New Offspring album will be finally out next December 2 ! This 7th album will finally be entitled SPLINTER. It was supposed to be released last spring and called CHINESE DEMOCRACY as the next Guns 'N Roses album. Moreover, this is the reason (legal stuffs) why the release date has been delayed and we heard nothing about Offspring this summer. (Official site has been updated about 1 or 2 times and not a word about the new album). I hope you're excited as much as me about this new album, which is supposed to ROCK \mm/ like Ignition and Smash !!

As usual, there are a lot of rumours right now about the new Offspring album, Chinese Democracy, which is supposed to be released early summer (2003). First, some tell that this title was only a joke (as you know, Chinese Democracy is the title of the "long-awaited" new Guns 'N Roses album), but one thing is certain : official Offspring website still stipulate that the title of forthcoming Offspring album will be Chinese Democracy.

Second, a very good news for me and hope for you too. Dexter said in a popular music magazine that the new album will sound "like" Ignition (1992). I think that the kind of sound and song construction that we can find on Ignition and Smash is pure, authentic and timeless. Offspringier. I recall you that the only official known track titles for now is Da Hui and its video (which will be on the CD, not made for TV) was shot in early winter.

A very bad or important news today. Offspring drummer, Ron Welty, decided to leave the band. Here is the official press news, from www.offspring.com: "After more than 15 great years with The Offspring I've decided to leave to devote all my energies on a new project called Steady Ground. I wish Dexter, Noodles and Greg the best of luck moving forward and it's time for me to focus on my own thing," said Ron. The Offspring have hooked up with their friend Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, The Vandals) to play on the new record which will still be released this year. Dexter says "After being together so long it will be weird doing stuff without Ron, but we are really looking forward to putting this new record out. We wish him the best."

Even if we not often heard or saw Ron (he rarely did interviews), his energic and punk drum touch was an important piece of Offspring music. Let's hope that the departure of Ron won't be another step toward Offspring end. Remember that this record is the last on the Columbia contract and Dexter already said that he would no longer be a punk when he would be 40 and up !