The Offs

**The Offs** were a San Francisco-based punk band that carved out a unique space in the early 1980s underground scene by mixing raw punk energy with reggae, ska, and dub influences. Fronted by vocalist Don Vinil (sometimes spelled Don Vinyl), the band became known for their politically charged lyrics and DIY spirit, playing iconic venues like the Mabuhay Gardens and New York’s Max’s Kansas City. Their self-titled 1984 album, often called *First Record*, remains a cult favorite, blending snarling guitars with danceable rhythms and tackling themes of social inequality and urban decay. Though never mainstream, their live recordings (like *Live at the Mabuhay Gardens* and *Max’s Skansas City*) capture their chaotic, energetic shows and grassroots appeal.

The Offs disbanded by the late ’80s but left a lasting imprint on the punk scene, influencing later acts that fused punk with world music sounds. Their scrappy recordings and anti-establishment attitude still resonate with fans of gritty, genre-blurring rock.

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