One of the first bands that Tim played in was Basic Radio. After Basic Radio disbanded, he performed in the ska punk band Operation Ivy under the nickname "Lint" from their beginning in 1987, until they disbanded in 1989. Soon thereafter, Armstrong helped found the Dance Hall Crashers, but left the band after a brief period of time. He was also in Downfall with Matt Freeman (Rancid). In 1991 Armstrong went on to greater fame with the very successful Rancid.
While still with Rancid, he also has a side-project, Transplants, which started with Armstrong, his friend "Skinhead Rob" Aston and a drum machine. Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker later came on to replace the drum machine.
In addition to his projects, Armstrong has also been known to pop up on others' albums in various roles. He's contributed vocals, guitar, songwriting to tracks by bands including Box Car Racer, Cypress Hill, Bad Religion, Stubborn All-Stars, Head Automatica, The Specials, The Matches, Left Alone, NOFX, Fruit Cocktail, H2O, Dr. Israel, Agnostic Front, The Lordz, Time Again and Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, which is a side-project of his Rancid bandmate Lars Frederiksen.
He has collaborated with P!nk, the Aggrolites, Gwen Stefani, Buju Banton, Kelly Osbourne and Skye Sweetnam.
He has also produced several albums, including the debut albums by AFI, Answer That and Stay Fashionable (1995), The Gadjits, At Ease (1996), F-Minus, S/T (1999) and Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, S/T (2001).
Armstrong is still very active in the Berkeley scene that grew up around 924 Gilman Street. He has showcased his other artistic talents and created artwork for the INSAINTS logo. His artwork and photography are also to be seen on various cds of his own label HellCat, eg. Give 'em the Boot compilations, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards.
A new album by Rancid was set for an early 2007 release, but had been delayed as to the fall of 2008. As of recent the album has been set for a spring/summer 2009 release.
He has also done a solo album entitled A Poet's Life, which fans can download for free on the internet. He was releasing one song at a time, and has released a music video with each song.
Among the Dead
Tim Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We will rise
If you count me out you better think again
You better realize now that I ain't stopping
This is where I start, this is where I begin
This is where you stop, this is where you end
Woke up in a downtown street
Broken bones, broken homes
Broken kid's living in the jungle
Nineteen eighty seven in the east bay cold as hell it's the middle of summer
Me and Jesse and Matt and Dave Mello, he was the drummer
My momma said you better watch your back boy
Keep your head up and be a shot blocker
On the outside looking in wit the freaks and the thugs and all the punk rockers
They say I'm outta step in this world so step back man I ain't gonna warn ya
Here's a message for the disenfranchised of East bay California
Let me tell you something about the Eastbay: It's California but it ain't sunny
All my dreams came crashing down I'm outta home my street got no money
And got no band, and got no one around, and all the music is gone man
No where to sleep on the ground wondering what the fuck went wrong now
Know what it's like to walk among the dead?
I?m alone in total isolation
No ones there this is my final destination
Old man preaching bout war and peace and the path and total damnation
I always seem to get up get out and survive in every situation
Than one day Matt says let's get the band together let's do this one more time
So I'm, OK that sounds good, let's give it a try, let's give it one more run
They got no rides
We got drums
We got guitars
We got the songs all night long
The lyrics of Tim Armstrong's song "Among the Dead" are a testament to perseverance in the face of adversity. Armstrong sings about rising up from difficult circumstances and defying the odds. He starts by boldly asserting that those who count him out should think again, as he won't be stopped. He recounts his experience of waking up in a downtown street, surrounded by rubble and brokenness, and describes the difficult environment he grew up in, where he felt like an outsider. Despite these challenges, Armstrong remained resilient and continued to pursue his passion for music, eventually reuniting with his bandmates to create something new.
Throughout the song, Armstrong juxtaposes images of death and decay with a sense of hope and renewal. He speaks of walking among the dead and being in total isolation, but also of getting up and surviving in every situation. There is a sense of determination in his lyrics, suggesting that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way to move forward and find new beginnings.
