Hard-core punk-rock quartet keeps it real on third CD
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

You won't find aggressive punk-rockers Rise Against singing about the “lifestyles of the rich and the famous” anytime soon. The Chicago-based band keeps it real with politically-driven lyrics on their third release, “Siren Song of the Counter Culture.” “There's so many things we just disagree with,’’ bassist Joe Principe says. “We're able to express that in our music. ... It's no secret we were against George Bush getting re-elected.’’

The band contributed a song, “Give It All,” which is also the group's current single, to the “Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1” CD by various artists. But going against the norm isn't new for the quartet, which also includes lead singer and guitarist Tim Mcllrath, guitarist Chris Chasse and drummer Brandon Barnes.

“We all grew up not really fitting in with what was expected of you, like the going to high school, then going to college and getting a nine-to-five job,’’ he says of the band, whose members range in age from 26 to 30. “None of us ever fit into that. The (punk-rock) scene was something we saw to latch onto. It was something we could relate to, and it kind of offered an alternative where you didn't see an alternative.’’

Principe says he's never been one to jump on the mainstream bandwagon.

“None of us, with the exception of our drummer Brandon, even drink,’’ he says. “I didn't want any part of drinking, because I always associated it with something that you're supposed to do. You're supposed to get wasted. I never saw that as being productive. I just wanted to kind of do my own thing.’’

Although the band was used to doing their own thing on respected indie label Fat Wreck Chords, they decided to sign with DreamWorks in 2003 (that label was later swallowed up in a merger, and they're now with Geffen) when the major labels came calling.

“We wanted to get our message out more and get the record out to more stores,’’ Principe explains. “You're going to have limitations with an independent (label) because they don't really have the endless wealth of cash that a major seems to have. So far it's working, because our record is everywhere and it's great.’’