8th Studio Album Timeline *long read ahoy*

[DefaultNinja]

Ok, so it's been a pretty uneventful day today so I decided to do something with my time. I thought I should go back through into the archives of time and find just how long The Offspring's 8th Studio Album has taken and what it might mean for us fans. Well, here goes nuttin'...

The Offspring's 8th Studio Album Timeline

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
02/01/06

"Today we decided to get together and do some recording. We‘ve got our own little studio here in Huntington, and we felt like doing a song. It‘s been really cool today hanging out with Greg K, Noodles and Atom and just laying down some tracks. I‘m not sure whether what we‘re doing today will end up on a record or what, but we‘re just doing it cause it‘s fun.

Other than that, we‘re just writing songs for our next record and having a good time being at home for awhile."

Here we see the first official mention of a possible new record from our old friends, The Offspring. Having released Splinter, toured the world and other tomfoolery, they decided to start work on what would become a long awaited album.

Start date - February 1st 2006

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
02/07/06

"Well what‘s up this week? We went back in the demo studio last weekend, just Noodles and I, doing some guitar tracks. It was a blast. It feels good to get back in the studio and do some recording and just be a band, you know?"

"Well, I guess that‘s it for now. Oh yeah, did I tell you guys that we re-recorded Dirty Magic last year?"


So it seems Dexter and Noodles are now putting together early demos for the new record, which makes for happy Dexter. What's that? Dirty Magic re-recorded? No! Well, yes actually. But it's unsure of whether we will hear it.

Progress - Early Demo-ing stage. [6 days]

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
02/15/06

"Last week I went out of town to meet with a guy who might produce our next record. I thought it went really well. Right now we‘re just kind of in that mode of figuring out what the next record is gonna be like, and writing songs."

So, just looking for a Producer I guess. I wander if this was Bob Rock?

Progress - Searching for a producer [15 days]

This Week (Dexter)
03/22/06

Laying low this week. Recovering. Playing guitar. Writing songs.

Dexter is still in the process of writing songs for the new album.

Progress - Demo-ing, writing. [1 month, 19 days]

In Between (Dexter)
06/13/06

"...we‘re working on songs (we‘re probably a little over halfway), and meeting with some awesome record producers."

Got some songs down at this point, still looking for the right guy to produce their album.

Progress - Finding produce, demo-ing, writing. [2 months, 22 days]



Got Some New Stuff (Dexter)
08/18/06

"We‘re finally demo-ing new songs... We didn‘t want to rush into the studio just to record demos for the sake of doing something, so we‘ve really taken our time getting the songs together first... . We‘ve demo‘d five songs so far..."

So the demo-ing stage has begun, and they are evidently taking it slow and easy.

Progress - Recording demos for reference and such. 5 songs demo'd. [4 months, 27 days]

Recording (Dexter)
11/27/06

"We‘ve started recording for the new record... We started writing songs this past summer and we demo‘d about 13 songs... Look for it to come out sometime in the spring probably."


They have 13 songs demo'd at this point in time, and Dexter predicts a Spring 2007 release date.. no comment here.

"We‘ll keep you posted how things are going…" Yes, yes you will.

Progress - 13 songs demo'd in total. [8 months, 16 days]

Recording - Week 3 (Dexter)
12/05/06

"Working on guitar tracks this week... We‘ve got eight tracks that we‘re working on right now."

Pretty much as it says, working on guitar, 8 songs on their way.

Progress - Guitar Tracks [8 months, 24 days]

Maui, HI (Dexter)
03/16/07

"So far we‘ve got 10 songs done... I‘m laying down vocals now. I don‘t want to tell you guys too much because the record is still taking shape."

10 songs 'done', how 'done' they are though is unsure. The vocals are being worked on and Dexter is careful to not hype us up too much.. admittedly he fails. :o

Progress - 10 songs completed. Vocals recording. [1 year 15 days]

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
05/08/07

"...we actually demo‘d 23 songs for this CD... Of those we‘ve recorded 13...

Enough to make a double album, if you ask me. 13 seems to be the stated quota at this point in time.

Progress - Demo-ing, recording. [1 year, 1 month and 23 days ]

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
05/11/07

"... I just wanted to let you know that the songs we‘ve recorded for our upcoming CD are all completely new."

So it seems like we may not hear Pass Me By + Dirty Magic II on this new album after all?

Progress - [1 year, 1 month and 26 days]


Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
05/18/07

"Writing lyrics….finished another one today. This one‘s gonna be
called ‘Takes Me Nowhere‘...."


