Band: Rise Against
Label: Geffen Records
Official Site: Click here
Date: August 05, 2004
Conducted by: Julie Wagoner

TMF: If your band were given the chance to appear on a billboard, what catchphrase or slogan would you like to have posted on the board to describe your band?
Rise Against: Wow, that's kind of a tough one. I would say, "Believe in Something." We actually- when we sign stuff we usually write that.
TMF: So you make it more personal?
Rise Against: Yeah.

TMF: Tell us about your upcoming album.
Rise Against: Well, the upcoming album comes out August 10th. It's called Siren Song of the Counter Culture. I think for Rise Against fans- they'll enjoy it. It's a natural progression from our 2nd record. It's something we're really proud of. We worked really hard on it. There's nothing too crazy ya know? It's not like we introduce keyboards or anything like that (laughs) The aggression that we have on our last record, our first record is still maintained. I think some songs might be a little bit more on the aggressive side.

TMF: What was the most difficult thing to master this time around?
Rise Against: Oh, the recording process?
TMF: Yeah.
Rise Against: I think everything went pretty smooth. Nothing was actually too difficult. If anything, recording bass and guitar is where it feels extra tedious like tuning had to be dead on. Our engineer would be like - every note was like tuned while we played which was really tedious but that was probably it.

TMF: What song off your upcoming album do you feel fans will relate to the most?
Rise Against: I think there's a song on there called "The First Drop." And, I think lyrically it's something the punk rock community can instantly identify with. Tim writes all the lyrics and we all have our different interpretations of our songs. It's kind of like a song written out of frustration with the current state of affairs.

TMF: What's something that looking back you wish someone had told you earlier?
Rise Against: Well, nothing with the band. But, when I was in high school, I wish someone would've said "It's okay to voice your opinion." I was always the quiet kid in the corner like really pissed off about things but never really telling anyone about it. That's what we try to convey to our audience like speak up. It's okay to voice opinions.

TMF: A movie is being made about your band. Who would you cast to play each member?
Rise Against: I'd say Jim Carrey for our guitar player, Chris. And then, I'd say John C. Riley for our drummer because he looks just like John C. Riley. For me, I don't know. I'd probably pick a wildcard like Webster or something. (laughs) Our singer Tim- shit I don't know. That's a tough one. I don't know who would fit his look and image but I'm gonna say Eddie Murphy. (laughs)

TMF: If you could hire any female actress to be one of your roadies, who would you pick?
Rise Against: Angelina Jolie.
TMF: That's the first time I've heard that today. It surprises me. I expected to hear it from a lot of the others.

TMF: How have the departures of certain band members affected you musically?
Rise Against: It hasn't had much effect on us at all because Tim and I write all of the songs.
TMF: So, it's kinda like having extras coming in and out?
(laughs) Rise Against: Pretty much. Although on this record - Chris, our new gutiar player, brought a song to the table that we used. But, the bulk of the material is like Tim and I so nothing was really lost.

TMF: Do you guys find time to write on the road?
Rise Against: Yeah, we tour so much. Normally, it's on the road or wherever we can, ya know? Whenever I pick up a guitar, I usually come up with a new idea by messing around. I'd say anytime is when we're writing.

TMF: How do you plan to change the world beyond your music?
Rise Against: We'll do thinsg with PETA. It's still kinda through the music thing like we did signings at their tent to bring our fans over to their tent to look at the literature. That's a really big thing like animal rights. I'd say signings and if we put a leak on our website. Outside of my everyday life- well basically music is my everday life so it's kinda hard to separate the two.

TMF: What's next for you guys?
Rise Against: We're going out with Bad Religion in October through Thanksgiving. It's a North American tour and that's a really big deal to me. They've been one of my favorite bands since I got Suffer when it first came out. I was really young and I'm still in love with it. It's a big deal.