rancid's first official recorded release was a 1992 self-titled ep, which is currently out of print, for operation ivy's old label lookout! records. also during 1992, shortly after releasing this, rancid were signed to bad religion guitarist brett gurewitz's label, epitaph records, and finally released their first album in 1993, which is also self-titled. prior to its release, the band was looking for a second guitarist and armstrong asked former uk subs guitarist lars frederiksen to be rancid's second guitarist, but he immediately turned down the request. however, after billie joe armstrong (who was in green day at the time) declined, frederiksen changed his mind and decided to join rancid.