Dexter is obviously trying to get some quality lyrics down, as not to disappoint. 'Takes Me Nowhere', interesting.

Progress - Writing lyrics [1 year, 2 months and 2 days]


Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
06/12/07

"Recording Takes a Long Time"

A double entendre, possibly? This could be read as;
"Recording is taking a long time" or
"Recording a song called Takes a Long Time"
Although my bets are on the former.

Also they are playing around with how stuff sounds best, and Dexter teases us with lyrics. That Dexter.. :rolleyes:

Progress - Recording [1 year, 2 months and 27 days]

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
07/18/07

"Just got back from Hawaii, recording at Bob‘s. Finished two more songs. Stoked on how they turned out. Hope you like em too. Recording back in OC now."

Two more songs done now, a total of 12 recorded if you take previous Journals into account. They say there is 13 tracks on the album, but this leads to further speculation of a double album.

Progress - Recording, near stage of semi-completion. [1 year, 4 months and 2 days]

Huntington Beach, CA (Dexter)
08/01/07

Atom leaves, boohoo etc. This could contribute to why the album seems to be taking so long.

Progress - Not clear, same as previous. [1 year, 4 months and 14 days]

Offspring plays club gig
08/15/07

The first time any new material from the 8th Studio Album is revealed to the public. Thanks to whoever bootlegged that.

Progress - First live gig for a while. [1 year, 4 months and 29 days.
Studio Cam

Between October 4th/5th Dexter records some lyrics for a song, though I need clarification about this.

Progress - Studio work, lyrical recording [1 year, 8 months and 18 days]

Happy Holidays from The Offspring (Dexter)
12/24/07

I‘ve got two lyrics to do, a couple more to sing, and various musical tweaks and fixes to get done. Then we‘ll be ready to mix.

We haven‘t announced a release date yet because we‘re just not quite close enough to know when we‘ll be finished.

So then, two lyrics left to do, a few more vocals and some bits and bobs. Mixing is still to do, and no release date because of aforementioned reasons.

Progress - Recording, lyrics, vocals, onto mixing [1 year, 11 months and 6 days]


So there you go. Approaching 2 years of work, and hopefully a release date of June/July 2008. These dates are approximations, but pretty close.

Feel free to add thoughts to this, or move this into the New Album thread. I was hoping to perhaps give a little hope and a little hype. Thankyou if you did read any of this.

[DexterWannabe]

wowzers.

(10)

[Jack-UK]

indeed lol, its taking even longer than i thought :O

[4eh]

wow, that's realy nice, hope you'd update it))

Offspring album usually takes 2-3 years to come out:

'89 - Self Titled
'91 - Ignition
'94 - Smash
'97 - Ixnay On The Hombre
'98 - Americana
'00 - Conspiracy Of One
'03 - Splinter
'05 - Greatest Hits

so as you can possibly see the only period they've worked harder than ever was 'americana' period. Here's some things to think about.

[TheOldMark]

well done, very through. some little tid bits left out. for an example, when Dexter flew around the world after the Splinter tour, he mentioned that he wrote a few songs while flying. at one point in early summer Dexter unofficially mentioned a possible September 2007 release. and the official announcement of Bob Rock being the producer.

[HeadAroundU]

'91 - Ignition
'922222222222222222222

[hshduppsnt]

wow - great job with all of that.

Nice to see it all in one place and see how it progresses.

interesting little bit you mention bout double album stuff...

anyone have a rough figure of what gets demo-ed vs makes it on an album in general?
is 23 to 13 a normal ratio? I guess thats too vague a question since it always depends on the band and then they may do something new so... probably no real way to answer that.

Also, another interesting question is what Dexter defines as "done."

in any case can't wait to finally get my hands on this album when it is released

[jacknife737]

The first mention of the upcoming album that I encountered was in 05 just prior to the release of the greatest hits

"People think of greatest hits like, 'Oh, does that mean you're going into acting?'" Holland continued. "But I really want to put out another record next year. All the new songs feel pretty good," he explained to Rolling Stone. http://offspring-online.com/oo/ (i couldn't find a direct link to the article, so this will have to suffice)

Edit: wrong link - lolz

[Dexter_italy]

I wouldn't count the greatest hits as an album in the timing process..so I would say that it's taking 5 years to make a new album. Obviously they couldn't release a new album immediatly after the GH, but it's taking a long time, Ain't complaining, just hope (and I'm sure it will) it will be worth the waiting....hope for 14 Songs with the capitol S

[HeadAroundU]

I wouldn't count the greatest hits as an album in the timing process.
I would. They did a small tour after GH.

