Review: Dan Maynard
Photography: JD Garrahy

There are not many ways better to spend a Tuesday night than a brisk walk through the streets of Brisbane’s Valley and an epic night of punk filled fun as we celebrate 40 years of one of the most iconic punk bands of all time, NOFX. A staple name in any punk household, NOFX became one of the most prominent names in music after their 1994 album Punk in Drublic, bringing their own sound to the genre that became one of the most recognisable sounds in the industry for years to come. Fronted by the man himself Fat Mike, NOFX are now on their final tour, each city with two dates, each night celebrating around three specific albums, throwing some extra tunes into the mix along the way. Tonight is night one in Brisbane and it is packed to the rafters, let the fun begin.

Due to unforeseen circumstances out of my control, I’ve unfortunately missed 99% of the Flangipanis. Arriving in time to catch one song, I watch as the Brisbane local punk quartet warm the crowd up in their own entertaining way, flaunting and grinding a guitar to the crowd may be a highlight of the night. Finishing the set by holding an A4 piece of paper with the words “cheers cunts” printed on it, the band give their thanks and exit the stage. Though my time watching the band was short, I can see they made quite the impression on the crowd.

It’s time for some Aussie royalty. A band whom without, Gold Coasts biggest theme park Dreamworld may have gone bankrupt. Frenzal Rhomb walk onstage to The Everly Brothers When Will I Be Loved and kicking into the songs themselves, playing flawlessly through the cover. Then with a brief chat to the crowd they blast into Where Drug Dealers Take Their Kids, the opening track of their latest album The Cup of Pestilence. Followed up by Bird Attack and Russell Crowes Band, the set is already packed full of energy as Lyndsey and Michael race around the stage like a couple of kids in a school yard with too much energy to expel.

Frenzal smash through 17 songs, a mixture of hits and hidden gems, the crowd are with them every step of the way. After much chaos and shit talking about our beloved NOFX (with clear love behind the words) they close out the night with Punch in The Face, easily one of their most energetic songs, which is saying something.

If the crowd weren’t warmed up yet, which I highly doubt was an issue, they’d best get fucking ready. The lights go from dim to bright (which usually is the other way around) as the Los Angeles legends NOFX walk onstage maximum such swagger and zero fucks, smiles plastered across their faces as they are loudly welcomed by the Brisbane crowd. After a bunch of banter and chatting with the crowd, we begin the set with 60% from 2006s Wolves in Wolves Clothes, followed seamlessly by Seeing Double at The Triple Rock from the same album.

The set is heavy with the three albums we are here to celebrate. 2006s Wolves in Wolves Clothing, 1994s Punk in Drublic and 2003s War on Errorism. The night consists of 34 songs, regardless of the fact that some of the tracks are relatively short, this is an epic set for a punk band, let alone any band. Two hours of straight up fun energetic punk rock music is what’s on the cards for Brisbane tonight, other than a short encore (or piss break as guitarist Eric calls it), there’s hardly a moment when the band isn’t in drive mode.

It’s hard to even know where to begin and what to mention in this review for tonight. There is so much fun banter, so much dumb shit, so many songs, so many notable moments that it’s hard to even contemplate how to make a review for this show short. But let’s take a moment to just throw out the highlights.

Hefes trumpet solo, straight up just fuck yes. Their cover of Rancid’s Radio. Eric’s legendary epic jumps that only Eric can pull off. Frenzal drummer Gordy Formans mother walking on stage mid song to towel down the band. The look on Fat Mikes face when Eric missed his lines in Seperation of Church and Skate. Eric and Mike swapping instruments for a song.

Keyboardist Karina jumping up to sing a song. And probably my highlight of the night, again Frenzals Gordy, jumping up and taking over drummer Erik’s kit for the end of Linolium, playing the song to his style and faster, giving the band a good work out. The night comes to an end, closing out the night with Theme from a NOFX Album. The venue is fucking sweaty, the air con has been pushed beyond its capacity and the fans leak out onto the street having just had the best night of their lives.

A NOFX show is never short of the best night and it’s sad to think we won’t get that again after this tour. Go kick yourself in the face if you missed this incredible night.

Long live the kings!

WED 24 JAN – BRISBANE, FORTITUDE MUSIC HALL
WHITE TRASH, TWO HEEBS AND A BEAN / SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE SHOES / THE DECLINE
w/ The Bennies / VOIID

FRI 26 JAN – MELBOURNE, FESTIVAL HALL
WOLVES’ IN WOLVES CLOTHING / PUNK IN DRUBLIC / THE WAR ON ERRORISM
w/ Bodyjar / Something Something Explosion

SAT 27 JAN- MELBOURNE, FESTIVAL HALL
WHITE TRASH, TWO HEEBS AND A BEAN / SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE SHOES / THE DECLINE
w/ Clowns / Fever Shack

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

For more info at livenation.com.au / sbmpresents.com