NOFX guitarist Eric Melvin has pushed back against reports that he sued frontman Fat Mike, saying the dispute surrounding the band actually stems from a private letter requesting financial records.
The statement, posted to Melvin’s Instagram ahead of the premiere of the band’s documentary ‘40 Years of Fkin’ Up’**, addresses rumours that have circulated since NOFX played their final shows in October 2024.
Melvin said he had stayed quiet while an inaccurate version of events spread online but felt it was time to respond:
“Things have been said about me that aren’t true, and I’ve been quiet long enough,” he wrote. “I won’t let one version of events be the only version anymore.”
‘I never sued Fat Mike’
Melvin directly rejected claims that he had served legal papers to Fat Mike shortly after NOFX’s farewell show.
“I never sued Fat Mike, NOFX, or served anyone in the band legal papers – not at 8am, not ever.”
According to Melvin, the situation actually began with a private letter sent on October 7, 2024, which he says was misrepresented publicly.
“What actually happened: a letter was sent in the late afternoon of October 7, 2024. Not a lawsuit, not a demand Mike pay me millions of dollars.”
“The words ‘thief’ or ‘illegal’ appear nowhere in it.”
Melvin explained the letter requested financial records he had been seeking for years, something he believes he is entitled to as a member of both the band and its business entity.
“As a member of this band and the LLC, that’s my right. It was private.”
What sparked the controversy
The dispute first surfaced publicly earlier this year during an event at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas. At the time, drummer Erik ‘Smelly’ Sandin told attendees that Melvin had been absent from a scheduled panel discussion because his legal team had served Fat Mike with civil papers earlier that same day.
Sandin described the moment as painful for the group.
“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 defended Fat Mike’s character during the event.
“There’s a lot of things about Mike that are complicated… I will go on record saying he is not a thief.”
A band still tied together by decades
Despite the dispute, Melvin emphasised that his connection to the band remains strong.
“I love being in NOFX. I love my band mates. I am so proud of what we’ve built together over decades.”
Melvin ended his message by encouraging fans to shift focus toward the band’s upcoming documentary:
“So let’s shut down the rumor mill, enjoy Fat Mike’s NOFX documentary, and party like it’s 1991.”
The end of a punk institution
NOFX officially wrapped up their touring career in 2024, ending a run that stretched more than 40 years.
Formed in 1983, the band became one of punk’s most influential acts, releasing 15 studio albums from ‘Liberal Animation’ (1988) through to ‘Double Album’ (2022).
The documentary ‘40 Years of Fkin’ Up’**, directed by James Buddy Day, features interviews with Melvin, Fat Mike, Sandin and guitarist Aaron ‘El Hefe’ Abeyta, along with new music that will only be available to audiences attending theatrical screenings (per Tone Deaf).
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