Going through a lot of the comments here, I've found some pretty stupid shit. Now, I don't know everything there is to know about NOFX or straight edge, but I've been submitting wiki entries and lyric corrections and I am very knowledgeable on both subjects. Let me start out by clarifying a few things:
This song is a parody of the original Minor Threat song.
Erik Sandin (or "Smelly"), the drummer for NOFX, is not straight edge. The rest of the band gave him an ultimatum after they recorded The Longest Line EP because he had failed to show up for recording on several occasions due to his heroin use. Mike told him he needed to quit heroin or he'd be out of the band.
Mike and Hefe talk about this in a scene from Backstage Passport that was not included on the final DVD, but can be found on YouTube. After Backstage Passport was released, Mike told him that while he needed to quit heroin, he didn't have to quit all drugs, and Smelly has since been drinking and smoking pot again according to the band.
NOFX was never a straight edge band. They have not had any members that have been straight edge as far as I can discern, and that includes Steve Kidwiller, Dave Casillas (guitarists before El Hefe), Scott Sellers, Dave Allen, and Scott Aldahl (drummers who replaced Smelly when he moved away in 1985-86).
Some people cite "Drug Free America" from S&M Airlines as evidence of NOFX being a straight edge band, but if you listen closely you can tell that that song is satirical as well - after the first chorus, Mike and Melvin change their tune from a "drug free America" to one where we "make them all for free."
NOFX are very talented when it comes to being facetious or satirical, and sometimes this goes over the heads of their listeners. It should be obvious that "Straight Edge" is a parody poking fun at, but not putting down, the straight edge movement.
The name "NOFX" (previously "NO FX," "NOF-X" and "NO-FX") was inspired by the Boston hardcore band Negative-FX. However, it does not mean "no straight edge," "no fucking straight edge," or "no effects." It "doesn't mean shit," according to Fat Mike.
Please do some research before you spew ridiculous bullshit about one of the most innovative and influential punk acts of today. Most of this information can be found from reputable sources online or even in the liner notes from NOFX's records, which have a lot to say about the band and their beliefs. Take a minute to read them next time you spin a NOFX record and you'll probably learn a lot.
I have a lot of respect for the straight edge movement but when you impose your beliefs on others, you're no better than religious folk.
Going through a lot of the comments here, I've found some pretty stupid shit. Now, I don't know everything there is to know about NOFX or straight edge, but I've been submitting wiki entries and lyric corrections and I am very knowledgeable on both subjects. Let me start out by clarifying a few things:
This song is a parody of the original Minor Threat song.
Erik Sandin (or "Smelly"), the drummer for NOFX, is not straight edge. The rest of the band gave him an ultimatum after they recorded The Longest Line EP because he had failed to show up for recording on several occasions due to his heroin use. Mike told him he needed to quit heroin or he'd be out of the band.
Mike and Hefe talk about this in a scene from Backstage Passport that was not included on the final DVD, but can be found on YouTube. After Backstage Passport was released, Mike told him that while he needed to quit heroin, he didn't have to quit all drugs, and Smelly has since been drinking and smoking pot again according to the band.
Some people cite "Drug Free America" from S&M Airlines as evidence of NOFX being a straight edge band, but if you listen closely you can tell that that song is satirical as well - after the first chorus, Mike and Melvin change their tune from a "drug free America" to one where we "make them all for free."
NOFX are very talented when it comes to being facetious or satirical, and sometimes this goes over the heads of their listeners. It should be obvious that "Straight Edge" is a parody poking fun at, but not putting down, the straight edge movement.
Please do some research before you spew ridiculous bullshit about one of the most innovative and influential punk acts of today. Most of this information can be found from reputable sources online or even in the liner notes from NOFX's records, which have a lot to say about the band and their beliefs. Take a minute to read them next time you spin a NOFX record and you'll probably learn a lot.
I have a lot of respect for the straight edge movement but when you impose your beliefs on others, you're no better than religious folk.
Happy listening.