I bought the decline single cd back in 2002ish at a small record club in St. Paul Minnesota. I eventually lost it and it’s one of my biggest regrets. I listened to that cd every freakin day when driving
Same here, man. Been listening since I was 12 and still listening at 36. I don't think many people get into punk at an early age and get out of it. Maybe expand to other genres, but you can never just forget it.
He definitely kills it on this song, but as a bassist, he falls firmly into the "good" category, and as a singer probably a bit below average... But somehow, when he puts it all together with his songwriting, he transcends his talent in any one area... The whole is more than the sum of its parts in this case. (obvs, my opinion)
@24:04 “This is the best punk song I’ve heard in my entire life, and I don’t think I’m going to hear anything close to this ever again” ....That is 100% the feeling I get also.
Hardcore punk (what NOFX started as and even mastered in a weird way, with those uber complicated counter-timing drums from Smelly and weird-ass riffs on Liberal Animation) is as great as what they do now, either melodic hardcore (in the 90's, stupidly known as "skate punk") or punk rock. When done well, that style of music is just as valid as any other, not what some think it is, just some joke, although it can be, but bands who's entire shtick was to be seen as a joke didn't last long or if they did, was because they sold out. No way when I was listening to Blink-182's second LP "Cheshire Cat" before that album got so popular that they got their major label deal, did I think they would last long like Bad Religion let's say, they had a few semi-serious songs on that one and then Dude Ranch (major label debut) was eh, but when their original drummer left and ska/punk poseur with a mohawk replaced him they became a complete joke and ran with it. Even Greenday which I never liked, have more integrity, and I got into punk in 94 around 12-13, I thought they weren't menacing in any way, bored me, The Offspring's Smash that my older cousin taped me with Ignition on the other side, as well as many other albums he put on tape from his vinyl records and tapes and a few CD's (that was the era when most people, if they had a cd player, it was a CD-ROM) for me was the best gifts I was ever given
@@TheDaner I saw a video of them live where Mike and Mel had a couple slip ups a few songs into their set. And after the song Mike was like "smelly never messes up!"
He doesn’t talk about killing his brother it’s a reference to the second amendment the carcass of my second kill and “bill” is short for William. It’s a commentary and a sarcastic point of view of gun loving America
Holy shit, have been listening to this song since I bought the single (still have it) in '99, and I've never understood that. Must admit that I'm not American and English is my second language though.
When this cd came out in 1999, I remember this just showing up in the record store with no warning. It was the best thing I ever heard at the time and since
I remember this and I believe AFI black sails were on the same new release shelf at the Wherehouse near my school in Encino. Peak period of what punk would become
I had my little portable cd player. Put on the clear disc and i remember trying to skip to track 2 and it just kept looping back to track 1? Best dunce moment of my punk rock collecting
Seconded. Pretty much any song on the "How to Clean Everything" album is a goldmine lol Also, Fat Wreck Chords was one of the best labels in the '90s :)
By far one of my favorite songs ever. They just did a live recording of it with an orchestra and it was really well done by punk rock standards haha the song becomes more relevant with age.
When this came out I didn't know what to expect from an 18-minute punk song, but very quickly my face just broke out into a huge grin that didn't end until well after the song ended.
Been a fan since '99 and still blast it in the car windows down at 37 with my 5yos devil horns up head hanging. One of the greatest bands and back stories
I got to say I regret the fact that I've never got the hang out with them while they were on tour, that would be a blast even today. Back in the day would have been super crazy before smelly got sober. I have some crazy stories from hanging out with different bands, over the years
Not sure if they are under rated mate. A 40 year career, they are literally a world wide institution. Imo even Bad Religion doesn't have such a following.
My parents took me to see NOFX 2 times, i cried the 2nd time when they played The Decline . My Dad showed me the Red Rocks version last week . Beautiful
@@BenjiBanks98I don't know you and I already like your parents alot!!!!! It's cool as shit they would take you to see them. Sadly, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them, and even sadder is that I won't either since this is the last tour they're doing and they are not coming to my town (Miami)
Vin, I love that you said this is the best punk song you've ever heard and that you'll probably never hear anything like it again. The Decline is a fucking punk rock masterpiece! I've been deep into punk my entire life and am 48 now. This song usually brings me to tears by its end, it's so moving. Theres more layers in this song that an onion. You should check out the collab NOFX did with Bas' orchestra. Also absolutely fuckin legit!
It's incredible to me that this song was released in 1999. Pre-9/11, back when gun violence wasn't talked about nearly as much, back when things were "good" comparatively speaking and now here we are, 21 years later and the topics being sung about here are more relevant than ever. It's almost as if Mike looked into the future and tried to warn us. I'd also like to add that if you thought the songwriting for this song was good, listen to their album "First Ditch Effort." Everything from NoFX is great but I feel like the only songs on par with The Decline that they've written come from "First Ditch Effort"
I am SO happy you guys talked about this one. Ever since you did your punk week I’ve been sitting on the edge of my seat for you to cover this, and I was not disappointed in the slightest by your commentary. A+ from me.
