Rancid
- This page is about the band; for the process of food becoming rancid, see rancidification.
Rancid is a band that originated in Berkeley, California from the ashes of Operation Ivy, a punk/ska band founded in 1987. Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong are ex-members of Operation Ivy. Tim Armstrong and Lars Fredriksen both sing lead vocals and play lead guitar, while Matt Freeman sings backing vocals and plays bass and Brett Reed plays drums. The music style blends punk and hardcore with ska and reggae. Among mainstream audiences, Rancid is best-known for 1995's "Ruby Soho" and "Time Bomb" off ...And Out Come the Wolves.
Rancid were very popular throughout the 1990s, and the band constantly toured from 1993 through 1998. They have 6 full albums, the first 4 of which were released through an independent label, Epitaph Records, along with many 7" vinyls and singles. In fact, after the success of ...And Out Come the Wolves, the band was pursued by several major labels, including Madonna's Maverick Records; Rancid chose to stick with Epitaph despite the tempting offers.
Rancid's self-titled 2000 album was released on Hellcat Records, and their 2003 record, Indestructible, was released by Hellcat Records and Warner Brothers Records. Many long-time fans were disappointed that Rancid, who had long resisted major-label allure and gained much fame and respect because of it, signed with Warner Brothers Records.
Their songs and albums are based on hard times ("7 Years Down," "Hyena"), world issues ("Rigged On A Fix"), old friends ("Old Friend," "GGF"), and love ("She's Automatic", "Corazon de Oro"). They have sold over 1 million records.
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Post-2004
As of 2004, the band was widely "on hold", due to members of Rancid, like many other bands that have been recording for a while, have been involved in a few side projects.
- Tim Armstrong plays with Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob in the Transplants.
- Lars Fredriksen has a side band Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards (currently released their second LP in 2004).
- Matt Freeman joins Social Distortion by taking filling for the previous bassist John Maurer. He was replaced by the current bassist Brent Harding as of early 2005. Bass player/lead vocals in psychobilly band, Devils Brigade with Tim Armstrong and Brett Reed.
- Brett Reed plays drums for Devils Brigade.
In February 2005, it was announced by Lars Fredricksen on Brittish Punk Radio show "The lock up" that Rancid would begin recording again at the end of 2005, with a release early 2006. More on this is expected once the Rancid website overhaul is finnished.
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
| 1992 | Single I EP | Lookout! | debut EP |
| 1993 | Rancid | Epitaph | gun cover, also known as "1993" |
| 1994 | Radio Radio Radio EP | Fat Wreck Chords | first release with Lars |
| 1994 | Let's Go | Epitaph | |
| 1995 | ...And Out Come the Wolves | Epitaph | |
| 1998 | Life Won't Wait | Epitaph | |
| 2000 | Rancid | Hellcat | skull cover, also known as "2000" |
| 2002 | BYO Split Series, Vol. 3 | BYO | Split with NOFX |
| 2003 | Indestructible | Hellcat |
See also
- 1990s music groups
- List of alternative music artists
- List of musicians in the second wave of punk music
- List of popular music performers