Save the absence of sand and surfboards, California punk band the Offspring headlined what might otherwise have been an ideal beach party Friday. The combination of balmy weather, holiday weekend ambience and bouncing beach balls created a nearly perfect evening at City Market.
Above: Dexter Holland of the Offspring. Photo by Shane Keyser/The Star
Most of the more than 6,000 fans didn't seem to mind that they couldn't take a dip in the ocean. The beach was evoked instead by The Offspring's surf guitar forays on furious songs like "The Kids Aren't Alright."
With four other bands on the bill, the concert might have resembled a six-hour punk rock blowout. Instead of serving as a Warped Tour tune-up, however, the atmosphere was akin to a rowdy high school reunion after-party.
Perhaps that's why at least a third of the audience left before The Offspring hit the stage. While the core members of The Offspring are well into their 40s, most of the people who'd purchased a $30 ticket looked as if they might be celebrating their fifth or 10th high school reunion. These 20t-somethings might not even remember early Offspring hits like "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" and "Come Out and Play."
The band's biggest years are behind it, but even after selling tens of millions of albums in the '90s The Offspring demonstrated that they're still relevant. The raw blues tinge given to "Hammerhead," a current radio hit on concert sponsor 96.5 The Buzz, made it one the night's best songs.
Front man Dexter Holland resembles the little brother of John Lydon/Johnny Rotten, with whom he shares a similarly obnoxious bray. That voice was the common thread between opening song "You're Gonna Go Far Kid" through set closer "Self Esteem." And while most songs by the Offspring follow a similarly blunt attack, they seemed determined to show off their range. Holland played piano on "Gone Away"- "don't make fun of me," he joked- and his raspy crooning on the power ballad "Kristy, Are You Doing OK?" induced a sincere sing-along.
The Offspring were solid but the night belonged to Taking Back Sunday. The band lost a key member in 2007 and their first album in over three years will be released next month. Yet it's clear that fans are sticking with the band. Taking Back Sunday rewarded loyalists with a set laced with powerful new material like "Sink Into Me."
Signature song "Cute Without The E (Cut From the Team)" was given a rootsier reading but retained its angst-flavored bubble gum appeal. "A Decade Under the Influence" and "MakeDamnSure" also resonated deeply with fans.
They lack Taking Back Sunday's crossover potential, but the Used were definitely the night's most interesting act. They offer a bracing mish-mash of metal and screamo and are fronted by the larger-than-life rock star persona of Bert McCracken. The response their deeply affectionate fans accorded "The Taste of Ink" made it the night's first big moment.
Neither Alkaline Trio nor Anberlin succeeded in eliciting similarly passionate responses. The former band was received with indifference while Anberlin's cheerful evocation of early U2 made them an odd fit for the bill.
The sound quality for all five bands, depending on where one stood,ranged from merely acceptable to remarkably good. The portable outdoor stage.will be employed again on June 13 for the next installment of Buzz Under the Stars. 311, Ziggy Marley and the Expendables are scheduled to perform.
| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star
FKN OFFSPRING RAWK!!
we went late, skipping all the openers, drank mucho beers preparty, took a cab down, and had a pisser.
one question-
Is it ALWAYS required that you reviewers bring up the fkn age thing,,,GIMME A BREAK!!
I could notpik the setup, and other BS things,,,but ,,,I am busy, gotta go.
If you missed this Offspring show, you are an idiot. If you use stupid things like age, as an excuse to not go, or whatever, you are an loser.
Posted by: Gramps | May 23, 2009 at 11:17 AM
If anyone could provide setlists to either the Offspring or Taking Back Sunday, it'd be mucho appreciated.
Posted by: mankvill | May 23, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin, and Alkaline Trio set lists here: http://popwreckoning.com/2009/05/23/the-offspring-city-marketbuzz-under-the-stars-kcmo/
Posted by: B | May 23, 2009 at 09:34 PM
fkn retards, The Star gives a stupid review more about age than music, the other site gives a better review ..BUT NOT ABOUT THE OFFSPRING, cuz they ONLY like the young groups..WTF!!??
