Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards is the side project band of Lars Frederiksen from Rancid. They are a hardcore, partying, nihilist punk rock outfit.
The band members are Lars Frederiksen (vocals and lead guitar), Gordy (also credited as "Unknown Bastard") (vocals), Big Jay Bastard (bass), Craig Leg (rhythm guitar) and Scott Abels (also credited as "Skatty Punk Rock") (drums). Whilst Craig did not appear on the first album, he has always been a touring member of the band.
The band was formed after Lars' friend and bandmate in Rancid, Tim Armstrong suggested writing songs about Lars and his friend Ben growing up in Campbell, California. The band was then put together as an outlet to release these songs, as well as covers of Billy Bragg's "To Have and to Have Not", Holland-Dozier-Holland's "Leaving Here" (which was also covered by Motörhead) and most importantly a slightly disguised rendition of Skrewdriver's "Tomorrow Belongs To Me" re-titled "Campbell California". This first album was named Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards.
Lars and Tim then got together to write the second Bastards album, Viking, this time the focus being more on Lars' recent life (with the exception of the songs "1%", "The Kids Are Quiet on Sharmon Palms" and "The Viking".) after having "got outta Campbell". The album also included cover versions of The Blasters' "Marie, Marie" and the Anti-Nowhere League's "For You". The song "Little Rude Girl" was originally intended to be used as a Rancid song, slated to appear on an aborted split 7" with Rancid and Richmond, VA punk band Avail on Lookout! Records. The album was mixed by Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion.
It is also currently stated that Lars has no intention of creating another Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards album.
