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The Offspring

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Band Timeline

1984

Formation of The Offspring

The Offspring was formed in Garden Grove, California, originally under the name Manic Subsidal. The founding members included Bryan 'Dexter' Holland on vocals and guitar, Greg 'K' Kriesel on bass, and drummer James Lilja. Initially influenced by local punk bands and events, Holland switched from drums to vocals and guitar, establishing the core sound and style that would define the band. This formation marked the beginning of what would become a significant force in punk rock music.
1986-1987

Name Change and Early Lineup Shift

In 1986, the band changed its name from Manic Subsidal to The Offspring. Shortly thereafter, in 1987, original drummer James Lilja left the band to pursue a medical career in oncology. Ron Welty joined as the new drummer at just 16 years old, becoming the longest-serving drummer in the band's history to that point. This period solidified The Offspring's lineup, allowing them to develop their style further and begin recording their initial releases.
1989-1994

Early Releases and Breakthrough with 'Smash'

The Offspring released their self-titled debut album in 1989, followed by the EP Baghdad in 1991. Signing with independent label Epitaph Records, they released 'Ignition' in 1992. The major breakthrough came in 1994 with the release of 'Smash,' their third album, which included the hit single 'Come Out and Play.' 'Smash' became one of the best-selling albums on an independent label, selling over 11 million copies worldwide and playing a pivotal role in bringing punk rock back into mainstream popularity.
1996-1998

Signing with Columbia Records and 'Americana' Success

In 1996, The Offspring signed with major label Columbia Records, marking a new chapter in their commercial career. Their first major label album 'Ixnay on the Hombre' was released in 1997, receiving critical praise and achieving gold and platinum status. The band's fifth album, 'Americana,' released in 1998, became their most successful to date. Featuring popular singles like 'Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),' 'Why Don't You Get a Job?' and 'The Kids Aren't Alright,' it sold over five million copies in the US alone and reached number two on the Billboard 200, cementing their mainstream success.
2000-2003

Continued Success and Lineup Changes

The early 2000s saw The Offspring releasing 'Conspiracy of One' in 2000 and 'Splinter' in 2003. Both albums garnered critical acclaim—'Conspiracy of One' went platinum while 'Splinter' was certified gold. In 2003, original drummer Ron Welty was fired just before recording 'Splinter,' and Adam 'Atom' Willard joined as the band's new drummer. This period demonstrated the band's ability to maintain quality output and navigate personnel shifts while continuing to tour and engage their fan base internationally.
2007-2009

Further Drummer Changes and Touring Members

In 2007, Pete Parada replaced Adam Willard as drummer, debuting at the Summer Sonic festival in Japan. The band also saw several changes in touring guitarists, with Warren Fitzgerald in 2008, followed by Andrew Freeman, and then Todd Morse from 2009 onward. These changes reflected the band's dynamic live setup and the integration of additional musicians to support their evolving sound on stage.
2012-2018

Later Albums and Departure of Founding Member Greg 'K' Kriesel

The Offspring released 'Days Go By' in 2012, continuing their studio work although with less commercial impact than earlier albums. In 2018, founding bassist Greg 'K' Kriesel was fired from the band, making Dexter Holland the only remaining original member. Todd Morse transitioned from touring guitarist to official bassist, and Jonah Nimoy became touring guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. This phase marked a significant lineup transition while the band maintained their presence in the punk rock scene.
2021

Release of 'Let the Bad Times Roll' and Drummer Departure

The band's tenth studio album, 'Let the Bad Times Roll,' was released in 2021 after a lengthy gap from their previous release. Shortly after, drummer Pete Parada revealed he was fired due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine owing to his health condition Guillain–Barré syndrome. Josh Freese stepped in temporarily as drummer for touring duties, showcasing the band's adaptability in challenging times and continued commitment to their music and fans despite internal changes.
2023-2024

New Drummer, Official Member Additions, and 'Supercharged' Release

In 2023, Brandon Pertzborn joined The Offspring as the official drummer, replacing the temporary presence of Josh Freese. Touring member Jonah Nimoy also became an official band member, solidifying the current lineup. Original drummer James Lilja made a special onstage return after 36 years. The band's eleventh studio album 'Supercharged' was released in October 2024, marking their latest creative output and demonstrating their enduring presence in the punk rock genre over four decades after formation.

Albums

the-offspring_1st_album
The Offspring
11 tracks
1989
the-offspring_2nd_album
Ignition
12 tracks
1992
the-offspring_3rd_album
Smash
14 tracks
1994
the-offspring_4th_album
Ixnay on the Hombre
14 tracks
1997
the-offspring_5th_album
Americana
14 tracks
1998
the-offspring_6th_album
Conspiracy of One
13 tracks
2000
the-offspring_7th_album
Splinter
13 tracks
2003
the-offspring_8th_album
Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace
13 tracks
2008
the-offspring_9th_album
Days Go By
12 tracks
2012
the-offspring_10th_album
Let The Bad Times Roll
14 tracks
2021
the-offspring_11th_album
SUPERCHARGED
10 tracks
2024
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Kevin Wasserman

1985

James Lilja

N/A

Dexter Holland

1984

Pete Parada

2007

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Chris Higgins

1994
2005

Ron Welty

1987
2003

Greg Kriesel

1984
2018

Atom

2003
2005

Drums (drum set)

Story of The Offspring

The Offspring: California Punk Royalty

The Offspring, hailing from the punk rock hotbed of Garden Grove, California, burst onto the scene in 1984. Originally known as Manic Subsidal, the band has always been a force to be reckoned with, led by the iconic duo of vocalist/rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland and lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman. Their current lineup also features bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy, and drummer Brandon Pertzborn.

The Offspring, alongside fellow California punk pioneers like Green Day, NOFX, Bad Religion, Rancid, Pennywise, and Blink-182, spearheaded the punk rock revival of the 1990s, bringing the raw energy of the genre back into the mainstream. Over their four decades of rocking, The Offspring has amassed an impressive catalog of 10 studio albums and sold over 40 million records, cementing their status as one of punk's biggest selling acts.

The band has seen its fair share of lineup changes over the years. Ron Welty, who replaced original drummer James Lilja in 1987, reigned supreme on the drums for an impressive 16 years before being replaced by Adam "Atom" Willard in 2003. Willard's four-year tenure was followed by Pete Parada, who sadly departed in 2021 after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The current drummer, Pertzborn, joined the band in 2023.

The bass position has also seen its fair share of changes. Original bassist Gregory "Greg K" Kriesel was a founding member, but his tenure ended in 2018, leaving Holland as the sole original member. Morse, who had been the band's touring guitarist since 2009, stepped in as the new bassist. His previous touring role was filled by Nimoy, who became an official member in 2023, solidifying the band's current lineup.

Through all these lineup changes, one thing has remained constant: The Offspring's commitment to delivering high-energy punk rock that continues to resonate with fans worldwide.

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