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Contributed Photo Long-time pop-punk rockers The Offspring are bringing their latest tour to Portland on Tuesday. Bassist Greg Kriesel spoke about it to the Barometer [Click to enlarge]

March 13 brings to Portland one of the biggest bands in the rock music scene. The Offspring, with guests The Start and The (International) Noise Conspiracy, are taking over the Roseland Theatre.

The Offspring members formed at Pacifica High School in Orange County. The group first appeared as Manic Subsidal, with just the pairing of Greg Kriesel on bass and Dexter Holland on vocals and guitar. When they first started they neither knew how to play instruments nor owned any of their own. After purchases and practice the band improved. Later on, Noodles, a janitor at the high school, joined the band on guitar, as did 16-year-old Ron Welty on drums.

"We changed drummers a little over a year ago," Kriesel said.

For the newest Offspring album, Splinter, the band recorded with former Vandals and A Perfect Circle drummer Josh Freeze. The Offspring currently play with drummer Atom Willard, former drummer for such bands as Rocket from the Crypt, Moth and the Alkaline Trio.

This Offspring tour has three legs, starting in Vancouver. One stop that is especially welcoming to the band is Los Angeles.

"L.A. is different. It's where we're from; we have friends and family there," Kriesel said.

Even away from home, Kriesel said that every show is still enjoyable.

"There are always new people in front and the hardcore fans are always there, too," Kriesel said. "Our show adapts to any stage."

This is the first tour for the band since it finished a European trek about a year and a half ago.

"It was four weeks that went well," Kriesel said. "A lot of good shows."

After recording a new record and filming the video for the single "Hit That," the band is more or less ready to rest before a strenuous tour in Europe.

"In Europe they expect more," Kriesel said. "They wonder why we don't play longer; we just want to keep it action-packed."

Possibly as preparation for their upcoming adventure, The Offspring have turned down the flair and turned up the rock for the current tour.

"We've had some gimmicks," Kriesel said. "This time so far things are pretty straight forward."

When you have been in the music game as long as The Offspring and achieved their level of success, it can be tough to stay real without getting mobbed by fans.

"We don't high-tail it in a limo," Kriesel said, "but we don't go out and mingle with the crowd."

Before going to Europe, the band will also work on completing the new video for "Can't Get My Head Around You," the next single off of Splinter.

"Right now we're just going to finish out the tours, maybe make another video, then I don't know," Kriesel said.

The Start and The (International) Noise Conspiracy open for The Offspring at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13, at the Roseland. Hopefully you managed to pick up your tickets to the sold-out show already, because scalpers won't let such a great show go cheap.

Robin Canfield is a Diversions writer for The Daily Barometer. He can be reached at canfielr@onid.orst.edu.

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