Last night the House of Blues opened its doors to hoards of folks young and old that yearned to hear a snotty, fast tune. NOFX took the stage to deliver. It was an early show, with 3 opening bands, and NOFX still going on in the wee hours of night at 8:45pm. The reason for this being that it was an all ages show and the kiddies wouldn’t be able to stay out very late. This of course was followed up by playing, “Fuck the Kids.”
True to form, they talked about being really drunk and under practiced. They like to set the stage that they are going to endlessly fuck up and that every song will be a piss-poor interpretation of what fans know. The truth is that these guys have played long enough and know their instruments like they know their booze; so they’re able to play tight and deliver every time no matter what. Often after finishing a song successfully, Fat Mike would congratulate himself and the band for doing so well. He often cried out for James Lynch of the Dropkick Murphys to come help him. The census was that we were all pretty sure the Bruins were holding his heart last night with their opening home game, though. This didn’t deter NOFX from covering classics like Bob and Linoleum, and working in some great Mel-yells alongside Hefe’s smooth trumpets.
On “Arming the Proletariat with Potato Guns,” the horns are so catchy that you hardly notice the racist jokes.
On top of a great show, it was fun to watch their manager, Kent, work the soundboard. He had some fun with the effects and keeping the tech booth energetic. I don’t know that there is another band with such a supportive, enthusiastic manager. Just watch the guy merrily dance to “The Man I Killed!”
Thanks for finally playing in Boston again, gents. Come back to Massachusetts proper, anytime.
© 1999-2012 Dig Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved. 
