Rancid: We're A Happy Family

12/12/03 2:00pm

by Keith Carman (CHARTattack)

Before personal relationships and business decisions became almost more press-worthy than their music, there was this little punk group called Rancid. Sick of the gossipy stories, we forewent the typical Tim/Brody, Epitaph/Warner and working with Pink questions for bassist Matt Freeman. He was more than appreciative.

ChartAttack: What unforeseen territory does the new album Indestructible cover?
Matt Freeman: There was a lot of personal loss going into this record. From Joey and Dee Dee Ramone and Joe Strummer to personal things like Lars' brother and my grandmother passing away, those aspects really fill this album. There are some aspects of hope though. We wear our hearts on our sleeves and that's what makes each album still sound like Rancid: we have these fresh influences on our albums that change it a bit without losing our own identity.

Without discussing particulars, you've had to pick each other up a few times in the past couple of years and deal with heat for label decisions. How does that affect Rancid internally?
Not at all, really. It's good to know you've got three guys that will do anything for you. I mean, we'll be there for each other in a second. That comes out in our music because we’re friends who have a good time playing with each other and we talk about issues. Even if the other three want to and someone resists, we don't do it. We all respect each other's opinions.

Is that how you've managed to keep the same members since you started?
Yes, 'cause we're friends first and a band second. People say it can't be true, but it is. That’s the foundation for everything: we support each other. These guys had a hand in my wedding. Before I went to the altar, the four of us were standing around there. It's a brother thing.

Rancid is infamous for drawing up new set lists each day. When you're touring for another album, how does this mess with the process?
We still just pick the set every night. We have five albums now... wait, six dammit! That's, like, 20 songs per album and singles; a lot of material. We just try to play something from every album. Everyone wants to see their favourite song, but that might not happen. Hopefully we do a good mix and if that means not playing a lot of songs from the new album, so be it. The other albums are still important.

Do set lists take how you're a "fans-first" kinda band into consideration?
I don't know about that. Our fans... about 10 years ago when things were growing rapidly, kids would come up to me and just stare at me or say something really stupid and I'd get so annoyed. Then we played with X, my favourite band on the planet. We BEGGED to get on the show. John Doe, the bass player is my idol and he's standing on the stage. Then I'm that kid; I go up to him and I'm just standing there and I can't talk. I'm like, "Hi! I play bass!" all goofy and loud. I walked away going, "What the hell is wrong with me?" That taught me how some people might look up to me. It was a great experience because I was so intimidated!

Are people still going apeshit for your "Maxwell Murder"-type bass solos?
Well... yeah. We're all about the team though. I don't think in terms of that. This band isn't about the individuals. I don't care if I get enough credit or not as long as we're happy, healthy and having fun. My own band are my biggest cheerleaders though. They're watching me! How badass is that? I'm playing with them for 10-20 years and they're still giving me props! That's all I care about.