Rise Against is a punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, USA. Formed in 1999, and originally performing under the name Transistor Revolt, they released an auto-produced demo entitled Transistor Revolt in 2000, a year before signing with Fat Wreck Chords to release their first two albums, The Unraveling, and Revolutions Per Minute in 2001 and 2003. They later switched to Geffen Records and recorded their album Siren Song of the Counter Culture there, and released it in August 2004. A re-mixed and re-mastered version of The Unraveling is also in preparation to be released in late August 2005.

Rise Against's original lineup consisted of Tim McIlrath (Vocals and Guitar), Joe Principe on (Bass and Vocals), Brandon Barnes (Drums), and Mr. Precision (Guitar and Vocals). 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 .

Tim has a scratchy, powerful voice that adds fury to their songs. However, he can also sing softly, like in the acoustic ditty Swing Life Away. Joe and Chris are mostly background singers or add harmony to the song.

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 heavy metal. It is supposed to make the listener wake up, and succeeds extremely well. To Them These Streets Belong and The First Drop sound more like traditional punk in the style of Pennywise. Most of their lyrics include a political message of some sort, but Blood to Bleed and Paper Wings are almost emo, which is especially distinct in Paper Wings. The aforementioned Swing Life Away is more of a slow song.

Most of their fans consider Revolutions Per Minute their best album, being quicker than their last release, the most recognizable characteristic of hardcore punk.

The four members are Straight Edge and Vegetarian. They have toured recently with Bad Religion and have made several tours around the US and Europe. They have also toured recently with Alexisonfire in eastern Canada.

Members

• Tim McIlrath Vocals/Guitar
• Chris Chasse Guitar/Vocals
• Joe Principe Bass/Vocals
• Brandon Barnes Drums

Discography

• Transistor Revolt (demo) (2000)
• The Unraveling (2001)
• Revolutions Per Minute (2003)
• Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)

B-Sides songs

• Obstructed View
• Gethmasame
• Generation Lost from Fat Music Vol. ? compilation
• Join The Ranks (second version) from Fat Music Vol. ? compilation
• Swing Life Away (first version) from Punk Goes Acoustic compilation (2003)
• Give It All (first version) from Rock Against Bush Vol.1 compilation (2004)
• Fix Me from the japanese release of Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004)

External link

• Rise Against Website (some Flash)

• Rise Against on Purevolume