Completely unrelated, but my friends and I debated on the influence athletes/celebs have over the teens/young adults. Sure, they've got the right to have their own private life, but at some extend, they're often perceived as role models. My point is, when you're paid a whole lot of money simply to act in front of a camera or catch a goddamn ball, you should at least set a good example and know it's wrong to DUI and/or rape a hotel clerk. Anyways, it's nice to see the classy way you're handling this whole situation. Mad props nukkas.

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Shindo (adam) (June 26, 2005)

Funny I've had that same conversation. I've always thought that musicians (particularly punk musicians) should make it a point NOT to become role models. If every person in a punk band had to live with that stigma, we'd have nothing but a boring batch of hyper-moral blowhards. Can you imagine if every band out there was comprised only of left-wing-politically-active-politically-correct-straight-edge-ve gan-moonmen? Not that it's necessarily bad to support any of those causes, but it's unrealistic that people, just by the virtue of them being musicians, should have to toe that line. I'm not saying I want every musician to be a deranged cokehead either, but people in the real world are jerks sometimes, they contradict themselves, they make bad decisions, they do questionable things... and that's what makes them human. I'd rather have bands made of real people than "role models." -adam

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Shindo (adam) (June 26, 2005)

That being said, everyone should know it's wrong to DUI and/or rape a hotel clerk. -adam

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

you know he got off

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vampa (June 26, 2005)

a dirty joke or an attempt to defend?

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CellarDoor (June 26, 2005)

I feel you. I'm aware that punk rock bands nowaydays don't have the obligation to have a political or social message throughout their music, but I do believe they have the obligation to be socially conscious. They don't have to support any causes, but I think they should know that, with every interview and every freaking word coming out of their mouths, a whole bunch of kids will be listening. I know the artists didn't ask to be role models nor to be some kind of parental figures, but once you decide to pick up that guitar and get on the stage, it's part of your job to make things the right way, to make things right. (Hey, a simple "Chin up kid, you know what you're really worth" is enough). I know this whole post's a mess, but I'm kinda hungover right now. So yeah, just my opinion.

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fistchode (June 26, 2005)

I totally disagree. These aren't manufactured pop musicians, these are people in a music scene created to get away from this role model phony bullshit. If punk kids look up to these guys (and girls) for no reason besides their celebrity status, then they're morons. Hopefully their listening to punk music would encourage them to think for themselves.

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Someone (May 27, 2006)

Why would you even post that? We should be grateful that Freeman strums those cords for us, he is an amazing bass player. Don't make him feel like he owes us anything else.

What's up with not posting about your Epitaph thing?

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Shindo (adam) (June 26, 2005)

Look at the archives. We very rarely talk about distribution deals in exclusive articles. When we have something new to announce about Somerset, then we'll mention it. This is about them, not us, and we're not going to use this site to talk about ourselves more than we'd talk about any other label. -adam

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

http://www.punknews.org/article.php?sid=9477 There's one. I know you strive to be professional and everything, but i don't think anyone would have a problem with you posting news about your label maybe a bit faster than others. It's not our site, we don't contribute. You pay the bills and do all the work for it.

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Shindo (adam) (June 26, 2005)

I know there's exceptions, and we'll mention it here sooner rather than later. ...and readers DO contribute here, don't forget that. We're not submitting all these stories and reviews ourselves. -adam

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

Well, all that's left to say is: Sign some ska, bitch.

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Kenjamin (June 26, 2005)

the dream is over.

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ElVaquero (June 26, 2005)

So if someone submitted an article about your distribution....

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

We wouldn't post it. -Adam

Amen

You`re officially and idiot now ... so how talented are you and where can we listen to your bands stuff?!?

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Kenjamin (June 26, 2005)

no offense but the bass lines are definitely the best part of Rancid.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

no you are officially an idiot for thinking that everyone in rancid is so fucking great. i like rancid, but without matt they would suck.

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ElVaquero (June 26, 2005)

That is the worst argument ever. But Matt is fairly undeniably the most talented member.

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swingline (June 26, 2005)

great argument.because there's no way of determining someone's talent unless you are equally talented.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

I think in terms of pure musical skill, Matt is by far the most talented member. And yes, the band would not be as good musically without him. But that's why they're a band... each member brings different things to the table. Yes, I realize I have now left this critique wide open for sarcastic remarks about what the other members of Rancid "bring to the table."

Joe Strummer believed Tim Armstrong was one of the best songwriters in the world. Bruce Springstein, Elvis Costello and Elton John believe Joe Strummer was one of the best songwriters ever. Go figure.

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lightyear (June 26, 2005)

i go figure that that argument proves nothing.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

Ever hear of Bernie Taupin? He wrote all of Elton John's songs. I think Strummer liked Tim Armstrongs songs because he wrote them all, 20 years prior.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

Uhh no. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics to most of Elton's songs, and Elton wrote the music. And even if Elton didn't write songs at all, his musical talent and experience still would make him an authority on good songwriting. That being said, that connection makes no sense... just because Springsteen and company think Joe Strummer was a great songwriter doesn't mean that they would, by association, think the same of Tim Armstrong. I happen to think that Tim IS one of our generation's best songwriters... I just think the logic used here is faulty.

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Someone (September 21, 2005)

Thomas of Streetlight Manifesto/Catch 22/BOTAR is our generations best song writer.

You are a moron

I agree with you Scott. Social D gives Matt no opportunity to show what he can do.

i think anyone into punk woul jump at a chance to tour with social d.

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Xine (June 26, 2005)

If I remember correctly Mike Ness said that he asked Matt to play in the band for his immense talent. Let the man show it off. Let him do a couple of solos live or something. If he looks bored, that's a problem.

