The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the group originally included vocalist and guitarist Dexter Holland (real name Bryan Holland), bassist Greg K. (real name Greg Kriesel) and drummer James Lilja. The band's current line-up includes Holland, alongside lead guitarist Noodles (real name Kevin Wasserman; since 1985), bassist Todd Morse (since 2019, and touring rhythm guitars from 2009 to 2019), multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy (since 2023, as touring musician from 2019 to 2023) and drummer Brandon Pertzborn (since 2023).
History The band changed its name to "the Offspring" in 1986. Lilja left the Offspring in 1987 to pursue a medical career in oncology and was replaced by Ron Welty, who was 16 years old at the time.Multiple sources:
The band's first touring member was Chris "X-13" Higgins, who at first provided backing vocals and later played percussion and rhythm guitar.
Welty was fired from the group in 2003, a few days before the recording sessions of Splinter started. Josh Freese recorded drums on the album while Atom Willard (real name Adam Willard) joined as Welty's official replacement. The tour to promote Splinter featured Ronnie King on keyboards, after King left Higgins also started playing keyboards.
After a world tour in 2005, the band took a break. During the hiatus, touring member Higgins left, while Willard was recruited by Tom DeLonge for his band, Angels & Airwaves. It was announced on July 27, 2007, that former Saves the Day drummer Pete Parada had been chosen to be the Offspring's new drummer. band's first shows with Parada were at the Summer Sonic festival in Japan in August 2007.
Warren Fitzgerald was hired as the band’s new touring guitarist in 2008 for the European Tour and was replaced in late 2008 by Andrew Freeman. Freeman was replaced by Todd Morse in 2009. Greg K. was fired from the Offspring in 2018 and was initially replaced on tour by No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal before Morse switched to bass and became an official member. Because of Kriesel's departure Dexter Holland remained as the only original member. The touring guitarist spot was taken by Jonah Nimoy, who also later played keyboards and percussion.
Shortly after releasing its tenth studio album Let the Bad Times Roll (2021), drummer Pete Parada revealed on August 2, 2021, on Twitter that he was fired from the Offspring after electing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to possible complications with his previously diagnosed Guillain–Barré syndrome. Parada got replaced on tour by Josh Freese. On May 12, 2023, former Suicidal Tendencies and Marilyn Manson drummer Brandon Pertzborn joined the Offspring as Parada's official replacement, as Freese was unable to perform with the band because of commitments with the Foo Fighters. After Pertzborn's arrival, touring member Jonah Nimoy also became an official member.
On August 6, 2023, original Offspring drummer James Lilja joined the Offspring on stage for the first time in 36 years to play perform the song "Beheaded" (which he had co-written with Dexter Holland).
Band members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsDexter Holland1984–presentall releasesNoodles 1985–presentall releases except "Hopeless" (1984)Todd Morse2019–present Jonah Nimoy2023–present Supercharged (2024)Brandon Pertzborn2023–presentdrums
Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsGreg K.1984–2018all releases from "Hopeless" (1984) to "Down" (2018)James Lilja1984–1987 Ron Welty1987–2003All releases from The Offspring (1989) to "Defy You" (2001)Atom Willard 2003–2007drums"Next to You" (2005)Pete Parada2007–2021
Touring musicians
Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsChris "X-13" Higgins1994–2005all releases from Americana (1998) to Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008)Warren Fitzgerald 2008rowspan="3" Andrew Freeman2008–2009Tony Kanal2018–2019bass Josh Freese 2021–2023 drums all releases from Splinter (2003) except "Next to You" (2005), "Coming For You" (2015), "Sharknado" (2016), "Down" (2018), "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (2020) and "I Wanna Be Sedated" (2026)
Substitutes ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotesScott Shiflett2008substitute for Greg K. for fourteen shows.Tom Thackersubstitute for Todd Morse in 2013 for two shows; 2017 substitute for Morse who was covering for Noodles on summer tour.Multiple sources:
Jamie Millerdrumssubstitute for Josh Freese for seven shows;Multiple sources:
2026 substitute for Brandon Pertzborn for seven shows.Will Dorsey Jr.2021 substitute for Josh Freese for one show; 2022 substitute for Josh Freese for two shows.
Timeline
Lineups PeriodMembersReleases Mid 1984 – early 1985 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar Greg K. – bass, backing vocals James Lilja – drums, backing vocals "Hopeless" (1984) Early 1985 – mid 1986 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals James Lilja – drums, backing vocals Mid 1986 – early 1987 "Tonight I Do"/"Call It Religion"/"Halloween" (1985) "I'll Be Waiting"/"Blackball" (single version) (1986) Early 1987 – May 1994 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Ron Welty – drums, backing vocals The Offspring (1989) Baghdad (1991) Ignition (1992) Smash (1994)May 1994 – January 2003Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Ron Welty – drums Chris Higgins – rhythm guitar, percussion, backing vocals (touring)"Smash It Up" (1995) Club Me (1997) Ixnay on the Hombre (1997) Americana (1998) Conspiracy of One (2000) "Defy You" (2001) January – October 2003 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Chris Higgins – rhythm guitar, percussion, backing vocals (touring) Splinter (2003)October 2003 – December 2005 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Atom Willard – drums Chris Higgins – rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (touring) "Can't Repeat" (2005) "Next to You" (2005)December 2005 – July 2007Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Atom Willard – drumsJuly 2007 – June 2008Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008)June – July 2008Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Warren Fitzgerald – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (touring)July 2008 – May 2009Dexter Holland – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Andrew Freeman – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (touring)May 2009 – November 2018 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Greg K. – bass, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Todd Morse – rhythm guitar, backing (touring) Days Go By (2012) Summer Nationals (2014) "Coming for You" (single version) (2015) "Sharknado" (2016) "Down" (2018)November 2018 – January 2019 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Todd Morse – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (touring) Tony Kanal – bass (touring) "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" (2020) Let the Bad Times Roll (2021)January 2019 – August 2021 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Todd Morse – bass, backing vocals Pete Parada – drums Jonah Nimoy – rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (touring)August 2021 – May 2023 Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Todd Morse – bass, backing vocals Jonah Nimoy – rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (touring) Josh Freese – drums (touring) "Bell Will Be Ringing (Please Come Home For Christmas)" (2022)May 2023 – present Dexter Holland – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass Noodles – lead guitar, backing vocals Todd Morse – bass, backing vocals Jonah Nimoy – rhythm guitar, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals Brandon Pertzborn – drums Supercharged (2024) "I Wanna Be Sedated" (2026)
Notes
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