The Offspring and charity

[Tijs]

After getting a bit more into Dexter's latest charity work for Love Music Love Food (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/en/?page=news&sub=article&id=1307#/news/dexter-in-039love-music-love-food039/), I remembered some more charity contributions from Dexter and The Offspring as a whole. I was happily surprised how much I could find about this in my old archives and the internet.

So looking back, what has The Offspring done for charity in the past? It appears that from the moment The Offspring had their break through, they've done charity that splinters off into all directions. I'm sure I'm missing some things still, so help me out if you know of more.


In 2006 Dexter entered the L.A. Marathon to support the Innocence Project (http://www.innocenceproject.org/), which is an "organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustic". (interview here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riKWRjTd9cY))


Also in 2006: Greg K. entered the Punk Rock Pro-Am golf tournament organized by radio station 91X, with members from Bad Religion, Unwritten Law, Linkin Park, Lit, Long Beach Dub All-Stars and more. It benefitted the Surfrider Foundation (http://surfriderfoundation.org/) (safeguard, defend and sustainably enhance the ocean) and Music For A Cure (http://musicforacure.org/) (to bring the healing power of music to children in hospital by funding music therapy programs). (rehearsal photos (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/img/rehearsal.html)) (concert photos (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/img/benefitpics.html)) (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/en/?page=news&sub=article&id=190))


In 2005, SPIN Magazine released an article in relation to hurricane Katrina (http://www.hurricanekatrinarelief.com/), stating that "a member of The Offspring who is also a pilot donated his time and money to flying a group of volunteers to Hammond, Louisiana.". After the marathon Dexter sold his sneakers at an online auction. (more info (http://www.spin.com/articles/nin-offspring-join-katrina-relief))


Also in 2005: The Offspring played a benefit show for the now legendary New York City club CBGB (http://cbgb.com/) to "aid in the club's efforts to resolve their current lease issues and remain in their historic location." Unfortunately, to no avail. CBGB closed on October 25th, 2006. (more info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBGB#Closing))


Also in 2005: Dexter auctioned a flight with himself in his private airplane to support the KROQ (http://kroq.radio.com/) For Relief - Big A$$ Auction. Aside from the flight with Dexter, The Offspring auctioned several items in benefit of the victims to the tsunami in December 2004 that caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose their lives and many more to lose their houses. (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/en/?page=news&sub=article&id=114))


In 2002, together with T.S.O.L. and The Line, The Offspring played a benefit show to raise money for Surfer Organization's Spinal Injury Research. Organized by They Will Surf Again/Life Rolls On Foundation (http://www.liferollson.org) founded by professional surfers dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries. Dexter and especially Noodles are surfers themselves (Da Hui (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsBT3jYo14M&ob=av3e)). (more info (http://www.surfermag.com/features/offtwsa/))


Also in 2002: The Offspring did a benefit show for the Recording Artist Coalition (http://www.recordingartistscoalition.com/). Also playing were Weezer and No Doubt. The RAC represents the recording artists and attemps to defend their rights and interests. (more info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recording_Artists'_Coalition), more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldco1/journal/journal.html))


On May 6th, 2000, The Offspring played a benefit concert for the family of Dennis Danell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Danell). Danall, who was the founding guitarist for Social Distortion and died on February 29th, 2000 at the age or 38 of a brain aneurysm (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebral_aneurysm). The concert was helt in the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater, together with X, Pennywise, TSOL and more bands. (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news54.html))


Also in 2000: After failing to release Conspiracy Of One for free, The Offspring, but mainly Dexter, showed their support for downloading music on the internet. The Offspring sold T-shirts with the Napster logo on their website and donated the profits to Napster creator Shawn Fanning. (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news59.html))


In 1998, right before the recording of Conspiracy of One, The Offspring played the board AID benefit show in Big Bear Lake, California for teen AIDS awareness. Other bands playing were 311, Bad Religion, Blink 182 and more. Board AID no longer exists today. (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldixnay/news/news19.html))


In June 1997, Dexter teamed up with Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys) to start the S.F.U. benefit foundation. S.F.U. can stand for many things (Biafra: Fuck Shit Up, Dexter: Freedom Starts Underground) but it's aim was to "provide support for social services, assist those less fortunate, help maintain and restore healthy environment, and take part in the fight for humand rights." They've played several concerts to support this cause (June 30th, 1997 in San Bernardino --- July 1st, 1997 in Fresno --- July 2nd, 1997 in Santa Cruz). (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news12.html), more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news13.html))


Also in 1997: the band donated 'Dirty Magic' to a compilation album entitled MOM II which benefits the Surfrider Foundation (http://surfriderfoundation.nl/). "The foundation is dedicated to the protection, preservation, and restoration of the world's oceans, waves and beaches." (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news15.html)). Although the band meant to donate 'Dirty Magic', a case of human error resulted in 'Get It Right' to appear on MOM II under the title of "Dirty Magic". (more info (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/oldsites/oldamericana1/site/news/news18.html))


Gotta love this band, or what?

I've originally written this article for TheOffspringSite.com (http://www.theoffspringsite.com/tos/en/?page=news&sub=article&id=1309#/news/the-offspring-and-charity/).

