Dexter Holland

Template:Short description Template:Redirect-distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox person Bryan Keith "Dexter" Holland (born December 29, 1965) is an American musician, best known as the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, main songwriter and composer, and only constant member of the punk rock band the Offspring. He co-founded with former bandmate Greg K. the record label Nitro Records, which he previously owned. Holland holds a PhD in molecular biology.

Early life

Bryan Keith Holland was born in Garden Grove, California, on December 29, 1965.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He attended Pacifica High School in Garden Grove, graduating as class valedictorian in 1984. He was the best student in his year at mathematics, which he found "just as exciting as punk rock".<ref name="Bravo">Template:Cite web</ref> He acquired the nickname "Dexter" for his academic prowess, taken from the slang term "Poindexter".<ref>Amy Meyer, "Dexter Holland of The Offspring Is Still Pretty Fly" Dallas Observer, May 2, 2022; accessed 2023.12.12.</ref>

Holland attended the University of Southern California, where he earned a B.S. in biology and an M.S. in molecular biology.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Bryan Holland">Template:Cite web</ref> He suspended his studies to focus on music when the Offspring found success in 1994,<ref name="Bravo" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but later resumed and earned a PhD in molecular biology in May 2017.<ref name="Bryan Holland"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He defended his thesis, "Discovery of mature microRNA sequences within the protein-coding regions of global HIV-1 genomes: predictions of novel mechanisms for viral infection and pathogenicity", under doctoral advisors Suraiya Rasheed and Bob Baker.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Career

Music

Holland started a punk band named Manic Subsidal in 1984 with his friend and cross-country teammate Greg K. Holland played the drums. The band was formed when they failed to get into a Social Distortion concert. After James Lilja was hired as their drummer, Holland switched to vocals and guitars. Noodles then joined on guitar, and Manic Subsidal changed their name to the Offspring in 1986. After recording a demo in 1988,<ref name="NIPPbio">The Offspring Template:Webarchive at NIPP, obtained November 10, 2007.</ref> the Offspring signed a deal with a small-time independent record label, Nemesis Records, for whom they recorded their first full-length album, The Offspring, in March 1989.<ref name="NIPPbio" /> This album would eventually be re-issued in 1995, by Holland's own record label, Nitro Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1991, the Offspring signed with Epitaph Records (home of Bad Religion, L7, NOFX, Pennywise and other similar bands). Their first release on the label was Ignition, which was released in 1992. Their last album for that label was 1994's Smash, which still holds the world record for most sales of an album on an independent label.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band then signed with Columbia Records in 1996 (after Brett Gurewitz, owner of Epitaph and guitarist for Bad Religion, sold the contract to Columbia, Holland claims)<ref name="Dexter Holland Letter to Offspring Mailing List">Template:Cite web</ref> for whom they released their next six albums, Ixnay on the Hombre (1997), Americana (1998), Conspiracy of One (2000), Splinter (2003), Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008) and Days Go By (2012). The albums Let The Bad Times Roll (2021) and Supercharged (2024) were released on Concord Records. Holland is one of the two members (along with Noodles) to appear on all of The Offspring's albums, and as of Greg K.'s split from the band in November 2018, he is the only remaining original member left.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Holland sometimes plays the piano during live shows. Occasionally the band plays "Gone Away", with only Holland playing the song on piano. Holland sings in the tenor range.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He is also one of the co-founders of the record label Nitro Records, which he operated from 1994 to 2013, along with former bandmate Greg K.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Science

File:Dexter Holland - 2009.jpg

Holland performing in 2009

In a 1995 interview, Holland said that he would rather be a professor at a university than play music by the time he turns 40.<ref name="Bravo" />

Holland was a doctoral student at the Laboratory of Viral Oncology and Proteomics Research, Keck School of Medicine, where he was supervised by Professor Suraiya Rasheed.<ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Template:UsurpedTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> In March 2013, Holland and co-authors published a paper in PLoS One regarding microRNA in HIV genomes,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> titled "Identification of Human MicroRNA-Like Sequences Embedded within the Protein-Encoding Genes of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The original academic paper describes the use of computational molecular biological (in silico) approaches to identify microRNA-like sequences in HIV. These sequences are suggested to have evolved to self-regulate survival of the virus in the host by evading its immune responses and thus influence the persistence, replication, and pathogenicity of HIV. Holland was awarded his Ph.D. in molecular biology during the USC Commencement on May 12, 2017.<ref name="Forbes">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref>