NOFX are huge Bad Religion fans, and it shows. Mike's voice is nowhere near as harmonic as Greg's, but the overall sound has that same supercharged harmony.
You'll find The Decline was released in 1999 and TOOL's Lateralus album was 2001 so the bassline claimed to be inspired by TOOL (if we're thinking Schism) is more likely the other way round if anything. But let's face it. The similarities are obviously coincidental 🙂 UPDATE: got to the part in the video where y'all realize this ♥️ I have a habit of commenting as the video is playing.
The first song on Pump Up The Valuum is literally them saying "Welcome" and then "We snatched this bass bit from Good Riddance's "Shadows of Defeat" lol
I can't believe the number of guitar riffs I created and saved (since 1999, I use a program called FXBOX that is a guitar amp emulator, it's amazing, just need to buy the adapter at radio shack or whatever and you can plug your guitar into the input of your sound card) to later find out they had already been used as I expanded my musical knowledge, or even, that some bands literally had the same idea as me later on and put in on a record and they are too much of a recognized band for me to go on wanting to use the riff in my own songs I was writing for my band back in 99-2008). We didn't get big at all, we're in the middle of nowhere in semi-northern Canada, we played shows, but we never had the big headline care about us, didn't have the luck Propagandhi had of having NOFX show up in Winnipeg and back then Propagandhi didn't live in Winnipeg, it was the biggest city near them, and they weren't that near from it either. Location helped so many socal and NY bands to get known..
@@jacoblaughbon3323 true, but how does a 2001 riff inspire a 1999 riff? Time travel? I remember underground non commercial radio whispering about a god tier 20 minute punk song. Maybe tool heard these whispers too
I love how they start laughing when fat mike starts singing and then they are blown away by his lyrics and then realise they are listening to a master piece
You know, I've listened to a few of your videos, and I thought it was a cute premise. You reviewing one of my favorite songs and what I consider a masterpiece dragged me back, and my god, I really think more people need to listen to both your commentary and the song itself. I'm glad you did this song and held no punches. Beautiful.
I love this. This is such a smart, real, and important discussion. I love hearing new and different opinions from mine, and you two always discuss difficult topics with such an open mind, especially after digesting an 18 minutes punk rock song. I have so much respect for both of you. It doesn't matter if we meet eye to eye on every single subject, I will always be curious to hear both of your points of view. All the best!
I found this band when I was 14 in 2000 and then the terrible happened and I feared for my life, this band actually got me through it and I had a few friends take their lives because they thought they were being sent to death after 9/11. I want to thank you for listening and just want to spread some realism but not for a guilt trip or anything. This was a time in which we all panicked and probably lost it, I stuck to the gym and trained hoping I could fill my grandparents shoes. We were all lied to and I hate looking back on it.
I love how this song’s analysis led to so much conversation around human nature, culture, violence, activism, firearms, and hyper nationalism. Great video.
Best analysis of this song, ever! I‘m not a native speaker and not American, so there are many lyricisms/word plays/ metaphors that I just hadn‘t picked up on before. Thanks, Vin, you are a gifted lyrics analyst!
To be fair, he was reacting to drugs are good. Not exactly a highlight in the Nofx discography. Still a song I cherish. But I could play hefe, Mel, and Mike's parts when I was 13. And I don't even play guitar anymore.
@@adrianfoote8281 Sure. I don't disagree. And Nofx is my favorite band ever. But if I had to play ONE song for someone who had never heard Nofx, drugs are good would be like bottom 15 easy.
In my humble opinion, NOFX inadvertently laid the groundwork for the subgenre of more technical punkrock. Largely inspired by Bad Religion-like melodies and harmonies, yet dirtier, faster and more technical and creative with song arrangements. A younger band that kind of perfected that approach to punkrock is A Wilhelm Scream, who I definitely recommend to check out.
Great review...especially for hearing this song and reading the lyrics for the first time! It's a lot to take in! Despite how long this song is, it's worth listening to several times just to even begin to piece the lyrics together....it's brilliant! Every listen brings a new thought, new perspective, and new understanding.
Fun fact. On the back cover there was the "Don't pay more than $11", I bought this for 15.99 before I saw that, because the sticker was placed directly over it. After finding that out I noticed literally every retailer at the time doing the same thing.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time. Written 21 years ago...and more relevant today than ever. This song is so brutally honest...and sad...SHIT...For a song i listen to multiple times a year, I had to pause it a couple times during the song this time, as my emotions swell.
I was recommended y'all's videos about a week ago, but this is the video that finally got me to subscribe to y'all. Great discussion about a very thought provoking song.
This is the first video I’ve seen from this channel and what a song to start on! My favourite song of all time. Just amazing to hear anyone discuss this track in depth. Love it. New subscriber
I own this CD. Got it back when you went to the record store to find something new. And that album cover was brilliant, caught my eye instantly. I already owned 4 or 5 NoFX albums so it was a no-brainer. Going back home listening to this EP on my disc-man was like being a dream. What a ride. One of my most cherished punk albums. Oh, and the CD is clear, first one I ever saw. Great reaction, guys! If you want great lyrics and musicianship while being punk, try Propagandhi.
