FiveOClockNews.net

Chicago, Illinois is the place of origin of American punk rock band, Rise Against. It is among the older established bands having been around for a little over ten years.

Band Story

It was the members of 88 Fingers Louie and Baxter that originally got together to create the group Transistor Revolt. It was Tim Mcllrath who took the lead on vocals while Toni Tintari handled the drums. Mr. Precision took on the guitar while Joe Principe tackled bass. The two also provided backup vocals. The group was able to independently release an EP demo with four tracks. It was called “Transistor Revolt.” It was after this that they were then able to ink a record deal.

This was Toni Tintari’s only performance in the band as he left the band shortly after where he was replaced by famous drummer Dan Lumley for a short period of time. Brandon Barnes then became the permanent drummer who still plays for the band today.

After several months, the band was able to make a deal with Fat Wreck Chords. Before they released their album with this label, the band name changed to Rise Against. More than three months into 2001, the band was able to release its debut album “The Unraveling.” After this accomplishment though, Mr. Precision left the group and Todd Mohney took his place. They then moved on to their second album “Revolutions per Minute” which was released in 2003.

The following year, the band took on the challenge of going mainstream. Their first step was to sign up with Dreamworks Records. After this, they released “Siren Song of the Counter Culture” which was their third album. The band eventually moved on to Geffen Records when Dreamworks was taken in by the Universal Music Group.

More changes came in for the band after the label move. Todd Mohney left the group and was replaced by Chris Chasse. The guitarist only stayed until 2007 after the conclusion of work on the fourth Rise Against album. Zach Blair took on guitar duties for the fifth album and on further Rise Against video plans. He is still the current band guitarist.

Studio Albums Released

After Transistor Revolt changed its name, its first album “The Unraveling” came out in 2001. The first demo tracks in their EP were made with Brandon Barnes behind the drums. In 2005, the tracks were remixed and remastered and were then subsequently released again. With Fat Wreck Chords behind the group, “Revolutions per Minute” took the fifteenth spot in the Billboard Top Independent Albums list of 2003.

When the band signed up with Dreamworks label, their third album “Siren Song of the Counter Culture” was recorded. This was considered a major release and it got some average to high feedback from fans and critics. It was their fourth album “The Sufferer the Witness” that earned high success selling over 48,000 copies in its first week of release. Critics didn’t like their latest album “Appeal to Reason” as much, but it still managed to sell more copies (64,000+) that week and peaked at number 3.

There is every indication that Rise Against will be moving away from the underground music scene. This has not met with complete approval among fans. Nonetheless they seem all set for a building a broader reputation. They will record a new album in autumn of 2010 and will soon open up for Green Day in the hopes of improving interest for the Rise Against discography.