Offspring Show Should Have Good Beginning With Living End

Author: Jeff Hall

If you’re going to the Offspring’s sold-out gig in Philly on Tuesday, get there early to check out The Living End, who will open up the concert with songs from their self-titled debut (Re- prise/Warner Bros.).

On “West End Riot,” Scott Owen’s hurtling basslines and the churning rhythms of drummer Trav Dempsy set the stage for frontman Chris Cheney’s strident electric guitar and barreling rally cries.

“Fly Away” recalls the hyper- kinetic vibe of Green Day, with the trio’s peppery punk delivery cast among corpulent bass/drum adrenaline and retro fretwork stylings. A particularly striking number is “Second Solution,” a smart mix of alt-rock and ironic Brit-pop twist crossed with swing sensibility.

The Living End performs at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, Phila. The headlining act is the Offspring. The other opening act is Zozomatli. The show is sold out. For details, call 338-9000.