By Adam McGrath
The Offspring (photo by Adam McGrath)
What happens when punk rock fans have kids? They bring ‘em to the show, of course! Multiple generations of fans crowded into the side lot of the Electric Factory Saturday night for the Summer Nationals Tour, which featured an all-star lineup of classic California bands in The Vandals, Pennywise, Bad Religion, and The Offspring.
Backed by Epitaph Records, Summer Nationals 2014 recreates a three-day concert event that took place at the Hollywood Palladium in 1994, and also coincides with the 20-year anniversary of The Offspring’s seminal record Smash. The band is playing the album in its entirety for the first time ever, and that novel fact no doubt led to the near-sellout crowd.
The thousands of fans would not be disappointed. As soon as the familiar baritone voice announced, “It’s time to relax,” a cheer went up and it was on. Tearing into “Nitro (Youth Energy)”, The Offspring sounded great. Original members Dexter Holland, Noodles, and Greg K. were supported by current drummer Pete Parada and touring guitarist Todd Morse. While the overall effect was more polish than punk, the music certainly held up. Holland rocked his signature blonde spikes and nasal vocals, and Noodles sported a two-tone hairdo and a tee with the classic red Anarchy circle. Tellingly un-punk, however, were Dexter’s blue suede shoes.
Though already singing along to every lyric, the crowd had a perfect chance to participate on the track “Bad Habit”, which features a gloriously profane sequence that anyone who’s had road rage knows well. The band actually dropped out at that part, letting the crowd carry the line not once but twice as they brought the music back in. Aside from the hit singles, it’s easy to forget just how freaking good Smash is front to back. Songs like “Something to Believe In”, “It’ll Be a Long Time”, and “Not the One” are relentless power punk at its mid-90s best, and made me remember what it felt like to be angry enough to care about something. The band made one interesting departure from the original track sequence, choosing to end the set with “Self-Esteem” instead of playing it right after “Come Out and Play.” It was a smart call given the stature of that particular song, and brought the first part of the set to a rousing conclusion.
After a quick break, The Offspring’s second set featured many of their greatest hits, for better or worse. The manic “All I Want”, was a great start, and other highlights included “You’re Gonna Go Far Kid” and “The Kids Aren’t Alright”, but I could have done without “Why Don’t You Get A Job” and “Pretty Fly (for a White Guy).” The performance seemed to come to a rather abrupt end, with plenty of time for one or two more songs. I think an encore of “Hammerhead” would have made for a more fitting sendoff.
Bad Religion (photo by Adam McGrath)
Regardless of whether you are a fan of hardcore, surf punk, or alternative rock, the Summer Nationals tour had something for everyone. The Vandals played their classic song “Oi to the World,” Pennywise featured original lead singer Jim Lindberg for the first time in four years, and Bad Religion pulled together an amazing set from their extensive catalogue. Greg Graffin (a personal hero) is so relaxed on stage, and may be the only gray-haired college professor who can still crush a punk show.
From the young guns bleeding in the pit to the dads with kids on their shoulders, everyone had an opportunity to connect to their favorite band or song. Make the most of this rare lineup, and check out the Summer Nationals tour before it wraps up on September 11.
