, nor is it an oral history where each member of the band weighs in on certain topics, though at times it reads like one. It's a super compelling combo of first person narrative and group dynamic where every member of the band speaks for himself and is on equal footing with everyone else. 2) It's brutally honest. The individual members of the band reveal things about themselves they've never told anyone, much less each other. You expect that from memoirs, but NOFX is that rare band that tours constantly but has gone through long stretches of their history where they haven't done much press. I was really surprised by the extent to which the band members use the book to express things they've never expressed before, including some really dark and painful secrets. 3) It's self-aware. While each member's memoir is entirely autonomous, they clearly had access to each other's stories at various points during the composition process. 4) It's skillfully edited. The reason why you don't see more books written like this is because it requires an enormous amount of work to interview, transcribe, and organize material from one person, much less four. The band's co-author is filmmaker Jeff Alulis who made the extensive, multi-part travel documentary with the band, Backstage Passport. Alulis's experience of combing through thousands of hours of footage made the prospect of organizing however many hundreds of thousands of words he recorded slightly less daunting. He knew the band, had their trust, got them to reveal their deepest secrets, and editing it into an unputdownable story. 5) It doesn't hold back. Make no mistake, this book is appalling. It's punk rock, which means epic drug abuse, pointless violence, skeevy sex, terrible hygiene and a body count on a par with a military memoir. That's no exaggeration. To be a middle age punk rocker means you've put a lot of your friends in the ground. 6) The story of NOFX is still being written. NOFX reminds me of my extended family in that we all takes turns being the black sheep. There's never a time when everything is hunky dory with everyone. Someone is always fucking up. It's our nature. And that's how it is with punk rockers. The guy who starts the story with his shit together at the beginning is unraveling at the end and vice versa. It's frustrating, it's fascinating, and highlights the significant overlap between punk rockers and people in recovery: broken people doing the best they can. It's not pretty but it's real.
May 20, 2016
NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories.
This book has the greatest opening sentence that I've ever read in my life. "The first time I drank Piss was on a fire escape overlooking downtown Los Angeles."
I first started listening to NOFX when I was 12 years old and I still regard them as one of my favourite bands ever. They were responsible for the binding of some of the greatest friendships that I've ever had and they still continue to be the soundtrack to many drunken Saturday night's.
This book isn't all fun and games as there's various dark scenarios and situations which interlink alongside the wackiness that NOFX are so widely renowned for. These include: Suicide, drug overdoses, rape, addiction, terminal illnesses and also many bereavements.
Don't let the depressing moments that I've just mentioned put you off reading this though, it's completely necessary towards making this book the emotional roller-coaster that you'd expect from NOFX.
There's tonnes of facts embedded throughout the narrative which enlighten you on the background story of certain songs which I found very interesting, and the tour stories that they discuss feature some musicians and celebrities being highly unsophisticated which I found hilariously entertaining.
There's extreme highs and lows, lots of confessions of sexual debauchery, tales of parties, destruction, drugs, bodily fluids and very heavy sentimental speeches which can really make you stop in your tracks and think about the most beautiful and horrendous aspects of life.
Overall this was a highly enjoyable and fascinating read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's interested in checking it out.
I'll always have a place in my heart for NOFX and I knew I'd be a sucker for this autobiography so I'd rate it 5/5.
This book has the greatest opening sentence that I've ever read in my life. "The first time I drank Piss was on a fire escape overlooking downtown Los Angeles."
I first started listening to NOFX when I was 12 years old and I still regard them as one of my favourite bands ever. They were responsible for the binding of some of the greatest friendships that I've ever had and they still continue to be the soundtrack to many drunken Saturday night's.
This book isn't all fun and games as there's various dark scenarios and situations which interlink alongside the wackiness that NOFX are so widely renowned for. These include: Suicide, drug overdoses, rape, addiction, terminal illnesses and also many bereavements.
Don't let the depressing moments that I've just mentioned put you off reading this though, it's completely necessary towards making this book the emotional roller-coaster that you'd expect from NOFX.
There's tonnes of facts embedded throughout the narrative which enlighten you on the background story of certain songs which I found very interesting, and the tour stories that they discuss feature some musicians and celebrities being highly unsophisticated which I found hilariously entertaining.
There's extreme highs and lows, lots of confessions of sexual debauchery, tales of parties, destruction, drugs, bodily fluids and very heavy sentimental speeches which can really make you stop in your tracks and think about the most beautiful and horrendous aspects of life.
