Stars And Gripes Forever

These days, America isn't as quaint as a Norman Rockwell painting, and that's why THE OFFSPRING are in search of the American Scream. Jason Pettigrew heeds the call.

Offspring singer Dexter Hollan is driving down a California road on his way to a photo shoot. I can tell when he enters a tunnel because the cell phone he's using clips out, and he ends up calling back a few minutes later.

"Modern technology!" he announces in a tone that sounds like he's auditioning for a spot on an infomerical. "It's weird how you need to do all this stuff for the record and the record isn't done yet! The label is like, 'Y'know, you should be talking to some video directors soon,' and I hadn't even thought about that stuff yet."

Holland and the other members of the Offspring- guitarist Noodles, drummer Ron Welty and bassist Greg K.- are putting the final touches on their fifth album, Americana. The follow-up to their 1997 Epic Records debut, Ixnay on the Hombre, Americana is a collection of loud vignettes illustrating the cultural insanity that's sweeping across America.

"I wanted to paint of picture of Americana life in 1998," explains the singer. "My idea of Americana in 1998 is somewhat more distorted than most people's, I'm sure."

So the Offspring aren't negotiating with Norman Rockwell's estate to supply them with appropriate cover art? "That's why we're having Frank Kozik do the cover artwork," he says. "His stuff is like a Rockwell painting--only with a syringe in it! It's a reflection of America--but it's a Jerry Springer, tattooed-kid kind of America."

The new album is filled with Holland's ruminations on modern life. He's currently finishing a song with the working title of "She's Got Issues," and the band have wrapped up another similarly themed track, "Why Don't You Get A Job" which deals with enablers. In keeping with the album's slightly analytical angle, Holland wants to do a cover of 'Feelings,' the infamous '70s schlock hit by Morris Albert. ("Our version will be about bad feelings," he says. "Unless the guys me the what-are-you- thinking look in the studio.")

Now that the brouhaha surrounding the band's jump from the indies to the majors has passed, the Offspring are looking foward to doing what they do best: hitting the road, making loud noises and smashing things. Holland ans his bandmates don't loss sleep over whether they are punk, professional or adored in public. "We do what we do," he resigns. "If people like what we do, I'm stoked, and if they don't, it's okay. A couple nights ago I was hanging out with a friend. We're in this little bar in Burbank, and we were talking about Public Enemy. This kid overhears us talking about PE, and he goes on and on about all the hip hop he likes. I get up to go to the bathroom, and my friend tells him that I'm in the Offspring. And the kid goes, 'They're one of those bands whose music I like, but not the singing. By the way, what does your friend do?'" Holland starts laughing. "The kid pulled me aside later and said, 'I know your friend's gonna tell you this, so...'"

Did Holland--at the very least--spill beer on him? "No way!" Holland yells. "More power to him!"

By Jason Pettigrew, from Alternative Press - November 98