The Reality of NOFX

A queer cringe creeps through my body as my pen hits the white lined page. Reality Television is a quagmire of human slop. The shows are nothing more than time slots of unwritten, libation induced, emotional junk food. A small dose of vitamin C may be found but wrapped in a thick globs of empty calories. Understand my hesitation to inform you of NOFX’s new reality series “NOFX: Backstage Passport”.

Broadcast over The Fuse network, NOFX: Backstage Passport is a part of Fuse’s current trend to become the Rock of reality television. The show follows the band on world tour, which deviates from the beaten Corporate track. Paraphrased from Fat Mike, the tour is the band’s last chance to go on a “dangerous” tour. As the rest of the band has turned the dreaded age of 40. A life milestone Mike selfishly admits, he has not hit. Is this the set up for mid-life disaster or punk rock history? A closer look is in order.

Take one part “Wild Hogs”, mix in a spice of Jackass, and an ounce of originality, the result is something amusing. If the first two episodes are an indicator than NOFX: Backstage Passport is worth a slot on your DVR. We all know NOFX*. A band so punk, they continued to play anti-radio pop punk in a time of hardcore or sell out. A band near 30 years of profit with little radio play. A band who mixes humorous social commentary into cracked out bubble gum pop. NOFX has never been a band to strive for commercial success, but, with a reality show on the new age nanny, can such a claim be upheld?

The quick and easy answer is yes. NOFX: Backstage Passport plays out with a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” air. NOFX, whose career has been shrouded by underexposure, have opened the door to their world. They invite the new age nanny on a mad capped romp across the globe to places large American bands don’t play. Fans of the band will find the antic of the quintet amusing and time will reveal the hard and long answers. NOFX are known for their devotion to their fans and to a D.I.Y mentality, we cannot count our favorite band out without pudding for proof.

*O.K. We all might not know NOFX, but we all should know NOFX. I did not say you had to like them, but as a citizen of the 21st century at least look at the wiki.