@@AgentBeans matchbook is a classic, but Strung Out have better tunes to introduce new people to. I'd go blueprint of the fall, everyday, lost motel, Jackie-o and anything off Suburban teenage wasteland blues.
I’m 26 now and this was the first punk song I ever heard when I was 14. My sister played it for me in her car and I instantly fell in love with punk rock and NoFX. This song never gets old and still relevant today.
Both are correct. The way Vin pronounces it is the original way it was spoken in the English language. It evolved over time and now "Skism" is the way the majority say it. Following the "Sch" rule from "School".
@@Stu-Bo According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the "sizem" pronunciation was based off the English-French spelling of the word, Scisme, similar to Science and Scissors. By this, the rule of "Sci" would determine if it was pronounced softly. However, in the 1500s, it was respelled to coincide with it's original Latin and Greek origins, of which were pronounced with a "k". This pronunciation is therefore correct as it's earliest historical roots coincide with it, following the "Sch" rule, as you mentioned, like School. From a standard grammatical stand point, "Sch" is always supposed to be pronounced "Sk", while "Sc" is sometimes pronounced "Ss" or "Sk". The only reason people used to pronounce it with a soft "Sc" is likely because people were used to the French spelling and pronunciation and therefore called "Sk" incorrect, but we learned overtime that it was indeed correct.
The only way to get a song like this listened to is the dirty capitalistic method. Now that's the kind of irony NoFX would laugh at. Con effing grats to Jacob for getting this classic out there! Also, to Vin and Sori, you totally have a pixel out on the sensor for your camera. I see a white dot on Vin's face that only shows up on your videos.
I don't think you know much about Nofx if you think that money bothers them. There is a reason they created a label so they could get money under the table and make albums with more then 1 good song.
I don't really know if there needs to be a part 2. I think they covered just about everything and sadly we have all those same problems today. What did they leave out?
Oh man, this song is special. One of my favorites. This is kinda weird. I'm a massive black-metal fan nowadays but got my start at 12 years old listening to skate/punk music from older kids in my neighbourhood and tony hill pro skater 1 etc.
This was such an awesome and engrossing video. I've been listening to The Decline since 99 and I got so emotional on this listen considering everything going on in the world. Maybe it's because I just had my first kid.
Vin, you are so on point with your commentary. Your knowledge of… everything… is so refreshing. I haven’t heard people explain this country’s problems better than you - ever.
I'm totally not going to pay to introduce you to great music that I already know but you should definitely check out Dead Kennedys - Riot and Police Truck, even if it's on your own time.
Unfortunate you didnt't get to fully experience the song. The ending is truly the best to me. The transition between instruments and goose steps which then leads into the AM radio effect. It first left me with my ears open and my mind willing to take on the world. Such an inspiring song.
If you think this is the best punk song, you need to listen to Subhumans - From The Cradle to the Grave (17 min) the song influenced the NOFX The Decline.
I love this video and I agreed with so much of what y'all are saying. I just want to put out there that when she says she cant imagine "shooting someone over stuff", you must not have ever been truly poor or lost everything bc of something out of your control. It's not right to go into my home and take the things I have earned and thus scare my family and now the feeling of safety is gone... it's not about the "stuff", it's about safety. Tough conversation. Stay well ✌
This is amazing and I love your reactions❤. I keep listening to this song because i'm going to the last final tour in june❤. And they are playing this and they never play It live.
Vin is one if the smartest people i've ever seen. Thank you both. Brilliant and great discussion! The Decline is my favourite song ever. NOFX are the heros if my youth. For me as european (not native english speaking) you showed me a really more specific view on the lyrics. I understand it right but you showed me more concrete hints... Btw:loved your discussions bout guns. A whole diffrent world here
I don't think the argument is "shooting people over stuff" or not, because there is an inherent danger in being robbed, sometimes its worries about self preservation. Like, if someone broke into my house, and my wife and kids are home, even if they are only trying to rob.. I dont know their intentions, and I don't want my family to be in danger. Further, the idea that we are questioning society in America and how backwards they might be because of love of guns is odd.. literally less than 100 years ago everything in the world was settled with guns.. look at cowboys, look at the middle east now. The fact is, we are expecting people who are inherently dumb and violent to learn civility over 100 years, when history shows we have been violent and greedy by nature since inception. Why do we expect people to be good or non-violent?
The decline is a journey, a punk rock masterpiece. In my opinion the greatest song ever written
YES
I share your view
I share your view
Agreed
Can't disagree with that one
NOFX is the best, I’ve been listening to them since I was 15, I’m 44 now. Thanks for not pausing it.
36 now and been listening since i was 13. this singe album is still the best song ever written.
Me too 😂
I bought the decline single cd back in 2002ish at a small record club in St. Paul Minnesota. I eventually lost it and it’s one of my biggest regrets. I listened to that cd every freakin day when driving
Same😂 from 15 t0 44. LAST TOUR❤😢
Same here, man. Been listening since I was 12 and still listening at 36. I don't think many people get into punk at an early age and get out of it. Maybe expand to other genres, but you can never just forget it.
