2003-10-05 ::
The Offspring Add New Drummer in Time for Promotional Tour
 
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Although veteran punk rockers The Offspring have found a replacement for long-time drummer Ron Welty, the newcomer won’t be heard on their next album.

Former Rocket From The Crypt drummer Atom Willard has joined the band in time for a fall promotional tour in support of the new album Splinter, due out in early December. But session drummer Josh Freese, who has contributed his talents to albums by Evanescence, Staind, Puddle Of Mudd and many others, played the part for the Offspring’s Splinter.

The Offspring changed the album title from the original, Chinese Democrazy (You Snooze, You Lose). That title was borrowed from the long-anticipated Guns N’ Roses album that has yet to be released. Singer Axl Rose apparently had a cease-and-desist order issued against the band to prevent them from stealing the title.

It took a decade for the Offspring to rise from underground status to international fame. The Orange County-based band first formed in 1984 but it was 1994’s Smash that made them famous. Since then, the band has sold millions of albums and raised the profile of indie label Epitaph. The band left the label for the mainstream Columbia Records outfit and there, found an opportunity to have more control over their music.

Our Thoughts

Ron Welty had been with the Offspring since 1987 – Atom Willard has some big shoes to fill.