NOFX: 30 Years of F-ckin' Up | SXSW Music 2016

Arguably the longest running and most successful independent-punk band of all time, NOFX has found a longevity no one would have expected when the band’s debut album came out in 1988. But defying the world’s expectations has been NOFX’s forté. In NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub And Other Stories, the band’s members-"Fat Mike” Burkett, Aaron "El Hefe” Abeyta, Erik “Smelly” Sandin, and Eric Melvin-open up about the band and their lives. This being NOFX, it’s hardly a staid memoir, but more like a funnier, grosser, and darker version of Mötley Crüe’s The Dirt. The band joins Kyle Ryan of The A.V. Club to talk about the book, the band, and that time Fat Mike got banned from SXSW.
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[@MrMotherfuck123]

This is where Smelly really steps up, because he's the cleanest.

[@MrMotherfuck123]

Minus that he's missing People being stabbed at Punk Rock Shows, geez...

[@pottergeist]

drummers usually are the cleanest, i mean, at least during the concert

[@maxiepattie85]

I had to train a guy for deliveries years ago. I played NOFX all day. He hated it and said that is the "worst singer" he has ever heard. I just put in another cassette tape of NOFX and turned it up. He hated me. About a year later he picked up some Asian hitchhiker and cut off his head. No lie. I rode around all day with this dude pissing him off. That is my NOFX story.

[@deric916]

All your fault

[@Paddy.C]

Maybe the Asian guy called him White.

[@johndoshevskee3345]

Asian or "Asian"

[@mpd_l_r]

My wife always hates it when I play NOFX because she hates Mike's voice. Oh well

[@itsRaddad]

@@mpd_l_r Mike has sounded like the same 16 year old with throat cancer for all of NOFX's career and i love it

[@namelessnoname6500]

been listening to these guys since I was 15 I'm 45 and their still the raddest

[@davidunderwood4341]

Same here 45 and was listening as young as 17 years old.

[@bugnut82]

Nice, me too. Execpt I am 37

[@benlee7864]

They're*

[@benwilliams5947]

@@benlee7864 I came into the replies just to see if someone would do this

[@dennisjr77]

Been listening to them since I was 17….. 44 now. 👍👍

[@DKStudiosful]

nofx aint no joke band.their albums helped make me a man

[@adamrees400]

@Ciaran Moran213 😅😅🤣🤣😂😂

[@Bryan-of5qd]

Maximum rock n roll🤘🤘

[@erikaw7767]

Hahahahahaha best comment

[@alleystargrowley2784]

a gay man?

[@Lolinmotion]

Mum?

[@NateZebraManDingoC]

I've been into nofx since I was 13 years old rocking my grey silk screened punk in drublic shirt (im 33 now) and after 20 years of loving and learning these guys songs on guitar and memorizing lyrics, seeing them perform the best and the worst live shows I've ever seen i already felt like i knew these guys personally and couldn't possibly love these fucks anymore than i did, i was wrong, this was amazing, this is so fucking rad of you guys to put yourselves out there like this. much love and respect andI 'IM SO FUCKING STOKED THAT IN THE HOWEVER MANY THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF YEARS PEOPLE HAVE WALKED THE PLANET I MANAGED TO BE ALIVE AT THE SAME TIME AS NO FUCKING FX !!! WIN!

[@guerrillapress77]

been into nofx since I first saw them back in 92. El Jefe had just started playing with them, my friend and I had a zine and brought some written questions to interview These guys after the show. We interviewed them, had some beers in the parking lot of the venue and ended up hanging out with them the rest of the night and into the next morning, great experience, great guys, I was 16 years old and it was such a memorable night, I instantly fell in love with nofx, they were living the dream in my 16 yr old punk eyes I've been listening to nofx since and have huge respect for Mike and fat wreckords also. This interview has shown me I was on to something that night and since. Thanks Mike, Melvin, Jeff, and Smelly for the 24 years you've given me. Can't wait to read the book and catch you guys on your next tour.

[@phlog_dog7336]

Who's Jeff?

[@GarrettBodman]

Mike is an utterly genius lyricist.

[@ohoto3896]

SLEEPIN UNDER RAYS, YOUR TEETH CRUMBLIN' AWAY, SAY GOOD BYE TO ALL RESPONSIBILITY, YOU NEVER WANTED IT MAN.

[@technoretarded8029]

He's witty for sure. And funny

[@davidbatey7530]

I love NOFX. That was an hour of pure gold. Thank you :)

[@davidbatey7530]

Still plenty of us still going in the UK, but we let the kids do the moshing nowadays lol

[@davidbatey7530]

42 here! Still feel like I am 17 in my head, but my body says otherwise! I am hoping NOFX will tour the UK again with the new album, I need my fix!

