You might assume that any rock or metal band would eagerly accept the opportunity to tour alongside the legendary Metallica. However, guitarist Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman of punk rock band The Offspring revealed that they actually passed on this chance in the 1990s, and the decision stemmed from a significant reason.

Understanding The Offspring’s Decision to Decline Touring with Metallica in the 1990s

In a recent interview with YouTuber Marcelo Vieira, conducted on November 7, 2024, and released on December 9, 2024, Noodles addressed the rumor about The Offspring’s choice to not share the stage with the iconic thrash metal band. He reflected on the band’s mindset during that era, providing insights into their decision-making process.

Noodles shared his thoughts [transcribed by Ultimate Guitar]:

I don’t remember exactly who all we turned down, but I want to clarify that it was nothing personal against Metallica. We have great respect for them as artists. They are an incredible band, and we’ve had the pleasure of meeting them and performing with them over the years. At that time, we felt that instead of simply opening for a major arena act, we weren’t yet ready to embrace that level of professionalism. We didn’t believe we were prepared to perform at that scale.

Reflecting on their 1994 breakthrough album, Smash—which Loudwire hailed as The Offspring’s best album in 2017—Noodles admitted that the success took them by surprise.

He elaborated further [via Ultimate Guitar]:

We truly didn’t anticipate the level of success we achieved, and we were acutely aware that our live performance capabilities were not where they needed to be. Our goal was to start small, playing in clubs to develop our skills and gradually work our way up to becoming seasoned professionals over time. I feel we’re almost there now. I think we’re on the cusp of being a true professional band on stage, almost [laughs].

You can watch the full interview below for more insights.

READ MORE: Discover Why Shadows Fall’s Jason Bittner Initially Disliked Slayer + Metallica

Insights from Dexter Holland on the Legacy of Smash

In a conversation back in 2014, frontman Dexter Holland spoke with Full Metal Jackie during an episode of Loudwire Nights to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Smash. He expressed feelings similar to Noodles regarding the band’s enduring appeal:

We’ve been performing these songs for a long time, and they continue to elicit fantastic reactions from audiences. There are always new faces in the crowd, young fans who are discovering our music and rocking out to it. Honestly, it remains as surprising to us as it is to anyone else. The fact that it keeps resonating is just wonderful.

The Offspring’s Evolution and Recent Success

As of October 2024, The Offspring released their 11th studio album titled Supercharged, following their 2021 album Let the Bad Times Roll. This new album marks a significant milestone as it features drummer Brandon Pertzborn, who took over for percussionist Pete Parada in 2023. The album has received positive reviews from notable publications such as Blabbermouth and Kerrang!, and Loudwire even recognized the lead single “Make It All Right” as one of the 67 best rock and metal songs of 2024.

Noodles from The Offspring Talks About Not Touring with Metallica and More Insights