Rancid

NEW RELEASE: KILLED BY DEAF- A PUNK TRIBUTE TO MOTORHEAD

Motörhead! That’s the article! Just kidding! In celebration of the legendary Motörhead’s 50th anniversary in 2025, a new compilation/tribute album has been released featuring 14 punk rock greats to honor the loudest band on Earth with a new tribute album: Killed By Deaf: A Punk Tribute to Motörhead. Motörhead was always one of those bands that could crossover with the punk and metal crowds. So it’s quite fun to hear all these bands pay tribute to one of the bands that really started it all. Classic and newer punk bands like Rancid, Pennywise, The Bronx, Lagwagon, Fear, GBH, The Damned, and Slaughterhouse rightfully put their spin on these seminal tracks. Yes, there are classic songs like “Ace Of Spades” and “Born To Raise Hell” but, the really cool part of this record is the deeper cut song choices. I really have to say Rancid’s version of “Sex & Death” is absolutely superb. Lars Frederickson of Rancid is a giant Motörhead fan and it shows through in a great fashion! Closing out the record is a collaboration between Motörhead and The Damned on the song “Neat Neat Neat.” Take a few minutes and celebrate the awesomeness of Motörhead and dig into these tracks and discover something you might have missed along the way!

Track Listing:

1. Ace of Spades (Pennywise)

2. Sex & Death (Rancid)

3. Over the Top (The Bronx)

4. Rock ‘n’ Roll (Lagwagon)

5. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch (Fear)

6. Bomber (GBH)

7. Stay Clean (Murphy’s Law)

8. Love Me Like a Reptile (Slaughterhouse)

9. The Hammer (The Casualties)

10. Born to Raise Hell (Anti-Nowhere League)

11. No Voices in the Sky (Love Canal)

12. Overkill (Soldiers of Destruction)

13. Iron Fist (Wisdom in Chains)

14. Neat Neat Neat (Motörhead & The Damned)

Killed By Deaf- A Punk Tribute To Motörhead:

Track One: Rancid- Maxwell Murder

There are some albums you never forget hearing for the first time. And when you think of those albums there are certain songs that always come to mind right away. When Rancid announced that their 10th studio album would be coming out soon, I did what I usually do when I get excited about a band I like, I went back through their catalog. Then I got to the band’s third album, …And Out Come The Wolves and all those memories of being 10/11 years old blasting the hell out of this album came back. Yes, we’ve all heard “Time Bomb” and “Ruby Soho” a ton of times but, the one that has always got me the most on the album is the first track, “Maxwell Murder.” This song has all the makings of a great track one. It’s got the great intro, killer riff and bass line, driving rhythm, and not to mention that the vocals are right on the money. Plus I’d like to give a shout out to the one and only Matt Freeman, as his bass solo on this song is absolutely killer. Also “Maxwell Murder” is all killer in only one minute and twenty-five seconds. The ability to make such an impact with barely a minute and a half is astounding. Rancid have been one of the most consistent bands since their debut album came out 30 years ago this year. I’m stoked on new Rancid this year and you should be too!

Rancid- Maxwell Murder:

NEW RELEASE: RANCID- TOMORROW NEVER COMES

I’ll never forget the first time I heard Rancid. I was about 10 years old and I heard a song on the radio that was called “Salvation” off their second album (which is quite underrated in their catalog) and I was hooked. Then a year later it all made even more sense when they released their now classic …And Out Come The Wolves. From that point I was completely enthralled. For many years, I’ve always had an affinity for this band. They are one of the most consistent and pack the same raw energy since their founding back in 1991. Now, in 2023 Rancid are about to release their 10th studio album, Tomorrow Never Comes (out June 2nd). The first single “Tomorrow Never Comes” is Rancid at it’s classic best. It’s punk as it always is and then some. Their sound and style is still true to them as it has ever been and I for one am pretty stoked that Rancid is still here kicking ass and taking names! June 2nd can’t come soon enough! Looking forward to the upcoming tour as well!

Rancid- Tomorrow Never Comes:

New Release: Bad Optix- Raid

Well this is awesome! For the longest time I’ve been hoping for an Operation Ivy reunion and though that hasn’t come to fruition just yet, this new band I will gladly accept in the mean time. Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Rancid, Transplants), Jesse Michaels (Operation Ivy), Joey Castillo (Circle Jerks, The Bronx) and bassist Spencer Pollard (Trash Talk) have unveiled their new project BAD OPTIX and released their debut single “Raid.” The sound of this single features a classic Jamaican influenced ska contrasted with a vocal approach aligned with the brute force of punk for a vibe that’s updated but not completely disconnected from early ska legacy.

Officially forming in March of 2021, the ska-punk pioneers of Armstrong and Michaels, have over 35 years of history together.  Even with the gap between Op Ivy to now, Michaels says, “our creative connection seems to be stronger than ever and all the music we loved back then, we still love.” The idea to form a band came organically one day when Jesse and Tim met up purely with the intent to reconnect. Of course the topic of music came up and when Armstrong started to play some of his new tracks, Michaels was immediately inspired and sparking ideas for vocals. He explains, “As soon as we started writing together, we found that we had the same collaborative energy that we had in the past, so it was natural and fun just to keep going.” Tim also adds, “It came back, just like that. Like when we were kids. There is a special chemistry between us and I don’t take it for granted.”

Now this isn’t Operation Ivy or is it pretending to be. Instead this is something a little different with a vibe that I have a feeling once there are shows, the intensity will be ever growing and bombastic. But my fingers are still crossed hoping for that OP IVY Reunion!