Line by Line Meaning
Among the dead
The singer is emphasizing that they feel alone and disconnected from society
We will rise
The singer is hopeful that they will be able to overcome their struggles and achieve success
If you count me out you better think again
The singer is warning others not to underestimate them or make assumptions about their abilities
You better realize now that I ain't stopping
The artist is determined to persevere and succeed despite any obstacles or setbacks
This is where I start, this is where I begin
The artist is emphasizing that they are starting from the bottom and working their way up
This is where you stop, this is where you end
The singer is pointing out that others may not have the same drive or determination to succeed
Woke up in a downtown street
The singer describes a difficult and challenging environment they are living in
We were crashed out living in rubble
The artist suggests that they are living in very poor conditions
Broken bones, broken homes
The artist describes the physical and emotional pain that they and others in their community experience
Broken kid's living in the jungle
The artist is using an analogy to describe the tough and unforgiving environment they are living in
Nineteen eighty seven in the east bay cold as hell it's the middle of summer
The singer is sharing a specific time and place from their past when they were struggling to survive
Me and Jesse and Matt and Dave Mello, he was the drummer
The artist is reminiscing about past bandmates and experiences
My momma said you better watch your back boy
The singer recalls advice they received from a loved one to be cautious and protect themselves
Keep your head up and be a shot blocker
The singer suggests that they need to be vigilant and protect themselves against criticism or negativity from others
On the outside looking in wit the freaks and the thugs and all the punk rockers
The singer feels disconnected from mainstream society and is more comfortable among marginalized communities
They say I'm outta step in this world so step back man I ain't gonna warn ya
The artist is confident in their individuality and warns others not to try to change or control them
Here's a message for the disenfranchised of East bay California
The artist is directing their message towards others who may be struggling in similar ways
Let me tell you something about the Eastbay: It's California but it ain't sunny
The singer is using a metaphor to describe the harsh realities of living in the East Bay area
All my dreams came crashing down I'm outta home my street got no money
The singer is sharing their personal struggles and the difficulties they faced in pursuing their dreams
And got no band, and got no one around, and all the music is gone man
The artist describes a feeling of isolation and despair due to the lack of community or artistic outlets
No where to sleep on the ground wondering what the fuck went wrong now
The artist is expressing their frustration and confusion about their current situation
Know what it's like to walk among the dead?
The artist is asking if others have experienced the same emptiness and isolation they feel
I'm alone in total isolation
The singer describes their current state of loneliness and disconnection from others
No ones there this is my final destination
The artist feels hopeless and resigned to their current situation
Old man preaching bout war and peace and the path and total damnation
The singer is describing an encounter with someone they perceive as out of touch or irrelevant to their struggles
I always seem to get up get out and survive in every situation
The singer is expressing their resilience and ability to overcome challenges
Than one day Matt says let's get the band together let's do this one more time
The singer is describing a turning point in their life when they received an opportunity to try again
So I'm, OK that sounds good, let's give it a try, let's give it one more run
The artist is excited and optimistic about the chance to pursue their passion again
They got no rides
The artist describes a logistical problem they needed to overcome in order to pursue their music
We got drums
The singer is describing an asset they have in pursuing their music
We got guitars
The singer lists more tools and resources they have for creating music
We got the songs all night long
The artist is emphasizing their creative output and their ability to make music for extended periods of time
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brianwoodman2788
Epic !!
"Better realize now that i aint stoppin"
" so step back man i ain't gonna warn ya! "
No one does it any better !! Big love for ya Mr. TickinTimTimebom..
He went from Timebum to Timebom dispite the highly improbable odds of doing so. Play on my man..
You're a legend!!
@brianwoodman2788
Epic !!
"Better realize now that i aint stoppin"
" so step back man i ain't gonna warn ya! "
No one does it any better !! Big love for ya Mr. TickinTimTimebom..
He went from Timebum to Timebom dispite the highly improbable odds of doing so. Play on my man..
You're a legend!!
@DannyBoyo68
The more I have listened to this album themore I have come to appreciate it. Tims a genius.
@tammystoa3946
TIM ARMSTRONG IS A TIME BOMB!🎶💋🙈
@tammystoa3946
Hello I read your comment and I'd like to let you know I had knowledge that you were the last person in 13 years to comment on this wonderful song. Are you still among the Dead?
@ranctransboxblink
being a broken kid is not so bad, as long as I can listen to rancid and tim armstrong's solo shit ... livin in the jungle
@christopherhale3025
livin in a concrete jungle on and off for years this song has meaning to me, keep it fuckin going Tim!
@jimhorwat
this album has been the soundtrack to my 6 months+ of unemployment... this song pulls me together every time. Much respect Tim
@SingeSabre
Beautiful, I've loved this song for years
@tammystoa3946
This is the song I want played at my funeral..LOL ☠❣
@darrenp1549
Tim and the Aggrolites!!!!