Rancid was formed by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, who formerly played together with Operation Ivy, a similar sounding and popular punk ska band that lasted for a couple of years during the late 80s. Tim and Matt recruited drummer Matt Reid, and Rancid became a band in 1991.

They didn’t recruit charismatic singer guitar player Lars Frederiksen until 1993. They then recorded the Album …And out Come The Wolves, which received Gold and Platinum status and which helped Punk Rock reach a mainstream audience.

The song Journey to the End of the Easy Bay comes from that album.

The guys from Rancid have also collaborated and performed with Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day. Heck, too popular punk rock bands from NorCal, who wouldn’t expect them to collaborate at some point?

Billie Joe was actually asked to join Rancid at one point, but he declined, and decided to stay with Green Day. Maybe Billie Joe had aspirations to record songs that would go on regular rotation in college bars across the country.