Adelaide, Australia - Entertainment Centre
June 23, 1999



The Offspring / Guttermouth / Eskimo Joe

Last Wednesday saw the return to Adelaide of US punk band The Offspring. Back on our shores for the third time, the band provided Adelaide with one of the best concerts seen in a long, long time.

Many bands could do a lot worse than to watch these guys hammer out two hours of absolutely awesome tunes, and to learn about total professionalism. Basically, they were brilliant.

Dexter Holland and the gang played loud and hard, and the huge audience lapped up every minute of it. From the opening rhythmic drum blast, to the final guitar riff, The Offspring rocked. Playing tunes from their previous albums, and new release, 'Americana'. The Offspring played at the same intensity throughout the entire show. The songs were well played, and organised into a tight set, showcasing brilliant guitar work, awesome drumming and fine vocals.

This band went all out to give the ferocious audience punk music at its best, from new single Why Don't You Get A Job to the catchy Pretty Fly For A White Guy, the band never missed a beat. This was a well thought out show. Never have I been to a concert and been witness to an intermission, complete with inflatable chairs, a girl in a g-string and a rather large, semi naked man. Hey, this was not your ordinary Wednesday night. There was even a piss take of the Backstreet Boys, who were given a sound thrashing by lead man Dexter.

This was more than a concert, this was a performance, with audience and band equally sharing the spotlight. If you've never witnessed moshing up close, then you're missing out. Awesome is the only word that describes it. The crowd, hot and energetic, getting into the music anyway they can. Clothes were thrown on stage, shoes and anything else that doubled as a projectile. (Incidentally, if anyone found a pair of black Converse, size 12, send them in to dB, ok!!) Much early material was also aired, pleasing the hardcore fans. Also, there was a smattering of songs from 'Americana', a great album and one of the best releases of the last year. Guitar riffs were heavy but delicate, explosive but restrained. The drummer never stoped: crashing, hammering, thrashing and thumping. Guitars were stretched to their limit, with every possible sound eked out.

This ain't a lazy band. They threw everything into the performance, and then some. They knew what the crowd wanted, and they gave it to them with leftovers. The lighting was brilliant and they effects the same. The two went hand in hand to create a cacophony of sound and images that blew most present away.

A big well done to fellow US rockers Guttermouth, and Perth outfit Eskimo Joe, for warming up the masses with high voltage rock. They played hard and fast, and left the crowd in high spirits for the main fare. This was certainty one of the best shows seen in Adelaide, ever, and without doubt the best concert I've ever seen. Visually stunning and musically brilliant, The Offspring provided the crowd with two hours of superb, punk music. A super night, and well worth this price of admission. If you missed this show, don't stop kicking yourself until the band return again. Awesome!

By Chris Niehus, from dB Australian magazine

Read another review of this concert from Adelaide Advertiser