The Offspring is an American rock band formed in Garden Grove, California, in 1984. Originally established under the name Manic Subsidal, the band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn. Alongside bands such as Green Day, NOFX, Bad Religion, Rancid, and Pennywise, The Offspring is associated with the resurgence of mainstream interest in punk rock during the mid-1990s. The band has released eleven studio albums and sold more than 45 million records worldwide.
The band's longest-serving drummer was Ron Welty, who replaced original drummer James Lilja in 1987. Welty remained with the group until 2003 and was succeeded by Adam "Atom" Willard. In 2007, Pete Parada replaced Willard. Following Parada's departure in 2021, Brandon Pertzborn became the band's drummer in 2023. Founding bassist Greg K. Kriesel remained a member until 2018, when Todd Morse assumed the role. Morse had previously served as a touring guitarist, while Jonah Nimoy, who had filled Morse's touring position, became an official member in 2023.
The origins of The Offspring date to 1983, when Holland and Kriesel began playing music together in Cypress, California. Inspired by the local punk scene, they formed Manic Subsidal in 1984. Holland moved from drums to vocals and guitar, James Lilja joined as drummer, and Kevin Wasserman joined as guitarist. The group rehearsed in Kriesel's parents' home and performed its earliest shows in California.
In 1986, the band adopted the name The Offspring and released its first single, "I'll Be Waiting", through its own Black Label imprint. An earlier version of the song, then titled "Fire and Ice", appeared on the compilation cassette "Subject to Blackout". The band also recorded a demo tape that received attention within the punk music press. Lilja left in 1987 and was replaced by Ron Welty.
After recording another demo in 1988, The Offspring signed with Nemesis Records. Its self-titled debut album, "The Offspring", was recorded with producer Thom Wilson and released in 1989 on vinyl and cassette. A national tour followed. During a performance at a benefit concert in Hollywood, Wasserman was stabbed but recovered.
In 1991, the band recorded the EP "Baghdad" and another demo. These releases contributed to its signing with Epitaph Records. The second studio album, "Ignition", was released in 1992 and was supported by tours in North America and Europe.
The Offspring achieved wider commercial success with its third album, "Smash", released in 1994. Produced by Thom Wilson, the album included the singles "Come Out and Play", "Self Esteem", and "Gotta Get Away". Airplay for "Come Out and Play" significantly increased the band's profile. "Smash" became one of the best-selling albums released by an independent record label, with worldwide sales exceeding 11 million copies. The album is frequently cited as an important release in the increased mainstream visibility of punk rock during the 1990s.
Following the success of "Smash", The Offspring toured extensively throughout North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia. In 1995, the band regained the rights to its debut album and established Nitro Records. Through the label, it reissued "The Offspring" and released recordings by several other punk bands.
In 1996, The Offspring left Epitaph Records and signed with Columbia Records. Its fourth studio album, "Ixnay on the Hombre", was released in 1997. Although it did not equal the commercial performance of "Smash", it sold several million copies and produced singles including "Gone Away" and "I Choose".
The fifth studio album, "Americana", was released in 1998 and became one of the band's most commercially successful recordings. Singles such as "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)", "Why Don't You Get a Job?", and "The Kids Aren't Alright" achieved international chart success and extensive radio and television exposure. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States.
In 1999, the band appeared as itself in the film "Idle Hands" and performed at the Woodstock '99 festival. The following year, it released "Conspiracy of One". During the album's promotion, the band expressed support for online music distribution and initially planned to make the album available through its website.
Ron Welty departed in 2003. Accounts of the circumstances surrounding his departure have differed. For the recording of the seventh studio album, "Splinter", released later that year, session musician Josh Freese performed the drum parts. Adam Willard subsequently joined as the band's drummer. The album included the single "Hit That".
In 2005, The Offspring released the compilation album "Greatest Hits", featuring material from "Smash" through "Splinter" as well as previously unreleased recordings. A DVD collection of music videos and live performances was also issued. Following touring activity, the band entered a period of reduced recording output.
Work on the eighth studio album, "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace", began in 2006. Pete Parada joined as drummer in 2007, although Josh Freese again performed the album's drum tracks because of contractual considerations. Released in 2008, the album included the singles "Hammerhead" and "You're Gonna Go Far, Kid". The latter became one of the band's most successful songs, spending eleven weeks at number one on Billboard's Modern Rock chart.
The Offspring continued touring during the late 2000s and early 2010s while working on new material. Its ninth studio album, "Days Go By", was released in 2012 following an extended recording process with producer Bob Rock. The album generated the singles "Days Go By" and "Cruising California (Bumpin' in My Trunk)".
In 2014, the band toured to mark the twentieth anniversary of "Smash". Around the same period, it regained rights to its Columbia-era catalogue. In 2016, music investment company Round Hill acquired the band's publishing rights and Columbia catalogue. The band also recorded the song "Sharknado" for the film "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens".
In 2017, Holland completed a PhD in molecular biology at the University of Southern California. During this period, The Offspring continued touring and working on new material. In 2018, founding bassist Greg K. Kriesel left the band. His departure led to legal disputes between Kriesel and Holland and Wasserman concerning ownership and management matters. The dispute was settled out of court in 2023.
In 2020, the band released a cover version of "Here Kitty Kitty", a song associated with the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King", as well as a cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". The same year, former drummer Ron Welty filed a lawsuit concerning royalty payments related to the sale of the band's catalogue. The case was decided in favour of Holland and Wasserman in 2023.
The Offspring released its tenth studio album, "Let the Bad Times Roll", in April 2021. The album had been completed before the COVID-19 pandemic, but its release was delayed. In August 2021, Pete Parada announced that he would no longer participate in the band's touring activities after declining COVID-19 vaccination on medical grounds. Holland and Wasserman later stated that alternative drummers had been hired for touring purposes. Josh Freese subsequently performed with the band on tour.
In 2022, Holland confirmed that work had begun on an eleventh studio album. In 2023, Brandon Pertzborn joined as drummer, while Jonah Nimoy became an official member after previously touring with the group. During a concert that year, original drummer James Lilja performed with The Offspring for the first time since the 1980s.
The Offspring's eleventh studio album, "Supercharged", was released on 11 October 2024. Its lead single, "Make It All Right", was released in June 2024. In April 2026, the band announced that it was working on additional new material with producer Bob Rock. Keyboardist Ronnie King, who had previously contributed to "Splinter" and "Days Go By", also indicated his involvement in the recording sessions.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Offspring
Studio albums
The Offspring (1989)
Ignition (1992)
Smash (1994)
Ixnay on the Hombre (1997)
Americana (1998)
Conspiracy of One (2000)
Splinter (2003)
Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008)
Days Go By (2012)
Let the Bad Times Roll (2021)
Supercharged (2024)
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…shrink me down again