Suburban-based punk band Rise Against brings political music to Riot Fest
While growing up in Arlington Heights, Tim McIlrath listened to Guns N' Roses, Metallica and the other rock bands that most suburban teenagers liked.
Then he discovered punk rock. His life would never be the same.
"It was such an eye-opening experience," McIlrath said. "Suddenly I was seeing bands that had been created as vehicles for social comment, not just for business reasons. It's what made me pick up a guitar."
McIlrath, who still lives in the Northwest suburbs, is now the frontman for the politically charged alt-punk band Rise Against. The group is one of the headlining acts at Riot Fest, the three-day punk-rock event that starts Friday in Chicago.
Rise Against will hit the Riot Fest stage just a couple of months after releasing "The Black Market," its seventh album. Like previous Rise Against records, "The Black Market" is packed with songs that combine the big, growling guitar sound of alternative rock with the speed and energy of punk.
At the center of the musical squall are McIlrath's vocals, which display the no-holds-barred approach of early-'90s singers like Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and Kurt Cobain of Nirvana.
"Well, those bands were part of my musical upbringing," he said. "I had groups like Minor Threat, Pegboy and Black Flag playing in one ear, and Nirvana, Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine in the other. I've never consciously tried to imitate any of those guys, but they've definitely been an influence on my singing."
"The Black Market" also continues another Rise Against tradition - lyrics that bristle with political and social commentary.
If there's one track on the record that's emblematic of the band's approach, it's "I Don't Want to be Here Anymore," which responds to the world's troubles with anger and a sense of resignation. (The music video includes visual references to gang violence, terrorism and animal cruelty, among other contemporary social ills.)
"There's a sense of fatigue that comes through on this record," McIlrath said. "The idea that it would be easier to just withdraw and not think about any of this stuff. But in the end, the album doesn't call for surrender. We all need to keep questioning things."
Rise Against is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. Friday, the first day of Riot Fest. Earlier that day, McIlrath will participate in a special panel discussion of music and social activism that will be moderated by former Black Flag singer Henry Rollins and will feature members of Pussy Riot, the Russian art/protest collective.
McIlrath said performing at a big festival like Riot Fest is fun because it requires the band to alter its approach a bit.
"At a festival gig like that, we're not just playing for Rise Against fans," he said. "Some of our fans will be there, but we also might be playing for fans of Weezer or the Cure. It's fun because it gives us a chance to invite people in who might not have seen or heard us before. That's something we don't take for granted, so we'll definitely be playing hard that night."
<h3 class="briefHead">So, who else is playing?</h3>
The lineup for Riot Fest this year is typically eclectic, featuring a mix of new and veteran acts in a variety of genres.
Punk rock is still the prevailing sound, but metal, alt-rock and indie are represented, as well. Here are just a few of the noteworthy acts on the bill this weekend.
<b>Local roots:</b> As usual, a number of bands with roots in the suburbs will perform at Riot Fest. This year's lineup includes the Orwells, a young and up-and-coming garage-rock band that emerged a few years ago from Elmhurst. The band has played a number of big festivals and has appeared on "Late Night With David Letterman."
Also performing is Naked Raygun, the beloved Chicago punk band led by Naperville native Jeff Pezatti. Naked Raygun helped anchor the Chicago punk scene in the 1980s, and it hasn't slowed down a bit.
<b>Genre pioneers:</b> A number of acts that have helped define their genres will perform at Riot Fest, including the Descendents, whose 1980s albums are considered essential documents of American punk, and Slayer, one of the bands that helped shape the "thrash metal" sound.
<b>Indie stalwarts:</b> North Carolina band Superchunk has been making smart and catchy guitar rock for more than two decades. The Flaming Lips have cultivated a fiercely devoted following with its inventive and offbeat psychedelia.
<b>And ... lots more:</b> Riot Fest will also include sets by the Cure, Patti Smith, Billy Bragg, Jane's Addiction, the list goes on. Go to riotfest.org for a full lineup and schedule.
Riot Fest
What: A three-day punk-rock music festival
When: Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12-14
Where: Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago
Tickets: $75 per day
Info: For full lineup, schedule and ticket information, go to