NOFX

I Heard They Suck Live! (Fat)
by Scott Hefflon

After 11 years, NOFX records a live CD. There are seven bootleg live CDs and that video thing from last year. The bootlegs all sound shitty (so says the label), but more importantly, Fat Wreck Chords wasn’t getting any of the money. That goes against policy. So now I Heard They Suck Live! (Fat) has been released. It captures 16 of the flab four’s favorites, mindless between-song commentary, wrong notes, flubbed lyrics, and other charming aspects of their notorious live shows.

This is a swell way to put out a greatest hits album and still have cred. when all is said and done. (Un)fortunately, “Lisa and Louise” isn’t on here. Sure, it’s a fun song and all, but every pop dyke and her Alanis-Morissette-loving-12-year-old-cousin likes that song. I’ve heard it used in the same favorable context as “I Kissed A Girl” by Jill Sobule.

I get queasy just writing that. Shiver. But anyway, most of the songs are their “greatest hits,” are adapted to be even punker, more inane, and instantly quotable than the originals. Many of the harmonies didn’t come across strongly, but that’s ’cause singer Fat Mike has a big mouth. His anti-spitting squeamishness was a riot, though. Three bonus tracks of witty banter and other goodies. To differentiate this from every other review I’ve written, I’d like to add that it rocks. Go buy it, and bang your head, bounce up and down, or memorize it word for word – whatever you do with your great records.