I could never be called a fan of punk of any kind, including pop-punk. It is very likely that fact will remain true throughout my life. It is not that I don't like it, there are a few bands, such as the Ramones, that I do, but by and large it is a musical style that I tend to avoid. 

All of that said, there was a year in the midst of my grunge phase that threatened to make punk a permanent part of my vocabulary. Obviously it did not take, but there are a couple of albums that will always stay with me. Smash is one of them.

he year was 1994, in addition to strong releases from bands like Megadeth, Testament, Machine Head, Pantera, Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Bush, and Stone Temple Pilots, a couple of bands made a push to get punk back into music-lover's minds and hearts. Yes, that is quite a line up of releases for one year, but there is always a desire for something new and different. Two bands stepped up to deliver something different, one was Green Day, who burst onto the scene with Dookie; the other was The Offspring (if you read the CD spine, Offspring if you just look at the cover).

I remember listening to that first single, "Come Out and Play," and just loving it. I do not recall exactly when I first heard it, but it was terribly infectious and could be heard everywhere you went. It is a song that is full of energy, gets easily caught in your brain, and has the sweet Middle Eastern sounding signature lick.

After "Come Out and Play" had run its course "Self Esteem" proved they were not to be a one hit wonder, it is another song that is very easy to like. It has a great groove and spins a lyrical tale that is easy for angsty teens to identify with.