It seems like NOFX have been in the process of breaking up for several years now, and the break-up train just keeps rolling on. The band recently announced a new release called Half Album, a five-track EP made up of songs from the recording sessions for NOFX’s final full-length Double Album, which will be released on Fat Wreck Chords on April 19.
“Was it worth it?” ponders NOFX frontman Fat Mike regarding the new EP. “Was it worth spending five years finishing the five songs on my double album project that I thought were the worst of the bunch? Was it a good idea to spend so much time raising the runts of the litter? Was it an error in judgement when I wrote a song about the magnitude of my arrogance? I think the answers to all these rhetorical questions might be found by listening to this half-sided album … but I seriously doubt it.”
“These songs were all recorded at the same time,” he continues. “It just takes me a while to finish shit. So, this is me tying up loose ends, which is very good for the soul.” He then adds, “I don’t think there are any good double albums. The White Album is a great album, but it’s not a great double album. There are a lot of shit songs on there. I don’t think there’s any shit songs on this—I wrote (this and Single Album and Double Album) to make a great double album.”
The band released the single “I’m a Rat” off the album, which was written by NOFX but was originally recorded by Japanese punk band Hi Standard. “I want to be recognized as a great songwriter,” Fat Mike admits, “which I’m not. But I will be within a couple of years. Punk rock songwriters are not known as songwriters. Take Brett Gurewitz from Bad Religion—unless you’re a punk rocker, he gets no credit. Tim Armstrong gets some because he writes for so many people, like Pink! And some movie soundtracks, but he’s still not known for songwriting. My thing is thinking of things that haven’t been done. Thinking of things, the world’s missing, and why, and will it work?”
The hilarious video for NOFX’s version of “I’m a Rat” takes advantage of the fact that the Disney classic Steamboat Willy has moved into the public domain. Check out the video below.
This will mark the final year that NOFX tours before their inevitable reunion, so check them out at the following dates:
13 Mar 2024 in Aichi, Japan @ Nagoya Diamond Hall
14 Mar 2024 in Osaka, Japan @ Zepp Osaka Bayside
15 Mar 2024 in Kanagawa, Japan @ Yokohama Bay Hall
17 Mar 2024 in Tokyo, Japan @ PunkSpring @ Makuhari Messe
6 Apr 2024 in Fort Worth, TX @ Panther Island Pavillion
13 Apr 2024 in Salt Lake City @ PIONEER PARK
11 May 2024 in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy @ Carroponte
12 May 2024 in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy @ Carroponte
14 May 2024 in Madrid, Spain @ Wizink Center
16 May 2024 in Chambéry, France @ Le Phare – Grand Chambéry
18 May 2024 in Eindhoven, NL @ Ketelhuisplein
19 May 2024 in Eindhoven, NL @ Ketelhuisplein
21 May 2024 in Copenhagen, Denmark @ Grey Hall
23 May 2024 in Hamburg, Germany @ Docks
25 May 2024 in Hanover, Germany @ Faust Open Air
26 May 2024 in Cologne, Germany @ Tanzbrunnen
30 May 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Media Center
1 Jun 2024 in Saarbrücken, DE @ Open Air am E-Werk
4 Jun 2024 in Vienna, Austria @ Arena Open Air
5 Jun 2024 in Vienna, Austria @ Arena Open Air
7 Jun 2024 in Augsburg, Germany @ Gaswerk Open Air
8 Jun 2024 in Berlin, Germany @ Zitadelle Spandau
9 Jun 2024 in Berlin, Germany @ Zitadelle Spandau
29 Jun 2024 in Portland, OR @ Waterfront Park
30 Jun 2024 in Portland, OR @ Waterfront Park
12 Jul 2024 in Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
13 Jul 2024 in Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
14 Jul 2024 in Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount
20 Jul 2024 in Denver, CO @ The Stockyards
21 Jul 2024 in Denver, CO @ The Stockyards
10 Aug 2024 in Edmonton, AB @ Fan Park at Ice District
11 Aug 2024 in Edmonton, AB @ Fan Park at Ice District
17 Aug 2024 in Toronto, ON @ Downsview Park
18 Aug 2024 in Toronto, ON @ Downsview Park
24 Aug 2024 in Montreal, QC @ Parc Olympique
25 Aug 2024 in Montreal, QC @ Parc Olympique
31 Aug 2024 in Boston, MA @ Campanelli Stadium
1 Sep 2024 in Boston, MA @ Campanelli Stadium
4 Oct 2024 in Los Angeles, CA @ Berth 46
5 Oct 2024 in Los Angeles, CA @ Berth 46
6 Oct 2024 in Los Angeles, CA @ Berth 46
Half Album is available for pre-order from Fat Wreck Chords. Follow NOFX on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo courtesy of Susan Moss Photography.
