Fat Mike (born Michael John Burkett) is an American musician, singer, bassist, songwriter, and producer best known as the founder and frontman of the punk rock band NOFX. As one of the most influential figures in independent punk rock, he has shaped the genre through both his music and his work as a record label owner.

Fat Mike began his musical career in the early 1980s and founded NOFX in 1983. The band's debut album, Liberal Animation (1988), introduced their fast-paced melodic punk style, while later releases such as Punk in Drublic (1994), So Long and Thanks for All the Shoes (1997), and The War on Errorism (2003) established them as one of the most successful independent punk bands in the world. Some of the most recognized songs associated with Fat Mike include “Linoleum,” “Don't Call Me White,” “The Brews,” “Franco Un-American,” and “Seeing Double at the Triple Rock.”

Beyond NOFX, Fat Mike founded the influential independent label Fat Wreck Chords, which became a major force in the global punk scene. He has also been involved in side projects such as Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and Cokie the Clown, while collaborating with numerous artists throughout his career. In 2015, he co-created the punk rock musical Home Street Home, further showcasing his creative versatility.

What makes Fat Mike unique is his unwavering commitment to independent music, his sharp wit, and his willingness to address political, social, and personal topics through songwriting. His influence extends far beyond NOFX, making him one of the most important and recognizable personalities in modern punk rock.