One of the most potent albums to come from a 90’s California group sold over 11 million copies despite being distributed on Epitaph Records, an independent label. During this time, the voice and leader of these Garden Grove punks was a white guy with braids who had earned two biology degrees from the University of Southern California. Their lead guitarist was an elementary school janitor whose nickname was, and still is, Noodles. And the band’s name was inspired from a 1987 horror film titled, The Offspring they were born to kill.

In April of 1994, the Orange County foursome came out with their 3rd album, titled Smash. In an era where rock bands were tapping into mainstream fame on major labels, The Offspring were going at things the old fashion way: word of mouth, local radio play, and dynamite music.