The Offspring

The Offspring

‘The Offspring’s ‘Americana’ Rode Resentment And Respectability Politics All The Way To The Top’

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Pranav Trewn, writing at Stereogum:

But what the Offspring popularized is a far more noxious strain of punk music, and especially punk ideals. The band did not revolt against systems perpetuating economic inequality or authoritarianism, but instead expressed a middle-class teenage resentment that comes from already getting everything you want at home but still being forced to go to school. “The Kids Aren’t Alright” and “Why Don’t You Get A Job?” depict the struggles of people with implied choices, who ultimately squander opportunities as they burn out. Because Holland keeps the details that led to those “choices” vague, it’s easy to read the characters in these songs as unsympathetic. You focus on the absence of ambition, not on the factors that eroded it in the first place.

Interesting argument.

The Offspring and 311 Cover Each Other’s Songs

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The Offspring have shared a cover of 311’s “Down” and 311 have covered “Self-Esteem.” You can hear the new renditions on Spotify or Apple Music. 311’s Nick Hexum talked to Billboard about how the idea came together:

It was the Offspring’s idea, and a great idea. They said, ‘We had the idea to cover your song, and we’ve done it,’ and I was like, ‘Wow! I have to hear this,’ ’cause it’s such a signature song. Were they going to cover it faithfully or rework it?’ They reworked it just enough; There’s punk to it, and Dexter (Holland) actually does a killer job of rapping SA (Martinez)’s parts in more of a punk rock style, with fast drums. We were so blown away, It was so my fun to hear that. So we returned the favor and reggaefied (‘Self Esteem’), which is probably my favorite song of theirs. It’ll be a lot of fun to give the fans new versions of these songs they love so much.

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Former Offspring Drummer Saves Life of Juror at His Own Trial

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Dorothy Atkins, writing at Law 360:

Facing the first day of a medical malpractice trial on Tuesday, a San Jose obstetrician-gynecologist who once drummed for The Offspring proved his punk rock bona fides rushing to the aid of a prospective juror in cardiac arrest, delivering CPR but forcing a mistrial over concerns his medical heroics could bias jurors in his favor.

The Offspring Announce ‘Ixnay on the Hombre’ Reissue

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The Offspring have announced a 20th anniversary limited edition release of Ixnay on the Hombre:

We are happy to announce that on December 15th Round Hill Music will release a 20th Anniversary limited edition of Ixnay On The Hombre on Vinyl. It will feature 180g opaque gold vinyl, a textured jacked with gold foil print, a matte custom printed sleeve and a heavyweight insert printed with gold foil and suitable for framing. Pre-order information will be announced this week.