Dexter Holland | |
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Born | Bryan Keith Holland December 29, 1965 Garden Grove, California, U.S. |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1984–present |
Partners |
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Children | 3, including Alexa |
Musical career | |
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Member of | The Offspring |
Website | offspring |
Bryan Keith "Dexter" Holland (born December 29, 1965) is an American musician, best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, main songwriter and composer, and only constant member of the punk rock band the Offspring. He co-founded with former bandmate Greg K. the record label Nitro Records, which he previously owned. He also holds a PhD in molecular biology.
Bryan Keith Holland was born in Garden Grove, California, on December 29, 1965. [1] [2] He attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, graduating as class valedictorian in 1984. He was the best student in his year at mathematics, which he found "just as exciting as punk rock". [3] He acquired the nickname "Dexter" for his academic prowess, taken from the slang term "Poindexter". [4]
Holland attended the University of Southern California, where he earned a BSc in biology and an MSc in molecular biology. [5] [6] [7] He suspended his studies to focus on music when the Offspring found success in 1994, [3] [8] but later resumed and earned a PhD in molecular biology in May 2017. [7] [9] He defended his thesis, "Discovery of mature microRNA sequences within the protein-coding regions of global HIV-1 genomes: predictions of novel mechanisms for viral infection and pathogenicity", under doctoral advisors Suraiya Rasheed and Bob Baker. [10]
Holland started a punk band named Manic Subsidal in 1984 with his friend and cross-country teammate Greg K. Holland played the drums. The band was formed when they failed to get into a Social Distortion concert. After James Lilja was hired as their drummer, Holland switched to vocals and guitars. Noodles then joined on guitar, and Manic Subsidal changed their name to the Offspring in 1986. After recording a demo in 1988, [11] the Offspring signed a deal with a small-time independent record label, Nemesis Records, for whom they recorded their first full-length album, The Offspring , in March 1989. [11] This album would eventually be re-issued in 1995, by Holland's own record label, Nitro Records. [12]
In 1991, the Offspring signed with Epitaph Records (home of Bad Religion, L7, NOFX, Pennywise and other similar bands). Their first release on the label was Ignition , which was released in 1992. Their last album for that label was 1994's Smash , which still holds the world record for most sales of an album on an independent label. [13] The band then signed with Columbia Records in 1996 (after Brett Gurewitz, owner of Epitaph and guitarist for Bad Religion, sold the contract to Columbia, Holland claims) [14] for whom they released their next six albums, Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), Americana (1998), Conspiracy of One (2000), Splinter (2003), Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008) and Days Go By (2012). The albums Let The Bad Times Roll (2021) and Supercharged (2024) were released on Concord Records. Holland is one of the two members (along with Noodles) to appear on all of The Offspring's albums, and as of Greg K.'s split from the band in November 2018, he is the only remaining original member left. [15] [16]
Holland sometimes plays the piano during live shows. Occasionally the band plays "Gone Away", with only Holland playing the song on piano. Holland sings in the tenor range. [17]
He is also one of the co-founders of the record label Nitro Records, which he operated from 1994 to 2013, along with former bandmate Greg K. [18]
In a 1995 interview, Holland said that he would rather be a professor at a university than play music by the time he turns 40. [3]
Holland was a doctoral student at the Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Proteomics Research, Keck School of Medicine, where he was supervised by Professor Suraiya Rasheed. [19] In March 2013, Holland and co-authors published a paper in PLoS One regarding microRNA in HIV genomes, [20] titled "Identification of Human MicroRNA-Like Sequences Embedded within the Protein-Encoding Genes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus". [21] The original academic paper describes the use of computational molecular biological ( in silico ) approaches to identify microRNA-like sequences in HIV. These sequences are suggested to have evolved to self-regulate survival of the virus in the host by evading its immune responses and thus influence the persistence, replication, and pathogenicity of HIV. Holland was awarded his Ph.D. in molecular biology during the USC Commencement on May 12, 2017. [22] [23]
In 2004, Holland launched his own brand of hot sauce called Gringo Bandito. [22] [24] The label depicts Holland with bandoliers, revolvers, a sombrero and shades, a design that OC Weekly magazine described as parodying the logo for Tapatío hot sauce or Pancho Villa. [25] Holland, who grew up in Southern California where Mexican cuisine is considered a "part of the way of life", wondered "if [he] could do [a hot sauce] better". [26]
On the conception of the hot sauce, Holland states that in the early 2000s, while eating Mexican food, he began to read the label of a bottle of Tapatío; "It just clicked that I had to make one. People who like hot sauce are a certain type of people. They're passionate. They'll have a bottle with them wherever they go. I'm one of those people. And when I'm into something, I really get into it. It's like my music—I liked records, so I learned how to play a guitar. After that? A band." [25]
It has sold over a million bottles and is available in over 500 restaurants and 7,000 stores, including being a top-ranked hot sauce on Amazon. [22]
The headquarters for Gringo Bandito are located in a Huntington Beach industrial park, next to the Offspring's recording studio. [25]
In 1997, Holland and former Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra teamed up to form the FSU Foundation, which raised funds through charity concerts. The foundation organized benefit shows to raise money for various charities including AIDS Project Los Angeles, Poor People's United Fund, Trees Foundation, and Amnesty International. [27]
Holland participated in the Los Angeles Marathon in 2006 and 2008 with his charity of choice being the Innocence Project, a non-profit legal clinic that handles legal cases where post-conviction DNA testing can yield conclusive proof of innocence. [28]
Holland's early musical influences include Aerosmith, the Beatles, the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, KISS, Bob Marley, Queen, and the Rolling Stones. [29]
All of Holland's Ibanez RG body guitars are made out of mahogany and fitted with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickups. [30] [31] During their latest recordings, Holland used a vintage Gibson SG Junior. [32] He plays through a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier.