[@heyholetsgo]

Well put.

[@faalonikdovah982]

+David Batey Jesus, now I feel like a bitch for feeling the same way at 35. Been listening to these fuckers since I was 14, and to this day have only met 3 people in my day to day life that were fans. Not counting shows, of course.That's 21 years and 3 other people. Seems like a grave injustice has been committed against humanity somewhere along the line.

[@gyrozepelli872]

+David Batey was gonna see em but the festival went bust , shit sucks

[@WorldRockumentaryChannel]

So awesome, we remember Erik Sandin lived in La Crescenta next to the Boogie Bowl skatepark. He'd always come down to our house, he was 18, NOFX played in our parents garage in 1984, Erik said; "I'm gonna be a drummer, I love this, I'm gonna do this for the rest of my life" and so it was and is Erik did it with NOFX

[@jimy6468]

real blokes, expressing real experiences, writing real music......... = longevity! Can't wait to see'em again at the end of the year in Italy! Frothing!

[@aquaeyes5559]

This interview gave me a new found respect for these guys.

[@chriss2352]

I’m loving NOFX more and more as I/we get older.

[@michaelschannelforsomethin2979]

smelly was the star of the book. Real talk

[@captainbaseballbatboy7915]

Yup... When he writes about adopting the little girl and pretty much saved her life, my eyes got wattery

[@michaelr.4878]

Yeah dude, he definitely was. It is pretty neat to see that he has become the 'grownup' of the band. After all of the crazy things he did in the past that are outlined in the book, he would be the last one to peg as being the 'responsible guy in the band', in the future.

[@KidRoctopus93]

Just listened t the audio book. He was definitely the punkest mother I ever did see.

[@lpm-lonepinemallmusic7388]

@internet internet you are an anti biotic

[@nathanjames2230]

Smelly rules!

[@elanteaster9349]

Smelly is a total inspiration, he makes me wanna get clean and straight up focus on my drumming and sleigh shit...

[@punkindrublic5329]

TBH the hardest part is staying clean but once you do it for so long you get use to being clean it's so worth it I can actually save money for once so I can by CDs and go to shows I was never able to do that wen I was on drugs good luck to you brother you got this \m/

[@marcuszoller852]

Do it dude!

[@zachary9009]

Do it

[@maddogkilla1]

Hope you did it man. I'm listening to the book again right now to try and get inspired again to get my act together and get clean. I was clean for a while after reading book 1st time and I fucking hate and don't understand how I'm back getting high and even worse with this fentanyl bullshit. FML man and if you're clean right now fucking cherish it. I'd do anything to be clean right now but I'm a total pussy

[@elanteaster9349]

@@maddogkilla1 you got this bro, I finally got clean, it's a miracle im still here, its life and death with that shit these days man. I had to go to long term rehab and that really helped but it's all up to us in the end bro. You deserve better fam, be well..

[@yetisenpai8068]

Smelly is awesome, I love his realness.

[@yfz450rider39]

Smelly and his parts were the most interesting.

[@nofx21081]

Hands down best Punk band ever! They never sold their soles to the big record label devils and still are relevant to this day! Amazing! I Would listen to every album from front to back every song always kick ass!

[@phlog_dog7336]

The bottoms of their feet have not been sold yet.

[@loversandlosers]

Smelly is cool

[@loversandlosers]

And hefe is hilarious

[@Magooch86]

+Jack Ride Smelly's super cool hey, never really heard him talk at length before.

[@maxiepattie85]

+Jack Ride 39:25 real talk..... not that stupid tuff talk

[@NinjaGamer-oy1ol]

+Magooch86 yea I met him when they signed my book he was real chill

[@420MusicFiend]

Yeah I can relate to Smelly a lot more than I thought I did.

[@Cam-ce5qx]

This is awesome. Well worth the watch.

[@maxiepattie85]

+Cameron Kok At 32:00..... I know right? Promoting yourself pre cell, and web. These fuckers shine hard, always have.

[@phlog_dog7336]

The book's well worth the read as well

[@TheDmanMA]

one of the very few, and far between , real bands....they give all their honesty

[@BricksIn]

WE ALL FUCKING LOVE YOU MELVIN!!!!!!!

[@andymaq]

56:04 - Why I love this band.

[@jaybeanz]

Great interview and video, you can tell the host is a genuine fan of the band and what they have to say.

[@MrPantsfullofshit]

does anybody else watch this for comfort?

