Hockey is possibly the most punk rock sport there is. Yes, football has plenty of hits, but it just doesn’t have that nonstop action that hockey does. It’s pretty much a mosh pit with incentives. Plus, arenas tend to host rock bands more often than football stadiums (unless you’re, like, Bruce Springsteen).
The Anaheim Ducks of the NHL are partnering with another SoCal favorite, punk rock band The Offspring, for a themed night to celebrate the 30th anniversaries of the team’s inception and The Offspring’s hit album “SMASH” with “Come Out and Play Night,” named after one of the band’s biggest hits.
Among pump-up songs, special edition beer cans, and appearances from the band, the game on Feb. 9 will also include branded T-shirts that combine the Ducks’ mask logo with the Offspring’s flaming skull design.
There will be exclusive co-branded The Offspring x Ducks merchandise like these beauties here. pic.twitter.com/T6AAR6l1Zj
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 7, 2023
“As Orange County’s home team, we want to create experiences for our fans that celebrate who we are as a community,” said Anaheim Ducks club president Aaron Teats in a press release. “The sound and energy of The Offspring gets us pumped on the ice, so we’re thrilled to partner with these local legends.”
Bringing even more of the music theme to the evening, and also incorporating print, The Offspring is releasing a special edition collective vinyl box set called “Puck Punks: The Offspring Power Play Hits,” which will go on sale at the Ducks Team Store on Feb. 9.
“We’re stoked to be celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Anaheim Ducks, as well as the 30th Anniversary of our album SMASH,” The Offsprings’ Dexter Holland and Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman said in the release. “We’ve got some celebrating to do in Orange County. Look out Honda Center, we’re coming for you!”
On paper, a punk rock band and a sports team aren’t usually linked this strongly, but it takes two separate fanbases and brings them together. For Ducks fans who also love The Offspring, this is a can’t-miss event, and vice versa. It becomes not only a promotion for the band and the team, but for the city and its culture. Plus, it includes everything from apparel, labels, vinyl records, and more.
While “Come Out and Play” is best known for its “You gotta keep ’em separated,” line, “Come Out and Play Night” does anything but that.
Irony!