Holland met hair stylist Kristine Luna in 1992, and they were married in 1995. [33] She co-wrote the Offspring song "Session" and appeared in the music video for "I Choose". They divorced in 2012. [34] [35] He married Amber Sasse in 2013. [35] His daughter from a previous relationship, Alexa (born 1986), is also a musician and goes by the stage name Lex Land. [36] Holland also has two children from his current marriage. [37]
A licensed aircraft pilot, [22] [38] Holland completed a 10-day solo flight around the world in November 2004. [38] He also enjoys surfing[ citation needed ] and collecting postage stamps from the Isle of Man. [39]
All Offspring albums. For a complete list, see the Offspring discography .
Holland has also made cameo appearances in:
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn. The Offspring is often credited for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the 1990s. During their 40-year career, the Offspring has eleven studio albums and sold more than 40 million records, making them one of the best-selling punk rock bands.
The Vandals are an American punk rock band, established in 1980 in Orange County, California. They have released ten full-length studio albums, three live albums, 3 live DVDs and have toured the world extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are well known for their use of humor, preferring to use their music as a vehicle for comedy and sarcasm rather than as a platform for more serious issues. Kung Fu Records, founded in 1996 by Escalante and Fitzgerald has signed and launched many punk rock bands.
Live Fast, Diarrhea is the fourth studio album by the southern California punk rock band The Vandals, released in 1995 by Nitro Records. It was the band's first album for Nitro, a label started and co-owned by Dexter Holland and Greg Kriesel of The Offspring. It was also the first to be produced by Vandals guitarist Warren Fitzgerald, who would continue to produce most of their albums throughout their career, and the first to include Brooks Wackerman, who often substituted for regular drummer Josh Freese. It was a breakthrough release for the band, who would release three more albums on Nitro before moving to their own label Kung Fu Records in 2002.
The Offspring is the debut studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on June 15, 1989, by Nemesis Records. After being out of print for years, the album was re-released by Nitro and Epitaph Records in 1995 with a different album cover. Both the re-releases on the two respective labels are nearly identical. The Offspring has rarely played any songs from this album live since the Ignition tour finished in 1994.
Ignition is the second studio album by American punk rock band the Offspring, released on October 16, 1992, by Epitaph Records. Issued during the alternative rock and grunge era, the album brought the band small success in Southern California as they started to gather a following. This success would continue to grow with their next album, Smash (1994).
Smash is the third studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on April 8, 1994, through Epitaph Records. After touring in support of their previous album Ignition (1992), the band recorded their next album for nearly two months at Track Record in North Hollywood, California. Smash was the band's final studio album to be produced by Thom Wilson, who had worked with them since their 1989 debut album The Offspring. Smash was put together on the spot in the studio and there was no systematic work behind the recording of the album.
Ixnay on the Hombre is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on February 4, 1997, by Columbia Records, as the band's first album on the label. After the massive commercial success of their previous album, Smash (1994), the band entered the studio in the middle of 1996 to record a new album. The title combines Pig Latin and Spanish to convey the message "fuck The Man", as in "fuck authority".
The Dwarves are an American punk rock band formed in Chicago, Illinois and based in San Francisco, California as of 2009.
