Doornails by NOFX - Songfacts

Album: Wolves In Wolves' Clothing (2006)

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In the beginning of the song, when lead singer Fat Mike says, "These two shots are for Derrick... suicide isn't painless," he is referring to the drummer of Lagwagon, Derrick Plourde, who died by suicide in 2005 at 33. When he mentions "coffee cigarettes," that refers to a punk song by Lagwagon from when Derrick was in the band. Fat Mike produced Lagwagon's albums and released them on his label, Fat Wreck Chords. >>
Suggestion credit:
Dylan - Tarpon Springs, FL
Where Fat Mike sings, "and this fix is for Bradley" he relates it directly to Bradley Nowell of Sublime, who died of a heroin overdose in 1996 at 28. >>
Suggestion credit:
Sam - Australia
The song is more observational than judgmental. At the time, Fat Mike was getting hooked on valium and alcohol. He later went to rehab for opiate addiction, which he sings about in the 2022 song "F--k Day Six." Drummer Smelly (Erik Sandin) was the only sober member, and that's because he went through rehab in the early '90s after a heroin addiction nearly killed him.

Comments: 4

Matt from Burnley, Uk"This nitrous hit is for Lynn and best friend Dobbs" is a tribute to Lynn Strait from Snot and his boxer dog, Dobbs. Lynn and Dobbs were killed in a car crash in 1998. Lynn performed backing vocals on "The Brews" on Punk In Drublic.
J from Orange, CaMany people think that Jason Thirsk of Pennywise was the one referenced in the song when in fact they were referencing Jason Sears of RKL.

Jason Sears died due to complications while undergoing a detox treatment involving ibogaine in Tijuana, Mexico. Hence why they state "This Patrón's for Jason".
Deon from Moss Vale, Australiathe song has references to heaps of different people who died through substance abuse like jason thirsk from pennywise, bomber who was a member of rkl and lynn straight of snot...i think thats the whole point of the song...this song is for winning losers, its for unlucky substance abusers...also
Rusty from The Park, Cathe second verse, is about Jim Cherry who was in the bands Strung Out, Pulley, and Zero Down. Jim died on July 7 2002, from heart failure believed to be cause by a drug overdose. He wrote the songs "Ultamite Devotion", "Mind of my Own", & "Bring Out Your Dead" which are menchioned in the song Doornails. Jims dad owns a carpet store in Simi Valley, Ca wich would always give free carpet or give discounts to punk bands to use in their homes, practice studios, vans, ect...

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