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.
Oh No
Tim Armstrong Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
I'm in love with Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
Calm down everybody has gone fearless
No one goes count it out
There's gonna be a lot of people getting high tonight
One named Sheila, one named Stephanie
Goddamn then girls go get to me
I spent all my time chasing women around
I'm in love with Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
I love rock'n'roll
Hold everything stop right there
Silence your mind, be aware
All the people of the world are here
Los Angeles California
That's where
Rise up and hold on to your dream man
Chorus of languages
You understand man?
Downtown to Hollywood land
Sunset Pico Vermont to Rosecrans
I'm in love with Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
I love rock'n'roll
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
I'm in love with Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
I love rock'n'roll
Ain't gonna read this in the papers
Or your local TV newscast
And this city can break ya and take ya down
But my crew was built to last
Call what you want
Call it what you will
Dumb luck but still
We're here by freewill, yeah
Open my eyes crystal clear
Grab my newports, smoke in the air
I'm in love with Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
I love rock'n'roll
In Tim Armstrong's song "Oh No," he expresses his love for the city of Los Angeles and everything that comes with it. He starts by talking about his love for the city's soul, the nightlife, and rock'n'roll. He mentions that everyone is fearless and that there will be a lot of people getting high tonight. He names two girls, Sheila and Stephanie, who got to him, and he confesses that he spent all his time chasing women around.
He then continues to describe the city and all of its people. He tells everyone to rise up and hold onto their dreams as they continue their journey in this city. He mentions the different areas of Los Angeles, from Downtown to Hollywood land, Sunset Pico Vermont to Rosecrans. Throughout the song, he repeats his love for Los Angeles, her soul, the nightlife, and rock'n'roll.
Overall, the song is an ode to Los Angeles and the experience of being in the city. The lyrics capture the energy, chaos, and freedom that are often associated with Los Angeles. Tim Armstrong's love for the city is clear, and he invites others to share in that love.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh no
Expressing concern or surprise
I'm in love with Los Angeles
Deeply fond of the city of Los Angeles
I'm in love with her soul
Fascinated by the unique spirit of the city
I'm in love with the nightlife baby
Enchanted with the vibrant nightlife of Los Angeles
I love rock'n'roll
Passionate about the genre of rock music
Calm down everybody has gone fearless
Everyone has lost their fear or anxiety
No one goes count it out
Nobody is excluded from enjoying the festivities tonight
There's gonna be a lot of people getting high tonight
Anticipating a lot of people using drugs tonight
One named Sheila, one named Stephanie
Referring to two specific individuals and their drug use
Goddamn then girls go get to me
Expressing attraction to the girls named Sheila and Stephanie
I spent all my time chasing women around
Focused on pursuing romantic relationships with various women
Hold everything stop right there
Attention, pause everything
Silence your mind, be aware
Take a moment to clear your mind and pay attention
All the people of the world are here
Representing the diversity of the people present in Los Angeles
Los Angeles California That's where
Highlighting the location of Los Angeles in California
Rise up and hold on to your dream man
Encouraging listeners to embrace and pursue their dreams
Chorus of languages
Represents the many languages spoken in Los Angeles
You understand man?
Asking if listeners can relate to the message being conveyed
Downtown to Hollywood land Sunset Pico Vermont to Rosecrans
Naming various streets and landmarks in Los Angeles
Ain't gonna read this in the papers
Stating that the events described will not be reported in the media
Or your local TV newscast
Clarifying that this event will not be televised or reported
And this city can break ya and take ya down
Implying that Los Angeles can be unforgiving and ruin you
But my crew was built to last
Asserting that the singer's group is strong and resilient
Call what you want
Feel free to label the situation as you see fit
Call it what you will
Name it with whatever terminology you prefer
Dumb luck but still
Acknowledging that their success may have been due to chance despite their hard work
We're here by freewill, yeah
Reinforcing that they have chosen to be present through their own free will
Open my eyes crystal clear
Reflecting on the clarity of their perspective
Grab my newports, smoke in the air
Taking a moment to enjoy a cigarette and the atmosphere around them
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: TIMOTHY ARMSTRONG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raymond Lau
Tim's Music has a
magical... ethereal...
RING to it.
jonah stocks
tim is my fave rapper AND my fave poet
Frankie
Man I'd love to hear Randy Newman cover this!
Frankie
No joke...
Kurt Bukowsky
Ruin it!
missalissao
That's the funny thing about Tim- I'm up and down with his stuff. I only like a percentage of Transplants, a little of Op Ivy, quite a bit of Rancid.... I think its hard to nfind anyone who loves it all because he can be all over the place XD
Ryan Delaney
Tremendous
B SP.
legend.
Erik Dglmut
Luv The Aggrolites, that's the reason i got this record! In my opinion this combo Aggrolites+Armstrong sounds better than the Transplants...
DannyBoyo68
I'm in love with Lost Angeles!