Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace

Untitled

The Offspring's upcoming eighth studio album is currently untitled and expected to be released sometime in 2008. When it is released it will be the band's first proper studio album in four-and-a-half-years, since Splinter in 2003. Its release has been delayed numerous times since frontman Dexter Holland first announced the album in 2004.

This album took over a year to record, with pre-production beginning in the fall of 2006, making it the longest time The Offspring have ever spent working on an album. Although former drummer Atom Willard (who left in July 2007) was still a member of the band during the recording, session musician Josh Freese actually handled the drum tracks, like he did on Splinter. When the band supports the album, former Face to Face member Pete Parada will be drumming for the tour.

Writing and production

Holland first mentioned the follow-up to Splinter in 2004. "People think of greatest hits like, 'Oh, does that mean you're going into acting?'" he says, referring to the compilation album which came out in 2005. "But I really want to put out another record next year. All the new songs feel pretty good."

On February 7, 2006, Holland said in his journal that the band entered a demo studio to work on guitar tracks. "Well what's up this week? We went back in the demo studio last weekend, just Noodles and I, doing some guitar tracks. It was a blast. It feels good to get back in the studio and do some recording and just be a band, you know? I'm sure you do if you're in a band. We knocked off early because it was Noodles' birthday (remember?) and he had some ragin' to do. People are asking us about possibly doing some festivals in Europe this summer, which would be fun, but we thought it would be better to stay home and work on songs for another record. What do you think?"

On February 15, 2006, Holland said in his journal that he went out of town to "meet with a guy who might produce" The Offspring's new album. "Last week I went out of town to meet with a guy who might produce our next record. I thought it went really well. Right now we‘re just kind of in that mode of figuring out what the next record is gonna be like, and writing songs. Why don‘t you guys write in and tell us what you think?"

On June 13, 2006, Holland stated that the band (minus Willard) had been meeting every week and would begin recording shortly. He also confirmed that Willard had not officially left the band and was only on tour with Angels & Airwaves.

On August 18, 2006, Holland updated the band's journal, saying that they had demoed 5 songs and are looking to go into the studio soon. He described the new songs as "lots of guitar, energy, lots of energy, and good songs." and "I think it's the best stuff we've done in a long time."

In September 2006, it was announced that the album would be produced by producer Bob Rock of Metallica fame. He said that he was working with Holland and "helping him sort out songs."

Recording process

Recording of the new album began in November 2006, with an intended release date of spring 2007. Recording took place in Hawaii and California with producer Bob Rock. By May 2007 the music for thirteen songs had been recorded, with a further 10 tracks demo'd. At this time Dexter announced that all of the songs were completely new with no re-recordings of older songs, jokingly remarking "That would be cheating, wouldn't it?", and commenting that the new tracks "sound like a friggin' freight train."

On July 18, 2007, Dexter also confirmed that the band has finished "two more songs" and the album is now being recorded in Orange County, California.

On the Christmas journal entry, Dexter claimed that he had two more lyrics to write, "a couple more" to sing and "various tweaks" to do before mixing could begin. The band was at that time taking a break to spend Christmas with their families.

On January 14, 2008, the band comically responded to upset fans who wanted news by having a "breaking news" story regarding the band buying plane tickets for their next show. In his journal, Dexter explained that when there are no updates, it's usually because there's nothing to talk about- hence the faux "news."

In a February 2008 interview, Dexter told Bombshellzine.com that The Offspring were "just in the studio getting some tracks down for the new record" and claims "it's a lot louder than the last couple". He also said the band wasn't "going to be making another Smash, or another Ixnay" but thinks they are still "relevant to punk when they were created, and this one will be no different".

Possible included tracks

The band has said they are recording 13 songs. They have also demoed an additional 10 songs.

• Hammerhead: This song was played live on the 2007 Summer Sonic festival and the 2008Australian Soundwave Festival .
• Takes Me Nowhere: This song title was mentioned in one of Dexter Holland's journals. The studio cam later showed him recording with the caption "Vocals - Takes Me Nowhere."
• Fix You: This title was mentioned on the studio cam on a paper sheet held up by Dexter.
• Stuff's Messed Up: This title was mentioned on the studio cam in a caption while Dexter recorded vocals.
• Two videos uploaded to the band's YouTube account show Noodles and Josh Freese recording. There were no vocals included. The song title is unknown, but it is not Hammerhead.

Personnel

• Dexter Holland – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
• Noodles – Lead Guitar
• Greg K. – Bass
• Josh Freese – Drums (Studio)
• Pete Parada - Drums (Touring)
• Bob Rock – Producer