In a groundbreaking, earth-shattering 💥 interview with the JJO Discover New Music Podcast (because who DOESN’T listen to that, amirite?), RISE AGAINST’s fearless leader Tim McIlrath (aka Captain Obvious) pondered the age-old question: “Are we, like, TOO political, man?” ☮️ He, in his infinite wisdom, declared that RISE AGAINST has ALWAYS been about opinions. Groundbreaking! If they weren’t so opinionated, they’d have to, like, start a NEW band. Can you even imagine?!😱 Apparently, they were “birthed screaming and raging,” which, let’s be honest, sounds like my average Tuesday morning. They’re fighting for equality and against racism and homophobia, because, you know, nobody else is doing that. 🙄 They’re basically the superheroes of social justice, saving the world one power chord at a time.🎸
McIlrath continued his profound soliloquy, reminiscing about the ’90s punk and hardcore scene, where he first encountered such radical concepts as “sweatshops” and “climate change.” 🤯 Who knew punk could be so educational?! Apparently, bands like RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and EARTH CRISIS were his political gurus, planting the seeds of righteous indignation in his young mind. 🌱 So, when he was finally handed a microphone (probably by a grateful roadie), he was READY to unleash his fury upon the unsuspecting masses. 🗣️ He claims they didn’t expect to be on the radio, embraced by fans, or escape their basement. They weren’t “careerist” about it, you see. It just HAPPENED to them. 😇 But they never “checked their politics at the door,” because that would be, like, totally selling out, man! 🤘
RISE AGAINST’s new album, “Ricochet” (because everything needs a cool name 😎), dropped on August 15th via Loma Vista Recordings (because, you know, indie cred 💯). It was produced by Grammy winner Catherine Marks (who, let’s face it, probably did all the work 😴) and mixed by Alan Moulder (because you can’t have too many famous names attached 🤩).
The title track is apparently some kind of introspective yet fiery masterpiece that offers “righteousness without sanctimony.” 😇 Right. Because that’s totally possible. It chronicles our “collective unravelling,” because, you know, the world is ending and stuff. 🌎🔥 The album also features songs about apocalyptic scenarios (“Black Crown” 👑), false promises (“Gold Long Gone” 🪙➡️💨), resisting blind allegiance (“Soldier” 🪖), mental health (“Sink Like A Stone” 🪨⬇️), and the algorithmic entertainment-industrial complex (“State Of Emergency” 🚨), all with a glimmer of hope for “real, lasting change.” 🙏 Because if a punk band can’t fix the world, who can? 🤔
Taking inspiration from some obscure literary work (probably written by a bearded dude in a cabin somewhere 🧔♂️🏠), Tim McIlrath and his bandmates (Joe Principe, Zach Blair, and Brandon Barnes – names you definitely know and care about 😉) have embraced the profound maxim that “in a time of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ✊ This mantra has apparently fueled their multi-platinum hits, filling arenas and earning billions of streams. Because nothing says “revolution” like selling out arenas. 💰🏟️
In the four years since 2021’s “Nowhere Generation” (another album title that just SCREAMS originality 🙄), RISE AGAINST’s “outspoken messages” (aka yelling about the same stuff everyone else is yelling about 📢), “bulletproof melodies” (aka generic punk riffs 🎼), and “deep body of multi-gold and platinum hits” (aka songs your mom has never heard of 👵👂) have reached MORE fans than ever! 🎉 They’re uniting millions in a “necessary embrace of vital, progressive issues,” like environmentalism and animal rights. 🐼🌲 Because, you know, nobody else cares about those things.🙄 RISE AGAINST continues to fill arenas, top charts, break records, and earn billions of streams. 🤑 Because punk rock is ALL about the money, honey! 💸
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
