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The Offspring
The Offspring
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The Offspring's metal-inflected punk became a popular sensation in 1994, selling over four million albums on an independent record label. While the group's credentials and approach follow the indie rock tradition of the '80s, sonically the Offspring sound more like an edgy, hard-driving heavy metal band, with their precise, pulsing power chords and Dexter Holland's flat vocals. Featuring Holland, guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg Kriesel, and drummer Ron Welty, the Offspring released their self-titled debut album in 1989. Four years later, their second album, Ignition, became an underground hit, setting the stage for the across-the-board success of 1994's Smash. The Nirvana sound-alike "Come Out and Play," the first single from the album, became an MTV hit in the summer of 1994, which paved the way to radio success.

The Offspring were played on both alternative and album rock stations, confirming their broad-based appeal. "Self Esteem," the second single, followed the same soft verse/loud chorus formula and stayed on the charts nearly twice as long as "Come Out and Play." The group got offers from major labels, yet chose to stay with Epitaph. While they were able to play arenas in the U.S., their success didn't translate in foreign countries. Nevertheless, the band's popularity continued to grow in America, as "Gotta Get Away" became another radio/MTV hit in the beginning of 1995. The Offspring recorded a version of the Damned's "Smash It Up" for the Batman Forever soundtrack in the summer of that year; it kept the group on the charts as the bandmembers worked on their third album.

Following a prolonged bidding war and much soul-searching, the Offspring decided to leave Epitaph Records in 1996 for Columbia Records. The move was particularly controversial within the punk community, and many artists on the Epitaph roster, including Pennywise and owner Brett Gurewitz, criticized the band. After much delay, the Offspring finally released their Columbia debut, Ixnay on the Hombre, in February of 1997. Expectations for the record were high and it did receive good reviews, but Ixnay on the Hombre failed to become a crossover hit on the level of Smash, and the group also lost a significant portion of its hardcore punk audience due to the album's major-label status. Americana followed in 1998, scoring the hit "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)." In mid-2000, the Offspring made controversial headlines with their decision to offer Conspiracy of One free of charge via the Internet prior to the initial November release date. Sony Music did not adhere to such a move and threatened a lawsuit; therefore, the band nixed plans to release the album in such a manner. Individual singles, however, were made available on the band's official website and other music-related sites such as MTV Online.

The Offspring returned in 2003 with Splinter. The album was released through Columbia, proving the band's flouting of the record biz hadn't soured the major labels. It also featured the single "Hit That," which returned to the smarmy, pop-referential feel of "Pretty Fly." The Offspring toured the world in support of Splinter, and in the process they hit nearly every continent at least once. They returned in June 2005 with a greatest-hits set; in addition to their major hits, it included the new track "Can't Repeat." In 2008, after several delays, the band returned with its first studio release in four and a half years, releasing the highly anticipated Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music GuideMore

Official Profile

The Offspring
The Offspring's metal-inflected punk became a popular sensation in 1994, selling over four million a...
Songs: 88, Videos: 17, Playlists: 9, Blog Posts: 3, Polls: 0, Battles: 0

Most Popular Music Videos (15)

Hammerhead
(Duration: 4:32)
Aug 5th, 7:12am
Million Miles Away
(Duration: 3:40)
Jun 28th, 10:36pm
Come Out And Play
(Duration: 3:14)
Oct 21st, 7:15am
You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
(Duration: 3:16)
Oct 25th, 5:18am
Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?
(Duration: 3:40)
Feb 24th, 8:30am
Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)
(Duration: 3:13)
Jun 28th, 10:31pm
view all

Fan Comments

Sep 13th, 12:10pm
Hi guys! I love your music and just can't wait 'till you'll come to visit Russia again. By the way, are you ever going to visit Kaliningrad? That would be great, 'cause we've got a lot of fans of yours here. We are waiting!!
Sep 12th, 4:00am
nice work ya did your gonna far kid
Aug 28th, 6:20pm
the offspring is one of my all-time faves! Them or The Used!! I pre-ordered ARTWORK and I can't wait for the new CD this monday!!! They're doing a twitter listening party on release date; check out theused.net for info people!!
Aug 20th, 5:55pm
You guys are awesome!! I have rocked out to your music all my life....since '95 lol. YOU ROCK!! I hope you guys dont go away.
Jul 6th, 6:46pm
Hey guys how are you doing? I'm a Portuguese Fan of you since i was 6 years old, i'm almost 18 now, your songs rock, it was your music that brought me to the world of music, it inspired me very much and my dream was to become a punk rocker with great songs just like yours, i liked your new album all of it including the ones that people are making a polemic of it like ( fix you, kristy are you doing ok? and stuff... ), the old songs are better of course but your new album is good 2, i only think that you could make more success with it if your videoclips we're better, i didn't like the videos of ( hammerhead and you're gonna go far kid ) and that's one of the things that ruines all, very few people liked those videos but the songs are very good, i think your next video should be ( stuff is messed up ) and with funny and punk stuff on the video, like ( pretty fly for a white guy ) do something like that but diferrent, that's what i think. well good luck on your career guys, if you want you can listen to my songs and comment my imeem profile, till next time, see ya!
Jun 8th, 10:37am
You guys are such a awesome band i been a fan since you first came out in 90's
Jun 7th, 1:45am
definitely my favorite band their first song I heard by them was pretty fly for a white guy I learened the words almost immediately
Jun 6th, 1:24pm
I don't think you guys know how badass you are. I agree with some that the old Offspring was awesome, but the newer albums show you guys are still going strong!
May 28th, 6:16am
i'm SO gonna play why dont you geta job at my kids graduation....(if i have kids)....thats gonna be the shit!!!
May 14th, 8:01pm
We are posting "Why Don't You Get a Job?" all over for my friends who are recent college graduates. We all love it so much. Your music kicks ass!