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The Offspring

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The Offspring

The Offspring (sometimes referred to as simply "Offspring") is a popular American band from Orange County, California which formed in 1984. The band currently consists of Dexter Holland (lead vocals, guitar), Noodles (guitar, backing vocals), Greg K. (bass, backing vocals), and Pete Parada (drums).

Since their 1994 album Smash, which is often considered the best-selling independent label album of all time,[6] the band has achieved commercial success over five albums, with singles such as "Come Out and Play," "Self Esteem," and "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)". In addition to Smash, their next three albums, Ixnay on the Hombre, Americana, and Conspiracy of One, have each received platinum certification.[7]

To date, The Offspring has released seven studio albums, one compilation, three EPs and one DVD[8], selling over 32 million albums worldwide[6] and making them one of the best-selling punk acts of all time. The band is credited, along with fellow California punk bands Green Day and Rancid, with reviving popular interest in punk rock in the United States during the mid 1990s.[9] The Offspring is currently working on a new studio album, which is due for release in late 2007/early 2008.[10]

Band history

Early years (1984–1987)

The Offspring was formed in 1984 by guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland and bassist Greg K., two friends who met on their high school cross-country team and formed the band "Manic Subsidal." The decision to form a band came outside of a Social Distortion concert, when both were refused entry.[6] Doug Thompson was added for vocals,[11] and Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman, the school janitor, was welcomed into the band, allegedly because he was old enough to purchase alcohol for Holland and Kriesel, both of whom were under the legal drinking age.[6] The band used Thompson's friend, Jim Benton, as their drummer. Thompson was forced out of the band, while Benton left. This led to Holland taking over on vocals, and James Lilja joining as the drummer. The band changed their name to "The Offspring" in 1985.[11]

In 1987, the band released their first single; the 7" "Blackball/I'll Be Waiting". They released the album on their self-made Black Label record company, which was named after the brand of beer named Black Label. Lilja quit shortly after the release to pursue a medical career in gynaecology,[12] and was replaced by Ron Welty, who was only 16 years old at the time.[13]

Early releases: The Offspring and Ignition (1988–1992)

In 1988, The Offspring signed a recording deal with a small-time label, Nemesis Records. With producer Thom Wilson, the band recorded their debut album, simply titled The Offspring, which was released in 1989. The album was released in limited amounts by the label, only in a 12" Vinyl format. The CD release of the album would not surface until 1995.

In 1991, The Offspring teamed up with Wilson again to produce the Baghdad 7" EP. This EP was instrumental to the band's signing with Epitaph Records. Wilson had been trying to get The Offspring to switch to Epitaph, a label run by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Gurewitz felt that The Offspring was just not quite pronounced enough for his label, but Baghdad convinced him to give the band a shot. Wilson and The Offspring entered the studio again and recorded Ignition. Released in 1992, Ignition exceeded all of the label's and band's expectations. The band went on tour for the next two years with other punk bands such as Pennywise, and ska punk bands like No Doubt and Voodoo Glow Skulls.

Mainstream success with Smash (1993–1995)

When The Offspring returned to the studio to work on their third album in 1993, the band's relations with producer Thom Wilson had begun to strain. The band released what would become their biggest selling CD, titled Smash (1994). Fueled by the hit singles "Come Out and Play," "Self Esteem," and "Gotta Get Away," this album set the all-time record for most units sold by an independent label band at 14 million records.

After the release of Smash, and armed with a newly expanded income, the band decided to buy out the rights to their first album. Holland and Greg K then created their own record label, Nitro Records, and started signing bands. One of their first releases was a re-release of their first album The Offspring. The label also signed a number of punk bands including AFI, The Vandals, and Guttermouth. Soon after Nitro Records became solely Dexter's responsibility.

Rise in popularity (1996–2002)

After Smash and the subsequent two years of touring, Wilson, who during the Smash studio sessions criticized the direction of the band's music as straying away from punk, was fired.[citation needed] Around the same time, the band left Epitaph and signed with Columbia Records, allegedly because they were offended by an insurance policy that Brett Gurewitz had taken out on the band.[citation needed] Epitaph sued, claiming that the band had not fulfilled its contract. The settlement was an estimated $2 million and the rights to all European single sales.[citation needed] Most fans of The Offspring thought that the move to Columbia was purely for financial gain; to this day the band still deny that charge.[citation needed]

After the Smash tour finally ended in late 1995, The Offspring began writing and recording their fourth album, titled Ixnay on the Hombre, in 1996. The album came out on February 4, 1997, which happened to be Noodles' 34th birthday. This album was not as successful as Smash, although it did sell 4 million units. The album saw the band move away from the political-punk themes common to many Epitaph bands, and more into mainstream rock with songs like: "All I Want," "Gone Away," and, "I Choose." The video for "I Choose" was directed by Holland himself. The band believes that when Ixnay... came out that the fans were expecting "Smash Part Two" (in their own words) which is why they moved away from their former style.

