Genre: Ska
Rancid, is an American punk rock band from Berkeley, California formed in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the influential ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited (along with The Offspring and Green Day) with helping to revive mainstream popular interest in punk rock in the United States during the mid-1990s. Unlike the other bands mentioned above, however, Rancid remained signed to an independent label and continued to play much more classic sounding and political music, most of which was connected to their underground roots. Rancid's songs reflect their advocacy for left-wing politics, social and racial equality, near-religious indie and DIY ethics, and discontent with punk elitism. Despite the fact that Rancid only experienced sizeable mainstream success during the mid-90s, they have gone onto become one of the most influential punk bands of all time.
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 former drummer Brett Reed, who left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Steineckert. Frederiksen joined Rancid in 1993 when the band was searching for a second guitar player.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancid_%28band%29