BAD OPTIX- RAID:

Collaborations: Ramones and Rancid- 53rd & 3rd

The Ramones and Rancid - YouTube

Back in 1996 when the Ramones were performing their final concert, it was recorded for posterity. The show featured several special guests, including former band member Dee Dee Ramone, as well as members of bands who were influenced by the Ramones such as Lemmy from Motörhead, Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam, Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen of Rancid, and Chris Cornell and Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden. During this time, was at the height of the Punk Rock resurgence of the 90’s. This show took place at the Palace in Los Angeles, now known as the Avalon. Of all the collaborations that evening, the one with Rancid is my favorite. Check it out!

Ramones and Rancid- 53rd & 3rd (Live):

 

Cover Songs: Rancid does Operation Ivy

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Operation Ivy is one of those bands that has long played a crucial role in influencing and inspiring countless punk bands. They are also one of those bands that if they were to reunite, it would be beyond welcomed with open arms. After the break up of Operation Ivy, two of the members (Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman) would go on to form Rancid. Sadly though, a full fledged reunion probably won’t ever take place. The group has stated a number of times that Operation Ivy reunion is unlikely to happen. Singer Jesse Michaels addressed reunion issues in a Myspace blog many years ago citing the legal and logistic difficulties in getting the four members together for a reunion, as well as the fact that the band “never belonged in a big rock club in a one to two thousand seat joint.” He concluded the post with the following: “[Will] it happen? The most honest answer is probably not.” Luckily though, during Rancid’s US tour in 2006, Armstrong and Freeman played select tracks from their previous band’s catalog. At a performance at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco on December 17, 2006, Michaels reunited with Armstrong and Freeman to perform the tracks “Unity” as well as “Sound System”. It was his first time on stage with the two in over 15 years

 

Unity:

 

 
Knowledge:

 

 
Sound System:

 

 
Green Day and Tim Armstrong- Knowledge:

 

Band Of The Week: Charger

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To all the people out there that say “rock is dead,” you must be living under a rock. Rock music is alive and well. Further proof of that is the band of the week, Charger. Armed with a Motorhead sensibility of heavy fast rock, Charger is coming full speed ahead and taking no prisoners. Taking cues from inspiration like Motorhead, Black Sabbath, and Iron Maiden to name a few, Charger has given new life to rock n roll. This three piece made up of Andrew McGee (Guitar),  Jason Willer (Drums/Vocals), and Matt Freeman (Bass/Vocals…also of Rancid and Operation Ivy), has been making a name for themselves in the bay area and it’s for sure paying off. Charger has an EP out now that is one hell of a listen. It’s sure great to have a band like Charger out there, I’m stoked to hear more.

 
Charger- Charger EP:

List: Best Self Titled Albums

My brain works in strange ways at times. I think of silly lists in my mind then start to really analyze them. Earlier in the week I had an idea while gazing through my music collection at home about how many self titled albums there are. Which then made me think how many of those are really that good. Well here is a list of the best self titled albums. This list is in NO PARTICULAR ORDER.

 

Black Sabbath- Black Sabbath
Metallica- Metallica
Alice In Chains- Alice In Chains (Tripod)
Year Of The Rabbit- Year Of The Rabbit
Vision Of Disorder- Vision Of Disorder
The Velvet Underground & Nico- The Velvet Underground & Nico
Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin
The Doors- The Doors
System Of A Down- System Of A Down
Them Crooked Vultures- Them Crooked Vultures
Foo Fighters- Foo Fighters
Slipknot- Slipknot
Royal Blood- Royal Blood
Rage Against The Machine- Rage Against The Machine
Rancid- Rancid
Pearl Jam- Pearl Jam (Avocado)
Korn- Korn
Garbage- Garbage
Deftones- Deftones
The Cult- The Cult
311- 311

Bands That Should Come Back: Operation Ivy

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The 1980’s were a very interesting time for music. Hardcore Punk was created as was Thrash metal. Towards the late 80’s a group formed in Berkeley, California. Operation Ivy was one of the first bands to mix hardcore punk and ska. Their mix of the two genres is regarded as part of the vanguard of the second wave of American punk rock which swept the country in the 1990s. Operation Ivy was critical to the emergence of Lookout Records and the so-called “East Bay Sound.” Although the band released just one full length album Energy, before breaking up in May 1989, Operation Ivy is well remembered as the direct antecedent of Rancid (Tim “Lint” Armstrong and Matt Freeman were both in Op Ivy) and for wielding a lasting stylistic influence over numerous other bands. A fun fact about the band at their last official live performance. This show was Green Day’s first performance at the famed 924 Gilman St. This was also supposed to be Operation Ivy’s record release show. As for a reunion, the group has stated a number of times that Operation Ivy reunion is unlikely to happen. frontman Jesse Michaels addressed reunion issues in a Myspace blog years ago, citing the legal and logistic difficulties in getting the four members together for a reunion, as well as the fact that the band “never belonged in a big rock club in a one to two thousand seat joint.” He concluded the post with the following: “[Will] it happen? The most honest answer is probably not.” The closest thing ever to a reunion happened at a Rancid show at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco on December 17, 2006, Jesse Michaels reunited with Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman to perform the tracks “Unity” as well as “Sound System”. It was Jesse’s first time on stage with Tim and Matt in over 15 years.

Operation Ivy is one of those bands that if they were to come back would immediately be welcomed. There is such a high regard for this band in all circles of punk, and even parts of the metal community. One can only hope that one day this happens before it’s too late.

By: Brian Lacy