Most times when record companies hype acts as "the next big thing" or compare them to successful bands that have come before, they're just blowing smoke. But Rancid may actually be "the next Clash."
Begun after two members ended the much-beloved ska-hardcore act Operation Ivy, Rancid is every bit the logical U.S. successor to the Clash - given its true punk-rock attitude, politically conscious lyrics and somewhat melodic side."I don't know about (the comparison to the Clash), but it's a really nice thing to say," said guitarist/singer Tim "Lint" Armstrong in a recent telephone interview from a truck stop in Missouri. "Oh boy, does it put the pressure on us. They were a great band, and any comparisons are really flattering."
Also like the Clash, Rancid features three vocalists and songwriters. But Armstrong said the four-piece group actually is more rep-re-sent-a-tive of the "East-Bay punk sound," whose other examples include Jawbreaker, Tilt, the Mr. T Experience and Green Day.
"That's my roots," he said. "It's not like we're taking a radically different direction with our music. We're just really coming into our own as songwriters and as musicians, and maybe that's why there's so much more attention on us."
And despite the breakthrough success of Green Day this year, Armstrong said Rancid remains friends with them.
"I love Green Day a lot," he said. "They're gigantic now, but they didn't compromise their sounds. It's as heavy as ever and their songs are just as solid."
Armstrong is not expecting similar success for his band, though.
"I really can't look down the road very far," he said. "Everytime I make predictions concerning our future, I'm wrong. I would never have expected the success we had as Operation Ivy."
Rancid will make its second Utah appearance Saturday, July 2, at Playscool, 346 W. 600 South. Tickets for the show are $6 in advance from Raunch Records, the Heavy Metal Shop and Sonic Garden.
Opening the show at 7 p.m. will be local acts Chopper and the Decomposers and State of the Nation, as well as New Jersey hardcore act Bouncing Souls. The latter act will also be playing a Sunday, July 3, show at Hangar 18, 442 N. State, Orem.