Downfall (band)

Downfall was one of the long line of punk/ska bands formed by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman. First, there was Basic Radio, consisting of Tim on guitar and Matt on bass, Jeff Ott, who was later in Crimpshrine and Fifteen on vocals, and Vince Camacho, later in Tilt, on drums. After their demise in March of 1987, Tim and Matt met up with Jesse Michaels, who played drums but would now sing, and Dave Mello who played nothing but they more or less taught to play drums. These 4 became known as Operation Ivy who played their first show on May 16 1987 in Dave Mello's garage, and their second show the next day at the ever famous Gilman Street. Then in 1989, after 2 years and 185 shows, OP Ivy called it quits. Here is where Downfall comes in. Matt Freeman/McCall and Tim "Lint" Armstrong looked to form a new band, and did so shortly after Op Ivy's demise in 1989. The new band was called Downfall, and consisted of Tim Armstrong dropping his guitar and taking up fulltime vocal duties, Matt Freeman still on bass, Pat Mello (Dave Mello little brother) and Jason Hammon on guitar, and Dave Mello from Op Ivy returning on drums. They only played three shows and released one demo, but a full album was supposedly recorded, but never released. After their breakup, Tim and Matt went on to form the highly successful Rancid with drummer Brett Reed and Lars Frederiksen would join in 1994 to play lead guitar and share vocal duties with Tim. Rancid is still a band today, although on a break. Supposedly they will return in the summer of 2006. In the meantime, Tim is touring with the Transplants in support of their new second album, 'Haunted Cities', with singer Rob Aston and drummer Travis Barker of Boxcar Racer and Blink 182. Lars Frederiksen also formed a side project called Lars Frederiksen & the Bastards and has released 2 albums. Matt Freeman is currently the bassist of Social distortion, as well as making guest appearances on Tim and Lars's side projects.

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May 16 - 1987

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