21 year old song that i think is even more relevant today.
Jason Brown I agree. I was confused when he said they should do a part two to make it more relevant for today.
punk will always be relevant
Insanely relevant
Unfortunately this song will never be irrelevant.
Imagine bein almost 22 being raised on NOFX.. My parents are amazing
Does this song make anyone else tear up near the end? Always gets me. I'm sure it gets Vin after Mikes last few lines
yep one of the few songs that makes me cry. I think it's because of the powerful message, brought with such a majestic music.
I've cried the last 3 times I've listened to it in the past month. So heavy and is more poignant now for me than when it came out and I heard it.
Me too. Awesome song. I was 19yo in 99 when I've listened to it for the first time… And today this song sounds like it was the "last one"! Thanks Nofx
Yes
Always makes me a little tear eyed.
Fat Mike absolutely shreds the bass on this song. That dude is super underrated as a musician.
He definitely kills it on this song, but as a bassist, he falls firmly into the "good" category, and as a singer probably a bit below average... But somehow, when he puts it all together with his songwriting, he transcends his talent in any one area... The whole is more than the sum of its parts in this case. (obvs, my opinion)
I agree...but live...my god is he bad. Lol
@@welchsm
Very well put! I've always tried to explain why he's oddly superior to so many musicians while showing mediocre skills in the classic sense
@@welchsm Good point! This is a GREAT production and such an incredible song!
Matt Freeman plays his parts 😂
This is the Magnum Opus of NoFX's career. Most important song they ever wrote. More and more important as the years go on.
nah, dude, see her pee is their most important song. the decline is a very close second, tho.
History will ignore this
@@MistaMahoney idk man I think a200 club is pretty up there
It’s not just NOFX’S Magnus Opus, it’s a genre’s , nae: a generations… or at least it SHOULD be
@@tjmacsindustries Definitely a once-in-a-generation song. Criminally underrated.
@24:04 “This is the best punk song I’ve heard in my entire life, and I don’t think I’m going to hear anything close to this ever again” ....That is 100% the feeling I get also.
NOFX is one of the greatest bands of all time and Punk rock is without a doubt the greatest music ever created.
Punk and Thrash Metal ftw (there would be no thrash without hardcore punk)
Yes!
Hardcore punk (what NOFX started as and even mastered in a weird way, with those uber complicated counter-timing drums from Smelly and weird-ass riffs on Liberal Animation) is as great as what they do now, either melodic hardcore (in the 90's, stupidly known as "skate punk") or punk rock. When done well, that style of music is just as valid as any other, not what some think it is, just some joke, although it can be, but bands who's entire shtick was to be seen as a joke didn't last long or if they did, was because they sold out. No way when I was listening to Blink-182's second LP "Cheshire Cat" before that album got so popular that they got their major label deal, did I think they would last long like Bad Religion let's say, they had a few semi-serious songs on that one and then Dude Ranch (major label debut) was eh, but when their original drummer left and ska/punk poseur with a mohawk replaced him they became a complete joke and ran with it. Even Greenday which I never liked, have more integrity, and I got into punk in 94 around 12-13, I thought they weren't menacing in any way, bored me, The Offspring's Smash that my older cousin taped me with Ignition on the other side, as well as many other albums he put on tape from his vinyl records and tapes and a few CD's (that was the era when most people, if they had a cd player, it was a CD-ROM) for me was the best gifts I was ever given
No one owns the classic punk rock drum pattern like Smelly does. So fast and tight.
Human metronome.
@@TheDaner I saw a video of them live where Mike and Mel had a couple slip ups a few songs into their set. And after the song Mike was like "smelly never messes up!"
@@alexallen6286 he's sober...
@@stephenforbes2762 I read the book man. I'm super happy for him.
Single foot, single kick.
He doesn’t talk about killing his brother it’s a reference to the second amendment the carcass of my second kill and “bill” is short for William. It’s a commentary and a sarcastic point of view of gun loving America
Holy shit, have been listening to this song since I bought the single (still have it) in '99, and I've never understood that.
Must admit that I'm not American and English is my second language though.
Jacob: "this is the best punk song ive ever heard". Damn right!
"The Decline" in America, humanity, social values and morality.
Did anyone catch the verse where Melvin screams STAY, HOME, BE, SAFE?
Bad timing tho. A pandemic is not the context of those lines, specially if it's coupled with "his problem, not mine".
When this cd came out in 1999, I remember this just showing up in the record store with no warning. It was the best thing I ever heard at the time and since
I remember this and I believe AFI black sails were on the same new release shelf at the Wherehouse near my school in Encino. Peak period of what punk would become
I had my little portable cd player. Put on the clear disc and i remember trying to skip to track 2 and it just kept looping back to track 1? Best dunce moment of my punk rock collecting
Tre Barretta I did the same exact thing when I put it in the car stereo leaving the store.
Same. I was like they made a 1 song album.