[Dexter_italy]

I would. They did a small tour after GH.

I mean that they didn't have to go into the studio (if not for 2 or 3 songs). It has a different way of production then a new record.

[Hypodermic_89]

I actually think that this album will come out in April/May. Yes, that early.

[Biggest offspring fan]

WOW DefaultNinja that was a great work right threre, verry intresting to go back. Two years, shit, thats more than i thought.

[4eh]

'922222222222222222222


thx, for correcting me man)) i always make this mistake on ignition))


and btw... Putin sucks actually))) but if it's you on your avatar than you're too strong for me and i don't want discuss this opinion with you)))

[Jack-UK]

Ra ra Rasputin, russia's greatest love machine.

Also you cant really say that GH counts *that* much, although they did tour after it, they toured with the other albums also, as well as recording a full album. The only new song was Can't Repeat, i dunno whether they did any re-recordings of any of the others though i dont think they did.

[DefaultNinja]

The first mention of the upcoming album that I encountered was in 05 just prior to the release of the greatest hits

http://www.offspring.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=1069666 (i couldn't find a direct link to the article, so this will have to suffice)

I did think of mentioning this, yet I couldn't find the article either. Thanks.

I actually think that this album will come out in April/May. Yes, that early.

I would hope so, but I'm not sure how long mixing takes.

[Thomas]

Ra ra Rasputin, russia's greatest love machine.

Also you cant really say that GH counts *that* much, although they did tour after it, they toured with the other albums also, as well as recording a full album. The only new song was Can't Repeat, i dunno whether they did any re-recordings of any of the others though i dont think they did.

They also recorded Next to you and Dirty Magic, as far as we know. Possibly more.

And that's not mentioning the Complete Music Video Collection, which clearly took up a lot of time to make considering how well done it was.

They also did Warped tour, too, ya know...

So, considering the GH, CMVC, 3 tours, Dexter's solo flight around the world, personal time (they are people too, ya know), and the search for a new drummer, they are making pretty good time if you ask me, especially considering how they are taking the relaxed approach to making this album as good as possible.

Everyone needs to give them a break. sheesh.

[Little_Miss_1565]

Everyone needs to give them a break. sheesh.

Quoted for truth.

[Sham]

Nobody was giving them a hard time. Saying "It's taking a long time" isn't mean, it's basically just saying the album is taking longer than expected. Just an observation, and it's true.

[DefaultNinja]

Nobody was giving them a hard time. Saying "It's taking a long time" isn't mean, it's basically just saying the album is taking longer than expected. Just an observation, and it's true.

Quoted for truth.

They aren't taking all that long actually, it's just because alot of us are impatient. I'd put it down to the frequency of updates, though.
Not to worry, it'll be out soon and I have every faith in a release date before September 2008. :o

[sidfarkus]

I think the most interesting part about all of this is that by July of 07 they had 12 songs 'done' by Dexters own accounts... i wonder what they have been doing all that time since then, i'm excited to see what this album turns out to be.

[nameless]

on the subject of atom leaving, im sure it had been mentioned here by someone who met him at a gig whilst on tour with angels and airwaves that josh freese was playing on the new album. this was obviously before his departure was announced. i doubt atom had anything to do with how long the recording took as by the sound of things, he was never actually on the recording. they were probably working around josh freeses schedule. thats my assumption anyway!

[Thomas]

Atom may not have been recording, but the band still had to take the time away from recording to find a drummer to replace him. That's not an easy decision that can be made on a whim, especially after the problems that arose with the past drummers. They will need someone who has a flexible schedule, who can play all the material, and who has an attitude and personality that works well with the band. Atom had all of this except the schedule thing. They must have taken a lot of time to find the drummers, interview them, and probably hold an audition. I don't know if they knew Pete personally already, but if not, then a lot of time would have been taken to find him. If they did, they still would have gone through many options to make sure he was the best choice.

[ilovellamas]

My only input after reading this thread...

After the failure of Conspiracy and Splinter, I don't really see Dex and the boys making a big old comeback this time. What I see is really only the diehard fans, like the ones who post here, buying the album. Because of this, and how many songs they seem to have recorded already, I really honestly think they should do a double album. The people who are gonna be buying the album will buy a double album, and we will love it. I don't really think they have anything to lose. Come on, guys!

