More than any ’90s band, The Offspring showed the financial possibilities of punk music, selling more than 36 million albums while creating many radio classics in the process. Group founders Dexter Holland, Kevin Wasserman and Greg K (original drummer Ron Welty left in 2003 and was later replaced by Pete Parada) proved their group was no one-hit wonder after the success of appropriately titled album Smash in 1994, which has sold more than 10 million copies. The band, formed in 1984, works tirelessly in the studio; new single “Coming For You” was released in January. The group’s 10th studio album is scheduled to drop soon.
The Offspring’s output ranges all over the spectrum—the politically charged “Come Out and Play,” the creepily introspective “Gotta Get Away” and the sublimely ridiculous “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)”—but always in the service of driving rhythms and hook-laden melodies. Perhaps more than any other band of the era, The Offspring understood the basic rule of punk: Keep it simple, and always have a sense of humor. Its countless imitators would do well to remember that.
Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, 8:30 p.m. July 17, starting at $43 plus tax and fee, 18+. 702.862.2695
