The Offspring

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.

High school mates, Greg Graffin, Jay Bentley, Jay Ziskrout, and Brett Gurewitz first formed the band in 1979. After a series of local shows the band began recording their first full-length album, “How Could Hell Be Any Worse?” in 1982 under the newly formed label, Epitaph Records (owned and run by Gurewitz). The following year the band released “Into the Unknown,” but due to changing personal lives, the band went on to disband temporarily.

Slowly but surely the band reunited, adding on Circle Jerks’ Greg Hetson on second guitar, and by 1988 the band released their third album, “Suffer,” followed by an eponymous tour. Immediately following the tour, the band went straight to the studio to record and release “No Control” in 1989, selling over 60,000 copies and becoming one of the most critically acclaimed punk rock band despite mainstream attention. However, in April 1991 Pete Finestone left Bad Religion to concentrate on his other band, The Fisherman, and was later replaced by Bobby Schayer.

With grunge rock and punk rock gaining mainstream popularity in the early 90s, Bad Religion signed with Atlantic Records and released their seventh album “Recipe For Hate” in 1993. Due to allegedly needing to focus more attention on Epitaph Records, Gurewitz left the band, although popular speculation for his leaving the band was due to accusations of “selling out.” Guitarist Brian Baker then replaced Gurewitz, and the following record in 1994, “Stranger Than Fiction”, became their most successful album and was awarded gold status by 1998.

After a series of tours and record releases, and the loss of Schayer (replaced by Brooks Wackerman), the band returned to Epitaph records in 2001. Consequently, Gurewitz rejoined the band, and the new six piece lineup released “The Process of Belief.” Continuing to put out records and massive amounts of touring, the band took up a few night residencies in 2008 at the House of Blues in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas, followed by a few European festivals. In Spring of 2010 the band celebrated their 30th anniversary by going on a 30 nights, 30 song set tour throughout Southern California and Nevada. Due to various reasons, it wasn’t until 2013 that the band released their sixteenth studio album.