Rise Against is a Chicago-based American punk rock band that was formed in 1999. Tim McIlrath, lead guitarist Zach Blair, bassist Joe Principe, and drummer Brandon Barnes are the current members of the band. Rise Against’s music is rooted in hardcore punk and melodic hardcore, with an emphasis on melody, catchy hooks, an aggressive sound and playstyle, and fast tempos. Lyrically, the band is noted for its strong social commentary, addressing issues such as political injustice, animal rights, humanitarianism, and ecology.
The band spent its first four years signed to Fat Wreck Chords, where they released two studio albums, The Unraveling (2001) and Revolutions per Minute (2002). (2003). Both albums were received with underground success, and the band signed with the big label Dreamworks, which was acquired by Geffen in 2003. Rise Against’s big label debut Siren Song of the Counter Culture (2004) earned the band widespread fame, due in part to the popularity of the tracks “Give It All” and “Swing Life Away”. The Sufferer & the Witness (2006), the band’s next album, reached number 10 on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and was Rise Against’s first album to chart outside of North America.