This age gap BS is fkdUP,
YOU PEOPLE ARE CREATING MORE DIVISIONS, there will NEVER peace, becauce humans need to hate by nature and need to feel "WE ARE BETTER THAN YOU" causing divisions. stupid sht. stupid people.
anyway...sure man, here is a set list
Gonna go far Kid
Bad Habit
Come out and Play
Hammer head
Staring at the Sun
Gone away
Kristy
Intermission
Americana
All I want
Pretty Fly
(Can't Get My) Head Around You
The Kids Aren't Alright
Want You Bad
Self Esteem
Posted by: Gramps | May 23, 2009 at 10:40 PM
"" the core members of The Offspring are well into their 40s, most of the people who'd purchased a $30 ticket looked as if they might be celebrating their fifth or 10th high school reunion. These 20t-somethings might not even remember early Offspring hits ""
keep the hate rolling, make sure everyone feels they are different ( and superior ) than another, older, blacker, richer etc etc etc ... total unprofessional BS.
Posted by: Bkind | May 23, 2009 at 10:48 PM
offspring sucks lol
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 12:10 AM
""offspring sucks lol""
is that your idea of mucho apprection?
ur nothin but a loser troll.
If dont like the band, then why ask for a set list you fkndouchebag? oh wait, thats right, you are here more to promote YOUR stupidasswebsite, than to actaully contribute to this one, which is why your posts are so lame.
Posted by: metalheadsSUCK | May 24, 2009 at 02:01 AM
lol you mad
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 10:06 AM
NO No son the night didnt belong to Taking back Sunday(whoever they are)...the night belonged to you Bill Brownlee! You got your name in the paper and insulted a great band like The Offspring...What a coup young man......Your narrow minded review left me salivating on the edge of my seat wanting more....I see greatness in your future.....Might even be another Tonys of KC...if only!
Posted by: Bertito | May 24, 2009 at 12:15 PM
"insulted a great band like The Offspring"
they're a fun band, but woah there buddy.
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 12:28 PM
..and when the punches pummel your face, remember that the pain you feel shooting into your brain is self inflicted. Caused by you being an a$$hole, to someone, who passes it to another, and eventually, what goes around comes around.
First feel the left hook, BAM, followed by right jab and then your head hits the curb and, of course you ask, "oh why me?"
Why? because you started it. You derserve what you get.
It is so easy to be cool, but humans love being evil a$$holes.
And the LOL is how you wonder "Oh why me?" "what did I do?"
That is the lol.
Yours is coming to you, in the form of a pain shooting into your brain. Have fun with that, LOL.
Posted by: LRCurbam | May 24, 2009 at 01:18 PM
They call that a "Special Delivery"
HELLO!!! got sometbing FOR YOU!!
Posted by: Co1 | May 24, 2009 at 01:21 PM
I never knew Offspring fans were so angry!
Posted by: ac | May 24, 2009 at 01:22 PM
^
what
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 01:23 PM
that "what" was for whatever LRCurbam is talking about.
Hey, everyone go to American Waste on June 6th - 7th at the Beaumont club :D
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 01:29 PM
OFFSPRING has never been one of my favorites. The KC Star reviews DO mention age quite a bit. One reason might be is that THESE days rock stars SEEM to be living longer. I, personally don't think Tim Finn and crew over-does it. Gramps, YOU my friend need 'take' a sedative. Bubba said it.
Posted by: Bubba | May 24, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Bubba's the man!
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 02:21 PM
I was at this show too.
I agree the night went to Taking Back Sunday. Offspring however did surprise me a bit and I enjoyed hearing the "hits" that I enjoy. Still wasn't enough to make me a huge fan though...
Alkaline Trio might have been the most disappointing to me (even if Alkaline Trio were my favorite band on the bill). Their set lacked anything pre-Good Mourning. They basically alienated all of their older fans (who were most likely there for them).
Still a good time for a summer show. Good review. Spot on.
Posted by: Blake Young | May 24, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Mankvill, thanks! Don't laugh but I'm STILL undecided about which show I'd like to attend on June 6. Either the crowded & sweaty TESTAMENT assault at the Beaumont - or the NIGHT RANGERS gig at Old Shawnee Days. At that show, I'm MORE likely to run into a former female 'friends with benefits' or two. Kansas City DOES have plenty of nice-looking women. NO IDEA why there's a myth going around that Cowtown here resides a LOT of dogs and sea-hags. MAJOR upside of this summer - MOST of the cool shows that I have 'some' interest in appear to be two-to-four days apart. Man, DON'T you JUST hate it when there are 3 or 4 cool concerts in, say - a week's time? Kansas City ROCKS! This summer, anyway it does.