Overall this was a highly enjoyable and fascinating read, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's interested in checking it out.
I'll always have a place in my heart for NOFX and I knew I'd be a sucker for this autobiography so I'd rate it 5/5.
January 28, 2019
Five stars for the raw and real account of a huge part of my childhood! You love or hate them, or you wish you could had the guts to be them! Some may disagree, but when it comes to living life on your own terms, these guys take the cake. Otherwise, this is a hilarious account of what punk rock culture contributed to our society, and again... love it or hate it!
March 18, 2018
NOFX has been one of my favorite bands going on....20 years now. Since I was in middle school. So it鈥檚 no surprise I loved this book, which chronicles (in heartbreaking and hilarious detail) the entire history of the band. While all that is to be expected, my biggest takeaway from the book was a reaffirmation of the DIY aesthetic and attitude that originally drew me to punk music in the first place. This is a group of people who, for better or worse, played it their way 100%. As an artist (and aging punk) myself, the message is inspiring, and one that would resonate with just about anyone into music or art, not just NOFX fans. This was a wonderful read.
June 5, 2016
Amazing. What a life these guys have lived. It is so interesting to like a band for so long but not know much about them. I was surprised to hear all of the crazy stories about their lives and where they are now.
August 25, 2016
Slightly entertaining at times, but the band members are such misogynistic, sociopathic dickheads that it was pretty hard to stomach overall.
May 2, 2016
Exceptional. Truly one of the best band autobiographies I've ever read. The book is told semi chronologically from the point of view of each band member; seamlessly interwoven into a cohesive and fascinating story. A must read for fans of the band but also highly recommended even if you've never heard of NOFX. It really is that good. I kind of already want to read it again!
July 18, 2016
How on earth is everybody involved with this band not dead?
Smelly especially probably should have been killed several times. Melvin less so, but still could have had a good few deaths. Mike didn't seem to cause much trouble, but could have perhaps been in the wrong place at the wrong time, because LA in the 80s.
Anyway, good read. Hilarious, dark, gruesome, somewhat bone-chilling at times, plentiful WTF? moments. Lots of tales about a bunch of guys who somehow haven't been killed by gangsters, drugs and each other.
Smelly especially probably should have been killed several times. Melvin less so, but still could have had a good few deaths. Mike didn't seem to cause much trouble, but could have perhaps been in the wrong place at the wrong time, because LA in the 80s.
Anyway, good read. Hilarious, dark, gruesome, somewhat bone-chilling at times, plentiful WTF? moments. Lots of tales about a bunch of guys who somehow haven't been killed by gangsters, drugs and each other.
June 26, 2018
I鈥檓 such a huge fan of NOFX and I鈥檝e been looking forward to reading it for ages but I keep putting it off because I was scared of being disappointed. I鈥檓 glad to say that I absolutely loved it and thoroughly enjoyed every single page. It wasn鈥檛 always easy reading, some parts get pretty dark and gritty, especially the ones dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. But it didn鈥檛 only focus on the dark side, there was plenty of light hearted humour as well which is what I really love about NOFX, they can be dark and gritty just as they can be hilarious and silly!
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June 17, 2024My boyfriend told me I should read this in advance of going to see NOFX in July. I told his brother I was doing it and he said 鈥渦m鈥� he could have made you a playlist鈥︹€�.
This book was wild in the 鈥渟o crazy it must be true because nobody could make this up鈥� kind of way, but ultimately I thought it was really honest and raw and well done. The audio was read by each of the band members and I finished it wanting to seek out their music, which was the intended outcome. Also, I had to text Chris last night to tell him I had to stop reading because 鈥渆veryone鈥檚 moms are dying and I can鈥檛 stop crying鈥�. This book was super disturbing in parts but ultimately I鈥檓 glad I read it.
This book was wild in the 鈥渟o crazy it must be true because nobody could make this up鈥� kind of way, but ultimately I thought it was really honest and raw and well done. The audio was read by each of the band members and I finished it wanting to seek out their music, which was the intended outcome. Also, I had to text Chris last night to tell him I had to stop reading because 鈥渆veryone鈥檚 moms are dying and I can鈥檛 stop crying鈥�. This book was super disturbing in parts but ultimately I鈥檓 glad I read it.
April 12, 2016
It was 1999 when I purchased 'Punk in Drublic' at a now closed Best Buy. Since that inception, I have been a consistent fan of NoFX by mostly leaning on the musical recommendations of my older brother. So when I learned that a 'tell-all' book covering NoFX's 30 year history had been released, I was eager to start reading it.
From the perspective of a fan, the collection of stories was very satisfying. Jeff Alulis, the author, did a wonderful job of collecting the band's recollections. Both current and past members provide a first-person narrative regarding various moments throughout the band's history. The variety of stories gave an intimate insight into the band's identity and past shenanigans.
The Hepatitis Bathtub surprised me with it's wit and humor. Especially when recounting the exploitation of the drummer, Erik Sandin, or more commonly known as Smelly, who's narrative often left me laughing out loud. More so, The Hepatitis Bathtub isn't only about deviants causing destruction because their childhoods were less than idealistic, although there are plenty of stories a senseless destruction. Instead, the further I read into the book, the more I began to realize how and why the NoFX ethos materialize the way that it did. Additionally, the sensible story-telling startled my emotions as each member revealed, what I found to be, their inner-most thoughts, bringing to light issues and concerns that would otherwise be reserved for a therapist. Undoubtedly, there's a sense of trust between the band and the reader.
NoFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories is a fast and pleasurable read which effectively captures the emotional development of the DIY Californian punk band. Not only did I learn more about each member of NoFX, but I have a fairly vivid insight into S&M culture. We can thank Fat Mike for this.
Finally, If your looking for an introductory crash course on NoFX culture, I recommend watching their 'Back Stage Passport' production first. It'll provide a back drop for what NoFX represents.
From the perspective of a fan, the collection of stories was very satisfying. Jeff Alulis, the author, did a wonderful job of collecting the band's recollections. Both current and past members provide a first-person narrative regarding various moments throughout the band's history. The variety of stories gave an intimate insight into the band's identity and past shenanigans.
The Hepatitis Bathtub surprised me with it's wit and humor. Especially when recounting the exploitation of the drummer, Erik Sandin, or more commonly known as Smelly, who's narrative often left me laughing out loud. More so, The Hepatitis Bathtub isn't only about deviants causing destruction because their childhoods were less than idealistic, although there are plenty of stories a senseless destruction. Instead, the further I read into the book, the more I began to realize how and why the NoFX ethos materialize the way that it did. Additionally, the sensible story-telling startled my emotions as each member revealed, what I found to be, their inner-most thoughts, bringing to light issues and concerns that would otherwise be reserved for a therapist. Undoubtedly, there's a sense of trust between the band and the reader.
NoFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories is a fast and pleasurable read which effectively captures the emotional development of the DIY Californian punk band. Not only did I learn more about each member of NoFX, but I have a fairly vivid insight into S&M culture. We can thank Fat Mike for this.
Finally, If your looking for an introductory crash course on NoFX culture, I recommend watching their 'Back Stage Passport' production first. It'll provide a back drop for what NoFX represents.
July 12, 2017
This book was WILD. I kept reading it with my mouth hanging open, there were moments where I truly laughed out loud. I learned a lot of intimate details not just of the band but other bands of the era. The most eye opening thing for me was hearing stories of the violence of Southern California punk gangs. Wow. I loved, loved the stories of the LA music scene in the 80s and early 90s, I'm so jealous of these experiences! Smelly's battle with heroin was touching and gut wrenching. These guys have all been through so much. I admire how they never sold out and kept it DIY. This book is a must read if you can handle it!
June 5, 2016
Amazing! You don't have to be a NOFX fan, or even a punk rock fan...this book is so much more. It was so well written and perfectly perfect. I love NOFX, but love them more that I know their dark and horrible secrets. Fantastic read!
June 14, 2022
"Most people don't realize that acid makes your farts smell worse than usual. Erik would destroy the van with his flatulence. It was an indescribable odor that was more of an evil entity than a smell." - Fat Mike
I mean...! 馃ぃ This is so much better than "the Dirt".
I mean...! 馃ぃ This is so much better than "the Dirt".
May 6, 2017
Nofx was a big part of the soundtrack of my youth. I always liked their combination of humor, politics and their brand of punk rock. So when a friend gave me this book to read I was siked about it.
In this book NOFX are brutally honest about all the drugs, drinking and crime they did in their lifetime. I have to admit that because of that, this book feels very uncomfortable in places. But if you want to know what sorts of life the members of NOFX led and how that affected their band this is a great book to read. I also discovered that their lyrics are more truthful then I could ever imagine.
