Rancid

Members of Rancid, like many other bands that have been recording for a while, have been involved in a few side projects. Jam Master Jay was shot and killed in a recording studio in Queens, New York on the 30th of October 2002. They have sold over 1 million records. Note, however, that Jam Master Jay and other hip hop DJs had used rock records before this. 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"). Run DMC crossed over into the pop market with their 1986 album Raising Hell which featured a collaboration with Aerosmith on a remake of that band's "Walk This Way". 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. Peter Piper (1986) was the first rap record in which the DJ (in this case Jam Master Jay) cut up a record (in this case, "Mardi Gras" by Bob James).

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. "Sucker MC's" (1983) was the first hip hop track that relied on electronic beats and nothing else. 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. Run-DMC is a famous hip hop crew founded by Jason Mizell (Jam Master Jay) and includes Joseph 'Run' Simmons and Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, all from Hollis, Queens. 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. Greatest Hits (2002). Rancid were very popular throughout the 1990s, and the band constantly toured from 1993 through 1998. Crown Royal (2001).

Among mainstream audiences, Rancid is best-known for 1995's "Ruby Soho" and "Time Bomb" off ...And Out Come the Wolves. Down With the King (1993). The music style blends punk and hardcore with ska and reggae. Back From Hell (1990). 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. Tougher Than Leather (1988). Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong are ex-members of Operation Ivy. Raising Hell (1986).

Rancid is a band that originated in Berkeley, California from the ashes of Operation Ivy, a punk/ska band founded in 1987. King of Rock (1985). Brett Reed hasn't done any work for side project bands. Run DMC (1984). He was replaced by the current bassist Brent Harding as of early 2005. Matt Freeman joins Social Distortion by taking filling for the previous bassist John Maurer.

Lars Fredriksen has a side band Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards (currently released their second LP in 2004). Tim Armstrong plays with Travis Barker and Skinhead Rob in the Transplants.