How The Offspring’s Smash Turned Punk Into Mainstream

This episode traces how Los Angeles‑born garage‑punk trio The Offspring grew from basement demos into the 1994 smash hit "Smash," a record that shifted punk from DIY roots to mass‑market success. We unpack Epitaph’s independent distribution, the touring machine that powered their rise, and the ways the band’s commercial breakthrough reshaped attitudes toward authenticity in punk rock.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices