Interviews

Rise Against

Interview with Joe on Nov 30, 1999 by Archive Bot

I'd like to thank Vanessa the nice girl at Fat, and Joe of Rise Against for making this interview possible. This is an interview with Joe of Rise Against. 

PB: Rise Against is a mix of slow, mid-tempo, and fast tunes with aggressive melodies. Did the time you spent in 88 Fingers Louie help shape the sound of Rise Against?
RA: I think it did to a certain extent but it was really just playing bass in general for the last 10 years that help shaped my style.

PB: Hardcore has always been an emotional genre, but there has been a surge if more emotional hardcore bands such as Thursday, Bane, and Rise Against. How would you classify the state of hardcore right now compared to it's early days? Where do you think its going?
RA: Well, that's hard to say. It seems like so much has changed but the reality is it hasn't. Bands that had pioneered the straight edge movement are no longer straight edge and these were bands I looked up to when I was growing up. I thought that they would always believe in the lyrics they were writing and that's not realistic to me anymore. I think that with anything people get into a certain style, belief, or what have you and through time it or they change. People get bent out of shape and then forget about it. It's reality. This process will never change. It seems to me like these movements or styles always regenerate interest every few years so it may change for the time being but it always loops back around.

PB: The band is currently on tour with AFI, then you will be hitting the road with The Mad Caddies. How is it opening for two great bands? Do you learn from bands such as these, and do you guys ever share ideas with other bands you tour with?
RA: AFI have been friends of mine since 1996 so it's a pleasure to play with them. It was like one big family. As far as ideas go, of course we bounce ideas off each other. It's always good to get opinions from people you respect. You're going to have to get back to me on the Mad Caddies since that tour hasn't started yet though I hear they're great guys.

PB: I was reading that you (Joe) write the music and that Tim writes the lyrics. Is this done together or do you guys share your work with each other once the final product is complete?
RA: Usually the music is done first. In the past I've written full songs and parts of songs. The rest of the band gives input on the structure and now that we're more established Tim and our new guitarit Kevin have been writing more musically. We've already started the writing process for our next album and I think it's truning out really well. As far as lyrics, that's all Tim. He'll come up with a vocal melody/pattern and then form words to fit that pattern.

PB: What do you guys think about most and listen to when going on those long ass drives from city to city?
RA: Oh man, it's usually non stop hi jinx and foolishness. When we get sick of that, I put the new Bad Religion record on and listen in amazement. It's so good so make sure you buy when it comes out. 

PB: I never heard of Rise Against until I was set the new album. Now that it's out how has the response been, and is there anything you wish you did but didn't do on the new album?
RA: The response had been amazing. Bad reviews are few and far between and we're very greatful for that. As far as the album, I think it may be too long. We should have only put like 14 songs on it. I wish the guitars were louder too. Other than that, we're proud of it.

PB: What mark do you think the new album will make in Rise Against's history?
RA: If you mean, the one we're writing then I think it will really define us as a band. We're all really comfortable playing with each other and I think that will show on the next album.

PB: How did you get Fat Mike's attention and in the end get signed to Fat?
RA: Mike and I have been friends since 1993. My old band had worked with him before and when we recorded the Rise Against demo we just sent it to him. He called back like a month later saying that he dug it. We were really shocked that he liked it.

PB: If you had to guess how heavy Fat Mike is, what would your guess be?
RA: I would say 160-165.

PB: New York has the pizza, and Philly has the cheese steaks. I was wondering what Chicago has besides Harry Carry, Sammy Sosa, and The Cubs?
RA: Chicago has deep dish pizza and the mofia. bada bing!

PB: Lastly, what will be going on in club Rise Against for the rest of the year and into 2002?
RA: We have the Mad Caddies tour in December and a Lawrence Arms tour in January. Somewhere in there we plan on writing some more new songs. I guess our goal is to record in April/May. Thanks for the interview!