RANCID (BAND)

Rancid is an american punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991.

founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band operation ivy, Rancid is credited - along with Green Day and the Offspring - for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the united states during the mid-1990s. 

Unlike Green day and The Offspring however, rancid remained signed to an independent record label and retained much of its original fan-base, most of wich was connected to its underground roots. Rancid´s songs reflect its advocacy for populist radical politics, near-religious practice of DIY ethics, and discontent with punk elitism.

Rancid includes Armstrong on guitar and vocals, freeman on bass and vocals, Lars Frederiksen on guitar and vocals, and Branden Steineckert on drums. The band was formed by armstrong, Freeman, and formed drummer Brett Reed, who left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Steineckert. Frederiksen joined Rancid in 1993 when the bands was searching for a second guitar player.