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maverick (scott) (June 26, 2005)

Exactly. -Scott

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PuNkChIcKxHoTtOpIc (June 26, 2005)

RaNcId PuNx!!1!

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

OMG You're sooooooooo cool.. like wow...damn .. haha i just read your name.. "Punk chick" "Hot topic" how gaaaaaaaaay

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

WHOO WHOO! Here comes the sarcasm train. ALL ABOARD!! Quick jump on before you miss it.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

Did he actually look bored? Are any of you aware of an instance where this was true? I don't know either way, just wondering...

Yeah, he definitely wouldn't want to play with the people who quite possibly inspired him to pick up a bass guitar in the first place.

do you honestly think he would go into a situation where he was play social d's songs and think he was going to change them so he can show off what he can do? fuck no. you don't change some one else's songs for the sake of showing off. especially social d.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

Thanks for your input!

You are a name-dropping mallrat

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PsychoOS231 (June 26, 2005)

How so?

cuz only the good die young! otherwise Matt would b the only survivor in Rancid/Transplants

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

Shut up

his time will come...

Har har har.

he can do no wrong

Whe got him to play the beginning of "Don't Fear The Reaper" in Cleveland. It ruled. -Scott

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

Who was on cowbell?

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

I'm heavy metal legend Bruce Dickinson. I've got a fever, and the only prescription .... is MORE COWBELL.

I'd rather Operation Ivy not ruin a good thing by reuniting.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

ditto

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

They'd probably get skinhead rob to do Unity with them.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

that would be awful. I can barely handle him doing clash's white riot. second thought he ruins that too. god, get him away from the classics.

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Xine (June 27, 2005)

stop now. i'm hearing it in my head.

I love and respect him but trust me you can do a lot better on bas not so much in the punk orld the only stand out name that comes to mind here is Mike Watt but let's see Claypool, Mike Gordan, Paul McCartney, the guy from Pink Floyd just about any jazz bassist and the list goes on though I love what he does and he's the best at the sound and style of music he plays over all technical ability he can deginitly be surpassed.

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

Ha, not a single full stop. I'm not insulting you, but i actually read through that so fast. I suggest a ban on full stops at the org.

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maverick (scott) (June 26, 2005)

Full stop? What are you, a telegram delivery boy? -Scott

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

Come on, classic language. Period sounds soooooooooo gay.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

Don't forget Geddy Lee, and Jason Black from HWM

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

Were you referring to Roger Waters from Pink Floyd or the guy Floyd toured with after he left the band? Because while Roger was an amazing songwriter, he was a mediocre musician at best and certainly not on a par with the other bassists you mentioned.

Do you spend hours every day thinking of new ways to not be funny, or does it just come naturally?

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jamespastepunk (June 26, 2005)

About 5 hours a day.

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CrookedSuperhero (June 26, 2005)

That's a fair amount.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

haha. that was funny... i guess you need more practice

if that's true, you and i need to start a band.

Gotta love the sig

Jeez, who cares. And your a someone. What the hell was the point in that?

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

The point is, the news was on this very website 10 days ago so it's nothing out of the blue.

i totally knew it was you and not another someone. way to go someone, keep up the superb work.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

thanx!

"Someone" posts all kinds of things here, and it may or may not be true. Why in the world would a punknews.org reader say, "aha, this anonymous person says XYZ, with absolutely no supporting/corroborating information, therefore it's true"? You ought to come in out of the cold, someone, then people would have a better idea of who you are and how much we can trust what you post. Until then, don't be surprised that no one takes your anonymous post and screams it from the roof tops.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

I simply didn't bother to sign-in and the purpose of my post wasn't to be famous or whatever, simply giving out the info. But I know what you mean.

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

well you're famous now

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LushJ (June 26, 2005)

Cool, I'm glad you got my point and didn't get pissed off- too many people use the "someone" to mouth off @ the keyboard, ya know? P.S.- I've been waiting for this news to pop up myself. It's been a huge relief that they removed that lil bastard of a hoo-ha.

not being terminal doesn't mean not having cancer.. it means it's a treatable cancer.. so, bad info Mr. Someone

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

''odd tissue growth but not abnormal'' isn't cancer.

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RightCliqificus (June 27, 2005)

odd = adnormal.. what's wrong with you.

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Someone (June 27, 2005)

Do you know how quotes (i.e.: '' '') works? That was a quote from someone close to Matt, I didn't come up with that.

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LushJ (June 26, 2005)

It doesn't mean cancer in this case.

Because you touch yourself at night.

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descenall888 (June 26, 2005)

it turns you on, doesnt IT?????

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Someone (June 26, 2005)

no, IT doesn't

bad things happen to everybody

Cancer is common as fuck. Most of us will get cancer at some point. Thanks, industrial revolution! The petrochemical industry has made life better for us all.

Well, not to say this was the sole cause (or even the cause at all... it could have been any number of things), but the man smoked like a chimney. Hopefully Matt will learn from this and cut that shit out. Regardless, I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

yes longer than you, bitch.

Better watch your back... some of their friends sell drugs.

Yes that queer from Dead Kennedys should die

go to hell you fucking asshole

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Xine (June 26, 2005)

i second that.

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Someone (March 27, 2006)

third

umm...what? Could you give, I dunno....an explanation?!

Monday the 13th

You didn't see Matt Freeman playing with Social Distortion. He hasn't played with them since late November.

While I don't share as much of the disdain for Aston as most others, I think it would be funny to see what he'd do if someone pointed a gun AT HIM. He'd probably drop a load in his pants. First it was cocaine, now guns. Jesus, find something else to sing about!

That would be fun!

The guitar tech. from Blink-182 apparently. (That wasn't a joke)

probably just somee bass player they hired all the transplants songs are really easy and just about anybody could play for them

when is rancid going to play again