This is a great book if you like NOFX or punkrock in general and can stomach all the drinking and drugs.
In this book NOFX are brutally honest about all the drugs, drinking and crime they did in their lifetime. I have to admit that because of that, this book feels very uncomfortable in places. But if you want to know what sorts of life the members of NOFX led and how that affected their band this is a great book to read. I also discovered that their lyrics are more truthful then I could ever imagine.
This is a great book if you like NOFX or punkrock in general and can stomach all the drinking and drugs.
June 4, 2016
I have been a massive fan of NOFX since 1992. Except for their music I didn't know much about them. This book was excellent. Not only do they make good music they actually seem to be good guys. Yes their a little nuts but I expected that. Each chapter in the book is told through a different band members eyes. So everybody gets their say. This book was hilarious often sad and sometimes downright disgusting but I didn't want it to end. These were a group of kids who wanted to play punk music now they are middle aged men who want to play punk music. I hope in twenty years their old men who still want to play punk music. I loved it.
April 15, 2019
This book was filthy, rude and absolutely disgusting....all the things a book about an iconic punk band like NOFX should be.
This was likely one of the most entertaining books I've read in a very long time.
If you like to giggle and your gag reflex is not easily set off, this book should be on your shelf!
This was likely one of the most entertaining books I've read in a very long time.
If you like to giggle and your gag reflex is not easily set off, this book should be on your shelf!
July 3, 2016
Meilleure. Biographie. EVER.
July 11, 2019
Highly recommend the audiobook read by band members.
February 10, 2025
Comenc茅 este libro hace un par de a帽os. Lo le铆a de vez en cuando. Aparte de mi admiraci贸n por su m煤sica (un apego al guardar recuerdos de mi adolescencia escuch谩ndolos) muchas historias en este libro reflejan la decadencia de la cultura gringa y una perspectiva muy obtusa (gringocentrista) del punk y de la vida en general. Leo l铆neas escritas por un grupo de 鈥渂oomers鈥� romantizando las adicciones, la misoginia y la violencia machista.
Sin duda es un libro honesto. Muestra un lado sensible y humilde de cada uno de los integrantes y sobre todo un tejido de verdaderos lazos de amistad fundada en el perd贸n, la confianza y cuidado mutuo (de acuerdo a su entendimiento de cuidado)
Pero鈥� varios cap铆tulos suenan a lo mismo. Un intento fracasado de reivindicarse contando sus 鈥渉aza帽as鈥� en una especie competencia rara midiendo a ver quien fue m谩s lejos; o quien estuvo m谩s cerca de morir x veces.
NOFX sin duda rompi贸 paradigmas logrando un 茅xito como pocas bandas de su 茅poca, a煤n siendo independientes. Pero no pude evitar sentir que le铆a una especie de TVNotas de la far谩ndula del punk rock en Los 脕ngeles de los 80-90s.
Si este libro fuera una fiesta, la mayor铆a de la gente se hubiera ido a las 11 un poco hartos de escuchar a estos forevers contarse entre ellos la misma historia una y otra vez.
Sin duda es un libro honesto. Muestra un lado sensible y humilde de cada uno de los integrantes y sobre todo un tejido de verdaderos lazos de amistad fundada en el perd贸n, la confianza y cuidado mutuo (de acuerdo a su entendimiento de cuidado)
Pero鈥� varios cap铆tulos suenan a lo mismo. Un intento fracasado de reivindicarse contando sus 鈥渉aza帽as鈥� en una especie competencia rara midiendo a ver quien fue m谩s lejos; o quien estuvo m谩s cerca de morir x veces.
NOFX sin duda rompi贸 paradigmas logrando un 茅xito como pocas bandas de su 茅poca, a煤n siendo independientes. Pero no pude evitar sentir que le铆a una especie de TVNotas de la far谩ndula del punk rock en Los 脕ngeles de los 80-90s.
Si este libro fuera una fiesta, la mayor铆a de la gente se hubiera ido a las 11 un poco hartos de escuchar a estos forevers contarse entre ellos la misma historia una y otra vez.
August 16, 2022
Its honest, and you鈥檒l probably learn more about Fat Mike et al then you possibly wanted to. But its there laid bare. I had the fortune to 鈥渞ead鈥� this as an unabridged audio book, which means that each chapter is read (for the most part) by the band member who wrote it (some great cameos for former members who either were unavailable or didn鈥檛 want to participate, I haven鈥檛 looked up which is the case.)
