In 1985, school janitor Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman (also formerly of Clowns of Death) joined as a second guitarist, allegedly because he was old enough to purchase alcohol for the other members, who were under the legal drinking age. After Thompson was forced out, Holland took over vocals, and Benton was replaced by Clowns of Death drummer James Lilja. Marcus Parrish briefly joined as a second guitarist, however, no recordings were made at this point. Holland changed his role from drums to guitar, and the band was rounded out by singer Doug Thompson and drummer Jim Benton. album Change Today? at a party, and following a riot at a 1984 Social Distortion show, they decided to form a band called Manic Subsidal.
The foundations for the Offspring began with guitarist/vocalist Bryan "Dexter" Holland (who was a drummer at the time) and bassist Greg Kriesel playing music together in a garage in Cypress, California in 1983. The Offspring has since released five more albums: Conspiracy of One (2000), Splinter (2003), Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008), Days Go By (2012) and Let the Bad Times Roll (2021).īassist Greg K., drummer Pete Parada, and frontman Dexter Holland in 2008 The band's fifth album, Americana (1998), regained their previous level of popularity, obtaining support from MTV and radio, and selling over five million units in the US. The success of Smash attracted attention from major labels, including Columbia Records, with whom The Offspring signed in 1996 their first album for the label, Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), did not match the success of its predecessor, but received critical acclaim and gold and platinum awards. Smash, which contained the band's first major hit " Come Out and Play", propelled punk rock into the mainstream and holds the distinction as one of the best-selling albums released on an independent record label, selling over eleven million copies worldwide. After achieving a local following with their early releases, including their 1989 self-titled debut album and the vinyl-only EP Baghdad (1991), The Offspring signed with Epitaph Records and released two albums for the independent label, Ignition (1992) and Smash (1994). They have sold over 40 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling punk rock bands in history. The Offspring is often credited-alongside fellow California punk bands Green Day and Rancid-for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the 1990s. Kriesel was replaced by Todd Morse of H 2O, who had been the Offspring's touring guitarist since 2009. Gregory "Greg K." Kriesel, one of the co-founders of the Offspring, was their bassist until 2018 when he parted ways due to business disputes with the band, leaving Holland as the sole remaining original member. Their longest-serving drummer was Ron Welty, who replaced original drummer James Lilja in 1987, and stayed with the band for 16 years he was replaced by Atom Willard in 2003, and then four years later by former drummer Pete Parada. Over the course of their 38-year career, they have released 10 studio albums and experienced multiple lineup changes, most noticeably with their drummers.
Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, bassist Todd Morse, and lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman.
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984.