Dexter Holland is a multi-talented American singer, songwriter, pianist, and businessman. Best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the punk rock band ‘The Offspring,’ Holland’s passion for music led him to pursue a different path despite being a bright student in molecular biology. Alongside his friend Greg K, he co-founded the punk rock band ‘Manic Subsidal,’ later renamed as ‘The Offspring.’ With numerous successful albums and live performances as a vocalist, guitarist, and pianist, Holland has established himself as a prominent figure in the music industry. Additionally, he is a successful businessman, owning the popular hot sauce brand ‘Gringo Bandito.’ Beyond his musical and entrepreneurial endeavors, Holland is also a licensed pilot and actively engages in philanthropic activities.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Bryan Keith Holland, Gringo Bandito
- Age: 57 Years, 57 Year Old Males
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Amber Sasse (m. 2013), Kristine Luna (m. 1995–2012)
- Born Country: United States
- Guitarists
- Punk Singers
- Height: 6’2″ (188 cm), 6’2″ Males
- Ancestry: British American
- U.S. State: California
- Education: University Of Southern California
Childhood & Early Life
Dexter Holland was born Bryan Keith Holland on December 29, 1965, in Garden Grove, Orange County, California. His father was a hospital administrator, and his mother was a school teacher. Holland was the third of the four children of his parents.
In 1984, Holland graduated from the Pacifica High School as a class valedictorian. He was the best student in mathematics. Later, Holland attended the University of Southern California to earn his bachelor’s degree in biology. He earned an M.S. in molecular biology and was selected for a Ph.D. as well. But his passion for music made him drift away from academics.
Career
As a youngster, Dexter Holland was fascinated by rock bands such as The Beatles, Ramones, and The Rolling Stones. In 1984, Holland and his friend Greg K, who is also a musician, started a local punk rock band called Manic Subsidal. Holland was the drummer for the band, but when they hired Jim Benton as their drummer, he shifted focus to vocals and the guitar. The band did not release any album.
In 1985, Manic Subsidal was renamed as The Offspring. In 1988, the band signed a deal with the label Nemesis Records. In March 1989, they released their debut full-length studio album, The Offspring. It had songs such as “I’ll Be Waiting” and “Blackball.” The song “Kill the President,” from the album, ran into several controversies. The Offspring was not a huge success upon its initial release, but it found moderate success in its reissue in 1995.
In 1991, The Offspring signed a deal with the recording label Epitaph Records. In 1992, they released their first album for the label, Ignition. It was moderately successful in Southern California. “Session,” “We Are One,” and “Take It Like a Man” were some of the tracks of the album. Most of the tracks were written by Dexter Holland.
In 1994, Holland and his band released their album Smash under the record label Epitaph Records. It was their last album under this label. Smash helped The Offspring gain international popularity and brought punk rock music into the mainstream. It had several hit tracks, such as “Come Out and Play,” “Self Esteem,” and “Gotta Get Away.” Smash holds the world record for the maximum sale of an album under an independent label.
In 1996, The Offspring signed a deal with the label Columbia Records to record songs for The Offspring. They released six albums for the label. In 1997, they released the album Ixnay on the Hombre. It received moderate success. It debuted at number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. The singles that formed a part of the album included “All I Want,” “Gone Away,” and “The Meaning of Life.”
In 1998, The Offspring released the album Americana. It was a huge success and debuted at number six on the U.S. Billboard 200. Holland handled rhythm guitar and vocals for the tracks. In 2000, the band released the album Conspiracy of One. It was followed by Splinter (2003), Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2008), and Days Go By (2012). The Offspring is currently busy with the production of their tenth studio album.
Dexter Holland is involved in business activities as well. He owns the hot sauce brand Gringo Bandito. The sauce bottles of the brand have pictures of Holland holding a revolver. Holland’s love for Mexican food prompted him to start his own hot sauce brand. It is one of the most popular brands in the United States and the best-selling brand on Amazon.
Holland is the co-founder of the record label Nitro Records. In 1994, Holland created the label along with his friend Greg K, who is a fellow bassist in The Offspring. It has released albums by several rock bands, such as AFI, The Damned, and T.S.O.L. In 2013, the label was acquired by Bicycle Music.
Family & Personal Life
Dexter Holland has married twice. In 1995, he married hairstylist Kristine Luna. She is the co-writer of the song “Session,” from the album Ignition. She has also appeared in the music video for the song “I Choose.” The couple parted ways in 2012. They have one child.
In 2013, Holland married Amber Sasse. The couple has two children, Layla and Zooey. Holland has a daughter, Alexa Holland, from a previous relationship. She is a singer-songwriter and goes by the stage name Lex Land.
Holland is a philanthropist as well. He founded the F.S.U. Foundation along with singer Jello Biafra. The Foundation conducts shows to raise money for charity. Holland participated in the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon, and his charity of choice was the Innocence Project. He participated in the 2008 Los Angeles Marathon as well.
Holland is a licensed pilot. In 2004, he completed a 10-day solo flight around the world. In 2017, he completed his Ph.D. in molecular biology, which he had abandoned midway in order to pursue his career in music.