Matt Freeman, bassist for Rancid, received his first stand-up bass from “Mr. Brett” Gurewitz, Rancid’s longtime producer, about 15 years ago.  The instrument first appeared on record on Rancid’s 1998 album Life Won’t Wait on the song “Lady Liberty.”  Freeman then started writing songs on it for fun with longtime bandmate Tim Armstrong around 2000, eventually releasing the first song under the band name Devil’s Brigade (“Vampire Girl”) on 2002’s Give ‘Em The Boot III compilation.  Two 12-inch singles would follow over the next few years, and after Rancid’s 2009 album Let The Dominoes Fall it was time to re-visit Devil’s Brigade for a full-length album. With Freeman on bass and vocals, Armstrong on guitar, and DJ Bonebrake from X on drums, the self-titled album features 12 fast songs driven by Freeman’s stand-up bass and gravelly voice, often leaning toward rockabilly in style but as played, of course, by punk rockers.

The original idea for the album reportedly was to center around the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, and several of the songs focus on this period of time.  From this concept grew the song “Bridge of Gold,” about the workers who moved to the area where Freeman and Armstrong would later grow up.

“For me, it’s amazing what people did to survive during the depression,” Matt explains.  “How many people had to travel and leave their homes to find work, and how they came out of it.”

The recording process itself reminded Freeman of making a Rancid record. Freeman says, “It was a bit different in a way because I was lead vocal on all the songs.  Other than that, the process was about the same.  We have been friends and band mates for so long that we have a way we work together.  It’s hard to explain, but it just works for us.”

You get the sense from Rancid and its various side projects that the band members are driven by song writing —  not for fame or money, as Freeman sings on “Shakedown,” but “You can do it ‘cause you just can’t stop/The addiction to this life for those of us that know/25 years of punk rock and roll.”  It has now been a quarter-century that Freeman and Armstrong have played music together, dating back to their days in Operation Ivy, their band before Rancid. Freeman is blunt when explaining Rancid’s decision to bring out Operation Ivy songs on Rancid’s 2006 tour:  “The Op Ivy songs are good songs.  We thought it would be fun to play them and our fans would like it.”

Being on stage with Devil’s Brigade has provided a new experience for Freeman, as front man for an entire set.

“I have to talk to the crowd more,” he admits.  “I have to think about pacing myself and watching my breathing.  I have always appreciated what Tim and Lars do, but I have a newfound respect for them now.”

Though performing and touring with Devil’s Brigade is currently Freeman’s priority, it is certain that Rancid will soon again be active.  “We don’t have any set plans this minute, but we will be hitting the road at some point,” Freeman says.  “We always do.”