NOFX – Cokie the Clown
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NOFX’s latest EP, Cokie the Clown, is another short, sweet and well produced burst of fresh skate punk from the masters of the genre.
The lead track gives its title to the EP and sets the mood, its not going to be one of their more serious releases, its a silly, poppy punk song that starts the the proceedings fast and loud, guitarist Eric Melvin’s screeching vocals are quickly joined by the only slightly more tuneful Fat Mike playing the titular clown and telling his tale in a quick, drug-reference laden story that is as unsubtle and brash as it is funny, an anthem against sobriety.
The next three songs all feel very much like “classic” NOFX songs, heavy bass lines, fast, insightful vocals with more than a hint of humour, its all very catchy stuff, with a more traditional skate punk feel than you’ll find on most of their last few albums, with the newest, “Coaster” being the obvious exception. All of these tracks were originally recorded to go on to the last album, but the band were right to think they’re a better fit separated on this EP.
When I got to the last track, which is a slower, acoustic song, a new version of “My Orphan Year” from “Coaster”, I started to see the message this EP is trying to get across, then I looked at the artwork and realised it was pretty obvious from the start, Cokie the clown is a caricature of Fat Mike, the funny man trying his hardest to make sure everyone has a good time, hiding the tragic, grief-stricken figure behind the make up, a simple metaphor maybe, but with the last few riffs of “My Orphan Year” fading away, its a poignant one. The tale of Fat Mike and his life from his current perspective is all here in the course of five songs in less than 11 minutes, from his childhood, moving across the country, to an adult life of drinking and drugs, it feels a lot more introspective and personal than anything this band have given us in the last 20 years, and for a long time fan, its a welcome insight.
So if you must quantify all that or just like to look at pretty stars, here you go:
Rating: 