If your a due hard fan of NOFX or a casual fan you should get a lot out of the book, between the history of the band and each of its members.
If your a due hard fan of NOFX or a casual fan you should get a lot out of the book, between the history of the band and each of its members.
September 2, 2024
heh heh dudes rock... now let me just turn the page... oh, dudes suck
March 6, 2017
I'm a a grown up guy that live part of his teenage in the 90's where all of the 'punk-rock' went stratospherical. I've really enjoyed and still enjoying this particular music genre. Of course NOFX has been there in my playlists for a while.
I was far away from USA. I've just built up my mind of these bands on my own way.
This book uncovers and clears up some of the concepts and vague ideas I had and still have about the roadway of an USA punk-star.
The most impressive thing is that I have learned and felt touched while reading it.
It is not about winning the Nobel price. It's about life. The book itself it might be another "clever" decission from them to make their life profitable but not less fun because of it.
It also transmit some "matureness" despite the nature of their surrealistic life, they understand their position as influencers and gave a clear message from what they value the most: a joyful life.
In its way, Its an awesome and smoothly-reading set of stories! :)
I was far away from USA. I've just built up my mind of these bands on my own way.
This book uncovers and clears up some of the concepts and vague ideas I had and still have about the roadway of an USA punk-star.
The most impressive thing is that I have learned and felt touched while reading it.
It is not about winning the Nobel price. It's about life. The book itself it might be another "clever" decission from them to make their life profitable but not less fun because of it.
It also transmit some "matureness" despite the nature of their surrealistic life, they understand their position as influencers and gave a clear message from what they value the most: a joyful life.
In its way, Its an awesome and smoothly-reading set of stories! :)
June 14, 2016
I was seriously shocked at how captivated I was by this book. My husband was given this book by one of his friends that works for a music magazine just as we were heading out for a road trip. I picked it up and read the first few paragraphs just out of curiosity, not expecting to ever really read the book. I was initially sucked in by the absurd and hilarious stories, and stuck around as the band members discussed their early lives and early days of NOFX, while delving into some harsh memories. I always was a casual listener of NOFX, saw them a few times live, but never really thought much about what went on behind the crazy stage antics. I can honestly say I have more respect for the band members (and the music) after reading this. Excellent book for any fan of punk rock.
January 1, 2018
I didn't expect this book to make me cry, but it did. It also totally grossed me out at times. I'd expect nothing less from NOFX. These guys really shouldn't still be alive (as per the many, many stories in this book) but I'm glad they are.
July 18, 2017
Expected this to be interesting, but shit, this was a pageturner! Smelly alone had enough stories to make this amazing.
August 8, 2024
It's been eight years since i first read it, so time for a re-read.
Still a 5/5 for me!
Still a 5/5 for me!
November 23, 2023
鈥漈hat鈥檚 me on the beachside, combing the sand, metal meter in my hand, sportin鈥� a pocket full of change.
That鈥檚 me on the street with the violin under my chin, playing with a grin, singing gibberish.
That鈥檚 me on the back of the bus.
That鈥檚 me in the cell.
That鈥檚 me inside your head.
That鈥檚 me inside your head.鈥�
Five Patron bottles full of pee for this amazing memoir. A perfect road memoir in every way鈥攊t鈥檚 funny, interesting, entertaining, and way, way darker than expected. Let me start by saying that yes, NOFX is an incredibly special band to me. Sometime in the early nineties, a friend of the family鈥檚 son, who was 5 or 6 years older than me started getting me into punk rock. My parents were bluegrass musicians, so I certainly grew up with music everywhere, but punk rock was the first thing I discovered that was mine. Out of the many bands that were hugely influential on me both as a musician and my general worldview, NOFX were the top of the heap at that time. They were tight musically (eventually lol), had clever and funny lyrics, and they were THE band (along with Bad Religion) that defined the 90s California skate punk sound. They had countless imitators, including some bands that went on to get enormously famous, like Blink 182, but NOFX refused to sign to a major label or make videos for MTV鈥攖hey were the real deal and stayed true to the ethos of the DIY punk world, and they ended up having phenomenal success while sticking to their guns. I鈥檝e heard NOFX called 鈥渢he most well-known unknown band in history鈥�, and there鈥檚 definitely truth to that. Fat Mike was an underground hero for aspiring punk musicians like I was.
