Russ Rankin

{{Use American English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}} {{Short description|American singer}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = Russ Rankin 2019 (cropped).jpg | caption = Rankin in 2019 | birth_name = Russell Chapin Rankin | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|5|25}} | birth_place = Santa Cruz, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | genre = Punk rock, pop punk, melodic hardcore, skate punk, hardcore punk, heavy metal | occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer, scout, writer | years_active = 1990–present | associated_acts = Good Riddance, Only Crime, Fury 66, State of Grace | website = }}

'''Russ Rankin''' (born May 25, 1968)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.myheritage.com/|title=Free Family Tree, Genealogy, Family History, and DNA Testing|website=Myheritage.com|accessdate=September 19, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.altpress.com/features/entry/exclusive_good_riddance_to_reunite_frontman_russ_rankin_interview |title = Exclusive: Good Riddance to reunite; frontman Russ Rankin talks about the band's plans|website = Alternative Press|date = February 16, 2012}}</ref> Rankin was also a member of Fury 66 and State of Grace. He has also lent his voice to songs by Rise Against, Ensign, Comeback Kid. Additionally, Rankin spends time producing bands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/labels/lorelei|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120703171936/http://www.punknews.org/labels/Lorelei|url-status=dead|title=About Lorelei Records|website=Punknews.org|archivedate=July 3, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2020}}</ref> Most recently, he performed a cover of the Johnny Cash 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 + Plastick Records.

== Personal life and activism == Russ Rankin has been outspoken about his political stances and done many charity actions.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2017/01/26/always-riled-up-protest-music-for-a-new-era-part-1/|title=Always Riled Up: Protest Music For A New Era, Part 1|first=Bill |last=Fetty |date=January 26, 2017|website=Heavyblogisheavy.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name=peta /> He became a vegetarian in the early 1990s and has been a vegan since 1993.<ref name=peta>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=https://www.peta2.com/news/russ-rankin-of-good-riddance/|website=Peta2|title=Russ Rankin of Good Riddance|date=July 18, 2011}}</ref><ref name=terapija>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|location=Ljubljana, Slovenia|title=Russ Rankin (GOOD RIDDANCE)|url=http://www.terapija.net/english.asp?ID=1736|date=March 19, 2006|website=Terapija.net}}</ref> Rankin has been straight edge since 1987.<ref name=edge>{{cite AV media |date=October 3, 2009|title=Edge|first1 =Michael|last1=Kirchner|first2= Marc |last2=Pierschel |publisher=Compassion Media|time=19:14-24:21|location=Santa Cruz, California}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite book |last= Levine |first= Noah |title= Dharma Punx: a Memoir |publisher= HarperCollins |year= 2003 |isbn= 0-06-000895-4 }}</ref>

In addition to music, Rankin is a hockey scout. Currently, he is the California/Western United States Regional scout for the Tri City Americans, 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.{{cn|date=July 2020}}

He has contributed writing to magazines such as ''AMP'', ''New Noise'', ''Alternative Press'',<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/the_subject_has_been_volatile_and_divisive_for_yearsgood_riddances_russ_ran|title="The subject has been volatile and divisive for years"–Good Riddance's Russ Rankin on health care|date=November 27, 2013|website=Alternative Press}}</ref> ''Razorcake'', and ''The Washington Times''.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/51839/russ-rankin-begins-writing-for-the-washington-times|website=Punknews.org|title=Russ Rankin begins writing for the Washington Times|first=Jimmy|last=Norville|date=June 5, 2013 }}</ref>

== Discography == === Solo albums === * ''Farewell Catalonia'' (2012) * ''Come Together Fall Apart'' (2022)

=== 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 === {{See|Good Riddance discography}}

=== With Fury 66 === * ''Demo'' (1994) * ''American Clown'' EP (1994)

=== With Creep Division === * ''Creep Division'' (2000)

=== With Only Crime === * ''To the Nines'' (2004) * ''Virulence'' (2007) * ''Only Crime and Outbreak'' EP (2007) * ''Pursuance'' (2014)

=== Guest appearances === * Rise Against – ''The Unraveling'' (2001) ** Backing vocals on "Weight of Time"<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=dyingscene.com/news/fun-factoid-friday-rise-against-and-good-riddance-collaboration/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110045253/dyingscene.com/news/fun-factoid-friday-rise-against-and-good-riddance-collaboration/ |archive-date=November 10, 2011 |title= Fun Factoid Friday: Rise Against and Good Riddance collaboration|date=July 2, 2010 |website=Dyingscene.com}}</ref> * 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"<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=http://www.themetalforge.com/reviews/131|title=Comeback Kid {{!}} Wake The Dead|first=Justin |last=Donnelly|date=February 22, 2005|website=Themetalforge.com}}</ref> * Bullet Treatment – ''Designated Vol. 1'' (2009) ** Vocals on "Win the Day"<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=March 25, 2018|url=https://www.punknews.org/review/8338/bullet-treatment-designated-vol-1-7-inch|title=Bullet Treatment {{!}} Designated Vol. 1 [7 inch] (2009)|first= Brian |last=Shultz |date=May 29, 2009|website=Punknews.org}}</ref> * Give You Nothing – ''Give You Nothing'' (2019) ** Additional vocals on "Clean Slate"<ref>{{cite web|accessdate=February 12, 2020|url=https://giveyounothing.bandcamp.com|title=Give You Nothing – Bandcamp |date=May 1, 2019}}</ref>

== References ==  {{reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rankin, Russ}} Category:American punk rock singers Category:Living people Category:1968 births Category:Only Crime members Category:Good Riddance (band) members