Rise Against are a rarity in the music world: a punk band who have achieved mainstream success without compromising their beliefs. For over 20 years, Tim McIlrath has fronted the band which has served as a constant as the world has constantly shifted around them. The band’s ninth full-length Nowhere Generation, which came out in June, was recorded with longtime collaborator Bill Stevenson (Descendents, Black Flag) and sees them retaining the same sense of urgency and intensity that the band have cultivated throughout their career.
Nowhere Generation (and its accompanying manifesto) continues the band’s ability to mix social commentary with melodic punk aggression and sees them taking their musicianship to the next level. We caught up with Mcllrath, who called in from his studio in Chicago, to discuss Rise Against’s most recent album, the band’s attitude toward TikTok, and why the political messages on the album are relevant for all of us. In the process, Mcllrath also recounts some sage advice he got from Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello—however, you’re going to have to watch the video for yourself to find out what we’re talking about. Don’t worry, it’s worth it.
