Cokie The ClownYou're Welcome

The first full length album released by Fat Mike’s alter ego, Cokie The Clown is forth-coming and we could expect that it might be a while before there’s another one, so pay close attention.

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You’re Welcome shows us an intimate look into the mind and unique experiences that have shaped Michael Burkett beyond being the infamous punk musician he is know as. It’s himself as his rawest. It’s gut-wrenching; passionate-despair; heart-ache; regret; fury and pain; it’s himself as Cokie The Clown.

Mind you, this isn’t something that happened overnight; Burkett combined songs that were written almost a decade ago with songs that were written more recently; however, there’s a strong emphasis on the truth behind all ten songs on the album.

There are even the sentences that make you wonder if Burkett might get locked up (That Time I Killed My Mom), but it’s ultimately just confronting, yet shines a stronger light on the hardships and heartaches that this man has lived through.

From the initial writing of the songs, Burkett then spent a long year recording this album which was produced by Danny Lohner. Burkett also collaborated with some reputable artists along the way including Dizzy Reed of Guns n’ Roses on keys, Travis Barker of Blink-182 on the tubs, and Baz, a French musician and composer with a helluva lot to offer. Top that musical cake with Cokie The Clown on top and voila, you could forget the cherries with this stellar line-up that’s come together to create this haunting masterpiece.

Despite recognising Fat Mike as being the front-man of NOFX, this album doesn’t share too many similarities, except for a few including Swing and a Miss, and Punk Rock Saved My Life. At times there are haunting resemblances between lyrics that can be hard to digest, or line’s that are pronounced a lil’ too nonchalantly (Bathtub).

There are even the sentences that make you wonder if Burkett might get locked up (That Time I Killed My Mom), but it’s ultimately just confronting, yet shines a stronger light on the hardships and heartaches that this man has lived through.

You’re Welcome will be released via Fat Wreck Chords on April 26th and it’ll undoubtedly take you on a journey that’s not for the faint-hearted.

STANDOUT TRACKS: Punk Rock Saved My Life, The Queen Is Dead, F**K You All
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