Arguably one of the most politically influential bands in contemporary music, Rage Against the Machine has been making its mark on popular music and American politics since 1992 with the release of their self-titled album.  They immediately reached mainstream success, subsequently performing at the 1993 Lollapalooza festival.

The band disbanded in 2000 with the departure of charismatic frontman Zach de la Rocha. They have since reunited to play single shows and political rallies.

Rumor has it that the band was founded right after guitar player Tom Morello saw de la Rocha freestyle rapping at a club. He then recruited his friends bass player Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. Through their breakups and reunions, Rage’s lineup hasn’t changed.

How popular is Rage today? Well, here’s a picture from their free show at the 2008 Republican National Convention. Not an empty seat in site.

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.

Carl Barat got in a fight with Pete Doherty while playing together in the Libertines, and went off and started Dirty Pretty Things. Maybe he made a crack about Kate Moss looking like a cyborg? Anyway, the result was a Post Punk band that shows up wasted for most of their shows. Chances are, the crowd will be in the same mindset, so everyone just gets along.

Note to anyone who is thinking about seeing them live: Because of their backstage antics, don’t expect them to start playing on time. My guess is that they’re into all kinds of pretty things – dirty, carbonated, and/or powdered.