SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: NOFX – 40 YEARS OF FUCKIN’ UP: SOUNDTRACK + SCORE

NOFX
40 YEARS OF FUCKIN’ UP: SOUNDTRACK + SCORE
FAT WRECK CHORDS

The title of this album, 40 Years Of Fuckin’ Up, gives away the plot in some ways. NOFX has been around for 40 years, but their debut album, Liberal Animation was released in 1988, although they had released EPs prior to the album. They officially retired in 2024, but for this soundtrack and film there are new, previously unheard songs. For anyone who has never heard of this band, they are California punk. Their music is hard, sometimes bordering metal, and sometimes very melodic. But they have always considered themselves punk. The amount of artists they have influenced are far too many to list, but safe to say a documentary of the band is long overdue.

This album is an excellent compilation of well-known songs, some deep dives and some previously unreleased material. One new song in particular, “We Did It Our Way” is a three-and-a-half-min history of the band. It does make one smile and also get a little emotional. For a hard punk band, that is quite an achievement. NOFX was always serious about their craft and music (and lyrical messages) but they also had fun and could be amusing. They also had a few treats and surprises up their sleeves. Their version of “La Bamba” is wonderful and a very straight version.

40 Years Of Fuckin’ Up is, in actuality, a soundtrack, and should not be seen as a definitive collection, good as it is. For collectors out there, there are variations available with different tracks. There are live tracks (“Linoleum” is a blast of energy live) and some studio outtakes but what it does do is give not only their die-hard fans a glimpse behind the curtain but it also provides the uninitiated with a great resource. And songs such as “Suits and Ladders” shows that this band could play. They are very talented musicians and seemed to be having a laugh with their audience.

Fans of the band will find the soundtrack indispensable. 40 Years Of Fuckin’ Up is a great title (the title track is worth price of admission alone), but really, this band did the opposite. They had a mission in mind and they succeeded. They brought exciting, well played music to their audience and made people think and question. They were not a band to ignore, and they managed to carve out quite a career over four decades. Not bad for a punk band.

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