Posted by: Bubba | May 24, 2009 at 06:19 PM
I always find the demographics of an audience interesting.
Posted by: Steve | May 24, 2009 at 07:24 PM
Motoring
What's your price for flight
In finding mister right
You'll be alright tonight
Bubba - what's your price for flight?
You've GOT to go with Night Ranger!
Posted by: Greenman | May 24, 2009 at 08:30 PM
mankvill is the bitch, schilling his agenda, which is his BS web site.
Bubba, if you are sad that you missed ANOTHER great show, dont blame me, or try to force drugs on me.
If it wasnt for the rude fkheads, things would be beter, and so would I.
Posted by: Gramps | May 24, 2009 at 11:14 PM
check out my website, it's rarely updated :D
Posted by: mankvill | May 24, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Did the concert get sold out?
Posted by: Sarah | May 24, 2009 at 11:39 PM
uh, that is the point goofball. The basis of ALL YOU SAY is always rooted in you saying "CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE". How about you go back to Tijuana and loop drunks into the dog and pony shows.
Posted by: Gramps | May 24, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Sarah, I can tell you it was unpleasently packed. I think I heard 6000 people, and if that was not sold out, I do not want to be there sold out.
I do not like this venue, there are multiple issues.
1) flat area, so viewing sucks the further back you get.
2) The stage is cockeyed, so the viewing area are scattered across BS areas, with big ass lights on, total STUPID!!
2.1) If this was a one time, amateur hour show, OK, but if this is the plan ... WTF??
3)The concessions/people suck, but that goes for all KC venues, why is this? WTF? slow, snotty, close early, they dont give a crap.
3) Post concert exiting, WHY, ON PURPOSE, do they bottle neck people( with the fencing ) exiting, it was total BS.
4)freeking cops out side the venue had streets closed. We took a cab down and back. The cab we grabbed for home outside the venue was pointed East, but for some reason the pigs ..err cops, had the EW street in front blocked going East. Only allowing Westbound traffic WHY??WTF?? Our cab had to do a U turn, and this stupid pig ... errr cop freeeked and was yelling at the cabbie, total stupidity.
This is a dumb venue. I know it sounds like bitching, but if anyone out there, reads this, and is "IN THE KNOW", ask around, and you will see I speak the truth.
Posted by: soldOUT | May 25, 2009 at 12:48 AM
SoldOUT - I hear you on the City Market. I was there last August for JUDAS PRIEST and I believe the S-U-C-K outdoor venue holds like around 8 to 9,000. I HATED the way awhile back I saw GEORGE THOROGOOD there and DUE to the 'VIP area', we average folks who arrived there EARLY ended up standing like a block away from the front of the stage. NOW, I believe they put the VIP on the side of the stage - THANK goodness for that. Only upside is in the back of the City Market, you can purchase reasonably-priced food and beverages. Bubba said it - don't forget it.
Posted by: Bubba | May 25, 2009 at 02:40 AM
Nice food fight.
Age is pertinent but not elemental. So are the demographics of an audience. It shows whether the band is generating new fans or just hanging onto the old ones. So seeing 20-somethings at Neil Young is worth mentioning. Likewise, seeing mid-40 and 50 year olds at the White Stripes or Raconteurs or My Morning Jacket is relevant. It means they've connected with boomers, which you can interpret any way you want. But it's all worth talking and writing about.
Posted by: Tim Finn | May 25, 2009 at 08:37 PM
no it is not,
but if it is,
shouldnt you also note the clothing and cars driven to check the money demo....
OR how about the the race demograhic??...
to see if they are conecting with blacks, hispanics, whites, greys and martians....
...just stick to the music bro, the rest seems like you are just being an ageist, racist sextist, martianist, you know??
Posted by: BillBixby | May 25, 2009 at 10:36 PM
PS
bubba didnt say it, but it is true anyway, so dont forget it, anyway he just wants everyone to like him, or not...
Posted by: BillBixby | May 25, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I agree with Tim. Get over it.
Posted by: mankvill | May 26, 2009 at 03:35 AM
...and I thought I was a jerk!
Posted by: aquaman | May 26, 2009 at 09:32 AM
"dar de dar" said the moron twintrolls womankill and aquadouche.
I explained the point, you douchebags only troll, and hype your own website.
