Following two 12-inch singles from 2003 and 2005, after a long wait,
Rancid spinoff
Devil’s Brigade released their debut self-titled album in 2010. In true psychobilly fashion, lead singer
Matt Freeman sings in a gruff
Gene Simmons-esque growl as he slaps his upright bass in time to the rhythmic skiffle of percussionist
D.J. Bonebrake. “Ride Harley Ride” takes a surf-rock cue from
Dick Dale with
Tim Armstrong providing some tasty tremolo guitar bends, while “Bridge of Gold” takes a punky approach to Appalachian bluegrass. For this classic-sounding number,
Freeman sings of his journeys out west in hopes of getting a job building the Golden Gate Bridge, as
Lars Fredriksen and
Tim Armstrong take drunken turns caterwauling the verses. It’s a far cry from the straightforward modern-day punk of
Rancid, but open-minded fans of the band may find the tumbleweed twist from the norm enticing. ~ Jason Lymangrover