They started about 1984 in Berkley, Los Angeles. In the start NOFX had three members: Mike, Melvin and Scott. They gave their first stuff to Doug Moody, a manager from Mystic records, but they left after recording some stuff. Their first record, "Maximum Rock'n'Roll" contained some kind of garage punk.

After some months, Scott left the band and Izzy Stradlin and Erik "Smelly" joined the band. Then, in 1988 they released "Liberal Animation" on their own, but they didn't succeed. Finally, the producer of Liberal Animation (Brett Gurewitz that founded his own label, Epitaph, after leaving Bad Religion) asked NOFX to sign. They agreed and in 1989 came out their third album "S&M Airlines"that includes "Go Your Own Way" in which Fat shares the vocals with Greg Graffin, from Bad Religion. Next album "Ribbed" came out in 1991 with songs mainly about sex.

After this album Izzy Stradlin left (as Fat Mike said, he left because the band wouldn't make as much money as he hoped) and El Hefe joined the band. Hefe is responsible for the trumpet and some of the funny voices on NOFX songs. In 1992 they released two albums: "White trash, two heebs and a bean" under Epitaph, and "The longest line" by Fat Wreck Chords (Fat Mike’s label). Their next album, "Punk in Drublic" was released under Epitaph in 1994, and it’s said as the best NOFX album ever. They also released a video: Ten Years of Fuckin' Up.

In 1995, they released "I heard they suck...Live", under Fat Wreck Chords, that was recorded at Roxy Club in Hollywood. In 1996 came out "Heavy Petting Zoo" with a polemical cover, released under Epitaph. Two years later, NOFX released "So long... and thanks for all the shoes", also under Epitaph. This album features NOFX playing jazz, reggae, ska, punk and a track sung in french (Champs Elyseés). Next summer "Pump up the Valuum" is expected to be out. No doubt, they make up the most irreverent punk-rock band.