Tim McIlrath - Rise Against // Interview

We sat down with Tim McIlrath from Rise Against to chat about music, politics and being a naughty teenager!
www.tonedeaf.com

[@mackalrath]

tim is probably the most level-headed and well-informed people i know. no matter what he’s talking about, it’s easy to see that he know what he’s saying and he truly believes in it. such an amazing guy.

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

Thats exactly the problem. Too many believe when man was designed to know

[@jackrabbitart7969]

He quite literally says "it's easy to see that he know what he's saying and he truly believes in it." Tim very well knows what hes talking same with this guy here

[@riseagainst05050]

We’re looking for Rise Against fans to answer these questions for a documentary in progress: Q: How has Rise Against influenced you? Q: How are you trying to make positive changes in your community? Currently in pre-production, it will focus on how this band has inspired many and “left a lasting impact”. There is a ripple effect of positivity and enduring change, but we hope to show what that means to you you and your communities. How does punk rock music really save lives? Like frontman Tim Mcilrath says, “Like us still believes in the power of music to change lives - to change everything.” Please send to the following if interested in helping: To: [e-mail] Subject: RISE - First, Last Name I appreciate all your help and patience as we move forward. I’m grateful for any participation and please let me know if you have any questions! Thank you and best wishes, Sarah Naiman ______________________________ MPEG - IASTSE Local 700 postpositivemedia.com Burbank, CA 91505 . . #riseagainst #documentary #punkmusicsaveslives #shareyourstory #sirensongofthecounterculture #makeitstop #RevolutionsPerMinute #endgame #thesuffererandthewitness #wolves #TheBlackMarket #theunraveling #AppealToReason #music #powerofpositivity #community #socialjustice #politicalactivism #whywevote #animalrights #lgbtrights #humanrights #communitysupport #endthestigma #raiseawareness #musicwithamessage #musicwithmeaning #timmcilrath #punkrock

[@elizabethjackson7397]

To summarize Tim is awesome.

[@lilialice0]

Elizabeth Jackson oh yees!

[@bjorksarmpits148]

I wanted a summary of the interview, not facts

[@chop_suey__]

I've been lucky enough to be growing up with Rise Against for the past 10 years, a die hard fan now and forever onwards.

[@thefreedomparadox1656]

I’ve seen rise against 20+ times live. I’m 24 and this is awesome. Rise against for life.

[@danielh8569]

88 Fingers Louie got me listening to Rise Against since the very first album. Lucky to be alive to have them as a background to life.

[@noize934]

I’ve seen them once and it was probably the best concert I’ve ever been to

[@danielh8569]

Tim is god damn prophetic. You go back and listen to all the albums. Everything rings more true today than ever before.

[@LunaBianca1805]

I love Rise Against for both the political charged and the not so political ones. It's so great to see him talk about things here. He seems like such a genuine, sweet and nice guy 🥰

[@Pie5184]

Great interview. Tim is such an inspiration

[@FetziiXD]

he is indeed a philosopher of his own class :)

[@Into-the-woods-I-go]

I can totally see Tim as a philosophy teacher. He seems so down to earth ♥️

[@timo3798]

I love how the right wingers who like rise against are crying in the comments xD

[@LostButBroken]

It's hilarious seeing right-wingers freak out at "leftist" bands like they've never actually listened to the lyrics before.

[@hannah8611]

Yes like wow, had no plan that RA could actually be "a bit left", woahhhh suprise suprise

[@jessenaill3396]

I’m on the right but I love rise against...And I realize that both right and left, want to see the United States succeed at the end of the day. Have a good one fellas.

[@David-xy6gc]

@@jessenaill3396well-spoken.

[@JessiLondonV]

His eyesss😻

[@alexramirez13]

Tim is very interesting and well spoken, my favorite lyricist ever

[@riseagainst05050]

We’re looking for Rise Against fans to answer these questions for a documentary in progress: Q: How has Rise Against influenced you? Q: How are you trying to make positive changes in your community? Currently in pre-production, it will focus on how this band has inspired many and “left a lasting impact”. There is a ripple effect of positivity and enduring change, but we hope to show what that means to you you and your communities. How does punk rock music really save lives? Like frontman Tim Mcilrath says, “Like us still believes in the power of music to change lives - to change everything.” Please send to the following if interested in helping: To: [e-mail] Subject: RISE - First, Last Name I appreciate all your help and patience as we move forward. I’m grateful for any participation and please let me know if you have any questions! Thank you and best wishes, Sarah Naiman ______________________________ MPEG - IASTSE Local 700 postpositivemedia.com Burbank, CA 91505 . . #riseagainst #documentary #punkmusicsaveslives #shareyourstory #sirensongofthecounterculture #makeitstop #RevolutionsPerMinute #endgame #thesuffererandthewitness #wolves #TheBlackMarket #theunraveling #AppealToReason #music #powerofpositivity #community #socialjustice #politicalactivism #whywevote #animalrights #lgbtrights #humanrights #communitysupport #endthestigma #raiseawareness #musicwithamessage #musicwithmeaning #timmcilrath #punkrock

[@noize934]

Tim you’re one of my heroes thank you for existing

[@mouthbreathers2592]

I love this band and Tim’s songwriting!

