Nostalgia's not what it used to be

I know: The Offspring is a silly band. But when you're 11 years old and starting to explore the world of hard rock music and discover this little album called "Smash" ('94), things change, lemme tell ya.

That one album is one of those albums that I can still whip out once every odd year when drinking with buddies around my own age, and we'll have a blast. And, holy shit, the damn thing's turning 30 this year. So you'd think they'd be kinda marking that occasion somehow... right?

As it turns out, not really. And maybe I shouldn't be surprised. After all, their biggest hit record was (and, let's face it, probably will always be) 1998's "Americana".

Indeed, as The Offspring board the stage with "Come Out and Play", the whole thing bellyflops from the beginning. The band itself seems like they're having a completely uneventful day at the office, the crowd is unenthusiastic because they're probably a bunch of dumb kids, and the sound is erratic, Dexter Holland's vocals falling in and out of auditive range.

But at least I recognize that song. And at least I recognize follow-up "All I Want", their somewhat failed attempt at a hit single from their somewhat failed attempt at an album (and album title) "Ixnay on the Hombre" ('97). After that, we're going into that random-ass territory that the band itself entered around the turn of the century and never found their way out of.

Holy shit, these songs are generic and uninspired. Even the otherwise fine "Gotta Get Away" was never the most exciting tune on "Smash". And when the band start to venture into covers of fucking Edvard Grieg and Ramones back-to-back, the whole thing smells like one big cop-out more than anything else. Goddammit, why is it that any band thinks they can magically gain a bunch of cheap points by whipping out "Blitzkrieg Bop"? I've seen Rob Zombie doing it; I've seen Paul Di'Anno doing it; last year, it was Mötley Crüe. Who's next, Jethro Tull??

When Offspring are good, they're experienced, energetic entertainers. But when they're bad, they're tiring at best. And half the time, they're generic.

Granted, the sound is getting better; the band is getting warmed up, and their crowd contact improves as we go along. In fact, one of the best things about this show is the interactions between Holland and ever-bespectacled guitarist Noodles, the two goofing around like the old pair of childhood friends they are while inciting calls-and-responses according to every trick of the rock concert trade. This especially works during a long, teasing pause mid-way in the amazing "Bad Habit" – arguably the peak of the show.

However, all those utterly forgettable jams that the band's cranked out for the last 25 years are unbearable. And so is especially "Why Don't You Get a Job?". That sorry tune is not only the antithesis to punk rock; it's unsalvageably dumb in any imaginable regard. If you ever liked that song, even ironically, you're a moron.

The crowd does warm up, and a lot of them do seem to be having a party. Again, because they're probably a bunch of dumb kids who wouldn't recognize proper punk rock if it gave them tinnitus. Even the albeit somewhat predictable ending "Self Esteem" doesn't nearly compensate.

When Offspring are good, then, they're experienced, energetic entertainers. But when they're bad, they're tiring at best. And half the time, they're generic. In total, this makes for a mediocre experience.

Rating: 3 out of 6

Genre: Pseudo-punk
Venue: Copenhell, Helvíti stage
Date: Wed., 19/6/2024

Setlist:

1. Come Out and Play
2. All I Want
3. Want You Bad
4. Staring at the Sun
5. Gotta Get Away
6. Make It All Right
7. In the Hall of the Mountain King (Edvard Grieg cover)
8. Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramones cover)
9. Hit That
10. Million Miles Away
11. Bad Habit
12. Why Don't You Get a Job?
13. (Can't Get My) Head Around You
14. Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)
15. The Kids Aren't Alright
16. Self Esteem