NOFX, The Hate Fuck Trio and Diesel Boy

Sacramento’s El Dorado Saloon was splitting at the seams on Thursday. Punks poured in ready to mesh to the music of one of the biggest bands in the scene. NOFX sold out the small space without a problem, and kids lined the sidewalks outside begging to buy extra tickets off of the lucky folks headed for the door. As part of the Epitath Records gang, NOFX has become known for its distinct vocals and original Southern California style. Fat Mike was on vocals/bass, Eric Melvin does da guitar, some guy drums, and Hefe keeps tabs on trumpet, guitar and vocals. But, before we could drown in ecstasy with NOFX there was the obligatory foreplay (i.e.: opening bands).

The four guys in The Hate Fuck Trio took to the stage first. Their songs were heavy on guitar and affected vocals but short on talent. This band sounded a bit like a befuddled and amateurish Lagwagon, and the general consensus was that they should get off the stage and go back to Denver from whence they came.

The second slot on the eve’s roster was suitably filled by Santa Rosa’s Dieselboy. These guys frolicked through a set of fast pop punk tunes. When the first few notes of the band’s popular "Titty Twister" unwound themselves from the guitar strings the crowd went crazy. People in the pit were lofted atop the flailing hands, and those that weren’t surfing pulsed spazmatically along with the beat. Dieselboy headed backstage and left folks primed for NOFX: hot, and ready to rock.

Bathed in pink light, the guys in the group took the stage to the shrieks of the expectant crowd. But, before NOFX could give us what we’d been waiting for, a fool in the front threw something that smacked Fat Mike square in the face. Don’t mess with the big boys. With the confidence of a punk who knows he can, Fat Mike laid into the guy. After he was pulled punching off the kid by the event staff thugs, Fat Mike started a set which showed why NOFX is a step above.

They maneuvered their way through old faves Like "The Moron Brothers," "Together on the Sand," "Perfect Government" and "She’s Gone." "Kill All the White Man" got an especially enthusiastic response as four people clawed their way onto stage and simultaneously swan dove into the throbbing moshers below. The band also strutted some new stuff, including an instrumental that highlighted Hefe and his trumpet-playing talent. At the close of the show NOFX broke into a guitar riot for "The Brews" and shortly the whole place was pulsing and Oi Oiing along with the chords that just kept coming. When the lights finally came up, it took a long for the heart rates to come down. NOEX can fill up a couple hours of my life anytime.

--Elizabyth Hiscox

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