The Offspring on flying fighter jets, NHS support, and ‘smelling the gold records’
If The Offspring’s Dexter Holland were to make it into the Guinness World Records hall of fame, his accomplishment could be, he thinks, “the most stuff”.
“Goddamn overachiever right here – I’m just drinking beer and watching YouTube videos,” says his bandmate, lead guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman, as the pair contemplate over Zoom with Sky News the fact that Holland is not only the frontman of a multimillion-selling band but also a licensed pilot with a PhD in molecular biology.
“Well, I don’t sleep,” he jokes. “I think the band has always been first and foremost for me, this is what we love to do and it’s my main work focus. But I’ve always been interested in other things, flying is one of them, science research is another one. You just have to figure out how to carve out blocks of time to do those things.”
‘We thought they were owed a little bit back’: The Offspring will play a gig supporting the NHS in Hull. Pic: Tijs Van Leur
Holland and Noodles have been sharing their expertise on certain subjects in YouTube videos, How To… With The Offspring; the latest on how to fly a fighter jet. Noodles, as it turns out, is a keen birdwatcher, while Holland can also catch a wave.
But all this is second to The Offspring, the punk-rock band that rose to fame in the 1990s with their third album Smash and went on to sell 40 million records, best known for hits including Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) and Original Prankster.
Earlier this year, the band released their 10th album and first in a decade, Let The Bad Times Roll. The titular song had been written before 2020, during a period of deep political division in the US.
The bad times, says Holland, had well and truly “been rolling for sure” way before the pandemic hit. However, a world in lockdown really cemented it.
After making their live return earlier in 2021, they are getting ready to tour the UK once again and promising fans “a good time celebrating the bad times”.
“We’re tip-toeing back into it because things are definitely not normal yet,” says Holland. “It’s fits and starts and two steps forward and one step back, but it’s getting there.”
When they come to the UK later in November, the band’s shows will include a free gig in Hull in support of the NHS and frontline workers. While several British acts – from Liam Gallagher and The Charlatans to JLS and Rick Astley – have also done this, it is a significant gesture from a band from the US.
“We come to the UK pretty much every year, it feels like a second home to us in a lot of ways,” says Noodles. “The NHS and frontline workers are doing a phenomenal job, They’re really kind of putting themselves on the line to keep us all safe. We thought they were owed a little bit back. It’s our pleasure to do this.”
“We felt like it was so important to acknowledge,” says Holland. “This is such an unusual time and all of those people in those services have really stepped up to help humanity. So it was important to us.”
Earlier this year, the pair reworked the band’s 1994 hit Come Out And Play, changing the lyrics from “you gotta keep ’em separated” to “you’ve gotta go get vaccinated”. A few months later, drummer Pete Parada said it had been decided he was “unsafe to be around” as he was unable to have the COVID-19 vaccine due to underlying health issues, and that he would not be joining the band on tour. Headlines said he had been dropped from the band.
“He wasn’t really dropped from the band, even to this point,” says Holland. “He was either unable or unwilling to get vaccinated and we couldn’t take an unvaccinated person on tour with us. We looked into it, you know, we tried to work all of these different scenarios and we kept hitting roadblocks. And so we needed to have a completely vaccinated crew and band.”
Drummer Pete Parada (left) has not been touring with the band this year. Pic: Daveed Benito
In October, Noodles tested positive for COVID-19, and told fans on Twitter that being vaccinated “certainly made it easier” and “might’ve just saved my life”.
“We understand how vaccines work and we trust them,” he tells Sky News. “We believe they’re safe. There are some people that are legitimately unable to get vaccinated, we understand that. And so I think those that can should do that for those people as well.”
As well as supporting health workers and helping spread the message on vaccines, The Offspring also address other issues through their music. The Opioid Diaries, from Let The Bad Times Roll, looks at America’s drug addiction problems, with a powerful video spelling out the statistics in black and white.
“I think a lot of times [people] think of our more fun, light-hearted songs, but there’s always the serious side of us on albums too,” says Holland. “We thought this song was important to write because addiction in general is something that needs to be addressed [but] this was almost sort of an unwitting addiction… people were kind of innocently thinking they were getting pain medication that they legitimately needed and didn’t realise how addictive it was.”
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They have also been performing a reworked softer version of Gone Away, from their fourth album Ixnay On The Hombre. During the pandemic, it’s a song that has taken on new meaning.
“It’s been brutal, says Holland, of the past 18 months. “Everybody experiencing loss with that message and that hitting home of the loss has been especially poignant in the last couple of years.”
As well as the serious songs, fans going to the live shows will also get the hits. Still punk-rocking in their 50s, how do they feel looking back at the CV?
“We’re more of a forward-looking band, I think,” says Noodles.
“It’s been amazing that we’ve been able to go this long and this is what we love to do and definitely realise that we’re very fortunate to still be able to do it, for sure,” says Holland. “But as Noodles said, that’s not what we rest upon. We don’t just walk down the aisle and look at the gold records.”
“Well…” Noodles interrupts. “We do take some time to stop and smell the gold records.”
The Offspring’s Let The Bad Times Roll is out now. The UK and Ireland tour starts with the show in support of the NHS and key workers in Hull on 19 November
Entertainment
Daughter of Sir David Amess praises ‘swift action’ of counter-terror police’s Kneecap investigation
The daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess has praised “swift action taken by law enforcement” after counter-terror police confirmed they are investigating claims the band Kneecap called for people to kill their MPs.