Guttermouth is an American punk rock band formed in 1989 in Huntington Beach, California. They have released nine full-length studio albums and two live albums and have toured extensively, including performances on the Vans Warped Tour. They are infamous for their outrageous lyrics and behavior which are deliberately explicit, offensive and intended to shock, though usually in a humorous and sarcastic manner. This behavior has sometimes resulted in high-profile problems for the band, such as being banned from performing in Canada for eighteen months and leaving the 2004 Warped Tour amidst controversy over their political views and attitudes towards other performers.
Kevin John Wasserman better known as Noodles, is an American musician who serves as the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the Offspring. He earned the nickname "Noodles" for his frequent noodling (improvising) on the guitar.
Gregory David Kriesel known by his stagename Greg K., is an American retired musician and the founding bassist of the rock band the Offspring. He is also the co-founder of the record label Nitro Records.
Splinter is the seventh studio album by American punk rock band the Offspring, released on December 9, 2003, by Columbia Records. It was the first album the band released without long-time drummer Ron Welty, who was fired from the band three weeks before the recording sessions started.
Americana is the fifth studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on November 17, 1998, by Columbia Records. Following a worldwide tour in support of Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), the band commenced work on a new album in July 1998.
The Dwarves Must Die is the 2004 release by the American punk band Dwarves. It is the band's first release on the Sympathy for the Record Industry label. There are several cameos, including Dexter Holland from The Offspring, Jula Bell from Bulimia Banquet, Nash Kato from Urge Overkill, desert rock icon Nick Oliveri, Josh Freese from The Vandals, Spike Slawson from Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, gangster rapper San Quinn, DJ Marz, and even the original Space Ghost himself, Gary Owens. The rather freeform departure from the standard thrash/punk/noise sound is obvious in this release, slightly more so than in previous Dwarves productions, perhaps because they have been producing music for almost 20 years; however the original sound of the Dwarves shows clearly in several tracks.
"Come Out and Play" is a 1994 song by the American punk rock band the Offspring. It is the seventh track on their third album, Smash (1994), and was released as its first single. Written by frontman Dexter Holland, the song was the second single to be released by the band, after "I'll Be Waiting" (1986). It is considered the Offspring's breakthrough song, as it received widespread radio play, with first attention brought by Jed the Fish of KROQ-FM, and reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, bringing both the band and the punk rock genre to widespread attention.
Joseph Patrick Escalante is an American musician, television writer, film and television director, radio host, and former television executive. He is known professionally as the bassist and songwriter for the punk rock band The Vandals, and creator and episodic director of the paranormal travel series Monsters Across America on Fox Nation.
Look What I Almost Stepped In... is the eighth studio album by the southern California punk rock band The Vandals, released in 2000 by Nitro Records. It was recorded in April 2000. It was the band's final album for Nitro, as they moved to their own label Kung Fu Records the following year.
James Frederick Lilja is an American gynecologic oncologist and a musician. He was the first drummer of the punk rock band the Offspring, performing with the band between 1984 and 1987.
Nitro Records was an American independent record label, founded in 1994 and operated by The Offspring's Dexter Holland and Greg K. Nitro is famous for being an incubator for punk rock artists who have subsequently become successful, most notably AFI. The label has also released albums from classic punk bands, including The Damned and T.S.O.L.
Let the Bad Times Roll is the tenth studio album by American rock band the Offspring, released on April 16, 2021. Produced by Bob Rock, it is the band's first release on Concord Records, and their first studio album in nine years since Days Go By (2012), marking the longest gap between two Offspring studio albums. Let the Bad Times Roll also marks the band's first album without bassist and co-founding member Greg K., who was fired from the Offspring in 2018. Even though new bassist Todd Morse had already joined the band and appeared in the video for the album’s title track and "This Is Not Utopia", bass guitar accompaniment was provided by guitarist and vocalist Dexter Holland. It is the second and last album to feature drummer Pete Parada, who was later fired from the band in August 2021 for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccination, due to suffering from Guillain–Barré syndrome.
He alleges that Holland and Noodles "devised a scheme, and entered into a conspiracy with each other" in October 2018 to "seize the business, business opportunities, and assets" of their 32-year-old partnership agreement "in disregard for and in derogation of the rights, privileges, and authority of Kriesel as an equal, general partner" [...] Krisel claims that Holland and Wasserman told him last November that he was "no longer entitled to participate in any activities of the band, including (but not limited to) studio recordings and concert tours."
The bassist states in the court documents that Holland and Wasserman sought to "seize the business, business opportunities, and assets" last October of the partnership amongst the group's founding members. Kriesel alleges that they've sought to divest him from their partnership interests and rights without fair compensation and denied his continued status as a general partner of the band.
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