NOFX might be done as a touring band, but the aftermath of their final chapter is getting messy fast.
As reported by Loudwire, Fat Mike is facing legal action from longtime NOFX guitarist and multi instrumentalist Eric Melvin, with the situation reportedly revealed during a roundtable discussion and photo exhibition at the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas.
The news was shared by drummer Erik Sandien, who addressed the issue in a prepared statement before the panel began.
Sandien explained this was also the reason Melvin wasn’t present, and why the band wouldn’t be taking questions about him at the event.
As Sandien sat at the panel in front of the crowd, he said he wanted to address “the elephant in the room”, before revealing:
“Eric Melvin is not here today with us because of the following reason: at 8am on Monday morning, after the final NOFX show ever, Eric Melvin’s lawyers served Fat Mike legal papers accusing him of legal financial malfeasance,”
Sandien then described the timing and impact it had on the band, saying:
“Ten hours earlier we finished playing the final show of our 42-year career. It was the most amazing and emotional send-off ever, nothing but love, family, tears and love. That letter broke my heart, as well as the rest of the band and the crew. It still hurts today and it hurts right now saying it.”
He also claimed that Melvin has made it clear any discussion must be handled through legal channels.
“Melvin has made it clear, and perfectly clear, on this matter that to talk about it with him or anybody, it must go through his counsel,”
Sandien added his own view of Fat Mike’s character, stating:
“I’ve known Mike for 43 years — I knew him for a year before NOFX: Mike is a lot of things, we all know that, he’s a complicated person, but he is not a thief. I will go on record saying he is not a thief.”
He concluded by saying:
“We hope this gets resolved soon, but until then, here we are, and it is what it is. And for the obvious reasons we can not, and will not, discuss this any further.”
No specifics about the legal claims were disclosed.
40 Years Of Fkin’ Up**
Despite the situation, NOFX’s history continues to be documented, a feature length documentary titled 40 Years of Fkin’ Up** is currently in post production, with Fat Mike saying it won’t hold back.
“Most people wouldn’t be OK with releasing a film that shows footage of getting whipped in their dungeon, or their drug use for the past 20 years, or dressing up like a rubber cheap whore, or the ambulance ride when they were naked while puking and shitting blood… I’m not like most people,” Fat Mike said.
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