[randman21]

Nice! Fantastic work, Tijs :) I don't think I knew about half of these.

yellow, take notice.

[GamerKT]

Nice! Fantastic work, Tijs :) I don't think I knew about half of these.

yellow, take notice.

Haha, I knew I wasn't the only one to instantly think of her when I saw this.

[Lord Phidias]

Don't get me wrong, I admire the band for this and a benefit is a benefit, but I think there are more important causes than some of the ones listed before. Just an observation, it's cool and everything, but it's not that we can compare Dexter to Bill Gates... I sense some hatin' coming now...

EDIT

Please, don't hate me too much, the Katrina and Tsunami stuff are cool, and of course they will help their coleagues if they can, but there is so much more to be done... I mean, it's nice they support sometimes, and I'm not judging, but what I'm really saying is that we can't consider TO as one of the most important bands regarding humanitarian help... that's just what I think.

[jacknife737]

^ Why does charity have to be a competition?

[Lord Phidias]

^ Why does charity have to be a competition?

I knew someone would say this exactly... but it's not what I'm implying, some of you guys are putting TO in an altar because of their altruism, when there's more important stuff going on on that field, if you know what I'm saying.

[personal_loans_1]

I think one sentence got lost, so she ends third point now instead of first.

[randman21]

But nobody at all is putting Offspring on an altar. And I personally think that these particular bits of charity are awesome. Yes, there are more important issues in the world than keeping CBGB open, but I especially admire them for giving to issues they actually care about. Nobody else is gonna do it. Last point, if you notice, each one of these is something that they donated time/effort to, and these are just the ones we know about. Who knows how much actual money they've given away to more important causes (without recognition, might I add).

[samseby]

Charity is good and essential and it's upon the donor to choose which one is worth his/her time, effort and/or money (and which one is worth talking about).

I do think it's important that "celebrities" do have the possibility to draw attention to charities and thus rise awareness ... on the other hand if they talk about their commitment too much people might easily read egotism or whatever into that.

P.S. Nice list ;)

[Tijs]

Charity comes in many different forms and levels. Bill Gates has billions upon billions of moneys, so of course he can do gigantic charity things and still be fucking loaded with moneys.
The Offspring have money too, they've got influence as well. So they use it for the charities they feel they can make a difference in, as I see it. Sure there are plenty of other good causes, or causes that 'deserve' more attention. But it's not like if The Offspring don't jump in those good causes, no one will. And in the end, it's all a matter of personal priorities as well, right?
Personally I think one of the best causes The Offspring stand for is the Innocence Project. There's not too many people who care about people in prison. Once they're in prison they're criminals, even when they're actually not. Kuddos for that, Dexter!

Lord Phidias, I'm not trying to attack you in anyway, I understand what you mean too.

Who knows how much actual money they've given away to more important causes (without recognition, might I add).Exactly. The band never officially - or even unofficially - released that they were part of Katrina Relief. This came via different channels Jim Guerinot -> SPIN -> BBS. If it wasn't for SPIN just mentioning The Offspring, we would have never known about it (and then we'd all be like OMG OFFSPRING DON'T FUCKING CARE!!!!).

[Little_Miss_1565]

I knew someone would say this exactly... but it's not what I'm implying, some of you guys are putting TO in an altar because of their altruism, when there's more important stuff going on on that field, if you know what I'm saying.

*you* think there's more important stuff going on. Not fair to hold someone else to your personal standards when it comes to charities helped. I support organizations that you might not give two fucks about, but they mean the world to me and to some people I care about.

[RonWelty]

nice :). Kudos.

[the_real_potomek]

Wow, that's really cool:)
In my opinion the acts of charity shouldn't be graduated. They're all important. If you want to help some minor organization then what, is it worth less than if you support something bigger? What matters is that you help, you sacrifice your time and energy to do something good, and it's up to you what you choose. I also don't think that anyone is obligated to charity, so if someone actually helps anyhow, it should be only appreciated.

[KickHimWhenHe'sDown]

Haha, I knew I wasn't the only one to instantly think of her when I saw this.

So there was at least three

[Lord Phidias]

Lord Phidias, I'm not trying to attack you in anyway, I understand what you mean too.


Lol I know :) Thanks for the clarification!


*you* think there's more important stuff going on. Not fair to hold someone else to your personal standards when it comes to charities helped. I support organizations that you might not give two fucks about, but they mean the world to me and to some people I care about.

It's not my personal standards, I was just introducing a valid point of view, which leaded to discussion, and I think all of you are right, I also think it's great that they support the charities they feel that are important, or help in the benefits and foundations they identify with, It's all cool.

I also like the way you guys are not being douchebags disqualifying my opinion, which I still think has a valid argument, but I also recognize it is a matter of every person's beliefs and standards.

[Tijs]

Well, dear Lord, you are not digging in the right place. You are possibly jealous, so go out helping anyway you can...Lord clearly stated he admires the band for doing so, and is in no way attacking the band. Jealousy is definitely not a thing here. I believe what he's saying is that The Offspring shouldn't be considered as a band that lives for charity. He's also saying that The Offspring aren't the kind of band that just sit on their ass and don't care. He makes a valid point there, if I understood him correctly that is.