NOFX and Fuzigish for MIO

NOFX had finally made it to our shores thanks to a group of guys known as Punk Safari, who took it on themselves to bring some punk bands to SA. The idea was so successful that an extra show had to be added to the Joburg leg of the tour. We managed to get some tickets for the Tuesday night show, took leave on Wednesday, and headed out to The Bassline in Newtown.
The crowd were probably the most, umm, interesting we’ve seen in a very long…uuh…ever. A lot of people really went out of their way to dress the part leaving us asking each other, “Where on earth did he find THAT?”.

Fuzigish opened the evening with an unforgettable set. Their performance was energetic and entertaining, and they know how to hold a crowd’s attention. Their lyrics are light hearted and great to sing along to, which got groupies moving while adding a few more fans (ourselves included) to their following. What impressed me the most was how they managed to get the mood just right for what was to follow…

As soon as NOFX started playing there was a wave of jumping and moshing that was just short of a riot. Beer was being sprayed everywhere and bottles flying throughout the room (I just don’t get it), there were even shoes (yip, shoes) flying through the air. I haven’t seen such a great response like this to a band in ages. It must be amazing for performers to see what kind of an impact they have made on a small country so far away. Performance wise and musically they were excellent! You would have to be a punk music fan to enjoy them, which I am, and I did, so I had a great evening! In fear for our lives, we moved away from the main floor area and found some friends on the side – much safer.

The band members are no fans of George Bush (the idiot son of an asshole), but which American is? They touched on many controversial topics including drugs, AIDS, religion and prostitution to name a few, so if you are sensitive – this would not be the place for you. Rumour has it that the a band member was snorting cocaine on stage – something I missed – but wouldn’t have been surprised by.

A 45-minute wait for an encore proved who the hard core NOFX fans were and it took about two minutes for the whole venue to fill up again. These guys are truly professional and although I don’t agree with pretty much anything they are promoting, they are highly entertaining and I would go out to see them again given the opportunity.