role:: Bass role:: Vocals
Biography
Roger Matthew Freeman, also known as Matt McCall, (born April 23, 1966) is an American musician best known as the bassist of punk rock band Rancid. After forming several bands with guitarist and vocalist Tim Armstrong in the late 1980s and early 1990s, including ska-punk pioneers Operation Ivy, he and Armstrong formed Rancid with drummer Brett Reed. The band’s success helped revive mainstream interest in punk, and they have released ten albums since their formation. Freeman has several side projects as well, including Devil’s Brigade, in which Freeman sings lead vocals and plays bass. Freeman’s style is characterized by aggressive walking lines and fills, typically played on a Fender Precision Bass.
In May 1987, Freeman and Armstrong formed the band Operation Ivy. After Operation Ivy broke up in May 1989, they formed a new band, Downfall, which included all but one member of Operation Ivy and two additional members. Downfall recorded a 10-song album which has never been released, then broke up.
After Operation Ivy, Freeman and Armstrong formed the ska band the Dance Hall Crashers, but they left the band shortly after its formation. The band went on to become moderately successful throughout the 90s.
He joined MDC in 1990, completing one US and one European tour and playing bass on their 1991 release Millions Of Dead Cops II: Hey Cop! If I Had A Face Like Yours.
He joined the Gr’ups in 1991. In 1992, Freeman and Armstrong recruited drummer Brett Reed and formed Rancid.
During Rancid’s 2004 hiatus, Freeman replaced bassist John Maurer in Social Distortion shortly before the release of their then-new album Sex, Love and Rock ‘n’ Roll. Freeman did not intend to stay in the band permanently and he was replaced by current bassist Brent Harding in late 2004.
In 2020 Matt formed a heavy metal band, Charger.
In May 2021, Freeman along with fellow Rancid bandmate Tim Armstrong, Fletcher Dragge (Pennywise), Byron McCracken (Pennywise), and Mike Muir (Suicidal Tendencies) formed a punk rock supergroup called the Crew.
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