In 1998, The Offspring released Americana. This album was musically lighter than Smash and Ixnay but lyrically darker in attitude, while still maintaining a punk-like sound. Two of the album's singles: "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)," and "Why Don't You Get a Job," became the bands two biggest hits, both charting in the ARC Top 40 [7] and making the album the peak of The Offspring's mainstream popularity.

In 1999, the band appeared as themselves in the film Idle Hands. They play "Beheaded" and "I Wanna Be Sedated" at a school dance before Holland is killed. They also appeared at the infamous Woodstock 1999, where their performance was broadcast live on pay per view television.

2000 saw the band release a new album called Conspiracy of One. The band intended to release the entire album online through their official website, to show their support for downloading music on the internet.[14] However, under threat of legal action by Columbia through their parent company Sony, only the first single "Original Prankster" was released online.[15] The band also sold T-shirts on their website with the Napster logo on it and donated money to Napster creator Shawn Fanning with the profits.

The band also released a new single "Defy You" exclusively for the film Orange County.

Atom Willard period (2003–2006)

Nearly three years after the release of Conspiracy of One, long-time drummer Ron Welty left the band in 2003 to start Steady Ground, a band in which he plays the drums and co-produces. Neither Welty or the remaining members have elaborated on the departure.

In 2003, the band released their seventh album Splinter. The Offspring recruited Josh Freese to record the drums for Splinter, and later announced that Atom Willard would be the official replacement for Ron Welty. The album's original title was to be Chinese Democracy, the name of the long-delayed album by Guns N' Roses. As a result, Axl Rose filed a cease and desist order against The Offspring, and to avoid delaying the release, the band chose to simply rename the album. The first single "Hit That" enjoyed moderate success on MTV. "Hit That" used a variety of electronic samples, different from what The Offspring has done in the past.[16]

In 2005, the band released a Greatest Hits album with a DualDisc. The Greatest Hits album contains 14 of the band's hits between Smash and Splinter, and two previously never released songs "Can't Repeat" and "Next to You" (a cover of The Police) (a hidden track). The compilation does not contain any material from the first album and Ignition. The DualDisc contains video of Dexter and Noodles discussing the band's history and a bonus acoustic version of the song "Dirty Magic." About a month later, the band released a video DVD with all of their music videos, and some videos from a live show.

During the summer of 2005, the band played the Vans Warped Tour for the first time, and followed that with a tour of Europe and Japan. After the "Greatest Hits" world tour the band took a break from writing, recording and touring. During the hiatus, Willard was recruited by Tom DeLonge for his band Angels and Airwaves and released an album, We Don't Need to Whisper, in 2006.

Recent events and future plans (2007–present)

The Offspring is currently in the studio recording their as-yet untitled eighth studio album with producer Bob Rock and "a fistful of demos". Although an official title and release date have yet to be confirmed, the recording process has begun and sources indicate that the album may be released in either 2007 or early 2008. There are also rumors of the band releasing a rare/b-sides album, however, on their official website they stated that all of the material is completely new.[citation needed]

On July 18, 2007, Dexter announced that the band has finished "two more songs" and the album is now being recorded in Orange County, California.[17]

It was announced on July 27, 2007 that Pete Parada has been chosen to be The Offspring‘s new drummer, replacing Atom Willard. The band's first shows with Parada were at the Summer Sonic festival in Japan in August of the same year.[18] Parada will not play on the new album however, Josh Freese once again handled drum duties, as he did with Splinter.[19]

The band headlined the 2007 Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, making their first live appearance since mid-2005, and also their first appearance with Parada.[20] During their performance in Japan, they also debuted a new song called "Hammerhead". The new track, along with 13 other songs, is currently being completed for the new album[21].

On September 3rd, 2007, The Offspring posted a studio cam on their fan board.[22]It shows the mixing room, and the recording room. You can see the band members and producers/mixers. It is in fact not a real video, just a series of pictures updated every 30 seconds.

Music style and influences

While The Offspring is primarily considered an shitty band, some have also calld them alternative rock, skate punk, pop punk or (simply a) punk rock grou. Their music contains strong elements of grunge, metal and occasionally ska. Their lyrics typically range from "pretty bad" to "this is really terrible" and discuss wide-ranging issues from personal relationships to whose got the smallest cock. Rock on, posers.

