Punk rock band The Offspring playing exclusive Melbourne show
American punk rockers The Offspring are playing an exclusive Melbourne show on Sunday at one of the city’s most loved venues.
Entertainment
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US punk-pop superstars The Offspring say they’re playing “better than ever” and with “new energy” ahead of an exclusive Melbourne-only show this weekend.
The Offspring, led by frontman Dexter Holland and guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman, will perform at the Forum Theatre on Sunday in their only Australian gig for 2024.
The show, part of Victoria’s 17-day music festival, Always Live, is a rare chance to see an arena and stadium-level band in an intimate venue.
“We usually play bigger rooms, but the Forum is a super cool venue,” Noodles told the Sunday Herald Sun.
“I saw The Pixies play there two years. It’s a great place to see live music.”
The Offspring’s breakthrough album, Smash, with hits Self Esteem and Come Out And Play, marked its 30th anniversary this year.
Noodles said the band was a weekend hobby when they suddenly shot to global fame. In fact, the guitarist was still working at a school groundskeeper when the hits landed.
“There was a bus stop right in front of the elementary school where I was working,” Noodles said. “High school kids would be walking through the school and they’d see me sweeping.
“One girl stopped me and said, ‘I literally just saw you on MTV. You probably don’t need to be sweeping leaves anymore.’
Noodles, now 61, added, laughing: “Sweeping leaves was one of the most enjoyable parts of that job, too. Trust me.”
The band released a new album, Supercharged, earlier this year, and is planning an Australian tour in 2025.
“I think playing better than ever. We’ve got some new energy in the band,” Noodles said. “All the rehearsing we did over the pandemic; we learned a lot, and it really helped us tighten everything up.”
Noodles also opened up about work-life balance and raising his children, a daughter and son, while being in a top-selling touring band.
“Every time you go on the road, and you come back, you have to re-establish that trust with a kid,” he said. “I would always give them a 24 hours grace period, where they could get away with anything, then, the next day, you’ve got to be dad again, put on the hard-ass hat, make them clean their room and eat their vegetables.
“You want your children to learn how to be productive, happy, responsible people.”
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