Punk With a Purpose

Russ Rankin is the lead singer of the Santa Cruz punk band, Good Riddance. Ten years after their formation, Good Riddance continues to make their mark in the California punk rock ‘n’ roll scene with blistering punk rock music and lyrics that run from political to social.

In the late 80s, Rankin began, on his own, what would soon be Good Riddance. It wasn’t until 1990, when Luke Pabich joined, that they would call themselves a real band. In 1994, Chuck Platt, a player Rankin describes as "entertaining," entered the scene.

Here in Chico, it’s relatively easy for small bands to get themselves heard, but in Santa Cruz the story is a bit different. Outside of house parties, there is no real way to get live exposure for an unheard-of band. The clubs are pricy, and without a push from a club, it is hard to get out and be seen. With this in mind, Good Riddance took off on their own, grappling with fate on the road — "We had a blast," recalls Rankin. With a demo tape in hand and a reputation for hot live performances, they made themselves a niche in the California scene.

In 1994, Good Riddance was signed to independent California punk powerhouse, Fat Wreck Chords.

"We were in the right place at the right time, and Fat picked us up," says Russ, who adds that signing to this particular label was what the band needed to set their career in motion. "Soon after [signing], Fat just took off and instantly our records were all around the world. There was a demand for us to play."

Upon signing, Good Riddance began more touring because, the fact is, live shows are the best way to get music to the masses.

These days the punk scene in Santa Cruz is slightly more refined, with a taste for everyone in its "interwoven skateboarding and surf scene." A band no longer needs to struggle to get themselves heard. But Good Riddance worked hard and they were rewarded for their efforts.

After six albums (four full-lengths, one EP and Decoy, a seven-inch vinyl release), Good Riddance has acquired their own sound. What is that sound, you may ask? Even if you have heard their music you may still be unsure into what category they fall. Their music has evolved from a "bad Bad Religion," to a conglomeration of pop-y music and punk rock tunes.

"Melodic… hard-core… we’re pretty confident playing either style," says Russ. The reason that they’re confident is simple: they’re good. With a punk rock sound and lyrics you can sing along with, they have managed to make some darn likable music.

"Writing songs, is putting your pain and suffering, alienation — all kinds of it — out there… exposing it for people to see so people can sing and dance to your pain, and be entertained by it," Russ explains, specifically describing the song "Undefeated" on their The Phenomenon of Craving EP. The song’s chorus, "So take my tears, take all my fucking pain / I hope you’re entertained," is just one reason it’s a fan favorite. The group’s other CDs address social issues and have been tagged as political punk rock. A bio piece on Good Riddance by David Cornilius (All Music Guide, 2000) pays special attention to an essay by Rankin included with the Ballads from the Revolution CD. Of Rankin’s essay, Cornilius remarks: "Good Riddance stepped outside of the new school punk format and harkened back to the days of early protest punk." For Good Riddance fans, this means that the message being sent out is not bogus. Rankin and his bandmates are serious about their work, and are not just out to mess with our head. Along with good music, their lyrics are meant to inspire listeners to live their lives according to their own rules. Good Riddance does not call for anarchy, but a revolution of mind and self.

After a good response to Revolution, Good Riddance went on to produce Operation Phoenix, which is said to be by far their best album. The Phenomenon of Craving is also amazing, but not only because of the songs. There is a little message on the jacket of Craving, which says: "A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this record are being donated to: The Homeless Garden Project…" I cannot explain how much it means for a band to donate money, especially to a cause such as this. The jacket cover is a picture of a man named Jim, who the band thanks on the inside of the jacket. It is official, not only are these four young men smart and talented, but they also care about our world. Not everyone can say the same of other bands.

Speaking of lyrics, Scott Melville, a fan who enjoys Good Riddance’s message and "thought-provoking lyrics," has created an official Web site for the band. Rankin explained that Melville and other fans "feel like we’re doing something worthwhile, it means something to us [when a fan has such devotion]." Rankin believes that people like Melville make it all worthwhile.

The "thought-provoking lyrics" of which Melville speaks may be a direct result of one of the band’s major influences: Bad Religion. "We’ve been called a bad, Bad Religion," confesses Rankin, "probably we were a little over zealous in our admiration for the band." He believes that "punk rock can be so simplistic… you can say ‘fuck the cops’ in a song, and then Bad Religion…what they did was find all kinds of new ways to convey old messages in a way that provokes different kinds of thought. I always thought that was a really cool way to write lyrics. I have made an endeavor to do as much as I can in the same vein [as Bad Religion] as far as try to write lyrics that aren’t generic — that are interesting and thought provoking." While Rankin admits that Bad Religion had a huge impact on his lyrics, he also adds that Good Riddance was "influenced by so many different kinds of bands," including the Adolescents, Black Flag, Crucifix, and the Dead Kennedys. Black Sabbath was also an influence, but he remarks that "you can hear Sabbath in everybody" because they inspire awe in all of their listeners; they "pioneered a style and a sound."

Rankin may have been influenced by all of these bands, but Good Riddance themselves have never been on the other side of the equation: "Nobody’s copied our sound yet." There is hope that someday a bright young man (or woman) will see the band’s variety in structure and clear views and say that Good Riddance is his / her influence. Rankin describes why, at first, their sound was much like that of Bad Religion: "When a band starts they are generally influenced by one or two bands… you start covering their songs, and then they become your favorite band and you sound just like them, and you wear their influence on your sleeve. The more you progress and grow and the more you play, you start developing your own sound. And, if you do that long enough and if you’re prolific enough, another band will start copying you." Rankin says that even though no one has copied their sound, Good Riddance is better off because they are influenced by so many different bands, especially those that no one has heard of. He describes it as a recycling of punk music for this generation. For now, Rankin remains humble: "I’m never going to be in the same class as the people in Bad Religion."

Not that this writer doesn’t like Rankin’s modest attitude, but he is a very good lyricist. Apparently, however, not everyone thinks so, otherwise the boys of Good Riddance would have had a bit more exposure via the radio. As of yet, the radio has not been their main source of communication. This, however, is not a detriment to the band, seeing as how word of mouth on the live Good Riddance shows is amazing. They have toured with NoFx and No Use for a Name ("They’re a really good band," says Rankin), as well as joining the long-winded Warped Tour. Good Riddance has definitely been kept busy.

Good Riddance is not the type of band that sits back and watches their peers break the waves. These men have been working very hard to get the ball rolling and have been very successful in most aspects. They are talented, as well as serious when it comes to their work. The songs you hear are not B.S. and should be looked at with a high level of respect. Good Riddance is not the same as the new punk rockers who complain about the government as they sit in their Rolls. This is the real thing, with influences that not only make the band complete, but keep them down-to-earth. When you listen to their music, listen carefully: this is real punk rock, true intelligence and serious talent.

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