The band cites their musical influences as, The Adolescents, Channel 3, Dead Kennedys, Descendents, The Dickies, Ramones, Sex Pistols, Social Distortion, TSOL, and The Vandals.[23][24]

Band members

The Offspring
Dates Members & prominent instruments Notes
1984
  • Doug Thompson – lead vocals
  • Dexter Holland – guitar
  • Greg K. – bass
  • Jim Benton – drums
  • First line-up.
  • The band was known as "Manic Subsidal" at this time.
  • This line-up never recorded anything.
1984-1985
  • Dexter Holland – guitar, lead vocals
  • Greg K. – bass
  • James Lilja – drums
1985-1987
  • Dexter Holland – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Noodles – lead & rhythm guitars
  • Greg K. – bass
  • James Lilja – drums, backing vocals
  • First line-up as The Offspring.
  • Though Lilja never played on an actual Offspring album, he co-wrote the song "Beheaded", which would later appear on the band's first album.
1987-2003
  • Dexter Holland – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Noodles – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg K. – bass, backing vocals
  • Ron Welty – drums
  • This is the "classic" Offspring line-up.
  • Though Holland did perform on the first album, but on the liner notes, he is credited as his real name Bryan Holland. On the CD version, he is credited as Dexter Holland.
2003-2007
  • Dexter Holland – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Noodles – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg K. – bass, backing vocals
  • Atom Willard – drums

Session members:

  • Josh Freese – drums
2007-present
  • Dexter Holland – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Noodles – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
  • Greg K. – bass, backing vocals
  • Pete Parada - drums

Session Members:

  • Josh Freese - drums
  • Still not a member of the band, Freese has recorded all of the drum tracks for The Offspring's upcoming album. Pete Parada is the new drummer of the band and played his first show with The Offspring at the Summersonic Festival in Japan.

Discography

Main article: The Offspring discography
Year Title Notes
1989 The Offspring Debut album; was not released on CD until 1995.
1992 Ignition First release on Epitaph.
1994 Smash The most successful Offspring album to date and the best selling independent-label album of all time.
1997 Ixnay on the Hombre In Europe, this album was released on Epitaph and in the U.S. on Columbia.
1998 Americana The second most successful Offspring album to date; also released as an Enhanced CD.
2000 Conspiracy of One Last album recorded with the "classic" line up; also released as an Enhanced CD.
2003 Splinter Though never actually a member of the band, studio drummer Josh Freese handles the drum tracks for this album, as no permanent replacement for Ron Welty had been found. It was also released as an Enhanced CD.
2007/2008 Untitled eighth album The band is currently working on their follow-up to Splinter; Josh Freese has recorded the drum tracks for this album. An official title and release date for the new album have not yet been set.

Achievements

RIAA Gold and Platinum certification

[25]

Kerrang!

[citation needed]

  • 50 Greatest Punk Albums Ever
  • 100 Greatest Gigs of All Time (1997)
  • 100 Greatest Singles Of All Time (2002)
  • 200 Albums For The Year 2000 (2000)

MTV

[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ The-Offspring on Yahoo Music.
  2. ^ The Subgenres of Punk Rock, by Ryan Cooper of About.com.
  3. ^ Rotation The Offspring, by Chris Smith of the Houston Press, posted November 30, 2000.
  4. ^ Skate Punk on Rhapsody (online music service)
  5. ^ Skate Punk on YottaMusic.com.
  6. ^ a b c d Band Bio on Offspring.com, obtained January 27, 2007.
  7. ^ a b The Offspring at Rockonthenet.com, obtained January 27, 2007.
  8. ^ For album and single sales information, see the Offspring discography page.
  9. ^ DeRogatis, Jim. Milk It!: Collected Musings on the Alternative Music Explosion of the 90's. Cambridge: Da Capo, 2003. Pg. 357, ISBN 0-306-81271-1
  10. ^ The Offspring Finish Two New Songs, from Ultimate-Guitar.com, posted July 20, 2007.
  11. ^ a b Biography of The Offspring, from Lycos.com, obtained January 27, 2007.
  12. ^ Dexter on song: Beheaded, by Dexter Holland, obtained January 27, 2007.
  13. ^ Interview with Ron Welty, from Tama Drums and Hardware, obtained January 27, 2007.
  14. ^ The Offspring to Release New Album Free Online By Robert Menta of MP3 Newswire, posted September 18, 2000
  15. ^ Sony Forces The Offspring to Cancel MP3 Giveaway By Robert Menta of MP3 Newswire, posted September 26, 2000
  16. ^ Punk's Offspring is aging well, by Randy Lewis of the LA Times, posted December 21, 2003.
  17. ^ Dexter's Journal Entry for July 18,2007
  18. ^ The Offspring have a new drummer Posted July 27, 2007
  19. ^ The Offspring Announce New Drummer Posted July 30, 2007
  20. ^ Summer Sonic Festival In Japan Confirmed
  21. ^ Offspring plays club gig Posted August 15, 2007
  22. ^ Offspring Studio Cam Official The Offspring Forums
  23. ^ Americana: Soundtrack for a Declining Civilization
  24. ^ Dexter Holland's Opus
  25. ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Searchable Database Type in 'Offspring' in artist box.
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