Tuna on Toast with Rise Against Tim McIlrath

Rise Against released their 9th full length studio album titled "Nowhere Generation" in June of 2021!  Tim McIlrath from Rise Against joins Stryker on a really fun and entertaining episode of Tuna on Toast. 

Tim and Stryker discuss that it's been more than 20 years since the release of their album The Unraveling.  Tim talks about his early goals for the band and how weird it was to finally declare that he is a professional musician. 

 

This leads into Tim telling Stryker all about his return to college during the pandemic...NorthEastern Illinois University!  Tim is back in school going for his degree that he was so close to getting many years ago.

Tim talks about meeting with his counselors and being recognized in his classes and which class has been the most difficult. Tim also mentions that some of his classes have helped him navigate this crazy time we live in. 

 

Tim then talks about how Rise Against met Fat Mike from NOFX and what led to him signing the band.  Rise Against didn't have one show under their belt at the time! Tim also tells a great story of a meeting both he and Joe had with Fat Mike.  The guys drove from Chicago to Detroit to chat with Mike. 

 

Many of their early shows they opened for Strung Out and Mad Caddies, NOFX and Sick of it All.

 

Tim talks about the band going to a major label and what the band thought was going to happen professionally vs what actually happened. 

Stryker asks Tim about a show just before the pandemic in which Rise Against opened for the Misfits in Los Angeles.

 

Tim then discusses why they covered the Misfits song "Hybrid Moment" for the Rise Against "Nowhere Sessions" EP as well as the song "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

 

When discussing being the opening act so often early in the career of Rise Against, Tim said "the band you become has a lot to do with your introduction to the industry".

 

The guys also talk about the future of Rise Against.  Tim also gives wonderful advice when it comes to being a new band.

 

Tim Mcllrath is a smart and talented dude full of an energy that is absolutely infectious... And as Tim says, there will always be things to Rise Against which means we should have lots of great music from the guys for many years to come. 

 

Sit back and enjoy another great episode of Tuna on Toast.