Review: The Offspring make nice

Geoff Carter

Monday, March 15, 1999 | 4:07 a.m.

You can say what you will about the mostly-Republican enclave of Orange County, but never say that the region A) doesn't breed polite folk and B) hasn't birthed some fairly good third-generation California punk bands.

The Offspring, fronted by brillo-head blonde vocalist Dexter Holland and guitarist Noodles, displayed both of these traits at the House of Blues Friday night with amusing results. Find another punk band that not only breaks up their set with a one-minute intermission, but announces that break with confetti, Lawrence Welk bubbles and a cheesy, two-note cha-cha. The kids, as they say, go apeshit. But politely.

Currently touring in support of their "Americana" album, their first for the Columbia label (even the weird must turn pro eventually), the band was every bit the scrappy, (politely) obnoxious unit that bombed the Hard Rock Joint some year and a half ago. "Bad Habit," their ode to road rage ("drivers are rude / such attitude / when I show my piece / complaints cease"), shook the haircuts in the balcony with its comic menace, while the naked rebellion of "The Meaning of Life" ("oh yeah, oh yeah / open wide and they'll shove in / their meaning of life") was not lost on a crowd that had braved casino parking to get to the show.

And the hit songs sounded great. (That includes the album tracks that think they're hit songs, of which there are more than a few.) "Gotta Get Away," "Self-Esteem," "Come Out and Play" and "Gone Away" were just as loud and proud as their recorded permutations and perhaps even a little better.

Even the novelty hit "Pretty Fly (For A White Guy") seemed honest, even as the band brought out the gangly homeboy that bumbled his way through the video. It seemed an unnecessary touch but the crowd loved it. Give it to us, baby.