[@SupremeRTS]

Tim is so genuine

[@Flooben]

He reminds me of Tobias Forge from GHOST the way he explains things 👻

[@Sieg2k6]

Tim is a lyrical genius

[@bestronglaboron313]

This band is amazing! I love Tim. The first time I heard punk I literally thought...."where have you been all my life?!" And the thoughts behind the songs....so beautiful

[@David-xy6gc]

I’m a Die-Hard American Conservative who’s seen RA Live over 15 times. I love them for not name-dropping. You can interpret their music in many different ways, including against our radical left wing government. However, the majority of this country is conservative, and if you don’t believe that, then you’re brainwashed. With that being said, if you think the majority of hard working Americans are embracing “nationalism, sexism and racism”, you’ve got it alllll twisted.

[@OLYMPIAN_ZEUS]

I hate to admit I’m from and live in Nashville. Small town minds stay small.

[@nmcgowan34ify]

Tim is awesome!!!

[@Электросити-Уфа]

Один из любимых музыкантов.. настоящий талант

[@ivanrubnenkov919]

+

[@liquidsnake4685]

Awesome singer of all time and makes good songs

[@nikolai_sechenov]

Спасибо! Первый раз смотрю Тима в роли интервьюируемого!)

[@ZaediusRA1000]

Trump supporter here, Ive always loved Rise Against and Tim specifically because despite him disagreeing with Trump, he is level headed, open to discussion and emanates an attitude that this country is starved from. Keep on rocking

[@jackblack4368]

I completely agree

[@dustinp.4813]

Good thing he makes good music.....

[@FlyAgaric525]

I love Rise Against, but you can clearly tell that they are left wing in their lyrics. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and that's ok.

[@NateBuker]

First interview I've seen with Tim. But what was up with that Journey cover -- puke! LOL! Great guy great band but he needs to dig deeper into the whole Trvmp popularity thing instead of being so dismissive of em as a bunch of "crazy people" associated with racism and stuff. I agree that Trvmp employed a lowest common denominator appeal but how do we elevate the level of discussion? Dismissive hate is coming from both sides here. People on the left are responding with armed force to perceived grassroots fascist thrusts but even the moderately conservative are reacting to the perception of a "violent left" cuz some lefties suddenly seem to value the traditional version of our 2nd Amendment. Something needs to break the cognitive dissonance on both sides. Is there really only two sides? I think the "Wolves" song really breaks that down. We are GOOD enough and BRAVE enough to become something greater. In the survivalist community (dominated by conservatives and anything you wanna attach to that) is a credo of "not being the sheep or the wolf", neither predator or prey -- its a real ethos with these folks. They have the idea that we look out for our families and communities and regions and not just with guns. The idea is to be the wolf hunter (nothing against actual wolf doggies who we need in out ecosystems). The idea is to guard against people who want to take from other people. If you dig beyond the mass media hype of ultra-paranoid freaks that sink bunkers into the mountains you'll find that there are shared values with the politically disparate-- Things like self-reliance, the concept of freedom, being liberated from the grid, just to name a few. Certainly Trvmp has no interest in any of that stuff. Clearly all he gives a crap about is his golf courses, skyscrapers and casinos, not any of us.

[@xcastoria]

i dont really care for anything else you said except the cover of any way you want it is fuckin amazing

[@TheOzzMars]

Rise Against is one of my top 10 favorite bands and have 2 songs in my top 10 favorite songs ever. I'm sure Tim is a much more intelligent man than I am, but I cannot help but wonder; are you happy with Biden? Yes, Trump is not a model person, but I think people need to stop shitting on him. Maybe someone needs to admit that the US is in deeper shit now.

[@tim3172]

If only someone wouldn’t have given 1.5 trillion dollars to the wealthiest 1% then ignored and underplayed a pandemic, leading to the largest single-day loss since the Great Depression. If only…

[@roberthansen4173]

Lyrically he's a genius, whether it's a political song or a love song. As far as his own political view of the world, he probably hasn't taken any law enforcement courses which would open his eyes a little more to the current events going on in the US. If people knew more about the history and application of law enforcement and public order, they wouldn't be so quick to rally behind all these activists who are throwing out race, bigotry fascism and sexism cards. No matter what his opinion is, I'm still gonna love his music.

