Metallica will headline KROQ’s 2008 Weenie Roast. Rumor has it that there might be
some new collectable Metallica and Rise Against band merch. The thrash metal pioneers — who will release a new, Rick Rubin-produced studio album this September — will support L.A.’s premiere modern rock outlet on May 17, performing alongside the Offspring, the Raconteurs, Rise Against, Bad Religion, Pennywise, the Bravery and Flogging Molly.
Prayer of the Refugee
The Sufferer & The Witness – Rise Against Album Review
Rise Against became Warped Tour A-listers with their 2004 major-label debut: Dark and catchy like emo, only faster, tougher and more concerned with social decay than broken hearts, Siren Song of the Counter Culture is full of complex, supercharged punk songs spiked with crackling hooks and urgent…
How Rise Against Got Their Start
Chicago’s Rise Against began in 1999 when ex-88 Fingers Louie bassist Joe Principe tapped area vocalist Tim McIlrath for a new project rooted in the sound and social vision of traditionalist hardcore. Joined by fellow 88 Fingers vet Dan Precision on guitar and, eventually, drummer Brandon Barnes, Rise Against signed to Fat Wreck and issued The Unraveling in 2001. Precision left the band that same year to be replaced by Todd Mohney. Extensive touring followed, leading to their sophomore outing, 2002’s Revolutions Per Minute. After solid response from fans and critics alike, as well as a stint on the Warped Tour, Rise Against left the Fat Wreck fold for DreamWorks/Geffen. By this point, guitar duties were being handled by Chris Chasse (Reach the Sky). Rise Against made their major-label debut in August 2004 with Siren Song of the Counter Culture. They toured steadily after the album’s release, received plenty of solid press, and even saw Counter Culture crack the Billboard Top 200.
Armed with the fury of classic punk acts as Minor Threat and Bad Brains, blended with intelligent vocals and a serious commitment to providing a positive alternative to the oft-dreary and disenchanted aura that engulfs most punk bands, Chicago’s Rise Against might be seen as an outcast amongst its peers.
“It was almost cool to be negative, especially around Chicago,” bassist Joe Principe recalls. “So, vocalist Tim McIlrath and I had this main goal of putting a positive light on things. There are so many bands that sing about negative things, and we kind of wanted to use this to show people it’s OK to voice your opinions and stay positive. We just wanted to be more productive, lyrically.”
“It’s not so much as we’re a political band, but what we feel is our social responsibility,” adds McIlrath. “It’s not just a responsibility as human being on the planet, but towards the punk rock scene. I feel like we’re kind of carrying the torch of punk. So many bands aren’t doing that, shaking their obligations as a punk band. I don’t want to be a band that took for granted the things that Minor Threat and Black Flag did that brought me to where I am today.”
Founded in late 1999 by Principe and McIlrath, Rise Against rose from the ashes of Principe’s former band, 88 Fingers Louie. Sporting blistering, aggressive melodic punk and hardcore traits, Rise Against took the template Principe set in his previous band and expanded it further, through the thought-provoking vocals of McIlrath.
Rise Against’s original lineup consisted of Tim McIlrath (vocals and guitar), Joe Principe (bass and vocals), Brandon Barnes (drums), and Mr. Precision (guitar and vocals), and recorded its debut album with renowned punk producer Mass Giorgini. Mr. Precision left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Todd Mohney. Shortly after the band signed with Geffen, Mohney left and was replaced by Chris Chasse. After the release of the The Sufferer and The Witness, Chasse left the band due to personal differences (he is now in a band Last of the Believers; in his place now stands Zach Blair of Only Crime. According to a statement by McIlraith, “Yes, the Rise Against curse continues…”
Various musical influences are apparent in their songs on Siren Song of the Counter Culture. The opening song, “State of the Union”, is comparable to classic hardcore. As an introductory song, it is supposed to make the listener wake up. “To Them These Streets Belong” and “The First Drop” are more typical of the traditional punk in the style of Pennywise. Most of their lyrics include a political message of some sort. The aforementioned “Swing Life Away” is slow-paced song, originally recorded for the Punk Goes Acoustic compilation album.
“I wanted to put in some level of energy,” says Principe. “It’s hard to pinpoint what bands like Bad Brains and Minor Threat did. Those guys had something together. They took what they were doing and separated themselves from everyone else. And that’s what I wanted from this band.”
The cohesive sound of Rise Against is actually a seamless melding of two musically independent worlds. “Joe comes from more of an old-school background,” says McIlrath. “He grew up with Bad Brains, Articles Of Faith, SNFU, all the hardcore stuff. And I liked Fugazi, the more melodic, early ‘90s emo like Cap’n Jazz, Braid and Friction. We were wondering how this would all work. I mean, it should’ve been a train wreck.”
Fortunately, there was no derailment in sight for Rise Against. In fact, almost a year after they first met, the act was playing their first show. And after playing musical chairs behind the kit, the band finally found a drummer that exceeded their expectations, Colorado-based Brandon Barnes, formerly of Denver punk outfit Pinhead Circus.
—–> (Read Rise Against Part Two)
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Band Merch News - Diana Christy 