The Offspring

The Offspring is an American popular punk rock band from Orange County, California that originally formed in 1984, consisting of vocalist and guitarist Dexter Holland, Kevin 'Noodles' Wasserman (also on guitar), bassist Greg K., Ron Welty on drums, and backup vocalist Higgins. In 2003, Ron Welty left the band and was replaced by Atom Willard.

Background

Although their first album, The Offspring, was very similar to late 1980s punk, the next album, Ignition, saw them move away from more traditional punk, heading into the punk of the mid-1990s with songs like "Dirty Magic". It was 1994's album, Smash, that brought Offspring into the mainstream; it sold over eleven million copies worldwide. Along with Green Day's Dookie, it is considered to have catalysed the punk rock revival of the 90s.

Related Topics:
The Offspring - 1980s - Ignition - 1990s - 1994 - Smash - Green Day

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In 1996, The Offspring jumped ship from Epitaph Records and signed with Columbia Records. Many punk rock purists criticized this decision, feeling that The Offspring jumped from an independent to a major label, solely for financial gain. However, vocalist Dexter Holland, in a letter to the fans, stated that they left because Epitaph's owner was taking immoral actions and was concerned only about profit; and that the contract they signed with Columbia was for less money.

Related Topics:
1996 - Epitaph Records - Columbia Records - Major label - Dexter Holland

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They released their follow up to Smash in 1997, entitled Ixnay on the Hombre. The commercial success of this record was somewhat disappointing, only going on to sell four million copies.

Related Topics:
1997 - Ixnay on the Hombre

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On each album, The Offspring tend to have a few songs based on current social/political subject matter, a testament to their punk roots. Songs like "Jennifer Lost the War" and "Kill the President" on The Offspring, "L.A.P.D." on Ignition, "It'll Be a Long Time" and "Not the One" on Smash, and "Meaning of Life" and "Change the World" on Ixnay on the Hombre, communicated the band's general position on some issues, although the band has not been known to be outspoken or particularly politically active, they did release the track 'Baghdad' on the first Rock Against Bush compilation released by Fat Wreck Chords.

Related Topics:
Rock Against Bush - Fat Wreck Chords

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In 1995 the band formed their own record label, Nitro Records. The label has released works by many punk groups, including AFI and The Damned. (The Offspring have recorded covers of "Smash It Up" by The Damned and "Total Immortal" by AFI, both released as singles.)

Related Topics:
1995 - Nitro Records - AFI - The Damned

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Although Smash was the album that first brought The Offspring major commercial success and recognition, it was the release of the single "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" from the 1998 album Americana which established the band as a regular feature on MTV and in the pop charts.

Related Topics:
1998 - Americana - MTV

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The band's most recent studio album is Splinter, which draws inspiration from their older works. The band has also recently released a greatest hits album, unsurprisingly entitled: Greatest Hits, which was released on June 21, 2005. The first single from which is "Can't Repeat". The band is also working on their eighth album of new material which is slated for release sometime in 2006. Two sources (Pause & Play and Top Hits Online) have stated that the album was supposed to be released in November 2005. However, the rumour turned to be false, depending on source (Ultimate-Guitar.com).

Related Topics:
Splinter - Greatest Hits - June 21 - 2005 - 2006 - November

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The Offspring appeared as an unnamed punk band in the 1999 horror-comedy Idle Hands, where Dexter Holland was scalped by the titular possessed hand.

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On March 18, 2003, Ron Welty left The Offspring to devote his energies to a new band "Steady Ground". The Offspring held auditions for a new drummer, ultimately selecting Atom Willard. Atom Willard played in Rocket from the Crypt for ten years and has more recently played with Moth, Alkaline Trio and Melissa Auf Der Maur.

Related Topics:
March 18 - 2003 - Ron Welty - Steady Ground - Atom Willard - Rocket from the Crypt - Moth - Alkaline Trio - Melissa Auf Der Maur

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