The Offspring Tears through Grand Rapids, Michigan.

What a better way to spend a Wednesday night than at a punk rock show! The Offspring took Grand Rapids, Michigan by storm on Wednesday February 11th for their Supercharged tour featuring punk rock band Bad Religion as the opener. The energy at this concert was off the charts. Crystal clear sound. Every riff, vocal, and drumbeat reverberated through my entire body as the bands took the stage at Van Andel Arena. 

Bad Religion, punk rock band from Los Angeles California, opened up the show with classic punk hits which reflect the attitudes of people living today. A combination of louder than life guitar riffs, guitar solos, and quick paced, frenetic vocals, this band is a staple in the punk community. From the opening track “Recipe for Hate” to the closing track “American Jesus” the energy of this band was unmatched. Bodies threw themselves on top of each other, creating a rather large mosh pit of people thrashing about, feeling the energy of the songs, the rebellion each and every song exudes. Bad Religion is the best of the best of punk rock.

While Bad Religion set the stage for what was to come, The Offspring tore that stage apart. Playing a mix of older and newer tracks, while also tributing some of the best like Black Sabbath and The Ramones, their set was tight and fun. The drumming by Brandon Pertzborn was extraordinary, highlighted by a crazy fast drum solo near the second half of the concert. The musicianship of each band member meshed well with the voice of their vocalist Dexter Holland. The band has been around since 1984, but it sure doesn’t sound like it; they’re better than ever here, moving around stage, jumping up and down, playing their instruments at such a high level of musicianship I was thoroughly impressed. From the opening “Come out and Play” to the piano rendition of their track “Gone Away” (which featured an emotional tribute to lost loved ones and a flood of cellphone lights in the crowd) this concert showed their versatility in the band and how they are still one of the best punk rock bands to exist in this day and age.