If I had to call upon one of the bands from my adolescent years that truly made me appreciate punk rock music it would have it be San Jose’s No Use For A Name (NUFAN). I was introduced to these guys 15 years ago via a compilation CD I snagged at a show. It was one of the best freebies I ever received. With the release of All The Best Songs by NUFAN, I can relive the days when I had not a care in life and enjoyed every second of it.
Throughout the two decades members of the band have come and left respectively for various reasons. One member in particular who came on in the middle of their success, Chris Schiflett joined after the fourth release of NUFAN and then left soon after to join the Foo Fighters. Tony Sly and Rory Koff are the only original members.
This 22-track CD is a collection of their 20-year career as a standout punk band and also includes two previously unreleased tracks. It is amazing that a band could be together for so long but it is not surprising as other Fat Wreck Chords label mates have shared the same success with staying jointly and cranking out album after album, most notably NoFX.
“International You Day” better be on the Fat Wreck Chords all time greatest songs album if one is ever made. This song has been played over a million times in my cassette player, CD player, and MP3 player. It’s a punk rock love song, a punk rock memory in my life. If you have not heard this song yet you have no idea what you have been missing. It has the catchy Fat Wreck Chords style you are used to but never once could become overplayed.
When I heard Tony Sly first sing “Justified Black Eye” on Fat Wreck Chords Presents: Survival Of The Fattest I decided to memorize the lyrics by listening it over and over even if my friends yelled at me how sick they were of the song. The song really is a depressing track but addicting.
“On The Outside” is another track that is a staple in my life. I remember seeing No Use For A Name perform this song live when I was a kid. The fast-paced catchy punk rock track was so easy to jump around and have fun with that I didn’t see the stage diver fly right on top of me causing me to get the breathe knocked out of me for a few minutes, man that sucked!
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