The bass is not tapping as others said. Mike is just massively underrated as a bass player when you consider he is doing vocals as well.

Thank you for taking my request! So glad you finally got to it! And glad you enjoyed it. By the way, they use a trombone, not a tenor sax.

This song has always to me been a masterpiece in my eyes. It’s a critique of society as a whole. It’s built like a damn thesis, many threads that come together to form a single thought, reform, change, enough is enough. And you can tell this because each critique has its own theme, each section of the song could be its own song. Each section has something to say. And it’s all brought together by the theme, at the end it all comes together and basically spells it all out. “We are the whore, we are the queer, we sacrifice, ammunition.. in the class war”

Ha ha, 18.5 minute song from a band that is almost always stops at 1- 1.5 min mark. This track is legit as long as some of their albums... but they never disappoint, ever! Fan of the band and this channel! David your comments are always on point! Hit a thumbs up and share!

18 min song by NOFX what the hell ! i really liked it to be honest

Glad you noticed the drummer. That drummer is Erik 'Smelly' Sandin, and he's a beast. Probably THE greatest drummer in any punk band imo. Which it's crazy that he's even still alive with the insane life he's lived lol, if you ever want to read a band's autobiography check out Nofx's cause it's wild. And the reason the song sounds like that, changes a lot, is it's a ballad and meant to sound like that. A lot of the slowdown is them basically taking a rest. Cause that's punk music, it's fast and takes a lot of energy. Afaik nofx is literally the only punk band to ever do an 18+min song. The Decline is a case of 'the sum is greater than the parts' I think, cause the real purpose of the song is the meaning of what's being said. It's a critique on America, and how we've declined into mediocrity and corruption.

Id like to see a reaction to "dear coaches corner" by Propaghandi

This is a showcase of every best aspects of a punk rock song IMO, greatest punk rock song ever.

Love NOFX, Love this tune!!

If you get bored sometime check out the live version at red rocks. They played it w/ an orchestra IMO sounds much better and appreciate the musicianship of everyone. NOFX - The Decline Live at Red Rocks w/ Baz's Orchestra (Official Video) kzread.info/dash/bejne/oYuc25qJc9ito84.htmlsi=t4liYLSrL2PPmvj3

It's worth noting that they also have a version of this song with a full orchestra that adds a lot of depth to it. Also, it's a trombone, not a sax. And the bass isn't tapping his playing a triplet with an upstroke pattern. Lyricly it's got a lot of depth too. I'd suggest reading through them or giving it another listen and focus on the lyrics (that's hard to do when you're analyzing the musical composition). Additional aside, Low End University did a review of it too.

I love NOFX, but i never expected to hear Fat Mike's vocals being praised in a review. They fit the style though. IDK if you are aware that he is the vocalist and bass player.

More KZread channels have actually given The Decline a first time listen than you'd realise, the Low End University Bass teacher did a great one three weeks ago in fact. I think people are often intrigued of what goes into an 18 minute punk track as you would normally associate them being brief (generally checking in at a couple of minutes long - if that). NOFX have had a run of four decades, 15 albums and still have a couple more in the pipeline, absolutely nothing one trick about them.

I used to love going to parties in my early 20's and this song would play and most of the people there knew it and when it would come on we would all be singing it at the top of our lungs. Great memories.

I watched them play this live, was the greatest music moment of my life bc I grew on this band and this albumn/song.

If your bar has a jukebox with this song it's perfect. You'll look around and just permanently see people banging their heads while working or socializing etc.

that bass part is not tapping, he does it with a pick

@ryancarde

3 ай бұрын

Absolutely, Fat Mike's picking style is one of a kind ,up picking/triple picking... been jamming NOFX since I was 14, im 39!! This years the last tour for them!!! 40 years of punk music 🤘🏻🤘🏻

You should give “Linoleum” and “My Orphan Year” a listen. They’re much shorter and good examples of the band’s range.

The changes goes with the lyrics and is made to point out how the world we live in changes but not drastic enough that we go along with it and dont question it...

i think that NOFX is the best punk band

This was better than I expected.

I dont like metal, but nofx is very respected in Brazil.... Punk nessa porra krl parabéns.

One of my favorite songs. Thanks for doing this one. Also one of my favorites to play on bass (well attempt, Fat Mike has a few sections that sound easier than they are. Those fast lines are using a pick btw. No tapping ). Also I’m not a pick player but I use one for the appropriate songs and this one tests my stamina. It’s a workout for sure! Also I know you aren’t a lyrics guy but they’re awesome. Sometimes I think bands like NoFX and RATM use music as a vehicle for message in some cases. In this particular instance I consider this more or a concept a side to a record or something like that

Believe it or not, that bass tapping section is not tapping. It’s all played with a pick.

@justinman114

6 ай бұрын

Yep, it's Mike's patented two-string triplets.