Business

In 2004, Holland launched his own brand of hot sauce called Gringo Bandito.<ref name="Forbes" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The label depicts Holland with bandoliers, revolvers, a sombrero and shades, a design that OC Weekly magazine described as parodying the logo for Tapatío hot sauce or Pancho Villa.<ref name="OCWeekly">Template:Cite web</ref> Holland, who grew up in Southern California where Mexican cuisine is considered a "part of the way of life", wondered "if [he] could do [a hot sauce] better".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On the conception of the hot sauce, Holland states that in the early 2000s, while eating Mexican food, he began to read the label of a bottle of Tapatío; "It just clicked that I had to make one. People who like hot sauce are a certain type of people. They're passionate. They'll have a bottle with them wherever they go. I'm one of those people. And when I'm into something, I really get into it. It's like my music—I liked records, so I learned how to play a guitar. After that? A band."<ref name="OCWeekly" />

It has sold over a million bottles and is available in over 500 restaurants and 7,000 stores, including being a top-ranked hot sauce on Amazon.<ref name="Forbes" />

The headquarters for Gringo Bandito are located in a Huntington Beach industrial park, next to the Offspring's recording studio.<ref name="OCWeekly" />

Philanthropy

In 1997, Holland and former Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra teamed up to form the FSU Foundation, which raised funds through charity concerts. The foundation organized benefit shows to raise money for various charities including AIDS Project Los Angeles, Poor People's United Fund, Trees Foundation, and Amnesty International.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Holland participated in the Los Angeles Marathon in 2006 and 2008 with his charity of choice being the Innocence Project, a non-profit legal clinic that handles legal cases where post-conviction DNA testing can yield conclusive proof of innocence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Artistry

Holland's early musical influences include Aerosmith, the Beatles, the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, KISS, Bob Marley, Queen, and the Rolling Stones.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

All of Holland's Ibanez RG body guitars are made out of mahogany and fitted with DiMarzio Super Distortion bridge pickups.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During their latest recordings, Holland used a vintage Gibson SG Junior.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He plays through a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier.

Personal life

Holland met hair stylist Kristine Luna in 1992, and they were married in 1995.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> She co-wrote the Offspring song "Session" and appeared in the music video for "I Choose". They divorced in 2012.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> He married Amber Sasse in 2013.<ref name=":0" /> His daughter from a previous relationship, Alexa (born 1986), is also a musician and goes by the stage name Lex Land.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Holland also has two children from his current marriage.<ref>Template:Cite AV media Event occurs on 1:35:30</ref>

A licensed aircraft pilot,<ref name="Forbes" /><ref name="MTV">Template:Cite news</ref> Holland completed a 10-day solo flight around the world in November 2004.<ref name="MTV" /> He also enjoys surfingTemplate:Citation needed and collecting postage stamps from the Isle of Man.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

The Offspring

All Offspring albums. For a complete list, see the Offspring discography.

• The Offspring (1989)
• Ignition (1992)
• Smash (1994)
• Ixnay on the Hombre (1997)
• Americana (1998)
• Conspiracy of One (2000)
• Splinter (2003)
• Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008)
• Days Go By (2012)
• Let the Bad Times Roll (2021)
• Supercharged (2024)

Guest appearances

• The Vandals – Hitler Bad, Vandals Good (1998) (co-wrote "Too Much Drama")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• AFI – Black Sails in the Sunset (1999) (Backing vocals on "Clove Smoke Catharsis", "The Prayer Position" and "God Called in Sick Today")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The Aquabats – The Aquabats vs. the Floating Eye of Death! (1999) (co-wrote "Amino Man!")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The Vandals – Look What I Almost Stepped In... (2000) (co-wrote "Jackass" and does backing vocals on that song)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Dwarves – The Dwarves Must Die (2004) (Backing vocals on "Salt Lake City" and "Massacre")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Puffy AmiYumi – Splurge (2006) (co-wrote "Tokyo I'm on My Way")
• Ron Emory – Walk That Walk (2010) (backing vocals on "I'm Not Alone")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Dwarves – The Dwarves Are Born Again (2011) (Backing vocals on "Looking Out for Number One" and "Happy Birthday Suicide")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Dwarves – The Dwarves Invented Rock & Roll (2014) (backing vocals)
• Dwarves – Take Back the Night (2018) (sings on "Julio")
• Mötley Crüe – Cancelled (2024) (backing vocals)

Holland has also made cameo appearances in:

• Idle Hands (Movie, 1999) as Band lead singer (with The Offspring)
• Pauly Shore Is Dead (Movie, 2003) as Gas Station Guy<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
• Punk's Not Dead (Documentary, 2007) as himself
• One Nine Nine Four (Documentary, 2009) as himself
• The Damned: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead (Documentary, 2015) as himself
• The Last Sharknado: It's About Time (Movie, 2018) as British Captain

Publications

• Template:Cite thesis

See also

• List of artists and entertainers with advanced degrees

External links

• Template:Discogs artist
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• Template:Usurped at Wayback Machine