RISE AGAINST

Concert Review

RISE AGAINST

The Metro • Chicago, IL

August 28, 2004

by Corine Jurgerson

Chicago welcomed home punk band Rise Against August 28^th at the Metro to celebrate the release of their third full-length record, “Siren Song Of The Counter-Culture”.

Opening bands Wilhelm Scream and Stretch Armstrong warmed up the crowd, but fans really swarmed the stage once the last support band departed.

Rise Against hit the stage at about 9:00 pm, as hardcore fans – most not even old enough to drink - repeatedly chanted “Revolution” in anticipation of their set. Band members Tim McIlrath, Joe Principe, Brandon Barnes and Chris Chasse worked the crowd with a mix of songs from their previous releases as well as their latest disc.

Scanning the scene, it was evident that the majority present were seasoned fans who have been following the band’s progression for quite some time. A sea of kids wearing punk-rock tee-shirts, including Rise Against and brand-new Misfits shirts (did they take the tags off in the parking lot?), made a fly on the wall such as myself wonder if a whole new punk-rock “Revolution” wasn’t brewing right under my nose.

For a punk band in today’s punk-pop world, Rise Against is on the opposite side of a very thick line drawn between punk-pop and hardcore. Their sound is hard; much harder than bands such as Good Charlotte and Simple Plan that tend to dominate today’s mainstream punk scene. That is what sets them apart- this band isn’t mainstream.

Politically, their views are similar to punk in the early ‘80s: unsatisfied with an administration and not afraid to express their opinions. Not completely original, but still effective. The band has a track on the “Rock Against Bush Compilation” and even gave a few jabs onstage at the reigning President to rile fans up. Their lyrics are deep and meaningful, but their energy and passion is what supercedes most artists selling millions of records.

These guys don’t appear to be the type to mass-merchandise their shirts and stickers to trendy teen stores; only time will tell if they will. And if they do – so be it; their fan base appears to be strong enough to endure any accusations of “selling out”. Fans that know every single lyric to every song performed on stage tend to stick around.

Rise Against just wrapped as one of the headliners on 2004’s summer Warped Tour and are preparing to hit the road for a fall tour with one of their own influences, Bad Religion.

“Siren Song Of The Counter-Culture” continues to make its mark on various music charts, including Billboard and the College Music Journal charts. If any of these accomplishments are indications of what is to come in the future, it is safe to guess that Rise Against will be successfully rising to the top within the next year.

Check out their website at www.riseagainst.com

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