The Metropolitan Police revealed on Thursday that its Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has found “there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences” in connection to two videos of the rap group.
The first, believed to be from a Kneecap gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum in November 2024, allegedly shows one member of the band shouting: “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
The second, thought to be from a separate concert in November 2023, reportedly sees another say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Sir David, Conservative MP for Southend-on-Sea, was murdered by Ali Harbi Ali at his constituency surgery in Leigh-on-Sea in October 2021.
It was the second murder of a British MP in less than 10 years, following the murder of Labour’s Jo Cox by Thomas Mair in 2016.
Sir David Amess. Pic: PA
Jo Cox. Pic: PA
Read more
Why are Kneecap controversial?
Murdered MP’s daughter ‘happy to meet’ rappers
Previously the Met said it was assessing whether the two clips of the Irish language trio met the threshold for an investigation.
Katie Amess said in response to their decision on Thursday to pursue an investigation: “Kneecap’s rhetoric is not only abhorrent but poses a direct threat to the safety and well-being of elected officials and the democratic institutions they represent.
“The glorification and incitement of violence have no place in our society and must be unequivocally condemned.
“I commend the swift action taken by law enforcement agencies in addressing this and urge a thorough investigation to determine the full extent of any criminal activity.”
She added that musicians “must be held accountable” for rhetoric that “incites violence and hatred” and that cultural venues should “not be exploited to propagate messages of hate”.
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Kneecap comments ‘dangerous and heartbreaking’
In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”
But Ms Amess accused them of “gaslighting”, saying their comments were “absurd” and “not an apology”.
Katie Amess with her MP father Sir David Amess
Dozens of artists come out in support
Since the controversy emerged amid a backlash over their performance at US festival Coachella, in which they displayed the message “Free Israel. Free Palestine”, more than 40 artists have come out to support them.
Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars to have signed an open letter claiming there has been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform” the band.
Kneecap had their concert at the Eden Project in Cornwall cancelled on Wednesday.
In its statement on Thursday, the Met Police confirmed: “Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.
“The investigation is now being carried out by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command and inquiries remain ongoing at this time.”
Entertainment
Kneecap row: Paul Weller and Primal Scream lead musicians in signing open letter in support of rap trio
Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars who have signed a letter in support of rap group Kneecap.
The politically-charged Belfast trio, who are no strangers to controversy, have faced criticism in recent weeks following a performance at US festival Coachella in which they displayed the message “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.
Then came the emergence of footage, taken from a gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum last November, which appeared to show one member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
Video also emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to face prosecution over the two videos, while Glastonbury Festival is now facing pressure to drop them from this year’s line-up.
A handful of the group’s gigs have been cancelled, including one that was set to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project.
In an open letter, the group’s record label, Heavenly Recordings, said there had been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” the group.
More than 40 music acts have now signed the letter.
Former The Jam frontman Paul Weller is one of the artists to have given Kneecap their backing. Pic: AP
It reads: “As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.
“In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.”
It also accuses politicians of “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza.
“Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” it says. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British Government is the real story.
“Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people.”
Instagram accounts belonging to other acts, including Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, have commented on post featuring the statement, asking to be added.
Elsewhere, trip hop collective Massive Attack put out their own statement supporting Kneecap.
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Kneecap comments ‘dangerous and heartbreaking’
It comes as the Metropolitan Police is assessing the “kill MPs” video clip, along with the 2024 video in which a band member appeared to say “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”
Read more:
Why are Kneecap controversial?
Kneecap remarks ‘dangerous’ says Sir David Amess’s daughter
Kneecap said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.
“Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope,” the post added.
A former TV production assistant has told a court she felt “the unthinkable was happening” during an alleged assault by Harvey Weinstein.
Warning: This article contains references to sexual assault
Miriam Haley is the first of the former movie mogul’s accusers to testify at his retrial, which is taking place as New York’s highest court overturned Weinstein’s 2020 conviction.
The former studio boss, 73, has pleaded not guilty to one charge of rape and two of forcing oral sex. He denies sexually assaulting anyone.
Ms Haley, who also goes by the name Mimi Haleyi, today told the court Weinstein held her down and forced oral sex on her after she told him: “No, no – it’s not going to happen.”
She dabbed her eyes as she recalled in court what went through her mind during the alleged July 2006 assault.
“The unthinkable was happening, I just thought any unthinkable thing could happen,” she said. “I just didn’t know where it ended.”
Weinstein, sitting between his lawyers, shook his head as she spoke.
Ms Haley also testified at Weinstein’s initial trial.
Miriam Haley arriving to the courtroom yesterday. Pic: AP
She began her testimony yesterday by describing how she got to know Weinstein, saying she had some inappropriate and suggestive interactions with him, while others were polite and professional.
Ms Haley maintains she was always looking to forge a professional connection – not sex or romance – with the Miramax founder.
Read more: What has happened to the #MeToo movement?
Weinstein’s lawyers are yet to question Ms Haley, but the defence has sought, often unsuccessfully, to object to prosecutors’ questions, such as whether Ms Haley had any sexual interest in the then-powerful producer. She said she did not.
The defence has argued that all of Weinstein’s accusers consented to sexual activities with him in the hopes of getting work in show business.
The 73-year-old’s retrial includes charges based on allegations from Haley and Jessica Mann, an actress who alleges Weinstein raped her in 2013.
For the first time, he is also being tried on an allegation of forcing oral sex on a former model, Kaja Sokola, in 2006.
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