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Siren songs
Rise Against sing the Rock Against Bush blues
BY SEAN RICHARDSON

Opening for Bad Religion has long been one of the most coveted gigs a young punk band can land. These days, it’s hard to imagine anyone more qualified for the position than Rise Against, whose melodic smarts and progressive politics are both indebted to Bad Religion. So no surprise that the two acts are on a five-week tour that comes to Avalon next Friday. "It’s an honor to go on the road with them," gushes Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath. "This isn’t just some corporate tour. They saw us on the Warped Tour, and they were like, ‘We’re touring during one of the most anticipated elections in history. There are a lot of bands we could take out, but you’re one of the bands who are saying things that are parallel with the things we’re saying.’ "

After building a buzz with two albums on Fat Wreck Chords, Rise Against hooked up with Geffen for their current release, Siren Song of the Counter Culture. It’s the Chicago band’s first with guitarist Chris Chasse, whom they knew from his days with Boston’s Reach the Sky. "After Reach the Sky, Chris moved to Los Angeles, where he was playing in a few hardcore bands and working some job that he hated," McIlrath reveals. "When I called him, he was at the end of his rope. He was like, ‘Take me on tour.’ He was so out of touch with us that he had no idea we had signed to a major label. It has been awesome. He’s a tight guitar player with a great sense of melody and arrangement."

Produced by Garth "GGGarth" Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Atreyu), Siren Song thrives on diversity: highlights include the near-metal outburst "State of the Union" and the unplugged lament "Swing Life Away." For the disc’s first video, "Give It All," the band recruited feature-film director James Cox (Wonderland) and started a mosh pit on a subway car. "Rock bottom’s where we live," McIlrath howls on the song as the fans in the video join him in a working-class punk embrace. "We don’t do the rock that you’re going to see on MTV Cribs," he says. "I’m sure there are people out there who think that because we’re on a major label, we all have mansions and we all have separate buses. But the reality is, we’re traveling with a van and a trailer. Not a lot has changed, and that’s the way we like it. I still feel connected to the kids. I’m not some distant character on a stage."

On the galloping "The First Drop," McIlrath sings the Rock Against Bush blues: "We’ve had enough/Am I really someone you need to restrain?" One of the loudest voices behind the Punk Voter movement, McIlrath calls himself "hopeful" as Election Day approaches. "I have a lot of faith in the punk community — it has never let me down. I’m out here on the front lines, talking to kids who have had their eyes opened and are getting involved. If they get out there and vote, it’s going to be an entire demographic of people who nobody planned on voting. It’s going to throw this election for a loop. After Bush had the opportunity to show his face on TV and talk outside of a script, I think he did a lot of proving to the world how unqualified he is. After the debates, I’m in an even better mood."

Rise Against open for Bad Religion next Friday, October 29, at Avalon, 15 Lansdowne Street in Boston. It’s a 6:30 p.m. show, and tickets are $20.25; call (617) 262-2424.


Issue Date: October 22 - 28, 2004
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