The Offspring are an American punk rock band formed in Huntington Beach, California in 1984. Originally called Manic Subsidal, the band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Bryan “Dexter” Holland, bassist Greg K., guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman and drummer Pete Parada. The Offspring are often credited—alongside fellow California punk bands Green Day, Rancid, Bad Religion, NOFX, Blink-182 and Pennywise—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the 1990s. They have sold over 40 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling punk rock bands of all time.
The Offspring gained mainstream success with their third studio album Smash, which has sold over 11 million copies worldwide since its release in 1994, setting a record for most albums sold on an independent record label. Smash was also the first album released on Epitaph Records to obtain gold and platinum status. After switching record labels from Epitaph to Columbia Records in 1996, the Offspring continued their commercial success with its next six studio albums: Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), Americana (1998), Conspiracy of One (2000), Splinter (2003), Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008) and Days Go By (2012); the former of the four were certified platinum, multi-platinum and gold status by the RIAA respectively. The band is currently working on their tenth studio album.
The Offspring are known for their fast tempos, melodic instrumentals, catchy hooks and irreverent, tongue-in-cheek lyrics. Their music spans multiple genres, including punk rock, pop punk, alternative rock, skate punk and post-grunge. Notable singles over their decades-long career include “Come Out and Play”, “Self Esteem”, “Gotta Get Away”, “All I Want”, “Gone Away”, “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)”, “Why Don’t You Get a Job?”, “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, “She’s Got Issues” and “Original Prankster”. Alongside their commercial successes, the Offspring have maintained a loyal cult following since their early years.
What are Offspring Concerts Like?
Attending an Offspring concert is an energetic, rowdy and highly entertaining experience. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect:
The Crowd
The crowd at an Offspring show consists of punk rockers, skaters, rockabilly fans, and alternative music lovers of all ages. However, the band has been around since 1984 so you’ll see more veterans in their 30s, 40s and beyond than you would at a newer band’s concert. The vibe is fun and easy-going with plenty of singing, dancing, moshing and crowd surfing as the night goes on. People come ready to party and have a good time.
The Setlist
With 9 studio albums and over 20 years of material to choose from, the Offspring always mix up their setlists to keep things fresh. But you can usually count on hearing smash hits like “Self Esteem,” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” and “Why Don’t You Get A Job” at some point during the night along with fan favorites like “All I Want,” “Gone Away,” “Hit That” and “(Can’t Get My) Head Around You.” Hardcore fans may be treated to an older deep cut or two as well. The band is good about spanning their entire catalog.
Stage Production
The Offspring put on a lively show with constant motion, thanks in part to frontman Dexter Holland’s hyperactive stage presence. He runs, jumps and dances around the stage while handling lead vocals and guitar duties. Guitarist Noodles and bassist Greg K. also engage the crowd with lots of movement and headbanging. The backdrop tends to feature their logo and album artwork. Lighting is simple but effective with bright, color lights matching the punk party vibe. Some pyro and smoke effects may be sprinkled in as well. Overall the production lets the music take center stage rather than lots of flashy theatrics.
Live Sound
The Offspring deliver tight, energetic performances of their hits, playing with all the power, distortion and volume you’d expect from a veteran punk band. Dexter’s vocals come through loud and clear while Noodles and Greg K’s guitars and bass give the music an aggressive kick. Drummer Pete Parada also shines by locking in energetic tempos and creative fills on songs like “Hammerhead,” “You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” and “Come Out and Play.” The live versions closely match the studio recordings but also feature some nice guitar and drum solos and extended jams.
Stage Banter
Dexter engages the crowd with humor and witty banter between songs. He’ll get fans pumped up and singing along to their biggest hits but also joke around and share interesting stories and anecdotes. The vibe is loose, casual and inclusive. Noodles may grab the mic to get a few words in but mostly it’s the Dexter show. There isn’t too much serious talk. They mostly just keep things fun and irreverent like their song lyrics and album titles (Ixnay on the Hombre, Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace etc)
Merchandise
The Offspring offer a solid selection of merch at their shows including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, beanies, hats, patches, buttons and more featuring their signature logo and album cover art. Prices are reasonable compared to other concert merchandise. Dexter and Noodles will also sign autographs at the merch booth after shows for eager fans. Pick up a souvenir to commemorate your Offspring experience.
Notable Moments and Highlights
Here are some of the special moments and highlights that have occurred at Offspring concerts over the years:
– In September 2015 at the Rock In Rio festival, Dexter performed on a hydrofoil surfboard in the crowd during “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)”.
– At Pinkpop Festival in 2010, they played the entire Smash album from start to finish to commemorate the album’s 15th anniversary.
– The Reading Festival 2001 show featured a muddy circle pit during their cover of “Totalimmortal” by AFI and huge beach balls bouncing around the crowd.
– In 2008 at a show in Amsterdam, fans got on stage and played “Self Esteem” with the band. Dexter and Noodles just sang while the fans played their instruments.
– At the Whiskey A Go-Go in 2000, the band played an energetic surprise show under the pseudonym “The Detours” which had people going crazy once they realized who it was.
– In Milwaukee in 2017, Dexter climbed scaffolding and sang on top of the soundboard towers during his solo on “The Kids Aren’t Alright.”
– During the 2010 Summer Nationals Tour, they played the classic “Smash” album straight through for its 20th anniversary during special hometown shows.
– In Berlin in 1998, Dexter ended a rainy muddy show covered head to toe in thick mud along with his guitar while still rocking out.
– At the KROQ Weenie Roast in 2017, Noodles played guitar while riding a rocking horse on stage during their new song “It Won’t Get Better”.
So as you can see, an Offspring show is packed with surprises along with high-energy performances of their hit songs. You never know what they’ll come up with but it’s always a guaranteed wild ride.
Conclusion
Offspring concerts offer a uniquely entertaining punk rock experience spanning the band’s entire 30+ year career. Fans can count on sing-along hits, crowd surfing, mosh pits, silly stage banter, and surprises at each show. The band still tours with the same fiery energy they had as youngsters in the 80’s and 90’s. Dexter Holland’s dynamic frontman presence and Noodles’ wailing guitar provide the signature Offspring sound fans love. Concertgoers walk away with ringing ears, sore necks, wild stories, and Offspring merch after one of punk rock’s most vibrant and enduring live acts. If you get a chance to see the Offspring live, take it. Their concerts are not to be missed.