Russ Rankin (born May 25, 1968) is an American musician, best known as the singer for the
punk rock bands
Good Riddance and
Only Crime.
Career
Rankin is the lead vocalist for
melodic hardcore band
Only Crime, Creep Division, and
punk rock band
Good Riddance. Both bands were signed to
Fat Wreck Chords until
Good Riddance announced their breakup on April 3, 2007. However, as of February 2012, Good Riddance has reformed. Rankin was also a member of Fury 66 and
State of Grace. He has also lent his voice to songs by
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999. The group's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes. Rooted in hardcor ...
, Ensign, Comeback Kid. Additionally, Rankin spends time producing bands. Most recently, he performed a cover of the
Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later stages of his ca ...
song "
Walk the Line" for a punk rock tribute album entitled ''
All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash''. Rankin appeared in the independent documentary, ''Meditate and Destroy'', that focuses on ''Dharma Punx'' author Noah Levine. Along with his band Good Riddance, they can be seen in the film performing at the Catalyst club in Santa Cruz, California.
In 2012, Rankin released his debut solo album ''Farewell Catalonia'' on Paper + Plastik Records.
Personal life and activism
Russ Rankin has been outspoken about his political stances and done many charity actions. Particularly with Good Riddance, he has participated in benefit concerts, donated a portion of their records sales and distributed
animal rights literature at their live shows.
He became a
vegetarian in the early 1990s and has been a
vegan since 1993.
Rankin has been
straight edge
Straight edge (sometimes abbreviated sXe or signified by XXX or X) is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs, in reaction to the excesses of punk subculture. For some, thi ...
since 1987.
According to Buddhist teacher and author
Noah Levine, Rankin "spends most of his time these days touring internationally and spreading political and spiritual awareness through his lyrics."
In addition to music, Rankin is a hockey
scout
Scout may refer to:
Youth movement
*Scout (Scouting), a child, usually 10–18 years of age, participating in the worldwide Scouting movement
**Scouts (The Scout Association), section for 10-14 year olds in the United Kingdom
**Scouts BSA, sectio ...
. Currently, he is the California/Western United States Regional scout for the
Tri City Americans
The Tri-City Americans are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League, based in Kennewick, Washington. The team plays its home games at Toyota Center. Every game is broadcast locally on the Tri-City Americans' flagship radio sta ...
, a hockey team that competes in the
Western Hockey League. Rankin held the same position with the
Kootenay Ice from 2007 to 2012, and was on staff when Kootenay won the WHL Championship in 2011.
He has contributed writing to magazines such as ''AMP'', ''New Noise'', ''
Alternative Press'', ''
Razorcake'', and ''
The Washington Times''.
Discography
Solo albums
* ''Farewell Catalonia'' (2012)
Compilation appearances
* ''
All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash'' (2008)
**Includes "I Walk the Line"
* ''Untitled 21: A Juvenile Tribute To Swingin' Utters'' (2010)
**Includes "Beached Sailor"
* ''Respect Your Roots Worldwide'' (2013)
**Includes "I Am On Fire"
* ''
The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute'' (2013)
**Digital version includes "Via Munich"
With State of Grace
* ''Demo'' (1992)
With Good Riddance
With Fury 66
* ''Demo'' (1994)
* ''American Clown'' EP (1994)
With Creep Division
* ''Creep Division'' (2000)
With Only Crime
* ''
To the Nines
"To the nines" is an idiom meaning "to perfection" or "to the highest degree". In modern English usage, the phrase most commonly appears as "dressed to the nines" or "dressed up to the nines".
Origin
The phrase is said to be Scots in origin. Th ...
'' (2004)
* ''
Virulence'' (2007)
* ''
Only Crime and Outbreak'' EP (2007)
* ''
Pursuance'' (2014)
Guest appearances
*
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999. The group's current line-up comprises vocalist/rhythm guitarist Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe and drummer Brandon Barnes. Rooted in hardcor ...
– ''
The Unraveling'' (2001)
** Backing vocals on "Weight of Time"
*
Ensign – ''
The Price of Progression'' (2001)
** Vocals on "Foot in Mouth as an Artform"
*
Comeback Kid – ''
Wake the Dead'' (2005)
** Additional vocals on "Our Distance"
*
Bullet Treatment
Bullet Treatment is an American hardcore/punk band based out of Los Angeles, California, United States.
Most of their albums are released on Basement Records. They also have released music on Fat Wreck Chords and Think Fast! Records. Started by ...
– ''Designated Vol. 1'' (2009)
** Vocals on "Win the Day"
* Give You Nothing – ''Give You Nothing'' (2019)
** Additional vocals on "Clean Slate"
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rankin, Russ
American punk rock singers
Living people
1968 births
Only Crime members
Good Riddance (band) members