NOFX

This book turned up in one of the local little outdoor libraries so I figured I'd check it out. It is not a title I'd otherwise have sought out. On the whole I think I like NOFX, but am also deeply ambivalent about them. In terms of music, the punk rock pearls and occasional other gems are offset by gaffes and missteps and things that have not aged well and more things that are poised to not age well in the near future. They describe themselves as low-brow and I think that is an understatement. But they are certainly big, fun and unique, and they're interesting people whose tales are worth reading.

The format is original, with band members alternating as storyteller for the brief chapters, which are generally chronological in order. There are often a couple of different takes on the same event. Alulis did a good job putting it together. If anything the memoirs might be too honest for some readers: there is a lot of dark, wretched, disturbing and disgusting content. There is also just as much comedy, warmth and humanity - maybe this last word is redundant?

At the end, I've been left with a sense of attachment to these oversharing real-world characters. This one is going to stick with me for awhile.… (más)

A great story and at time very entertaining, but very inconsistent. I enjoyed pieces by Eric and Smelly, but others had not very good stories. The book starts off very grim with horrible childhoods and I returned it, but then I ended up un returning it. I listened to it for a little more, but towards the end of the book everything fell apart. I did not finish listening to all of it, because it was getting depressing. I would read get this in print so I could skip the bad part of it. I don't even know who or what this band called NOFX is and I don't know or like any of their songs. I just like interesting memoirs.… (más)

I've been a big fan of NOFX for decades, so I was excited when I heard about their book. I ended up listening to the audio version and I'm glad I did. The book, while often hilarious, is just as often really dark. The audiobook is read by each of the guys, each reading the chapters they contributed, with Melvin and Stinky probably having the most to say. Hearing them read their parts and the emotion that comes through takes things to another place. It's an amazing, funny, sad, sometimes (alright, often) gross history of the most successful independent band in history. Nice bunch of guys.… (más)