NOFX
with Ten Foot Pole, Face to Face at Axis
by Andrew Berenson
NOFX took the stage at Axis, heading full tilt into “Linoleum,” the first song on their new disc, Punk in Drublic (Epitaph). The crowd rushed forward until there was hardly any space on the floor. The band had just arrived from Nova Scotia, but showed no signs of fatigue as they blasted into crowd favorites, “Bob,” “Stickin’ In My Eye,” and their hilarious version of Minor Threat’s “Straight Edge.” Other highlights included “Perfect Government,” NOFX’s poke at the sad state of the United States government, the beautiful love songs composed by guitarist El Hefe, and “The Brews,” an anti-skinhead anthem that celebrates Judaism in today’s society.
NOFX ended their set by playing “Boogly Eyes,” an ode to the great Louis Armstrong, one of the many spoofs on their album, White Trash, Two Heebes and a Bean. As this fabulous show was coming to an end, I had just one question in mind: “Has Fat Mike [lead singer and bassist] become a hippie?” He certainly seemed it with his long bleached hair and strung-out attitude. I suggest that he and his band move to Boston from San Francisco, because I think they’ve been hanging around the Dead for too long.
Openers Ten Foot Pole and Face to Face came across as mediocre punk bands paying homage to Bad Religion and Green Day. Both had lots of energy and got the crowd into the swing of things, but it was hard to maintain a receptive ear to them while anticipating what turned out to be one of the best concerts of the year – from NOFX.