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311 and The Offspring
July 24, 2010
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
It was surprising to see the Offspring open for 311 in their own backyard. Given these financial times, packaging 311 and The Offspring on Unity tour would surely fill amphitheaters across the country drawing two fiercely devoted fanbases. While it would have been nice to see the Offspring at the top of the bill, 311 still put on a crowd pleasing performance as the headliners.
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Opening with the groove based chugging
guitar riff of “Down,” S.A. Martinez charged the front of the stage
swaying with the beat trading vocals with Nick Hexum who also was busy
strumming his Gibson Les Paul. Tim Mahoney was hiding in the shadows in
front of his massive two pedal board rig navigating his Paul Reed Smith
guitar.
guitar riff of “Down,” S.A. Martinez charged the front of the stage
swaying with the beat trading vocals with Nick Hexum who also was busy
strumming his Gibson Les Paul. Tim Mahoney was hiding in the shadows in
front of his massive two pedal board rig navigating his Paul Reed Smith
guitar.
Decked out in his usual Lakers warm up
gear, P. Nut worked over his 5 string Warwick bass throughout the
evening and had some time for some in the spotlight prior to “What Was I
Thinking.” With over 20 years experience playing together as a band,
311 puts together an airtight set that is honed to perfection.
gear, P. Nut worked over his 5 string Warwick bass throughout the
evening and had some time for some in the spotlight prior to “What Was I
Thinking.” With over 20 years experience playing together as a band,
311 puts together an airtight set that is honed to perfection.
Even
though their airplay on KROQ these days isn't as prominent compared to
the '90s, you forget about all the hit songs 311 has amassed over the
years. “Come Original,” “All Mixed Up,” and “Beautiful Disaster” still
managed to rock as if I hadn't heard them on KROQ 10 times during the
day. “Amber” was the quintessential summer mix tape staple back in 2002
and provided sufficient flashbacks during its performance.
though their airplay on KROQ these days isn't as prominent compared to
the '90s, you forget about all the hit songs 311 has amassed over the
years. “Come Original,” “All Mixed Up,” and “Beautiful Disaster” still
managed to rock as if I hadn't heard them on KROQ 10 times during the
day. “Amber” was the quintessential summer mix tape staple back in 2002
and provided sufficient flashbacks during its performance.
The
Offspring however stole the show. Taking full advantage of their
shortened set allowance, the band came out blazing with “You're Gonna Go
Far, Kid.” Dexter Holland almost seemed surprised by the energy
emitting from the crowd and instantly kicked it up a few notches. “Bad
Habit” was as rambunctious as ever with Noodles dispensing power chords
effortlessly.
Offspring however stole the show. Taking full advantage of their
shortened set allowance, the band came out blazing with “You're Gonna Go
Far, Kid.” Dexter Holland almost seemed surprised by the energy
emitting from the crowd and instantly kicked it up a few notches. “Bad
Habit” was as rambunctious as ever with Noodles dispensing power chords
effortlessly.
Greg K was as awesomely stoic as
ever, gently rocking back and forth using his personalized “K” bass pick
for a rocksteady bass foundation. Holland showed off his piano skills
for a captivating version of “Gone Away.” Is there anything Holland
can't do? “Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)” still makes me chuckle every
time–and it always makes me think, whatever happened to Ricki Lake?
“The
Kids Aren't Alright” had the strongest reaction of the evening as the
whole amphitheater sang the “Woah Oh” portion of the song. At the
conclusion of their set with “Self Esteem,” the crowd chanted and
cheered for one more song but ultimately the house lights came up as a
slight portion of the crowd headed for the exit before 311 even started.
Kids Aren't Alright” had the strongest reaction of the evening as the
whole amphitheater sang the “Woah Oh” portion of the song. At the
conclusion of their set with “Self Esteem,” the crowd chanted and
cheered for one more song but ultimately the house lights came up as a
slight portion of the crowd headed for the exit before 311 even started.
Personal Bias: After mastering Green Day “Dookie,” the second album I learned to play on guitar was The Offspring “Smash.”
Crowd: Brostastic! But not nearly as bad as I suspected. Does a massive smoke cloud of weed count as a crowd member?
Overheard in the Crowd: “Why aren't the Offspring headlining?”
Random Notebook Dump:
It was impressive to see Dexter Holland's hot sauce Gringo Bandito at
the merchandise booth for sale. Didn't see any flight lessons for sale
by Holland though.
It was impressive to see Dexter Holland's hot sauce Gringo Bandito at
the merchandise booth for sale. Didn't see any flight lessons for sale
by Holland though.
The Offspring Setlist:
“You're Gonna Go Far, Kid”
“Bad Habit”
“New Song”
“Come Out and Play (Keep 'Em Separated)
“Genocide”
“All I Want”
“Hammerhead”
“Gone Away”
“Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?”
“Gotta Get Away”
“Guns of Brixton”
“Why Don't You Get A Job”
“Staring At The Sun”
“Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)”
“(Can't Get My) Head Around You”
“The Kids Aren't Alright”
“Self Esteem”
