The Offspring Rocks The Astro

July 23, 2024 – The Astro Amphitheater – La Vista, NE

89.7 The River’s Summer Bash invaded The Astro Amphitheater on Tuesday night July 23, 2024, and it was awesome!

Thousands of fans turned out to see The Offspring and supporting acts, StrateJacket, Save Ferris, and The Urge.

Kicking off the night was StrateJacket. They’re a punky alt-rock trio from California’s Bay Area. Jackson (singer-guitarist) and Fabian (bassist) met in school but didn’t form a band until after graduating. They started in 2019, but COVID put a stop to their gigs after just one show. They found their drummer, Nate, at that gig and spent lockdown honing their skills in a warehouse. They wrote tons of songs, practiced non-stop, and even got some street-side listeners dancing.

Their debut album, Bad Start, reflects their rough beginning but is packed with catchy, energetic tracks like “Bad Start,” “Be My Drug,” and “End of Time.” Influenced by Green Day, The Beatles, and Arctic Monkeys, their music blends raw punk with pop hooks. Each member brings unique influences, adding depth to their sound.

They gigged all over San Francisco, playing under bridges and in warehouses, which helped them fine-tune their songs and stage presence. This led to signing with Edgeout Records in 2021 and recording at Vancouver’s Armoury Studios. Despite the challenges, their optimism and drive shine through, making them a band to watch. They’re all about keeping rock alive and making fun, energetic music with their best friends.

These guys brought so much energy to the stage, it was impossible not to get caught up in it. Jackson’s vocals were raw and powerful, Fabian’s bass lines were tight, and Nate’s drumming was straight-up fire. They played tracks from their Bad Start album, and the crowd went wild for “Bad Start” and “Be My Drug.” The hooks were super catchy, and everyone was singing along. The whole vibe was like a big, sweaty, awesome party. Their punky, alt-rock sound hit just right, and they threw in some cool, laid-back songs too.

One of the best parts was their stage presence—they were having so much fun and it showed. Jackson was cracking jokes, Fabian was jamming out, and Nate was just killing it on the drums.

If you get a chance to see StrateJacket live, don’t miss it. They’re a band that knows how to put on a killer show and keep the audience hooked from start to finish. Even though they have just over seven thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, these guys are on the rise! Their latest song “End of Time” is definitely worth checking out.

Next to the stage was Save Ferris, a ska punk band from Orange County, California that got started around 1995. They named themselves after the movie Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. They played a bunch of underground shows in Southern California before winning a Grammy showcase award in 1996 for best unsigned band, which landed them a deal with Epic Records. Their first full-length album, It Means Everything, came out in 1997. By 1999, they started leaning more into pop-punk. After taking a break, they released the Checkered Past EP in 2017.

The band is best known for their awesome 1997 cover of “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners.

This band is an absolute blast. From the moment they hit the stage, the energy was off the charts. Monique Powell’s vocals were on point, and she had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand.

They played all the classics, including their famous cover of “Come On Eileen,” which had everyone singing and dancing like crazy. The band’s mix of ska and punk had the whole place jumping, and their horn section was killer.

What really stood out was how much fun they were having on stage. Their energy was totally infectious, and you could tell they genuinely love what they do. Monique kept the crowd hyped with her banter and made the whole show feel super personal.

They also threw in some newer tracks and the mix of old and new songs kept things fresh and exciting. Save Ferris has over 196 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and their latest single, “Lights Out In The Reptile House” is definitely worth adding to your playlist! If you ever get the chance to see Save Ferris live, do it! Their shows are a total party from start to finish.

The Urge was up next, and when they took the stage, the audience erupted! The Urge is a rock band from St. Louis, Missouri, known for mixing hardcore punk, heavy metal, ska, reggae, funk, rock, and R&B. They toured a ton in the ’90s and became famous for their super high-energy live shows. Even after decades in the business, they still know how to entertain a crowd. Currently, the band consists of Steve Ewing, Karl Grable, Jerry Jost, Matt Kwiatkowski, John Pessoni, and Bill Reiter.

The band’s stage presence was insane—they were all over the place, interacting with the crowd and just having a blast. Their sound is a wild mix of genres, and they somehow make it all work perfectly. Highlights included some killer ska beats, heavy guitar riffs, and funky bass lines that got everyone moving. The crowd was loving it, singing along to every song and feeding off the band’s energy. You could tell The Urge was having just as much fun as we were. If you ever get the chance to see them live, do it. It’s a high-energy, unforgettable experience! The Urge has over 35 thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, and a huge music library that’s worth checking out! What a performance!

After a brief intermission, it was time for The Offspring!

In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past few decades, The Offspring is a punk rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Initially called Manic Subsidal, the band features Dexter Holland (vocals/guitar), Noodles (lead guitar), Todd Morse (bass), Jonah Nimoy (multi-instrumentalist), and Brandon Pertzborn (drums). They played a big role in reviving punk rock in the ’90s alongside bands like Green Day and Blink-182.

They’ve released 10 studio albums and sold over 40 million records, making them one of the top punk rock bands of all time. Their drummer lineup has changed over the years, with Pertzborn joining in 2023. Todd Morse became the bassist in 2018, taking over from Greg K., an original member. Nimoy joined as a full member in 2023.

The Offspring gained a local following with early releases like their 1989 self-titled album. Signing with Epitaph Records, they released Ignition (1992) and Smash (1994), the latter selling over 11 million copies. Their major label debut was Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), followed by the hugely successful Americana (1998) with hits like “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” and “The Kids Aren’t Alright.”

After a long gap, they released Let the Bad Times Roll in 2021, and their upcoming album, Supercharged, is set for release on October 11, 2024.

This was definitely a bucket list concert for me, and their performance was incredible! From the moment they hit the stage, the energy was off the charts. Dexter Holland’s vocals were on point, and Noodles absolutely shredded on the guitar. You could feel the crowd’s excitement building as they launched into their classic hits.

They played all the fan favorites like “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy),” “The Kids Aren’t Alright,” and “Come Out and Play.” Each song was met with wild cheers and everyone singing along. The band was tight, and it was clear they were having a blast on stage, which made the experience even better for us in the audience.

Their new stuff sounded great live too, and they threw in a few surprises that kept things fresh. The crowd interaction was awesome—Dexter and Noodles kept cracking jokes and talking with fans between songs, making it feel like a huge party. Beach balls flew through the air and the audience was rocking out the entire time.

With over 21 million monthly listeners on Spotify, these guys aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Make sure to check out their latest single, “Make It All Right,” and if you ever get the chance to see The Offspring live, do it! They put on a can’t-miss, high-energy show that you’ll remember for a long time.

The Offspring Setlist: