July 27, 1999
Of the more than 5,000 people who arrived at Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center, Scranton, most were ready to mosh to the sounds of the Offspring and Lit.
The two California-based bands performed there in support of the Offspring’s fifth studio album, “Americana.” Lit hit the stage first, and the fans hit the pit. The band played such hits as “My Own Worst Enemy,” “Four” and “Miserable.”
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES A. Jay Popoff, lead singer for Lit, performs from atop a monitor at Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center on July 27, 1999.
The Offspring followed with “Why Don’t You Get a Job,” “Self Esteem,” “Gotta Get Away,” “Come Out and Play (Keep ’Em Separated)’ and “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy).”
Days before, on July 23, both bands performed at Woodstock ’99 in Rome, New York. The 30th anniversary show took place from July 22 to 25 at the former Griffiss Air Force Base and is remembered for the violence that broke out there on July 24 and 25.
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES Dexter Holland, lead singer of the Offspring, belts out a tune for the audience at Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center on July 27, 1999.
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES Dexter Holland, lead singer of the Offspring, belts out a tune for the audience at Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center on July 27, 1999.
Both Lit and the Offspring continue to rock today. The Offspring have upcoming appearances at the Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Concord, Virginia, and at the Tower Theater in Upper Darby. Lit will play at the St. Tammany Crab Festival in Slidell, Louisiana, and at Union Jack’s in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
