Tim McIlrath

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Tim McIlrath of Rise Against.
Rise Against formed to inspire change for the better, taking the torch from Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and 7 Seconds to create their own political anthems. From the raw sound of 2001’s The Unraveling to the complex themes spread across last year’s Ricochet, it’s apparent that the Chicago punks try to empower everyone around them. Along the way, they’ve championed the new wave of alternative, bringing Koyo, Destroy Boys, and Spiritual Cramp on tour with them. Before hitting the road with Alkaline Trio later this year, the Rise Against frontman stopped by the Artist Friendly studio to discuss what’s next.

(0:00) – Stories as Bridges
(0:54) – Getting to Know Rise Against
(4:14) – The Next Generation Always Shows Up
(4:50) – Politics Without Preaching
(5:45) – Straight Edge, Vegetarian, Unapologetic
(6:49) – Authenticity
(7:27) – Building a Rise Against Community
(9:17) – Meeting Fans Still Hits Different
(10:14) – Fans Who Turned Music Into Impact
(13:52) – Refusing to Be Silenced on Stage
(16:38) – Building a Space Free From Hate
(18:12) – Music's Power to Change Minds
(19:52) – What Fans Hear That Artists Miss
(25:46) – Being Flawed in Public Through Songs
(29:11) – Stories Connect a Divided World
(30:10) – Changing How They Release Music
(34:29) – New Rise Against Music
(35:10) – Chicago: Community Over Competition
(37:18) – Patrick Stump at Rise Against's Debut
(43:59) –Ambition Has No Ceiling
(46:56) – Letting Fans Define the Band
(49:56) – Giving Your Life to Art
(51:21) – Not Everyone Is Your Audience

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices