Offspring To Give Away Conspiracy Of One A Month Early

The Offspring has announced plans to post its new album, Conspiracy of One, on the Internet over a month before its release, becoming the first major recording act to do so.

The whole idea is a savvy marketing ploy conceived by the band - much to its record label's (Columbia Records) dismay - which begins with a contest that will give away $1 million of their own money to someone who downloads the album's first single, "Original Prankster."

"This money came directly to us from our fans," says singer Dexter Holland in a statement released on Friday (Sept. 15). "We feel it would be cool to redirect it back to them. We are trying to launch our album with promotions that are fan-supportive rather than fan-exploitative. We feel that giving them our music and letting them have back some of their money is a great way to show how much they mean to us."

"Original Prankster" will be available for download next Friday (Sept. 22) on the band's official Web site, with the album to follow in October. The catch? You must give the band your email address. (That's all, folks.) From there, fans who still buy the new album in stores will be rewarded with membership in The Offspring Nation, a new, sophisticated fan club offering one unreleased track, sent via email, through spring 2001. Additionally, the band will offer original online animations and priority seating for Offspring concerts.

Conspiracy of One is due in stores on Nov. 14.

By Kevin Raub, from Allstar - September 15, 2000