NOFX / The Spits - Split EP
This NOFX / The Spits EP is going to be a one time only, limited pressing so, if you want one, you'd better get on it quickly.
The split EP is a fine way to discover a band you've never heard of through a band you love. For example, if it weren't for Bomb The Music Industry!, I probably wouldn't be the avid O Pioneers!!! fan I am today (yes, all the exclamation marks are actually part of their names). However, I should probably get to the point rather than going off on a tangent. This split 7" between NOFX and The Spits continues this trend; I'd never heard The Spits before this EP but now I'm more than inspired to look into their work.
First off, I should start with NOFX's side of the EP. It provides basically what you'd expect from NOFX but it doesn't become samey or boring. The prime example of this is the first track, "Hold It Back" which is an ancient track, dating back to their debut, self-titled EP in 1985, that has been revived and re-recorded. Not much has changed, it's basically the exact same song (except for some added guitar shredding courtesy of El Hefe), but the energy and conviction heard on this track is a reminder of why this band has survived the last two and a half decades. Their second track is a fairly typical NOFX song but it provides some fine drum work from Erik Sandin and one of Fat Mike's fattest sounding bass lines.
Seattle based punk rock band, The Spits, offer some fine, trashy sounding garage punk. The opener to their side "Wait" sets the mood for their entire sound in its first ten seconds. The mega fuzzy guitar and Ramones-esque pop verses show exactly what this band does in perfect form. "Get Our Kicks" is almost exclusively guitar chords, repetitive drum patterns and snotty punk vocals but it makes for a hell of a good time (and a sweet, one note repeated guitar solo).
This EP is going to be a one time only, limited pressing so, if you want one, you'd better get on it quickly. There's nothing particularly groundbreaking here but if you want to hear some good punk rock played well by some good bands, it's well worth listening to. With not one of the four songs even passing the two and a half minute mark, it's not going to take a huge bite out of your day.
(Fat Wreck Chords)