This song was inspired by Bob Lush, one of the many colorful characters that entered the NOFX universe in the late '80s and early '90s when they were scraping to get by. According to lead singer Fat Mike, Bob was a junkie whose girlfriend fed their habit by turning tricks. She threw him over a weight bench one day, damaging his liver, which is detailed in the first verse, where Bob faces a crisis because he can't drink. The rest of the song is fictionalized - Bob didn't shave his head and start fights at shows. He later died of an overdose.
"Bob" became a NOFX fan favorite, played at most of their live shows. It's from their fourth album, White Trash, Two Heebs And A Bean, which got a boost from the loud, fast sounds of Nirvana's Nevermind album, which was taking off around this time. A few years later, the punk uprising peaked as Green Day became one of the biggest bands in the land. NOFX earned a lot more fans but remained independent.
The music video was directed by Samuel Bayer, who also did Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." MTV didn't play it, and NOFX held a grudge. In 1994 when punk was popular, the group made a video for their song "Leave It Alone" and wouldn't let MTV have it.
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