@anthonydawson8080

6 ай бұрын

@@justinman114he mentioned on another video. He’s got this circular technique It’s cool because I’d always tried playing it in a different way. Never thought of doing it that way. It’s like trying to play some of those super fast rancid lines

@justinman114

6 ай бұрын

@@anthonydawson8080 yeah I probably saw the same video he commented on haha, good stuff

@anthonydawson8080

6 ай бұрын

@@justinman114 yeah it’s funny now with KZread the actual artist can comment and be like “here’s how I do it”. That’s way cooler than buying a 20$ tab book and it being wrong anyway

Drumming was solid. Good video. Thanks

lmao watch your alexisonfire reaction and then seen something about nofx and looked up decline reactions hilarious you actually reviewed this

It’s a masterpiece. This is the only way to write a long song.

Listening to this song for close to 25 years and finally got to see it played live just recently was an amazing experience for myself. You have to know NOFX previous catalog to understand the feel of this EP. It is who they are, and how they sound. Its a trombone, and the baasist doesn't finger tap. Thanks for calling out the drummer, Smelly doesn't get the recognition he should.

You can tell it is not his cup of tea but it has to admit is good song :) I love nofx

Just listening to the music misses most of this song. This is about mood and message, which is depressingly still as true today as it was then. Listen to the lyrics and if it doesn't make you mad then I envy your life.

It's the drummer he's great and solid but he does what he does

Love how you mention that if you're listening to a 18 min punk song it had better hold your attention... and that is what is so impressive about the song. How do you keep me so entertained for so long. It's fantastic

This was one of like 10 songs that i distinctly remember where I was when I first heard it. It's Punk Opera...and wildly prescient in hindsight.

The bass "triad" was not 3 notes it was triplets of 2 notes a time. He starts with upstrokes using a pick, no tapping involved.

( i wrote this before your final)we must remember that they play songs under 3 mins on the reg at this point. im bias because i grew up listen to nofx but i dont think you commented on lyrics at all. also first time here so that may not be part of this. ive heard so many times that its just 6 songs stuck together and i honesty accept that. anyways i feel you were fair and honest in your take just wish lyrics came into it and im a punk kid that became a hip hop head. all love. (after) love the song but i dont listen often. fat mike and hefe or fat mike and melvin (screamer) dope reaction boss.... so happy you enjoyed it over all, now we can Kick back, watch it crumble See the drowning Watch the fall I feel just terrible about it That's sarcasm, let it burn! :)

subbed btw

Long but enjoyable

The section before the outro gives me chills every time…”and so we go on with our lives, we know the truth but prefer lies…”. NOFX has a way of hitting a certain sound in some songs that gives me chills, and they do it with that tempo change and lyrics. And they kinda let the listener know it’s coming to an end by finally saying the title. “…he’s got his, and I’ve got mine, meet The Decline”, and then finishing with the trombone section which was used 2-3 times before but extended with lyrics and subtle changes. Killer song.

@TonyDiCroce

3 ай бұрын

"We are the queer. We are the whore. Ammunition, in the class war." Ammunition in the class war is one of the darkest lyrics I've ever heard.

The part you said was tapping was actually a 2 string triplet picked

You can't look at a NOFX song like a normal song. They do shit differently.

The fact you used the word "Monotonous" is kind of the point if you read the lyrics. "dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest." It was releassed 24 years ago and what has actually changed in our country in the last 24 years? Not a whole heck of a lot. Kind of Monotonous huh ? "The more things change the more they stay the same" - kind of like the song. At least thats my take on it.

@mdog86

4 ай бұрын

Yea I've never once gotten 'monotonous' from The Decline. The entire purpose of the song is to critique America, and bring to light how much we've fallen as a country. I kinda feel like that whole point slipped past him lol

@jonglenister3268

4 ай бұрын

Do you remember when things started to change in 2016 and fat Mike hated it.

Noice! 🎉

"The Decline" isn't a song. It's 8 or 9 songs, standing on each other's shoulders, wearing one trenchcoat

@DarkSector6247

2 ай бұрын

It's a story. A journey. I've never had a song break me like this one has. Every time I hear it I weep.

@andyb1653

2 ай бұрын

@@DarkSector6247 I'd be lying if I said "The Decline" brings me to tears, but it definitely makes me think. Fat Mike's a way smarter & more insightful dude than most folks realize.

Nothing better.

You all can unite. Baddest country on earth! Americans just have to WANT peaceful stuff!!

SO right when you paused to say I'm starting to get tired of the change and right at the moment stayed in the pocket for 3 minutes basically. That's the journey. That's the Decline.

Watch the red rock version...even though Mike's being gay probably the best version

Is this only a technical review? No talk about the lyrics? There's lots of lyrics.

@THEDavidHeretic

13 күн бұрын

I'm not a lyrics guy, never have been. Lyrics go right over my head. It's not that I don't care about lyrics, I understand their importance. However I've never been able to grasp them and interpret them. That's why I stick to what I am good at, which is the musicality side of music. Chords, scales, modes, time signatures, key signatures, that's where I excel. I play to my strengths.

@DaveFL1976

13 күн бұрын

@@THEDavidHeretic Hello Also David! Understood. And I really enjoyed the technical review. However, the lyrics are really impressive. It's a song about Government, Media and Drugs, all without being political, which is sorta impressive. If you get bored some day and want to follow the song along with the lyrics, I think you'll be more impressed at how it all comes together. Cheers Dave!