So, if we discuss age and race and money, should we also discuss the type of beer sold?, how much was sold?
and should you bring a "sound level meter" and report the levels?
...when it goes beyond the music, where do you stop?
Posted by: trollkilla | May 26, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I guess I am pissd about the age BS, cuz I am sick of division, and "groups" looking down on anyone differerent.
I dont understand children these days talking sh!t about older rockers.
They say sh!t like "That creepy old rockstar should quit", AND THEY SAY THAT WITHOUT EVEN ATTENDING THE FREEKIN SHOW!!!
THAT IS BS!!!! AND YOUR DISCUSSION OF AGE ONLY ADDS TO IT!!
yeah, i take my music serious, serious enough that elbows are and fists are now being thrown, want it to get worse?
Posted by: sickofIT | May 26, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I am only adding my opinion...
...and with that said, yes, Tim IS correct, by defintion. If, in his wisdom, he wants to discuss, or not discuss anything, it is his call. TIM IS THE MAN!!
keep up the good work TF :)
Posted by: TFisdaMAN | May 26, 2009 at 11:28 AM
OK "SickofIT". Since you take your music seriously, I assume you are in a band, right? Would you welcome a member who is 30 years older or younger than you and your other bandmates? Not trying to be a smart ass, just asking. When most bands around here advertise an opening, they usually specify a certain age range. Why is that?
Posted by: NEW | May 26, 2009 at 11:33 AM
It is clear that you are an ageist, ( and probably a racist too )and you miss out on many things by limiting yourself to a limited number of people, your loss.
If Muddy Waters wanted to join your band, what would you say?
Posted by: LOLomg | May 26, 2009 at 11:46 AM
What if Randy Rhoads wanted to join your band?
Posted by: whatif | May 26, 2009 at 11:49 AM
do you descriminate against the livingly challenged?
Posted by: LOL | May 26, 2009 at 11:50 AM
If you are alive, and have "something" to add, and we have an opening/need, you are welcome to our band.
We have had old ladies sing, we had a childrens chior do back ground vocals, we do it all, but we do draw the line, if you are dead, you cant join, cuz that is creepy.
Posted by: CryptKeeper | May 26, 2009 at 11:54 AM
"trollkilla" is SO clever - making up screenmames, gosh, what will you think of next?!?!
...we'll all be waiting!
Posted by: aquaman | May 26, 2009 at 01:46 PM
the age demographic on this thread is interesting
Posted by: Denny | May 26, 2009 at 02:12 PM
epic, woot, duuuur
Posted by: epic | May 26, 2009 at 03:10 PM
You won't let dead people in your band?
Jerk.
Posted by: mankvill | May 26, 2009 at 03:53 PM
we were sued by the living challenged, but they did not not show up at the trial, so we won.
damn dead people. The biggest problem is they smell REALLY BAD,
PLUS...
thier fingers keep falling off, and they use that as an excuse for not being able to play, so lame.
Posted by: cryptkeeper | May 26, 2009 at 04:47 PM
oh yeah, and the worst part is, even though they are always saying how grateful
they are,,,,,geeezzzz, yeah right, LOL...such a lie...they are so ungrateful,,they steal, and lie, and try to eat all the food and bogart all the ... well you know ...... and they smell REALLYREALLY BAD.
Posted by: Cryptkeeper | May 26, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Yeah, there's no such thing as the grateful dead.
:D
Posted by: mankvill | May 26, 2009 at 06:40 PM
:D
lol
Posted by: yeah | May 26, 2009 at 07:08 PM
i better make this clear, I have nothing against dead people. I have a lot of dead friends and family memebers, and they are fine. I just dont want them in my band, because I take my music seriously, but outside of the band, dead people are fine by me.
I would never descriminate someone for being livingly challenged, or for being young, or old, or black, or grey or martian or poor, but I do kind of hate rich people, oh, and I hate that fkndouche, aquadouche. I would NEVER let him be in the band, he is WAAAAAYYYY too negative. He is also an ageist and a racist and a facist. He may be a NAZI, but I would not use the Nazi card, not yet, but, he does pretty much hate everyone and everything, but that is expected, you know, he is a pathetic worthlesstroll.
Posted by: IloveALLmostly | May 26, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Hey now, Nazi's can make some good music. I respectfully point you in the direction of Temnozor and Drudkh.
Posted by: mankvill | May 26, 2009 at 11:27 PM