[@AutomaticDuck300]

I think that if the Democrats had a stronger argument than "Hey, it's the first female president!", Trump wouldn't be in power.

[@LostButBroken]

@@AutomaticDuck300 Bernie would have won, but democrats think "oh we have to reach toward moderate republicans" and toss the majority of the US out. Democrats are considered Center to center right everywhere else in the world (AOC and the like being the outliers would be considered center left)

[@AutomaticDuck300]

@@LostButBroken seems to me they've jumped pretty far left lately

[@tim3172]

@@AutomaticDuck300 the right absolutely sprinted to the right and now the old ‘center’ is far right. This is skewing your view that the left is now far left… which it is not by any metric.

[@KaptainKlassic]

love rise against but can't we have one band that's not completely left

[@MercuryRain]

All That Remains. Phil is a pretty far right wing libertarian.

[@KaptainKlassic]

oh really? that's cool

[@saladhands1127]

If you love them so much it shouldnf matter. Listen to pantera or lynard skynard if you want more right wing rock

[@simoneaux15]

Avenged Sevenfold?

[@shagstars]

@@saladhands1127 Pantera aren't really rightwing. They are the middle ground.

[@jmboldosser7616]

Nationalism, lowest common denominator?

[@SupremeRTS]

I think he means nationalism to a degree at which you view other countries as inferior, sorta like racism for countries

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

Contradictory. Tim judged trump by billboards and headlines yet says dont judge by headlines etc...research Tim.

[@SupremeRTS]

Listen, if you're a Trump supporter why are you listening to Rise Against?

[@tasharch]

@@SupremeRTS Prayer for the Refugee went right over THEIR HEAD. Its refreshing to hear someone say outright that Trump has no substance to what he says. If you chip it, it crumbles.

[@LostButBroken]

Well....he's a fascist if you did your research you'd know that.

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

@@LostButBroken Research you say? You clearly are clueless

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

Your name says it all "lost"... "Broken"

[@frankierojas210]

Hell yeah Trump 2020!

[@tim3172]

How are you coping with your epic defeat?

[@frankierojas210]

@@tim3172 I'm doing pretty good thanks for asking, lol unlike you crybabies I didn't scream and hit myself, just rolled my eyes said that sucks, and continued on.

[@frankierojas210]

@@tim3172 how does it feel knowing you voted for a guy who hid in his basement, and bought all the bullshit the media sold you, all while covering up stories that made your president look bad, hell they even changed the debate last second so trump wouldn't embarrass him further 😂

[@brett4466]

MAGA

[@StringBender567]

Brett Put the bottle down

[@SupremeRTS]

If you're a trump supporter, why are you listening to Rise agianst?

[@brett4466]

@@SupremeRTS Why not? Why do you only watch and listen to ideas you agree with? I listen to what I like and think for myself

[@SupremeRTS]

@@brett4466 well you see I'm moderately conservative, but I chose not to vote for trump because I thought he he was to right wing. Despite this I don't agree with some RA's stances on some political subject matter. I just figured that if was only a moderate Republican, then a more right wing conservative than myself would not enjoy many of their songs at all.

[@timo3798]

@@brett4466 liste to whatever you want but keep that maga bullshit out of the comment section (or go to a concert with that shiny red hat and see what happens)

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

Hes a genius....amazing mind and character but hes an unwise genius. Wisdom shall come with age.

[@commanderjarak]

What makes you think he's unwise?

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

commanderjarak well, he's in a very influential position and failed, completely failed to inquire about Trump and the movement prior to commenting. Ive been reading trump books for a long time. Especially when his lyrics are politically geared and has been angered by people being misfed information etc...hes misfeeding info w all due respect

[@metalfan2346]

@@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543 you don't who trump really is then

[@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543]

Metalfan23 I wasn't gonna reply but it's quite obvious you need to think critically. My comment pertained to Tim making an uneducated decision, especially seeing how he influences a portion of the collective. Now you are. I never said I was for or against Trump. Intensly research both sides and juxtapose before spewing out some predisposed belief. Believing is dangerous; know!

[@AbrahamsYTC]

@@indoctrinationamericasgrea3543 Tim's view is a bit general but I don't think they're so off. Trump and current conservative ideals are certainly something to look at and actually think about. The problem is that I don't think Trump himself believes what he preaches and not only him but so many other corrupted so called Republican politicians hijacking these ideals. In the end, I believe he and so many of his cabinet are corporatists taking the guise and ideals of conservatives. And of course this applies to Democrats/Obama/Hillary as well. I voted for Bernie and probably will again this primary...I don't agree with him on everything like death sentence, immigration, some social/government policies, but I feel great respect in his conviction and his record in the past. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think it's foolish? to blindly follow a politician and that none of them are above criticism or scrutiny.