Branden Steineckert

(born April 21, 1978), is the current drummer for the punk rock band Rancid. He was previously the drummer of The Used, but was kicked out of the band in August 2006.

Branden was born in Pocatello, Idaho, U.S. and was raised in a Mormon family which moved more than twenty times during his youth. When Branden was 11 years old, his father, Neil Steineckert, committed suicide, after which he picked up skateboarding as a way to release himself from his problems.

At the age of 16, Branden decided to learn how to play the drums because his late father had played drums at around his age. He was a founding member of Strange Itch, a band that would later become The Used, and would go on to achieve success, earning a platinum album.

On November 3, 2006, it was announced that Branden would be playing drums for Rancid until the end of their tour. He replaced their drummer of 15 years, Brett Reed. On the tour, Rancid members stated that Branden would be a permanent addition to the band (also noted on the official Used fansite). It has been confirmed that Branden will also be present on the band's upcoming seventh studio album,[1] despite the fact that it has been in the works since 2005, only a year before he joined.[2]