[@orgasmatron4296]

I watched it to harm myself

[@alanjudd7537]

@@orgasmatron4296 ''Yeah' me too,

[@peterpetrarca4691]

yes

[@WaterTowerBand]

we do : )

[@meatwoodflac4526]

childhood heroes

[@faalonikdovah982]

+Meatwood Flac So the helped you go your own way, so to speak?

[@maxiepattie85]

Rambo

[@MiSambra]

It's awesome to finally hear from Smelly for once, here, and in the book. Dude is a legend.

[@DanPantzig]

This needs to be an audio book. No music or anything, just the dudes telling all their stories in their own words AND voices.

[@juanpaisarepa]

+Dan Pantzig! I was thinking exactly the same shit, when el hefe starts to read

[@twomindz79]

there is. its on youtube.

[@trainspotter360]

I just listened to all 12 hours of it on KZbin. The band reads their chapters

[@stuartmatthews91]

@@twomindz79 band does the reading too. pretty worth the 12 hour listen

[@gregcawley6654]

well I'm glad I stumbled upon this. if been outta touch, but grew up listening to NOFX in the early- mid 90s. pretty cool to hear their stories told. hard to believe it's been 25 years since I first got into them...where do the years go?!

[@lynix182]

I could watch videos from these 4 men my entire life, as they play amazing music and amazing how they got rich because of it, they are a awsome band and my favorite band, its why there name is on my shoulder forever, and my name online, thank you nofx for being great band mates and awsome musical talents, nofx for life!

[@deedazzle1826]

Listening to NOFX since 1992, now i‘m 40 and my wife got me the book for xmas. can‘t wait to get my hands on it! I fln love these dudes!

[@jorcas00]

Wow! 20 years go by really fast...

[@Wreclis]

I lived a life that mimics a lot of the crap they've gone through. I have nothing but love for them and their ability to push past the shit. I've also been able to push past the shit and I'm doing well in life. I was never handed a golden ticket. I fought for everything I have in life. I have not read the book yet and I will read it soon. One thing I have to put out there... If life kicks you in the nuts...... don't drop to your knees. Bite your lip and head butt that mother @$(*&(*^%$ in the face. I did that with all of my heart when I was 20 and I never looked back. From that day forward I took control and my life has been awesome.

[@tomwdanger]

56:26 Melvin, were you going to say something?

[@MrMotherfuck123]

From 46:00 - 50:00 best Part, that was tense. And Hefe is like... well Hefe... XD

[@wendyhooper9095]

My hat off 2 these blokes,,just wish I had have known about them earlier,I'm 68 and always loved reggae music but Bob Marley, I add here I loved his songs,music were unreal and still listen 2 him till today but that's all that was round, put more of this out here, I'm stoked, never 2 bloody late or so they say,2 this day I have 2 wonder who the he'll who they r

[@cangulersonmez8886]

I think I watched this video now at least 6-7 times if not already 10 times. And I read the book 3 times. For me NOFX members represent something genuine that we have to save as a special era for an anthology book.

[@elzach0]

screwing up since 1983

[@coltondzuba87]

I just appreciate how real these guys are, they are themselves whether you like it or not.

[@damionjn]

Yep, it's confirmed: NOFX would have gone nowhere if El Hefe hadn't joined the band.

[@maxiepattie85]

OUCH

[@Fuckfaceunlimited]

Not really true - they had two really great albums before him joining. But his skills deffo made a great difference on the following albums - still, this band is very centered around Mike's writing and composing. Hefe really made some of Mike's ambitions possible.

[@jcqa333]

well..Liberal Animation is still the best fuckin Album...No Hefe...

[@sergwaynecorbray940]

Joao Afonso False Ribbed is the best no Hefe. It’s also getting a live release later this year!

[@psyjax2]

Hefe is def. the most stable member of the band.

[@brettpierce5225]

Smelly was my favorite part of the book hands down.

[@jr8209]

Smelly misses the tribal idiocy of punk rock culture.

[@maddogkilla1]

You can really notice this in that backstage passport show they did. In one of the episodes Smelly is all excited saying if there is a fist fight tonight this will be the perfect punk rock show. I feel like he's so much different now sober tho that he probably Struggles with missing all the shit he used to do high in his old life

[@justinman114]

I didn't think I could love these guys more than I already did. I was wrong.

[@Ilike25]

Be a friend not a judge you sound so righteous these men that you've known your entire life are hurting and you don't even put out a hand it is amazing that you were sober I commend you my man and I my whole family we have had some of the best experiences listening to your music and seeing you live thank you

[@TheSummitCove]

“I do not like me anymore” I’m wondering if smelly is the guy who told Mike I love you but I don’t like you anymore.

