The Offspring Have No Words To Describe Next LP

Punk stars have given themselves a six-month limit in the studio to record follow-up to Ixnay on the Hombre

With just a month left to record their next album, the Offspring's Dexter Holland has not penned a word of the new songs, which, according to the singer, are shaping up to be mostly high-velocity punk tunes with a few odd choices thrown in.

Ever the procrastinator when it comes to lyrics, Holland figures that he's still got some time.

"I always have a tough time with the lyrics," the singer for the SoCal punk stars said during a break from recording guitar overdubs for the new record. "Those kind-of come up at the last minute. We're two weeks into it, and lyrics are week number five."

The as-yet-untitled album -- due out in November, with a tour to follow -- will mark the fifth release from the punk-pop band that rose to fame four years ago on the strength of its third LP, Smash.

Although Holland said he didn't necessarily anticipate making an adrenaline-fueled record when the band entered the studio, much of the new album is shaping up to be the type of power punk that gave the band its first taste of success four years ago. Still, there are a few "curve balls" thrown in for good measure, he added.

Among the oddities the band is laying down is a cover of Morris Albert's 1977 hit "Feelings." "It's got that 'woh-woh' part -- it's totally Orange County punk," Holland said.

'Feelings' has that 'woh-woh' part - it's totally Orange County punk." - Dexter Holland, The Offspring

In 1994, the Offspring -- Holland, guitarist Noodles (Kevin Wasserman), bass player Greg Kriesel and drummer Ron Welty -- shattered expectations by selling 9 million copies of Smash, their last disc for indie-powerhouse Epitaph. Hits such as "Come Out And Play" and "Self Esteem" set off a bidding war for the group, which eventually signed to Columbia for last year's Ixnay on the Hombre.

"Last time, we took three months on it," said Holland, 32. "That's average for a lot of bands, I guess, but it turns into a grueling process when it takes that long."

Despite Holland's procrastination, the band, along with Ixnay producer Dave Jerden, has put itself on a strict time-limit to finish the album. "We're only recording 12 songs," the singer said. "We demoed 17, but if we weren't sure a song was going to be on the record, we just cut it for now."

Between sessions, the singer said he tries to satiate his "morbid curiosity" for television talk shows, which, he said, often offer inspiration for his lyrics. "You know it's gonna be bad, but you gotta watch it anyway," Holland said. "You spend one afternoon watching 'Jerry Springer,' 'Ricki Lake' and 'Montel Williams,' you've got enough for a whole album right there."

Should the Offspring finish their album early, there's a chance that they may record a few cover songs or additional tracks, Holland said.

"There was something I wanted to work on and it sounded a little bit different for us. I wanted some horns, so I called up [Brian Setzer Orchestra leader] Brian Setzer and he was totally into collaborating on the song. It doesn't really sound like an Offspring song, but it was something I was interested in trying."

By Chris Nelson, from SonicNet - July 27, 1998