Began writing and recording fourth album

The band began writing and recording their fourth album, Ixnay on the Hombre , in 1996. The album was released on February 4, 1997, which was also Noodles’ 34th birthday. The album was not as successful as Smash , although it did sell four million units and spawned five singles. The album saw the band move away from the political-punk themes common to many Epitaph bands and more into mainstream rock with songs like ” Gone Away ” and ” I Choose “; the video for the latter was directed by Holland himself. Holland commented that Ixnay was probably not as well received as Smash because it was such a departure, and that many fans probably were expecting Smash Part Two .