Rancid Part With Original Drummer And Plan Spring Album Release

Rancid drummer Brett Reed has amicably left the group after 15 years.

According to the Rancid website, former Used drummer Branden Steineckert has taken over the position. Reed joined Rancid months prior to the band releasing their five-song debut EP in 1992.

"It's an absolute honor to play music with Tim, Lars and Matt," Steineckert says. "To play with such a sincere, honest band is the greatest experience.

"This music is my life. This is the beginning of something amazing. I look forward to whatever the future may bring. As a fan, I can't wait to sing, scream and sweat with Rancid and fans every night."

Rancid now have recordings of shows they played this summer available for download to satiate fans until they release the long-awaited follow-up to 2003's Indestructible in the spring.

"We're recording it as soon as we get off the road in December," singer Tim Armstrong wrote in a blog entry on the band's MySpace page. "Our plan is to jump into the studio right after tour, that's when our playing and singing is the strongest."

The band members have also been busy with other projects. Armstrong will release a free downloadable solo album titled A Poet's Life through his Hellcat imprint on Feb. 6, and plans are in the works for another Transplants album to come out sometime next year.

Rancid are currently on a British tour that runs until Nov. 20. The group will play two Toronto shows at the Kool Haus on Dec.10 and 11 to make up for concerts that were postponed in early September.