Rancid - American Punk Rock Band

Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991 by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman. The band has released nine studio albums, one split album, and one live album and is currently signed to Epitaph Records. Their current line-up consists of Armstrong on guitar and vocals, Freeman on bass and backing vocals, Lars Frederiksen on guitar and backing vocals, and Branden Steineckert on drums.

History

Rancid was formed in 1991 as a side project to the ska punk band Operation Ivy. After Operation Ivy disbanded in May 1989, Armstrong and Freeman decided to form a new band. They released their debut self-titled album in 1993 and followed it up with their second album Let's Go in 1994. The album featured the singles ""Salvation"" and ""Ruby Soho"", both of which were minor hits. The band's third album ...And Out Come the Wolves (1995) was their breakthrough album, featuring the singles ""Roots Radicals"", ""Time Bomb"", and ""Ruby Soho"". It was the first punk rock album to enter the Billboard 200 chart since 1983.

Music Style

Rancid's music is heavily influenced by punk rock and ska punk. They have blended elements of punk rock, reggae, ska, rap metal, hardcore punk, oi!, folk punk, street punk and old-school punk into their sound. The band's lyrics often focus on themes related to life on the streets and social issues such as poverty, racism, class struggle, drug abuse and gentrification.

Legacy

Rancid has been credited as one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. Their influence can be heard in countless bands that have followed them such as Green Day, The Offspring, Sum 41 and Blink-182. They have also been credited with helping to revive interest in punk rock in the 1990s. They are considered one of the most successful independent bands of all time and have sold over four million records worldwide.