Song: "Ben Zanotto"
Artist: Rancid
Album: "Let Me Go" single
Year: 2000
Place Of Origin: Berkeley, California
Years Active: 1991 - present
WHAT I THINK THE SONG IS ABOUT:
"Ben Zanotto" is a song that is dedicated to Lars Frederiksen's best friend growing up, Ben Zanotto. The song talks about how they hung out on a street called Sharmon Palms with all the punk kids and misfits. Ben would die of a drug overdose and his ashes were spread at the spot where he and Lars spent many a night hanging out and drinking. "Ben Zanotto" is a b-side off the single "Let Me Go". The song also appeared on the 2007 compilation album, "B Sides And C Sides".
RANCID DISCOGRAPHY (Full length albums only):
1993 - Rancid (Epitaph Records)
1994 - Let's Go (Epitaph Records)
1995 - And Out Come The Wolves (Epitaph Records)
1998 - Life Won't Wait (Epitaph Records)
2000 - Rancid (Hellcat Records)
2003 - Indestructible (Warner Bros Records)
2007 - B Sides And C Sides (Hellcat Records)
2009 - Let The Dominoes Fall (Hellcat Records)
2014 - Honor Is All We Know (Hellcat Records)
2017 - Trouble Maker (Hellcat Records)
CURRENT STATUS OF RANCID:
Rancid formed out the ashes of legendary Bay Area punk/ska band Operation Ivy. In the early 90's when Op Ivy was falling apart, guitarist Tim Armstrong and bassist Matt Freeman decided to hook up with Tim's roommate Brett Reed who played drums and formed the band Rancid. After releasing an EP in 1992 through Lookout! Records, Rancid quickly signed a deal with Epitaph Records and released their debut full length, "Rancid", in 1993. After this release, guitarist Lars Frederiksen of the UK Subs would join Rancid as second guitarist and vocalist. The band's second album, 1994's "Let's Go", peaked at #97 on the Billboard 200 charts and scored the band the opening slot on The Offspring's tour. Funny thing happened at this time. The Offspring's album, "Smash", blew up on the charts and a punk revival of sorts was in it's beginning stages. Rancid was primed to hop on that wave with their next release, "And Out Come The Wolves". This album would eventually be certified platinum, selling over a million copies in the U.S. alone! The singles "Ruby Soho", "Timebomb" and "Roots Radical" were being played on rock radio across the nation and bands like Rancid, Offspring, Bad Religion and Green Day were suddenly in major demand. 1998 saw the band drop the album "Life Won't Wait". Though the band would never see the success that "And Out Come The Wolves" would garner, "Life Won't Wait" was critically acclaimed and many call it Rancid's "Sandinista!", the classic punk/reggae album by the legendary punk band, The Clash. In 2000, Rancid dropped their second self-titled album and this one showcased the band's hardcore influences. In 2003, the band worked out a deal with major label Warner Bros. where the album "Indestructible" would be distributed by Warner Bros., Epitaph Records and Tim's own label Hellcat Records, which is a subsidiary of Epitaph. Many consider this album perhaps Rancid's most radio friendly effort. There would be a six year gap from "Indestructible" and the band's next album, 2009's "Let The Dominoes Fall". In those years some Rancid side projects saw the light of day including Tim's band The Transplants, featuring Blink 182's Travis Barker on the drums and Lars' side project Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards. It also marked the departure of long time drummer Brett Reed. Branden Steineckert, formerly of The Used, would take over drumming duties for the band in 2006. "Let The Dominoes Fall" was a solid return to the game for Rancid and definitely showed why Rancid is the main focus of these guys. Those side bands are great, but Rancid is just on another level. But, those side projects commanded some time from those band members so it would be another five years till their next release, 2014's "Honor Is All We Know". Rancid's most recent release would be "Trouble Maker" in 2017. Rancid is a powerhouse of a punk rock band! You can see they are heavily influenced by The Clash, and who wouldn't be? They could switch from hardcore punk, to ska/reggae, to oi! and to melodic punk all within the same album. Rancid offers a huge catalogue of music for listeners, and if that ain't enough to wet your beak, the member's side projects are also off the chain. Lars Frederiksen & The Bastards, Devils Brigade, The Transplants and Old Firm Casuals are all awesome bands in their own right, not to mention the legendary Operation Ivy where Armstrong and Freeman got their start. Rancid just keeps delivering the goods whether it's in the form of studio releases or in their live performances, not to mention the shitload of b-sides, cover songs and other rarities that are out there by the band. Living punk rock legends no doubt!
TEN RANCID SONGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:
1. Last One To Die
2. Fall Back Down
3. Bloodclot
4. Roots Radical
5. Salvation
6. Brad Logan
7. Honor Is All We Know
8. Antennas
9. Hyena
10. Ghost Of A Chance
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