Life In A Bungalo

Tim Armstrong
Photo by GLK Photo

With their new record nearing completion, the punk rock veterans Rancid are turning their attention towards a new project—a summer tour that will mark their first live shows since 2006. Rancid—Tim Armstrong (vocals, guitar), Lars Frederiksen (vocals, guitar), Matt Freeman (bass, vocals) and Branden Steineckert (drums)—have spend the last few months working on their seventh studio album.

Working with Epitaph president Brett Gurewitz, who helmed the project as producer, and mixer Joe Barresi (Tool, Bad Religion), the album is slated for release later this year.

Rancid depart on April 5 for a week of shows in Japan, a mini-tour which includes headlining the Punkspring festival in Tokyo and Osaka, reuniting Rancid with 15,000 of their closest friends each night.

It has been two years since the last Rancid tour, and five years since the last Rancid record. Read more »

Pennywise is giving back to the fans. The Hermosa Beach punk band will be distributing its latest CD free of charge to fans for two weeks through MySpace. Beginning March 25, 2008, fans around the world will be able to obtain a high quality, DRM-free download from MySpace for a period of two weeks. Longtime Pennywise fan and seasoned producer Cameron Webb (Social Distortion, Motorhead, Sum 41) has signed on to produce and mix the upcoming CD.

Sure, Radiohead can make fans pay what they wish, but this is the first time a band is just giving away a major release for nothing. On the same day, Pennywise and MySpace Records will also release an enhanced CD/DVD version of the as-yet-untitled disc to retail outlets for sale, with the CD containing the same songs as the downloadable version. There will also be a vinyl version available with two extra exclusive tracks. Read more »