[SplinterByMyOwnDesign]

Agreed. I think the new album should be a double-album.

More is better. Plus that's an extra 12-ish songs that could have a chance to be put onto the radiowaves. Believe it or not, I actually want Offspring to have a good comeback with this album. Can't Repeat wasn't a bad start.

But at the same time, I do care more about the quality and not the quantity. I'd rather 12 awesome songs than 24 'okay' songs.

[HeadAroundU]

I mean that they didn't have to go into the studio (if not for 2 or 3 songs). It has a different way of production then a new record.
They also recorded Next to you and Dirty Magic, as far as we know. Possibly more.

And that's not mentioning the Complete Music Video Collection, which clearly took up a lot of time to make considering how well done it was.

They also did Warped tour, too, ya know...

So, considering the GH, CMVC, 3 tours, Dexter's solo flight around the world, personal time (they are people too, ya know), and the search for a new drummer, they are making pretty good time if you ask me, especially considering how they are taking the relaxed approach to making this album as good as possible.

Everyone needs to give them a break. sheesh.
Without GH, CMVC and 3 tours and everything what Thomas says, we would have the new album out by Christmas 2007. I'm so fucking sure.
and btw... Putin sucks actually))) but if it's you on your avatar than you're too strong for me and i don't want discuss this opinion with you)))
Well, Putin's too strong for you too. I wouldn't talk crap about him. ;)

I'm centre-left liberal. So I'm pretty much open to anything. I wouldn't beat you up for your opinion.

Btw, ))) ---> is that how Russians type smilies?
I think the most interesting part about all of this is that by July of 07 they had 12 songs 'done' by Dexters own accounts... i wonder what they have been doing all that time since then, i'm excited to see what this album turns out to be.
Yep, very interesting.

Overproducing? ;) Well, if they used 100 different guitars for every riff...:D

Also, double album would be very nice but I'm very sceptical about it.

[4eh]

thx god you're not right-wing bastard

i am saying bad things about Putin actually)) playing in a social-politician band, check below if you're interested

not only russians i guess.... a lot of people, but yeah, i type happy smiles like - ")))" and sad ones like - "(((" the number of it depends how happy/sad am i.


P.S. oh btw, prepare to recognize our new president this spring... Dmitriy Medvedev ;)

[Thomas]

My only input after reading this thread...

After the failure of Conspiracy and Splinter, I don't really see Dex and the boys making a big old comeback this time. What I see is really only the diehard fans, like the ones who post here, buying the album. Because of this, and how many songs they seem to have recorded already, I really honestly think they should do a double album. The people who are gonna be buying the album will buy a double album, and we will love it. I don't really think they have anything to lose. Come on, guys!

Interesting idea, but I think the other 12 or 13 songs they have could go to better use. I, personally, think that they should save those songs, keep working on them for another year or so, and then once those songs are up to par/amazing, then they can release a 9th album very shortly after this one. That'll make them more money, it woud make the songs we get better quality, and they might actually float back into the top 10 again because, quite frankly, it's awfully hard to ignore 2 consecutive albums by a band this big.

The only downside is that we would have to wait another year or so until we hear the songs, but I don't really mind. I'm patient. :)

[DefaultNinja]

Try to keep on-topic, dudes.

Yeah, seems like a good idea Thomas. They could do what SOAD did, Mezmerize/ Hypnotize. Anyway, try not to get too excited for a double album, you don't want to be disappointed do you?

[nameless]

a double album would be nice but i really cant see it happening!

[Thomas]

Try to keep on-topic, dudes.

Yeah, seems like a good idea Thomas. They could do what SOAD did, Mezmerize/ Hypnotize. Anyway, try not to get too excited for a double album, you don't want to be disappointed do you?

I wasn't thinking something like that. SOAD's thing was basically a double album. I'm just talking two entirely seperate albums that are relatively closely released. Kinda like Ixnay and Americana. Americana was released just a few months over a year after Ixnay. If the offspring tour this upcoming album, take a quick break (a month or two? maybe more) and then go straight into making their next album with the songs they have left, and a few new ones, then it could be released pretty close to this upcoming one so that they don't die out in the public's eye (as they have been having a tendency to do about a year after an album's release) before releasing this next one, thus making it sell well because they haven't been forgotten about yet.

[CSX]

On the idea of a double album, I'd have to vote no. Most double albums I've heard have too many filler tracks to try and fill up both sides. If the album was condensed into one maximum length single CD it would probably have much more consistent quality (keeping in mind that a CD can hold 80 minutes of music, which is a lot more than most of the Offspring's albums).