@@lustalgia... I miss Wherehouse Records
i looooooooooooove how much conversation The Decline generated .. this song means so much and i want as many people to hear it as possible
Listening to this song in 2024 you realize how prophetic it really was. Every problem they sing about has only got worse in the intervening years.
Greatest Punk rock anthem ever made. 20 years on and I still blast this tune weekly 🤘🏻
I'm there with you, at least weekly.
Wow! I didn't know NOFX were capable of such masterpieces. This is a brilliant song
Seriously? Dude they have some pretty great songs.
Dive into older Propagandhi. They were on NOFX's label for a bit, and their lyrics are EXCEPTIONAL
Seconded. Pretty much any song on the "How to Clean Everything" album is a goldmine lol
Also, Fat Wreck Chords was one of the best labels in the '90s :)
Yes yes yes. They early records really were fantastic.
No way, newer propagandhi it's where it's at.
@@andrefaria2921 i dunno, there's some real gems on less talk more rock
They've just keep getting better and better.'
By far one of my favorite songs ever. They just did a live recording of it with an orchestra and it was really well done by punk rock standards haha the song becomes more relevant with age.
yea, i heard that. So good
i ordered the vinyl of that
Mike L me too! Waiting impatiently for it 😂
Have you heard the Streetlight Manifesto bandits of the acoustic revolution orchestra live shows?
@@mikel6989 I have the original 12" of this song, the B side is a demo version of Clams Have Feelings Too
When this came out I didn't know what to expect from an 18-minute punk song, but very quickly my face just broke out into a huge grin that didn't end until well after the song ended.
NOFX is still one of the most underrated bands ever
Been a fan since '99 and still blast it in the car windows down at 37 with my 5yos devil horns up head hanging. One of the greatest bands and back stories
I got to say I regret the fact that I've never got the hang out with them while they were on tour, that would be a blast even today. Back in the day would have been super crazy before smelly got sober. I have some crazy stories from hanging out with different bands, over the years
Not sure if they are under rated mate. A 40 year career, they are literally a world wide institution. Imo even Bad Religion doesn't have such a following.
@@slipnotovk I had to look at the user name, I figured I had wrote this and forgot I did! Well we are the exact same age and do the exact same thing !
@@bugnut82 ha yea? Thats awesome! Love meeting people with the same interests esp same age
Woot. thank you Jacob, we needed some NOFX love on youtube. SO many great bands that are underrepresented on here!
If you liked this, PLEASE watch the version they did live with a symphony last year!! It’s called The Decline Live at Red Rocks.
My parents took me to see NOFX 2 times, i cried the 2nd time when they played The Decline . My Dad showed me the Red Rocks version last week . Beautiful
@@BenjiBanks98I don't know you and I already like your parents alot!!!!! It's cool as shit they would take you to see them. Sadly, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them, and even sadder is that I won't either since this is the last tour they're doing and they are not coming to my town (Miami)
Vin, I love that you said this is the best punk song you've ever heard and that you'll probably never hear anything like it again. The Decline is a fucking punk rock masterpiece! I've been deep into punk my entire life and am 48 now. This song usually brings me to tears by its end, it's so moving. Theres more layers in this song that an onion. You should check out the collab NOFX did with Bas' orchestra. Also absolutely fuckin legit!
Holy moly! Nofx here! Awesome! The Decline is a punk masterpiece. Great band!!!
this band changed my life when i was a teenager, one the best punk bands of all time
My father introduced this song to me a few months back, later I bought the live record when it released and I absolutely love it!
This song is like a whole concept album in one song.
Well, it is a full album too 😂😂
that's exactly what it is...
It was released as its own single track EP
I can't believe you did this! Thank you! Definitely earned a subscriber!
I'd been binging their channel all day thinking that they should do this song.
They have done Bad Religion also you should check it out.
I have totally seen that, I was more surprised they actually did this 18 minute masterpiece.
@@Punk_In_Drublic_89 me too, made my night.
I'm glad they did a lyric video. So many meaningful lyrics could have been missed by them.
It's incredible to me that this song was released in 1999. Pre-9/11, back when gun violence wasn't talked about nearly as much, back when things were "good" comparatively speaking and now here we are, 21 years later and the topics being sung about here are more relevant than ever. It's almost as if Mike looked into the future and tried to warn us.
I'd also like to add that if you thought the songwriting for this song was good, listen to their album "First Ditch Effort." Everything from NoFX is great but I feel like the only songs on par with The Decline that they've written come from "First Ditch Effort"
The truth of all times and things has always been in the music, forever and ever, for those with the patience to listen.
First ditch effort is pretty good.
So long and thanks for all the shoes tho... that album is their best imho
positivecynik you don’t need patience to listen to this. I wish it never ended!
@@ewiemama me too! But most people have the attention span of a goldfish.
to be fair, you don't need to be a prophet or a genius to predict where all the stupid people are running to...
Best NOFX song ever written. Period.
Well done Jacob for getting this on here! I know it's been requested many times. It's brilliant. Just punkin brilliant.