This book is two things鈥攁s expected, it鈥檚 about their rise in the chaotic and violent LA punk scene of the 1980s (beginning in 1983) and the wild road stories that came along with it鈥攂ut it鈥檚 also the story of their drummer, Erik Sandin, or Smelly. Smelly鈥檚 story is nothing short of amazing鈥攈e was, by his own words, a dirtbag and a hopeless heroin addict. Every member of this band was absolutely wild, but Smelly鈥檚 story stands out the most. An absolutely wild and out of control person, and this book covers it all including his journey to sobriety and redemption. He鈥檚 left with countless scars from those days, and still takes Interferon for his Hepatitis C, but has dedicated the last 20 years or so to tirelessly helping people in need, from kids to fellow addicts. He also had a very short relationship with Courtney Love, before she met Kurt, and she has said that he was 鈥渢he worst junkie she had ever met鈥�; considering the source, wow. Erik Sandin truly has a hell of a story to tell. Fat Mike discusses his own personal journey that will without a doubt stick with me as well. He discusses his own relationship with drugs, his mothers terminal illness (a truly unforgettable, shocking and dark experience), his love of BDSM and wearing women鈥檚 clothing, as well as being the guy driving the NOFX bus, figuratively speaking. Fat Mike is the voice of the band, and also became band leader and eventually starting his own label, Fat Wreck Chords. He dealt with (and contributed to) the bands issues, and successes, over the years, by letting things roll off his back and making the best of bad situation after bad situation. Turns out, he鈥檚 amazingly good at handling non-music business of running a band and large independent record label, and I have tons of respect for the man. They鈥檙e all both enormously flawed, and have no issues telling the world about these flaws, and enormously talented.
The first half or so is about their early tours, and it really captures the fun and wanderlust of it all. The adventure of being in your twenties, and driving around the country in a smelly van playing music. Their early years especially鈥攃oming off tour burned out and exhausted and oftentimes with very little money in your pocket from the previous week or two, but also zero regrets鈥攖hat鈥檚 all here, but NOFX was bound for much more than smelly van tours and making a couple hundred bucks. We go along all over the world for their rise, and get countless interesting, laugh out loud funny, and sometimes jaw droppingly dark stories along the way.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a memoir from time to time, even if you鈥檙e not a fan of NOFX or punk rock. This book is filled with brutal honesty, in some cases band members opening up about things they haven鈥檛 even told each other. The format, switching POV from member to member, works extremely well, and it is virtually impossible to put down the whole way through. If you鈥檙e not squeamish or easily offended, this is a must-read; I absolutely loved it, and though I鈥檝e been out of the punk scene for many years, this book reminded me of my initial attraction to it all, and why I still consider NOFX one of my favorite bands of all time. It鈥檚 vile and debaucherous, but also heartfelt and touching at times. The book really does have it all, and I wish it had been twice as long. I could read abot NOFX鈥檚 crazy misadventures for countless hours.
That鈥檚 me on the street with the violin under my chin, playing with a grin, singing gibberish.
That鈥檚 me on the back of the bus.
That鈥檚 me in the cell.
That鈥檚 me inside your head.
That鈥檚 me inside your head.鈥�
Five Patron bottles full of pee for this amazing memoir. A perfect road memoir in every way鈥攊t鈥檚 funny, interesting, entertaining, and way, way darker than expected. Let me start by saying that yes, NOFX is an incredibly special band to me. Sometime in the early nineties, a friend of the family鈥檚 son, who was 5 or 6 years older than me started getting me into punk rock. My parents were bluegrass musicians, so I certainly grew up with music everywhere, but punk rock was the first thing I discovered that was mine. Out of the many bands that were hugely influential on me both as a musician and my general worldview, NOFX were the top of the heap at that time. They were tight musically (eventually lol), had clever and funny lyrics, and they were THE band (along with Bad Religion) that defined the 90s California skate punk sound. They had countless imitators, including some bands that went on to get enormously famous, like Blink 182, but NOFX refused to sign to a major label or make videos for MTV鈥攖hey were the real deal and stayed true to the ethos of the DIY punk world, and they ended up having phenomenal success while sticking to their guns. I鈥檝e heard NOFX called 鈥渢he most well-known unknown band in history鈥�, and there鈥檚 definitely truth to that. Fat Mike was an underground hero for aspiring punk musicians like I was.
