• 1999-

  Tim McIlrathVocals, guitar

  Joe PrincipeBass

  Brandon BarnesDrums

  Zach BlairGuitar2007-

  Chris ChasseGuitar2004-2007

  Todd MohneyGuitar2002-2004

  Dan WleklinskiGuitar1999-2002
• All four members of Rise Against identify as both straight edge and vegetarian. All actively campaign with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).
• After forming in 1999, they used the name Transistor Revolt. They performed for two years with this name, but changed it to Rise Against before the release of their first full length album, The Unraveling, in 2001.
• Tim McIlrath, the lead singer of Rise Against, was previously in a band called Baxter. Baxter existed for only a few short years, but had a great impact on the Midwestern hardcore scene of the mid-1990s.
• In 2007 the band announced that they would endorse a new line of shoes for Vans that would be entirely vegan, not using any animal products.
• Tim McIlrath has heterochromia, meaning his eyes are two different colors, blue and brown.
• McIlrath loves science fiction books, which are often an influence on his lyrics. "Even before I got into music and punk and hardcore, I was just a nerdy kid who loved sci-fi," he told Songfacts. "I was a big reader, and I was stumbling across a lot of coming-of-age classics like 1984 by George Orwell or Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I was really roped into the books because of their sci-fi nature, and didn't realize what dystopian literature was when I was reading that. I was getting education in it by just reading that."

Comments

More Songfacts:

CriminalFiona Apple

"Criminal" is Fiona Apple's only chart hit. Royalties from it allow her to make music on her terms, releasing albums several years apart.

FancyIggy Azalea

The video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" pays homage to the classic 1995 film Clueless with the rapper playing Cher and featured singer Charli XCX portraying Tai. It was filmed at some of the same locations used in the movie.

Run To YouBryan Adams

"Run To You" by Bryan Adams was written for Blue Oyster Cult, and the guitar part is modeled after "Don't Fear The Reaper." BOC turned it down, so Adams recorded it for his album Reckless.

Surf CityJan & Dean

"Surf City" was recorded by Jan & Dean, but written by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. It was the first #1 hit Wilson wrote.

Let The Day BeginThe Call

Al Gore chose an inspiring but obscure campaign song when he ran for president in 2000: "Let The Day Begin" by The Call.

BubblyColbie Caillat

Colbie Caillat sang "Bubbly" when she auditioned for American Idol in 2004, but was sent packing. Three years later it became a big hit when she released it as her first single - the song spent 19 weeks at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

Editor's Picks

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

80s Video Director Jay DubinSong Writing

Billy Joel and Hall & Oates hated making videos, so they chose a director with similar contempt for the medium. That was Jay Dubin, and he has a lot to say on the subject.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

U2Fact or Fiction

How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."