Rise Against

Rise Against

Rise Against is a punk rock band from Chicago, formed in 1999 and active since then. Their line-up includes Tim McIlrath on vocals and rhythm guitar, Zach Blair on lead guitar, Joe Principe on bass and Brandon Barnes on drums. Former members listed include Tony Tintari, Mr. Precision, Todd Mohney, Chris Chasse, Lee Miles and Dan Wlekinski.

The band works within hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, pop punk, punk and rock, and their music combines melody, strong hooks, an aggressive sound and fast tempos. Their lyrics focus on social and political issues, including political injustice, animal rights, humanitarianism and environmentalism.

Rise Against spend their first four years on Fat Wreck Chords, where they release The Unraveling and Revolutions per Minute. They then sign to Dreamworks, later absorbed by Geffen. Their major-label debut, Siren Song of the Counter Culture, brings wider attention, helped by the singles “Give It All” and “Swing Life Away”.

The Sufferer & the Witness reaches number ten on the Billboard 200 and becomes their first album to chart outside North America. Appeal to Reason moves toward a more accessible, radio-oriented sound, and its single “Savior” sets a record for the most consecutive weeks on both the Hot Rock Songs and Alternative Songs charts. Endgame peaks at number two on the Billboard 200. The Black Market and Wolves both reach the top ten in the United States, and Nowhere Generation is their ninth studio album.

The band also supports organisations including Amnesty International and the It Gets Better Project. Its members promote animal rights, and most of them are straight edge, vegetarian and supporters of PETA.