[@rome8180]

Smelly is super articulate and thoughtful. Loved his answers.

[@richymart]

Great band. Even greater interview. God I love this band. Been listening for 25 years now.

[@Fuckfaceunlimited]

I feel like I kinda grew up with these guys. They have been there for me since I was 13-14 or so. 39 today with 15+ shows under My belt, but I always to so see them.

[@timmcnemar3910]

the book was a great read I feel that I know them all so much more. Thanks for writing this

[@Fuckfaceunlimited]

Buy the book to support the band, but I highly recommend you to check out the audiobook. It deffo gives the book more depth. People saying they ripped off Motley can suck it - this book is waaaay more honest and a far greater read.

[@maddogkilla1]

I've read both books and the NOFX book by far has a better collection of stories. A lot of it because of how honest and real they are. These guys are brave to share some of the most heart breaking shit I've ever heard

[@monsieurcouchy7564]

They talk about how Hefe's first influence on recording was longest line. That's one of their best songs imo. He brings so much to their music with his talent.

[@name_whatevs]

best nofx interview ever

[@Junkpunker21]

Good to see Matt Skiba doing the interviewer job. *thumbs up*

[@mtyybarra]

can't wait to hear this shit and read that fucking book

[@maxiepattie85]

Cant put it down... double pun!

[@1200rcole]

First time I heard their music was the entire Ribbed album on the A1 Meats skate video in 91'. First time I saw them live was in 93' with the Offspring and Glue Gun. Unforgettable memories that shaped the rest of my punk life.

[@THECLARENCES]

Saw them in 93 or 94 opening for Fishbone. They were fantastic! xoxo The Clarences

[@jessewallace12able]

I love nofx. Amazing for so many reasons. Soundtrack to my days driving to Refugio beach and surfing all day when I was a kid.

[@bryanfrombuffalo7685]

Met em all a few times...sandin n melvin are really genuine guys

[@davidglasspool4921]

It's so weird to think that I've listen to these guys since I was 15 years old. I am 32 now. One of my favorite bands of all time. Really enjoyed this interview.

[@msfourroux]

David Glasspool im a 41yr old sk8r chick, that's been listening since 2 heebs and a bean around 93/94....crazy how I still remember the words to the entire album.

[@didimean]

NOFX never gets old man. But I have... weathered and worn - battered and broken: I feel my age

[@DeadbeatGodfather]

shoutout to the interviewer, great job.

[@elite_eight4486]

- Melvin are you gonna say something on this? - No ❤️ I love this withdrawn punkhead. I have so much in common with him

[@maddogkilla1]

Fucking Melvin at the very end of the video "tell your friendsss" haha.

[@DiogoPace]

Best band book I ever read, hands down. I love NOFX of course, but even if I didn’t, I recommend this to anyone.

[@demazy]

This book is for themselves. It's their redemption and they deserve it as human beings. They didn't write it for us even though it was the plan but unknowingly for themselves and we have the chance to witness it and gather with them to welcome their recovery.

[@bourbonernie9534]

Wow, what a terrific audience!

[@johnnyharperscoutstable5386]

I’ve been listening to them for more than half my life… 🐸🍺🔪🔥

[@coreywoods5925]

This is the first hour long youtube video ive actually watched and listend to everything. i need this book!

[@wickedlee664]

??? Realty.. I have a problem. I’ve watched 100s of multi hour vids.. 1,000s of hour long vids. Crap

[@joshisajedi2461]

The crowd is awkwardly quiet. You would think that they were attending a funeral.

[@AlmostaFlipinSkater]

I mean, Fat Mike made them awkward by being Fat Mike and telling them to stop laughing.

[@maddogkilla1]

Or the stories they share are actually riveting. I read this book nonstop and wished they had 5 more

[@alleystargrowley2784]

does anyone else chuckle everytime el hefe says "crystal sphere"?

[@dianehyndman9831]

I'm buying this book right now!!!!!

[@ligairi]

Classic Mike. “Oh, you’re here to have fun. Well, that’s not happening.” Two minutes into an hour-long interview.

[@jessiemorrison1984]

just listened to the audio book.....it is really dark lol and really funny

[@Asalamalika]

I thought hefe was gonna say he was on too many drugs and that's why he thought the secret service was trying to get in his head, but at the end of that story he seemed deadly serious. Makes one think... Damn

[@joshuahokanson6819]

MK-ULTRA

[@Asalamalika]

+Joshua Hokanson Well... I don't think that has anything in particular to do with it. MK ultra was a program where some pretty weird and nefarious experimentation took place, there is a ton of speculation about the topic that's interesting, but I think it's more likely a technological development that can be used far more stealthily in terms of manipulating people's thoughts now, and potentially as far back as this story took place. It's just interesting to note.

