Rancid has had two lineup changes since its inception, with Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman being continuous members. Their current lineup consists of Armstrong on guitar and vocals, Freeman on bass and vocals, Lars Frederiksen on guitar and vocals, and Branden Steineckert on drums. The band was formed by Armstrong, Freeman, and former drummer Brett Reed, who left the band in 2006 and was replaced by Steineckert. This lineup recorded their first album, with Frederiksen joining the band on their subsequent tour.
To date, Rancid has released ten studio albums, one split album, one compilation, two extended plays, and a series of live online-only albums, and has been featured on a number of compilation albums. The band has sold over four million records worldwide, making it one of the most successful punk rock groups of all time. The band rose to fame in 1994 with its second studio album, Let's Go, featuring the single "Salvation". In the following year, Rancid released its highly successful album ...And Out Come the Wolves, which produced its best-known songs "Roots Radicals", "Ruby Soho", and "Time Bomb", and was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA, selling over one million copies in the United States alone. Its next six albums – Life Won't Wait (1998), Rancid (2000), Indestructible (2003), Let the Dominoes Fall (2009), ...Honor Is All We Know (2014) and Trouble Maker (2017) – were also critically acclaimed, though not as commercially successful as ...And Out Come the Wolves. The band released their tenth album, Tomorrow Never Comes, in June 2023.
Studio albums
Rancid (1993)
Let's Go (1994)
...And Out Come the Wolves (1995)
Life Won't Wait (1998)
Rancid (also known as "Rancid 2000" or "Rancid 5") (2000)
Indestructible (2003)
Let the Dominoes Fall (2009)
...Honor Is All We Know (2014)
Trouble Maker (2017)
Tomorrow Never Comes (2023)
Axiom
Rancid Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I answer with evil that's the way that I play it
Street Turks multiple confusions
I gnash spit
I grind my teeth
Got a gun and a knife
Staring back at you
No security force or vigilante's
Ostracized if not otherwise
Left to my own device you'll surly see
Got a gun and a knife
Staring back at you
Got a gun and a knife
Staring back at you
The lyrics of Rancid's song "Axiom" are full of aggression and a sense of danger. The singer seems to be on the brink of an explosion, ready to answer with evil. The phrase "Street Turks multiple confusions" seems to reference gang violence, with the singer ready to fight with a gun and a knife. Despite the potential consequences of their actions, the singer feels that they cannot be dethroned by the authorities or an overweight ego. They also seem to acknowledge that they will be ostracized for their actions, but they do not care.
The repetition of "Got a gun and a knife, staring back at you" emphasizes the singer's sense of power and control, as well as their willingness to use violence to achieve their goals. The lyrics, overall, paint a picture of a violent and chaotic world where individuals must fend for themselves and where those who are willing to use violence can rise to the top.
Line by Line Meaning
On the cusp of an explosion
I am on the verge of lashing out or causing harm.
I answer with evil that's the way that I play it
I respond with malice and aggression because that is how I choose to handle situations.
Street Turks multiple confusions
The chaotic environment of the streets leads to various conflicts and misunderstandings.
I gnash spit
I grit my teeth and seethe with anger.
I grind my teeth
I am tense and anxious, causing me to grind my teeth.
Got a gun and a knife
I am armed and dangerous.
Staring back at you
I am challenging and threatening you with my presence.
No security force or vigilante's
Even the most powerful protectors cannot stop my rage and aggression.
Overweight ego can dethrone me
My excessive pride and ego do not hinder my destructive behavior and actions.
Ostracized if not otherwise
If not for my violent tendencies, I would be rejected and excluded from society.
Left to my own device you'll surly see
Without any intervention or assistance, I will continue to cause harm and destruction.
Got a gun and a knife
I am still armed and dangerous, and continue to pose a threat.
Staring back at you
I am still challenging and threatening those around me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: LARS FREDERIKSEN, ROGER MATTHEW FREEMAN, TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeff Fidler
Matt is so underrated. Easily one of the best to ever do it.
SxSxG
In what way is he underrated? If you ask poeple about the best Punk bass players he is alwas mentioned.
Jeff Fidler
@SxSxG
Probably should have been clearer. I think hes underrated outside of punk. I don't think hes just a great "punk" bassist but musician in general. I'd be curious where he'd be on people's list if you started from scratch without starting in the punk genre.
Joey Ball
i just teared up thats how great this song is... if this song was 10 min long i would be handicap
Moozle Yak
Oh jesus christ, I just forgot how fucking good this is and now i'm gonna smoke more, listen to this whole album, and then not sleep until the bacon is turned on Kevin what? no. but I will EYE WILLY
Abrogate.Authoritarians
The award for best bass solo in a punk song ever goes to Matt Freeman
Justin Pettipas
my god how did i forget about this album
Marina mari
Fuckin great!
Jekyl Whispy
We're on the cusp... then that word is 'contusions,' which basically just means wound but not cut usually. But thank you for the lyrics. Just helping out
Szabolcs Tóth
0:28-0:50 is the best