Rise Against is a melodic hardcore/punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1999, and originally performing under the name Transistor Revolt, they released a self-produced demo entitled Transistor Revolt in 2000, a year before signing with Fat Wreck Chords to release their first two albums, The Unraveling in 2001, and Revolutions Per Minute in 2003. They later switched to Dreamworks Records and recorded their album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. However, Dreamworks Records got taken over by the Universal Music Group and Rise Against finally found themselves on Geffen Records, a Universal Music Group subsidiary, releasing Siren Song of the Counter Culture in August 2004. A re-issued version of The Unraveling was released on August 23, 2005 through Fat Wreck Chords. Their 4th studio album entitled “The Sufferer and The Witness” was released on July 4th 2006.

Rise Against’s original lineup consisted of Tim McIlrath (vocals and guitar), Joe Principe (bass and vocals), Brandon Barnes (drums), and Mr. Precision (guitar and vocals), and recorded its debut album with renowned punk producer Mass Giorgini. 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. After the release of the The Sufferer and The Witness, Chasse left the band due to personal differences (he is now in a band Last of the Believers; in his place now stands Zach Blair of Only Crime. According to a statement by McIlraith, “Yes, the Rise Against curse continues…”

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 hardcore. As an introductory song, it is supposed to make the listener wake up. “To Them These Streets Belong” and “The First Drop” are more typical of the traditional punk in the style of Pennywise. Most of their lyrics include a political message of some sort. The aforementioned “Swing Life Away” is slow-paced song, originally recorded for the Punk Goes Acoustic compilation album.

The members of Rise Against are straight edge and vegan. They have toured recently with Bad Religion and My Chemical Romance and have made several tours around the US and Europe.

On October 7th of 2008, they will release their 5th album called “Appeal to Reason”. This will be the first album with new comer guitarist Zach Blair, formerly from Only Crime. The single “Re-Education (Through Labor)” was released on August 19 of 2008 and is available for listening on the band’s official website.