I am SO happy you guys talked about this one. Ever since you did your punk week I’ve been sitting on the edge of my seat for you to cover this, and I was not disappointed in the slightest by your commentary. A+ from me.
Bad Religion is literal PhD level punk. These guys got their Masters though. ;)
Truth
No shit! NoFX is masters level, but Vin, Sori, Bad Religion is literally PhD. Level punk. The lead singer has a doctorate
NOFX are huge Bad Religion fans, and it shows. Mike's voice is nowhere near as harmonic as Greg's, but the overall sound has that same supercharged harmony.
Greg grew up with folk music and that sense of melody crept into their music more and more. It really meshes well with the SoCal punk sound.
Have they done Bad Religion?
You'll find The Decline was released in 1999 and TOOL's Lateralus album was 2001 so the bassline claimed to be inspired by TOOL (if we're thinking Schism) is more likely the other way round if anything. But let's face it. The similarities are obviously coincidental 🙂
UPDATE: got to the part in the video where y'all realize this ♥️ I have a habit of commenting as the video is playing.
Lmao i was thinking the same thing!
Tool is 'inspired' by no one. They are the inspiration. :)
The first song on Pump Up The Valuum is literally them saying "Welcome" and then "We snatched this bass bit from Good Riddance's "Shadows of Defeat" lol
I can't believe the number of guitar riffs I created and saved (since 1999, I use a program called FXBOX that is a guitar amp emulator, it's amazing, just need to buy the adapter at radio shack or whatever and you can plug your guitar into the input of your sound card) to later find out they had already been used as I expanded my musical knowledge, or even, that some bands literally had the same idea as me later on and put in on a record and they are too much of a recognized band for me to go on wanting to use the riff in my own songs I was writing for my band back in 99-2008). We didn't get big at all, we're in the middle of nowhere in semi-northern Canada, we played shows, but we never had the big headline care about us, didn't have the luck Propagandhi had of having NOFX show up in Winnipeg and back then Propagandhi didn't live in Winnipeg, it was the biggest city near them, and they weren't that near from it either. Location helped so many socal and NY bands to get known..
@@jacoblaughbon3323 true, but how does a 2001 riff inspire a 1999 riff? Time travel? I remember underground non commercial radio whispering about a god tier 20 minute punk song. Maybe tool heard these whispers too
I belive Nofx have become the best punkband ever over time! And they still put up good music after about 35yrs!
The goosebumps always start around 16:00
For real. Everytime
For me it's at 16:22
For me, it's when i know i'll listen to the intro...
I’m so happy you guys are reacting to this finally!!
Eric L Clash ... finally.?? - Well, if you wanted it done sooner, you could have just paid the $125 😂😂😂
I love how they start laughing when fat mike starts singing and then they are blown away by his lyrics and then realise they are listening to a master piece
Seeing them tomorrow night in Austin for the last time. Pumped up!
I really love these two. It's like a couple who represent America, or well, the best parts of America anyway.
One song from this band can be hilarious and make you laugh your ass off while the next can be a tearjerker and make you think
You know, I've listened to a few of your videos, and I thought it was a cute premise. You reviewing one of my favorite songs and what I consider a masterpiece dragged me back, and my god, I really think more people need to listen to both your commentary and the song itself. I'm glad you did this song and held no punches. Beautiful.
I love this. This is such a smart, real, and important discussion. I love hearing new and different opinions from mine, and you two always discuss difficult topics with such an open mind, especially after digesting an 18 minutes punk rock song. I have so much respect for both of you. It doesn't matter if we meet eye to eye on every single subject, I will always be curious to hear both of your points of view. All the best!
The day this released I listened on repeat for hours. Then I was floored by the scope of it.
I found this band when I was 14 in 2000 and then the terrible happened and I feared for my life, this band actually got me through it and I had a few friends take their lives because they thought they were being sent to death after 9/11. I want to thank you for listening and just want to spread some realism but not for a guilt trip or anything. This was a time in which we all panicked and probably lost it, I stuck to the gym and trained hoping I could fill my grandparents shoes. We were all lied to and I hate looking back on it.
I love how this song’s analysis led to so much conversation around human nature, culture, violence, activism, firearms, and hyper nationalism. Great video.
Best analysis of this song, ever! I‘m not a native speaker and not American, so there are many lyricisms/word plays/ metaphors that I just hadn‘t picked up on before. Thanks, Vin, you are a gifted lyrics analyst!
And Howard Stern said they had no talent.....
Nofx? More like, no talent haha
To be fair, he was reacting to drugs are good. Not exactly a highlight in the Nofx discography. Still a song I cherish. But I could play hefe, Mel, and Mike's parts when I was 13. And I don't even play guitar anymore.
@@alexallen6286 judging a band off of one song seems a little shallow to be fair
@@adrianfoote8281 Sure. I don't disagree. And Nofx is my favorite band ever. But if I had to play ONE song for someone who had never heard Nofx, drugs are good would be like bottom 15 easy.
he was just talking shit because that's what he was good at....he didn't even listen to it
In my humble opinion, NOFX inadvertently laid the groundwork for the subgenre of more technical punkrock. Largely inspired by Bad Religion-like melodies and harmonies, yet dirtier, faster and more technical and creative with song arrangements. A younger band that kind of perfected that approach to punkrock is A Wilhelm Scream, who I definitely recommend to check out.
