Featuring Dexter Holland (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman (lead guitar), Greg K (bass) and Pete Parada (drums), the beginnings of the band started in 1984, coming together under the moniker, Manic Subsidal. In 1986, they changed their name to The Offspring, A string of independent releases followed, with the band slowly gaining a footing in the West Coast punk scene.
Their self-titled debut appeared in 1989 to moderate success. Yet with their second record, "Ignition," The Offspring became underground favorites, finding fans of their relentless, power chord-driven punk. By 1994, fortunes were abut to change dramatically for The Offspring, with the release of their third album, "Smash." Despite being released on an independent label, "Smash" became a hit of the same name, propelling the band to stardom overnight, selling over four million records. Taking their cues from Nirvana and their quiet/loud dynamics, The Offspring found a string of singles make their way to chart success, with "Self-Esteem" and "Come Out And Play" gaining significant airplay.
Despite major labels knocking at the door, The Offspring decided to stay at the small independent, Epitaph, touring extensively thereafter across the US. After two years, the band caved and decided to join major label Columbia Records, a move that caused controversy amongst punk fans, garnering accusations of selling out. Regardless, their third album, "Ixnay on the Hombre," arrived in February 1997, a record that whilst maintaining positive critical acclaim, it failed to reach the same heights of success as "Smash."
In 1998, "Americana" attempted to regain the band's momentum, finding a hit with the pop-punk single, "Pretty Fly (for a white guy)," returning the quartet to mainstream success. "Conspiracy of One" was to be their next release, a record they threatened to offer as a free download online but their record company denied them this desire, with the record receiving a conventional release in 2000.
Three years later, The Offspring had recorded a new album of material, with "Splinter" offering a return to form. Subsequently, they embarked on international tours during which they found legions of fans across several continents. In 2005, a Greatest Hits was released, featuring new music in the single, "Can't Repeat." Their relentless touring schedule may have set new music releases back, but in 2008, they returned with "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace," displaying a hotly anticipated return to form. Still hard at work over twenty years into their career, "Days Go By" was released in 2012 displaying a more mature sound for their fans.
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