Rise Against: Not Just A One Trick Band

If you have not already heard of the punk rockers that create the band Rise Against you have been out of touch with the American music scene. This band got their start as Transistor Revolt in Chicago during 1999 and changed their name in 2000 shortly before inking a record deal with Fat Wreck Chords operated by Fat Mike of NOFX. Today the members continue recording under the Geffen label that is part of the Universal Music Group.

The band lineup consists of Tim McIlrath handles lead vocals and guitar, while Brandon Barnes is the percussionist, Joe Principe plays bass and Zach Blair is another guitarist. With the exceptions of Brandon Barnes the members of the Rise Against band are active in PETA and are devout vegetarians .The band's lineup has had a few changes in the early years but the core members on board now present a solid and cohesive partnership both personally and professionally.

This independent group was first under contract to Fat Wreck Chords that has given many of the top new acts a start. The band toured hard and their work was beginning to pay off. Rise Against merch and music was beginning to attract more attention as they played alongside groups like AFI, NOFX, Strung Out and Sick of it All. After the band was seen in action during the Warped Tour in 2003, the major record companies came to call on the indie based act. It would only be another year before one of their biggest accomplishments would occur. This happened when the group made the first of their Geffen label albums in 2004 "Siren Song of the Counter Culture".

With their 2004 album, "Siren Song of the Counter Culture" the band hit the Billboard Charts and they would finally get a certified gold record. In 2006, they produced "The Sufferer and the Witness". This album entered the Billboard charts at number 10 and would sell almost 50 thousand copies during the first 7 days of its release. A few of the band's top songs during 2004-2006 were "Prayer of the Refugee", "The Good Left Undone", "Swing Life Away," and "Give It All". The fall 2008 release of "Appeal to Ransom" contains the hit songs "Audience of One" and "Re-Education through Labor".

Frequent tours and constant work on stage and in the studios have given the band more fans although their edgy punk sound has mellowed a bit. This is of little consequence to most of their fans because the group's talent and drive continue to showcase their great musical sensibilities. 2009 will find Rise Against once more on a tour through the US and Canada along with punk bands Billy Talent, Rancid and the Riverboat Gamblers.