First Ditch Effort

Whats really left to say about NOFX? For over thirty years the reigning kings of punk rock have remained relevantby continuing to push the boundaries of their music and lyrics in a way thats as endearing as it is infectious. Forthat reason its remarkably apt that the bands latest LP First Ditch Effort is also their thirteenth, because ominousblack clouds hang over this collection of songs that see frontman/bassist Fat Mike exploring self-loathing andmortality in a more raw and honest way than he ever has before. Mike credits much of this to the writing processbehind NOFX: The Hepatitis Bathtub and Other Stories, the bands New York Times Bestselling memoir that forcedhim to confront his ghosts and revisit his past in ways that werent always comfortable. Additionally, having focusedso much energy on writing songs for a Broadway musical over the past few years, Fat Mikes songwriting onFirst Ditch Effort benefits from a similarly nuanced and varied approach, while simultaneously spitting out all thepent up angst and aggression that was necessarily reserved for NOFX songs. Guided by the collaborative influenceof producer Cameron Webb (Motorhead, Alkaline Trio, Social Distortion, Pennywise), the album busts out of the gatewith the amped up "Six Years on Dope" and never looks back. From the ultra-melodic word-play of "Oxy Moronic"to the charging desperation of "I Dont Like Me Anymore", First Ditch Effort flexes the broad spectrum of NOFXsabilities and delivers on the musicianship, wit, and element of surprise that fans have come to expect.