I get your point but RKL was first to be that technical. Even Fat Mike gives them credit.
@@ejciejbi Yeah, you're absolutely right. Maybe that's because I'm european. Most people here learned about RKL after Nofx got popular here.
they are one of the founders of second wave skate punk
My favorite band ever and "the decline" is one reason of that!!
Great review...especially for hearing this song and reading the lyrics for the first time! It's a lot to take in! Despite how long this song is, it's worth listening to several times just to even begin to piece the lyrics together....it's brilliant! Every listen brings a new thought, new perspective, and new understanding.
Fun fact. On the back cover there was the "Don't pay more than $11", I bought this for 15.99 before I saw that, because the sticker was placed directly over it. After finding that out I noticed literally every retailer at the time doing the same thing.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Written 21 years ago...and more relevant today than ever.
This song is so brutally honest...and sad...SHIT...For a song i listen to multiple times a year, I had to pause it a couple times during the song this time, as my emotions swell.
These days punk rock is an important genre to listen to
First off, so glad you did this. ❤
Second, David Bowie - Time (Glass Spider Tour 1987)
Wow, didnt even remember this song existed. Used to listen going to school. My brother intruduced Nofx when I was 6.
Generaztion Z is a new song of theirs that is sort of a Decline Pt II.
I agree!
Yes! That song is another pure punk gold ❤️
Thank you for the suggestion! Wow!
@@pierredesroches7145 You're welcome. I love sharing music with others which is why I love reaction videos.
The poem at the end of Generation Z is phenomenal
22 years later that Trumpet still makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. i Viva Hefe !
Good and thoughtful listen and paying attention to the song. It's a masterpiece of the angst we are feeling still. Thanks for doing this one.
More of a short concept album than a song. Fat Mike is an amazing writer.
The Best Punk Rock song in the history of Punk, period.
Na, Pennywise Bro hym and Turbonegro every song from ass cobra.
The Decline is sort of a ripoff of Subhumans 1983 song from the cradle to the grave
I was recommended y'all's videos about a week ago, but this is the video that finally got me to subscribe to y'all. Great discussion about a very thought provoking song.
Welcome !
This is the first video I’ve seen from this channel and what a song to start on! My favourite song of all time. Just amazing to hear anyone discuss this track in depth. Love it. New subscriber
I own this CD. Got it back when you went to the record store to find something new. And that album cover was brilliant, caught my eye instantly. I already owned 4 or 5 NoFX albums so it was a no-brainer. Going back home listening to this EP on my disc-man was like being a dream. What a ride. One of my most cherished punk albums. Oh, and the CD is clear, first one I ever saw.
Great reaction, guys! If you want great lyrics and musicianship while being punk, try Propagandhi.
more 90s punk strung out face to face pennywise etc
Millencolin, lagwagon, no use for a name
@@jgenoese Pulley 88 Fingers Louie Bad Religion
Strung out is awesome
@@AgentBeans matchbook is a classic, but Strung Out have better tunes to introduce new people to. I'd go blueprint of the fall, everyday, lost motel, Jackie-o and anything off Suburban teenage wasteland blues.
Strung Out, the most underrated and one of the best punk bands ever! Certainly my all-time favorite band
This is one of your best episodes so far!
I forgot how much I love this song, good job checking it out.
I was 13 when this was released, and it was an absolute game changer. It was inspired by Subhumans’ album From the Cradle to the Grave.
Would love to hear your thoughts on Propagandhis song Comply/Resist
Love you guys for reviewing my all time favorite band. I'm subbing
really appreciate you did this , and didn't interrupt , that put you guys in s tier reactor
Oooh! We’re heading into punk...yes! Give Propagandhi a listen. I know I’ve suggested them before. Man they’re ah-mazing live!!
Long songs are not bad as long as they stay interesting
I’m 26 now and this was the first punk song I ever heard when I was 14. My sister played it for me in her car and I instantly fell in love with punk rock and NoFX. This song never gets old and still relevant today.
I am so glad you reviewed this song. I feel like everyone has to hear this song!!
Its been 20 years i have been listening to this song and I still feel the same as the first time. What 18mins? They flow like water
Vin, you're still wrong on the pronunciation of Schism. It's "Skism"
Both are correct. The way Vin pronounces it is the original way it was spoken in the English language. It evolved over time and now "Skism" is the way the majority say it. Following the "Sch" rule from "School".
@@Stu-Bo According to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, the "sizem" pronunciation was based off the English-French spelling of the word, Scisme, similar to Science and Scissors. By this, the rule of "Sci" would determine if it was pronounced softly. However, in the 1500s, it was respelled to coincide with it's original Latin and Greek origins, of which were pronounced with a "k". This pronunciation is therefore correct as it's earliest historical roots coincide with it, following the "Sch" rule, as you mentioned, like School. From a standard grammatical stand point, "Sch" is always supposed to be pronounced "Sk", while "Sc" is sometimes pronounced "Ss" or "Sk". The only reason people used to pronounce it with a soft "Sc" is likely because people were used to the French spelling and pronunciation and therefore called "Sk" incorrect, but we learned overtime that it was indeed correct.
this still about a tool song title right?