[@maddogkilla1]

@@Asalamalika Ive gone down that rabbit hole on all the money spent on different CIA and NSA programs. It's almost unbelievable the shit they tried pulling like with the cats and surveillance

[@shadymilkman42]

At around 36:00 the interviewer is talking about bands who signed with major labels who had bad experiences and he mentions Jawbreaker and Seaweed, and says "Against Me!" and makes a weird face... What is meant by this?

[@MrMotherfuck123]

Wait: Hefe is a 'trained' Punkrocker and didn't really like it?

[@technoretarded8029]

I bought and red the book. I was in a recovery house. Someone snagged it from me. I love it! Jack grishams American demon is a great one too.

[@rome8180]

The book was incredible. Definitely the best band bio I've read.

[@rockinthe904]

Well, only 30 views thus far, and I had no idea that this was just uploaded today. Either way, I'm 30 minutes in....and DAMN! Enjoy!

[@ifutureman]

wow I sat down to take a quick look and watched the whole damn thing

[@edwardbyard6540]

what a great bunch of guys. musically brilliant and good humans too....wow.

[@NikolaiHT]

What an amazing interview when the interviewer is actually a real fan of the band

[@Chandoggy]

NoFX became mainstream in the time of Napster and free download streaming services. Your fanbase is so much more than you will ever know 💯

[@ecyout]

I got to get that book! I am only a fan for 20 years but I guess I was too young before ;) Cool interview! Informative.

[@100DollarJoint]

Eric, your sobriety off the dog food inspires me . Thank you - NYC

[@brettpierce5225]

Dog food, never heard that one before

[@joso8801]

why can't all music interview be like this? fucking perfect!

[@ReaperDaddy]

wow its really impressive to see such honesty and them speaking so frankly, especially when then stories involved are all so heavy... I would have never imagined they went through so much and still deal with their own demons now.... Lot of respect for that....

[@andymaq]

This was fantastic. I haven't even finished Hepatitis Bathtub but so far it's easily one of the best books I've ever read. Also, I thought Fat Mike was banned from SXSW after making people think they were drinking his piss? lol

[@frankenrose183]

Worth the watch and these guys still kill it

[@TheCatoLee]

I think fathers is supposed to protect you and teach you life. If you expect that from a single mother, you gonna miss out. Your mother need a man to support and lead her, and if she`s alone she`ll be kinda scared and unsecure and it`ll drp down to the kids. I think staying together as a family is the bigges most powreful weapon in life. Its worth alot more than easy way out

[@ryansanderson9222]

those guys are so fuckin awesome.My itroduction to punk was. when I saw the cover of punk in drublic. Never looked back. Hope they play forever.

[@chrisjames4438]

"...coming out, uh, apriiiil 16th ?" *Mike* i dunno...

[@dramakingushappyagain8932]

Melvin made me realize I had to face my past... So the Catholic church got a lawsuit against them.

[@quentinplummer2339]

lol @ the person lol'ing at El Hefe's timing at about 1:49 'we have a very very dark past'...

[@jasonpowell8832]

I relate to fat Mike in so many ways. I died twice now and I've quit heroin and pills but still use other drugs ongoing. I hope he doesn't go too far. I try not to

[@ligairi]

I bought the book halfway through watching this video. I recommend the audio book because they read it themselves. Back to watch this after listening to half the book.

[@mattsheezy5469]

I wish they would write another one, the parts about the violence, & punk rock gangs in the early LA scene was very interesting.

[@jimmijames6294]

I have been a fan of NOFX since heavy petting zoo, I bought the CD at the store and have never heard of them, the album cover was cool to me, so I bought it and have been a fan since, they are in my top 5 bands that I love.

[@punkrockcharts9148]

Wow, I'd never seen this before. I'm amazed at how open they are. Great video.

[@technoretarded8029]

It happened to me Melvin. I delt with ptsd my whole life.. self medicating with drugs and alcohol. But i did a type of therapy called EMDR. I recommend that anyone dealing with ptsd from abuse or witnessing things need to check into EMDR therapy. I sleep like a baby. Instead of reliving that shit every night in my sleep.

[@YabaDabaDaveRosin]

Holy shit. Aside from being a KICK ASS DRUMMER, Smelly is the ROCK holding the band together, literally and figuratively.

[@chrisparker5278]

This is deeper than I ever thought NOFOX could be