I. Basics and personal information

December 29,1966 Bryan Holland was born. (offspring.com) He was the 3rd of 4
children, his mom was a high school teacher, and his dad a hospital administrator. Bryan grew
up in Garden Grove, California, he was on the crosscountry team, which is how he met Greg.
His senior year his brother gave him a rodney on the ROQ compilation album. Before, he
was just a casual listener of music. But shortly fter, he became really into music. His favorite
bands and influences were T.S.O.L., Adolescence , and Agent. He picked up the nickname
Dexter when he graduated. He was valedictorian of his class. (theoffspring.net) Dexter is
currently working on his PHD in molecular biology, the study of the physio-chemical
organizing of living organisms. He married Kristine Luna who helped write Session
(Ignition) and who was an old friend. Dexter also runs Nitro records with the help of some of
his friends and family. (offspring.com)

Kevin Wasserman, Noodles, was born in Los Angles California, Feb. 4,1963,
(offspring.com) Noodles the oldest of the band, worked as the school janitor. Noodles once
said, I remember being amazed by Bryan, he was valedictorian, he was such a math geek. So
when I first saw him with black hair and plaid bondage pants, I was like What are you doing?
but I thought it was cool, going beyond what I thought was societies role for him.
(theoffspring.net) Noodles hobbies are fishing, surfing, snowboarding, and skating.
(offspring.com)
The Offspring was doing a show when 6 big old ladies with blue hair pulled out a
knife and stabbed Noodles, at the time he didnt realize that it had happened. His arm began
to hurt, so he took off his leather jacket. He was wearing a white shirt, which was covered in
blood. Someone kept saying dont look at it. The blood was pulsating, but Noodles was so
buzzed it didnt matter. When asked if that sort of thing happens all the time, Noodles
responded by saying, old ladies beating us up? Pretty much! (fanzine,flipside)
In an interview in 1989, Noodles said that he was going to have a child. Also in the
interview Ron brought up the fact that it was with his sister. Noodles stated, yeah I knocked
up our drummers sister. Now we get along fabulously. ( you need to know that they are
always sarcastic, and joke around a lot. And they are really close friends, so they know what
will and what wont offend each other.) (fanzine,flipside)

Greg Kreisel was born in Glendale, California on January 12, 1965. His father was an
investment banker and Greg wanted to go to law school. He was a self-proclaimed jock and a
big sports fan. Greg was also on the crosscountry team with Dexter and he played some
baseball. (theoffspring.net) He became known as Greg K. (shorting his last name) His
hobbies are golf, camping, and collecting hats. (offspring.com) He also went to Golden West
Junior College and received a bachelors degree in Finance. (theoffspring.net)

Ron Welty was born February 1, 1971. His mom went through a few divorces. She
would remarry and theyd move. (theoffspring.net) He played the E-flat Alto saxophone and
drums in the Junior High band. (offspring.com) He then moved to Garden Grove for part of
high school. Rons older step-sister introduced him to Dexter and when he was 16 he begged
Dexter to let him substitute for the drummer, who at the time was starting medical school
and missing a few gigs. (fanzine,flipside)

James Lilja was the original drummer before they made their self-titled album, he also
help write the lyrics to Blackball. (gazzon.faq)

Jason Blackball Meclean was a huge fan from the beginning. He was always yelling at
The Offspring to play Blackball, his favorite song, this is how he got his nickname. Blackball
and The Offspring became (and still are) good friends. He does some appearances and vocals
on a few songs. (gazzon.faq)

Chris Higgins (Higgins X-13) is the latest member of
the crew. He does some vocals on the song Pretty Fly, (Americana) he also tours
with them to help set up and sing/perform at their concerts. (gazzon.faq)

II. How they began, and band information

In Orange County California,1984, 4 crosscountry members from Pacific High School
(Garden Grove) formed Manic Subsital. They didnt even have instruments let alone know
how to play them. By summer they were actually playing songs. (theoffspring.net)
The guitarist left, and Noodles joined, they then changed their name to The Offspring.
He was older and worked as the school janitor, soon, he was not doing a hell of a lot except
practicing at Gregs house on weekends and drinking excessively. Noodles was the only one
over 21 at the time and was particularly useful.
(theoffspring.net)
Gregs house was were the first gigs were. He had a big upstairs that he shared with his
brother. They could do pretty much whatever. (theoffspring.net)
Then Ron came in to the group by begging and finally talking the rest of the band
into it. (theoffspring.net)
As for The Offsprings favorite bands: Dexters The Lonious Monster, Gregs Social
Distortion, Rons The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Noodles loves Janes Addiction, Babes
In Toy Land, and Operation Ivy. (theoffspring.net)
Dexter mostly writes all the songs, some political, some sentimental. Dexters
motivation is mostly when he would break-up with a girlfriend. But mostly he writes
whatever. Noodles feels that the music is very important it can make or break a song.
(theoffspring.net)

III. Releases and Projects

In 1987, The Offspring released a 7-inch single. They couldnt afford the additional 25
cents per copy to paste the front sleeve to the back. It took them 2-1/2 years to get rid of
the 1,000 copies printed. (theoffspring.net)
Two years later they finally got signed and recorded another 7-inch single called
Bagdad, on Nemesis. (theoffspring.net)
In 1989, they released their self-titled album on Nemesis. (gazzon.faq)
Epitah turned them down and then a year later signed them. In 1992 they released
Ignition. (theoffspring.net)
Then, in 1994, the break-through single Come Out And Play followed by Self-
Esteem paved the way for Smash, which was also on Epitaph. Smash then went on to sell 9
million +plus+, and became the best selling independent record of all time.
(theoffspring.net)
They then re-released their self-titled due to overpriced and poor quality bootlegs, on
their own record label, Nitro, in 1995.(offspring.net)
After a dispute with Epitah The Offspring switched to Columbia. Many people then
labeled them sellouts. In 1997, they releasedIxnay On The Hombre which means, down
with the man. Also, the writing on the skulls head, which appears on the cover, Alla te
Espero, means Ill be waiting for you over there (or see you in hell). (gazzon.faq)
There latest release is Americana, on Sony, it was released in November 1998. They
also have an unofficially released home video, also titled Americana, which should be in
stores sometime in March. (offspring.com)
The Offspring have tried something new for a change, starring in a movie. Idle Hands
comes out April 23,1999, they play at a high school Halloween dance. For the movie they did
a cover of a Ramones song,I Wanna Be Sedated, and re-recorded Beheaded, which is off of
their self-titled album. No word on if they will be on the sound-track though. (Gazzon. f.a.q.)
Even though they had the huge burst of stardom and money they really act just like
normal people that you would meet on the street, or maybe, nicer but what is most amazing
is that they take time out of their life and their busy schedule to talk to their fans. From
interviews, personal experiences, and what is heard from their fans, friends, family and
acquaintances, it is obvious that the most important thing to them is their fans and the fact
that their music has saved, changed and improved many lives. Overall they are great role
models for all musicians or, anyone for that matter.