@@TheBlackQueen That is a lot better than how I put it. I'm just an uneducated layman trying to figure things out.
@@Stu-Bo Aren't we all?
I remember buying this CD the day it was released. I was looking forward to it for months. I was not disappointed.
First time seeing this channel and this is the song you do?! I’m subscribed!!! One of the greatest songs of all time!!! Miss old NOFX
Love nofx.
The only way to get a song like this listened to is the dirty capitalistic method. Now that's the kind of irony NoFX would laugh at.
Con effing grats to Jacob for getting this classic out there!
Also, to Vin and Sori, you totally have a pixel out on the sensor for your camera. I see a white dot on Vin's face that only shows up on your videos.
That white dot has been there for over a year
@@Soljarag5 I recently got a 4k TV and can finally see it lol.
Brandon McDonald, ha yeah I only noticed it when I started watching on my 60" TV
Nofx is marvelous. See them live a couple of times. Awesome!
I don't think you know much about Nofx if you think that money bothers them. There is a reason they created a label so they could get money under the table and make albums with more then 1 good song.
I don't really know if there needs to be a part 2. I think they covered just about everything and sadly we have all those same problems today. What did they leave out?
Makes me happy you are doing more punkrock. :)
Oh man, this song is special. One of my favorites. This is kinda weird. I'm a massive black-metal fan nowadays but got my start at 12 years old listening to skate/punk music from older kids in my neighbourhood and tony hill pro skater 1 etc.
Are u me?
Punk rock is a gateway drug
@@micarnxl to shit death metal? No
chris who even mentioned Death Metal?? Your comment invalidates your opinion...
I got to see this song live at Red Rocks with a whole orchestra.
That’s sick I wish I were there
Isn't that special....
@@BandBcolandro I NEED VALIDATION FOR MY LIFE EXPERIENCES!!! LOVE ME!!! haha
Thats a live video
This was such an awesome and engrossing video. I've been listening to The Decline since 99 and I got so emotional on this listen considering everything going on in the world. Maybe it's because I just had my first kid.
Vin, you are so on point with your commentary. Your knowledge of… everything… is so refreshing. I haven’t heard people explain this country’s problems better than you - ever.
I'm totally not going to pay to introduce you to great music that I already know but you should definitely check out Dead Kennedys - Riot and Police Truck, even if it's on your own time.
NOFX for life, the greatest band in my life, a punk legacy. This song is a Picasso
You guys are very well informed ! I love it! Thankyou for this review Nofx is one of my favorite punk bands of all time
Unfortunate you didnt't get to fully experience the song. The ending is truly the best to me. The transition between instruments and goose steps which then leads into the AM radio effect. It first left me with my ears open and my mind willing to take on the world. Such an inspiring song.
If you think this is the best punk song, you need to listen to Subhumans - From The Cradle to the Grave (17 min) the song influenced the NOFX The Decline.
YES!!!!
meh...
Punk band?: check
Lengthy?: check
Preceded The Decline?: check
...but nowhere near the musical masterpiece that NOFX made. Sorry, not sorry.
this song has unfortunately aged too well
Finally!! Thanks for rockin this one!!
It’s 2023 and I’m still blown back by Jefe’s horn solos
I love this video and I agreed with so much of what y'all are saying. I just want to put out there that when she says she cant imagine "shooting someone over stuff", you must not have ever been truly poor or lost everything bc of something out of your control. It's not right to go into my home and take the things I have earned and thus scare my family and now the feeling of safety is gone... it's not about the "stuff", it's about safety. Tough conversation. Stay well ✌
This song its like prog-punk
This is amazing and I love your reactions❤. I keep listening to this song because i'm going to the last final tour in june❤. And they are playing this and they never play It live.
Vin is one if the smartest people i've ever seen. Thank you both. Brilliant and great discussion!
The Decline is my favourite song ever. NOFX are the heros if my youth.
For me as european (not native english speaking) you showed me a really more specific view on the lyrics. I understand it right but you showed me more concrete hints...
Btw:loved your discussions bout guns. A whole diffrent world here
I don't think the argument is "shooting people over stuff" or not, because there is an inherent danger in being robbed, sometimes its worries about self preservation. Like, if someone broke into my house, and my wife and kids are home, even if they are only trying to rob.. I dont know their intentions, and I don't want my family to be in danger. Further, the idea that we are questioning society in America and how backwards they might be because of love of guns is odd.. literally less than 100 years ago everything in the world was settled with guns.. look at cowboys, look at the middle east now. The fact is, we are expecting people who are inherently dumb and violent to learn civility over 100 years, when history shows we have been violent and greedy by nature since inception. Why do we expect people to be good or non-violent?
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