The Offspring

Is This High Selling Band Ready To Fade Away, Or Hitting A New Stride?

 

 The Offspring circa 1994, the height of their commercial and critical success

California four-piece the Offspring formed in 1984, which as of 2012, makes their run hit 28 years. Their self-titled debut release would not be recorded until 1989, after demos and a single which received minor critical praise from people within the punk scene, such as long-running zine "Maximum Rock N Roll". But it wouldn't be until 1994 when the band released their third full length record, the aptly titled "Smash" (Epitaph records), that they would crossover with mainstream success.

The band were unlikely stars, their lead guitarist a former janitor commonly referred to simply as "Noodles", their lead singer (Dexter Holland) sporting a somewhat chunky figure behind loose goofy clothing and rocking dread locks in their music videos, while their skinny and shy bass player (Greg K.) would keep to himself in interviews (much like drummer Rob Welty, who joined the band at 16) but was still inclined to throw in the occasional Punk Rock jump at live shows. These four misfits, with their brand of blazing skate-punk packed full of clever and self deprecating lyrics seemed to fit right in with what the 90's decided was going to sell to the generation of already jaded and pissed off youngsters who were the ones stealing money from their suburban parents to buy records in order to bruise themselves while skateboarding.

The video for "Gotta Get Away" was directed by Samuel Bayer, who would go on to direct the 2010 version of "A Nightmare On Elm Street" after a long career in music videos for bands such as Hole, The Rolling Stones, Blink -182, Metallica, and many more but perhaps most famously; Nirvana's break-out hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

"Smash" would go on to sell over 12 million units, and be one of the most successful punk records, as well as one of the most successful records released by an indie label of all time thanks to the radio and television play of it's three main singles; "Gotta Get Away", "Self Esteem" and "Come Out & Play", which remains their most successful single to date. All three tracks still garner radio play on mainstream rock stations.

 

Music video for "Come Out & Play" thanks to Epitaph records

The album was not without it's critics. One of the groups main influences, Agent Orange, made a claim that "Come Out & Play" sported a guitar riffs from one of their singles, 1979's "Bloodstains". Other groups around the United States grinned with jealousy at the Offspring's media exposure, while many others waited for them to fall off with the release of a new album. Thankfully, the support was still around at Epitaph records, who also released their second LP, "Ignition". Still, the band made the decision to take their music to Columbia records, but with their contractual obligation to Epitaph, were forced to release their next full length with the budding label in Europe.

Agent Orange performing "Bloodstains"

The Offspring toured heavily in support of "Smash" and wouldn't start writing or recording their follow-up (and Columbia records debut) "Ixnay On The Hombre" until 1996, a two year window riding the wave of their previous record. Feeling the pressure to re-create album sales and critical praise, "Ixnay" was released to moderate success on both accounts in February of 1997. It went on to sell about a third of the units in comparison to "Smash", but still spawned five singles.

 

Strangely enough, the Offspring's transition to a major label saw their first single as the blazing "All I Want" with a video directed by David Yow of the Jesus Lizard.

The record didn't stray too far from the Offspring's punk rock roots, but with the adage of major label backing, it was questioned if some of the tracks might have been forced upon the band to put on the final cut for mass appeal to a radio rock audience the band had yet to reach. The single "Gone Away" was met with commercial success, but would leave a bad taste in many critics mouths, who saw it as a deep dive into post-grunge territory for the band. Other tracks were deemed throwaways behind solid punk singles such as "All I Want" and "The Meaning Of Life". The band begun to lose steam and popularity among the devout punk rock crowd, but still soldiered on with the experiment of a major label jump.

"Gone Away" was the Offspring's first experience to mixed critical reaction from the mainstream

"Americana" was released on Columbia in the Winter of 1998, and went on to breathe a new live in the bank-ability of the band. It went on to nearly match the sales of "Smash" with around 12 million units, and spawned four singles. Still, somehow, the lasting effect and influence of "Smash" seems to allude "Americana."

This may be due to the records lead single, "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)", which stands as the groups first attempt at combining the sounds they achieved with their most successful single ("Come Out & Play) with both pop sensibilities and parody of popular culture. The track went on to reach number 1 on the charts in nine countries, but failed to do so in North America. To this day, it's played on both mainstream rock and pop stations.

 

The music video for "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)" was directed by McG, who went on to direct the updated version of "Charlie's Angels" & "Terminator: Salvation". He was also heavily involved with television shows "Supernatural", "Chuck" and "The OC".

Other singles from "Americana" were met with less success such as "Why Don't You Get A Job?" and "She's Got Issues" along with "The Kids Aren't Alright." Though the latter was met with great reception from critics and remains a fan favorite. Still, some tracks on the record such as "No Brakes" and "Staring At The Sun" managed to hint at the Offspring's classic "Smash" sound, filling the gap for punk fans in between the radio hits that were being shoved in their faces.

 

The video for "She's Got Issues" featured a young Zooey Deschanel, long before she was your indie darling

Not many bands have the chance at success like the Offspring achieved even once, but twice, and the group seemed to be set for the future with Columbia and fans from outside of their former stomping grounds of Punk Rock. Tomorrow, we look at the band between the year 2000 and now, and the ups and downs in between.