If they did have enough decent tracks for a double album, I'd prefer the weaker ones released separately, maybe as B-Sides. They could go towards the inevitable complete Rarities and B-Sides collection (with 20ish tracks for this already, they could easily make this a double album).

[HeadAroundU]

On the idea of a double album, I'd have to vote no. Most double albums I've heard have too many filler tracks to try and fill up both sides. If the album was condensed into one maximum length single CD it would probably have much more consistent quality (keeping in mind that a CD can hold 80 minutes of music, which is a lot more than most of the Offspring's albums).
It would suck to have 20 track album. It's not like they are going to make 5 or 6 minute songs. Well, I'm expecting 45 minute album. They should put b-sides on singles or make another album a year and half later. I'm so hungry for their music.

[CSX]

It would suck to have 20 track album. It's not like they are going to make 5 or 6 minute songs. Well, I'm expecting 45 minute album. They should put b-sides on singles or make another album a year and half later. I'm so hungry for their music.

I was referring to a B-Sides/Rarities albums for the 20+ tracks, not the 8th studio album. Anything less than that would be an incomplete collection which would suck.

I know there's been no official announcement of such an album, but I'd be surprised if we don't get one after the 8th album.

[Thomas]

Yeah, i wasn't talking at all about a double album, but rather a completely seperate 9th studio album with the songs that weren't on this album, except improved upon and worked with to actually sound good. If they use these songs, then they could easily release a 9th studio album in a very short amount of time.

[jacknife737]

I was referring to a B-Sides/Rarities albums for the 20+ tracks, not the 8th studio album.

I like this idea, they could throw in other stuff like the Dirty Magic re-recording, Pass Me By, etc.

[HeadAroundU]

I was referring to a B-Sides/Rarities albums for the 20+ tracks, not the 8th studio album. Anything less than that would be an incomplete collection which would suck.
OK. I thought that you wanted to have 80 minute 8th studio album which would have to have at least 20 tracks.

As for b-side album, I don't want it after the 8th studio album. They should release it after their career. It's going to be a sad day when they stop doing music. B-side album will be good for our mental wounds then. :d They shouldn't be wasting time with it now. I want them to spit out at least 2 studio albums after the 8th studio album. They can release even a triple b-side album after their career. Hmmm???

I'm with Thomas. They should release another album a year or year and half later. Just like they did it with Americana. As long as it's not huge as Smash, because they would have to make a huge tour.

[Thomas]

haha. I, personally, wouldn't mind a huge tour, as long as they come to Arizona. =P

selfish? yes.

bitter because i've missed them twice already? extremely.

[holland25]

As for b-side album, I don't want it after the 8th studio album. They should release it after their career. It's going to be a sad day when they stop doing music. B-side album will be good for our mental wounds then. :d They shouldn't be wasting time with it now. I want them to spit out at least 2 studio albums after the 8th studio album. They can release even a triple b-side album after their career. Hmmm???

I second that... Just some more music even if they split up will be cool... Not that I want them to split up, but I'll go without B-sides album 'til their break-up... It's not necessary to release it now

[Thomas]

See, I really can't picture them splitting up. They seem to love each other too much, and there aren't any problems with drugs or loose women, so what is there to split them up? I am expecting them to retire eventuay, but there's really no telling when that'l happen because it seems to me that they just ike playing music together.

[holland25]

See, I really can't picture them splitting up. They seem to love each other too much, and there aren't any problems with drugs or loose women, so what is there to split them up? I am expecting them to retire eventuay, but there's really no telling when that'l happen because it seems to me that they just ike playing music together.

I'm not saying they are on verge of splitting up, or whatever... It may happen in 10 years, maybe later, but what am I and the others above me trying to say is that it'll be better to postpone the B-sides album until they have broken up.

[Thomas]

Oh yeah, I totally know what you mean. I'm just saying that when they finally do stop making music, they'll probably retire before splitting up.

And as far a B-sides album goes, I don't really care when (or if) it's released. I don't think it would really make a big difference whenever it is released, at least to me.

[Jack the Tripper]

I think this is the best thread yet.

[DefaultNinja]

Well, it's been 4 years and 1 month since Splinter was released. So what do you reckon? Will it be released on Splinter's 4.5th Anniversary? :p

[holland25]

Well, maybe on Splinter's 10th anniversary :D