NOFX were a band for more than 40 years. For that entire time, their lineup included singer/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. But as soon as NOFX played their final show in San Pedro in 2024, Melvin apparently sued Fat Mike, accusing him of "financial malfeasance." According to drummer Erik Sandin, the band's other founding member, Melvin's lawyers served Fat Mike with legal papers the morning after the band's farewell gig.
Last week, Fat Mike's Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas opened a retrospective exhibit on NOFX. As you might imagine, Eric Melvin was not there for the opening. As Far Out reports, Erik Sandin read a prepared statement to fans at the event, explaining Melvin's absence without offering too many details on the lawsuit. Here's what he said:
As the spokesperson of the band and the most level-headed one, I'd like to address the elephant in the room. 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.
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. Melvin has made it perfectly clear, on this matter that to talk about it with him or anybody, it must go through his counsel.
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. We hope this gets resolved soon, but until then, here we are, and it is what it is. And for the obvious reasons, we cannot and will not discuss this any further.