This book is two things鈥攁s expected, it鈥檚 about their rise in the chaotic and violent LA punk scene of the 1980s (beginning in 1983) and the wild road stories that came along with it鈥攂ut it鈥檚 also the story of their drummer, Erik Sandin, or Smelly. Smelly鈥檚 story is nothing short of amazing鈥攈e was, by his own words, a dirtbag and a hopeless heroin addict. Every member of this band was absolutely wild, but Smelly鈥檚 story stands out the most. An absolutely wild and out of control person, and this book covers it all including his journey to sobriety and redemption. He鈥檚 left with countless scars from those days, and still takes Interferon for his Hepatitis C, but has dedicated the last 20 years or so to tirelessly helping people in need, from kids to fellow addicts. He also had a very short relationship with Courtney Love, before she met Kurt, and she has said that he was 鈥渢he worst junkie she had ever met鈥�; considering the source, wow. Erik Sandin truly has a hell of a story to tell. Fat Mike discusses his own personal journey that will without a doubt stick with me as well. He discusses his own relationship with drugs, his mothers terminal illness (a truly unforgettable, shocking and dark experience), his love of BDSM and wearing women鈥檚 clothing, as well as being the guy driving the NOFX bus, figuratively speaking. Fat Mike is the voice of the band, and also became band leader and eventually starting his own label, Fat Wreck Chords. He dealt with (and contributed to) the bands issues, and successes, over the years, by letting things roll off his back and making the best of bad situation after bad situation. Turns out, he鈥檚 amazingly good at handling non-music business of running a band and large independent record label, and I have tons of respect for the man. They鈥檙e all both enormously flawed, and have no issues telling the world about these flaws, and enormously talented.
The first half or so is about their early tours, and it really captures the fun and wanderlust of it all. The adventure of being in your twenties, and driving around the country in a smelly van playing music. Their early years especially鈥攃oming off tour burned out and exhausted and oftentimes with very little money in your pocket from the previous week or two, but also zero regrets鈥攖hat鈥檚 all here, but NOFX was bound for much more than smelly van tours and making a couple hundred bucks. We go along all over the world for their rise, and get countless interesting, laugh out loud funny, and sometimes jaw droppingly dark stories along the way.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a memoir from time to time, even if you鈥檙e not a fan of NOFX or punk rock. This book is filled with brutal honesty, in some cases band members opening up about things they haven鈥檛 even told each other. The format, switching POV from member to member, works extremely well, and it is virtually impossible to put down the whole way through. If you鈥檙e not squeamish or easily offended, this is a must-read; I absolutely loved it, and though I鈥檝e been out of the punk scene for many years, this book reminded me of my initial attraction to it all, and why I still consider NOFX one of my favorite bands of all time. It鈥檚 vile and debaucherous, but also heartfelt and touching at times. The book really does have it all, and I wish it had been twice as long. I could read abot NOFX鈥檚 crazy misadventures for countless hours.
April 7, 2024
I did not expect to be laughing and crying as much as I did. Chase read this and told me to immediately start it. From addiction, suicide, trauma, healing, pranks, the history of punk music, and grief and loss - that was the wildest roller coaster of a memoir. I have so much respect for each individual in the band. I am soo glad I read this book before seeing NOFX on their final tour next week. Deep down, we are all human wanting to find our own passion, connection, and acceptance. Thank God for punk rock.
July 9, 2024
Reading this as I revisit my 90s punk collection. This memoir is all the things鈥� disgusting, hilarious, obnoxious, nostalgic, and at times quite beautiful. I choked up 2 or 3 times. In addition to recounting irresponsible tour hijinx, and reliving the 90s punk scene explosion (how blink 182 was a more polished and physically attractive version of what NOFX invented), for me the thing that separates this memoir from just another band鈥檚 story is the complex discussion of recovery and addiction.
In this deep dive I鈥檝e also watched the decline of western civilization documentaries (1 and 3), Turn It Around: the story of east bay punk, and the film Suburbia. Of course, I also recommend watching NOFX鈥檚 doc series 鈥淏ackstage passport鈥�
In this deep dive I鈥檝e also watched the decline of western civilization documentaries (1 and 3), Turn It Around: the story of east bay punk, and the film Suburbia. Of course, I also recommend watching NOFX鈥檚 doc series 鈥淏ackstage passport鈥�
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