RISE AGAINST COMES TO DC

Rise Against
by Jason Walsh

Last year was a busy year for the guys from Rise Against, having released their sixth studio album, Endgame, as well as touring relentlessly. Vocalist and guitarist Tim McIlrath was excited about traveling to some new places in 2011 and being involved in some big events.

“Getting down to South America for the first time, that was a lot of fun for the band,” McIlrath said. “We’ve been trying to get down there for years. Opening up for the Foo Fighters on the East Coast was a great time, actually a blast, and a lot of great European festivals where we hooked up with our old friends.”

Rise Against kicked off a headlining U.S. tour last month and winds their way to the Patriot Center at George Mason University on February 5. Having spent many years supporting bands on tour that influenced them, such as Sick of it All, Bad Religion, and Rancid, it felt good for McIlrath to return the favor for the upstarts in A Day to Remember.

“I thought this one was kind of sentimental, taking out a younger band out there and we wanted to sort of get up with them and put our fans in the same room and I guess we’ll see how it goes. I’m pretty excited about it. We’ve played a handful of shows with A Day to Remember in December and they’re a great fit. Our bands are different but bring a lot of people in a room.”

The guys from Chicago have been holding their own in a tough music industry for more than a decade now, maintaining their punk ethics and passionate melodic musicianship. They have enjoyed a great deal of success and last year’s Endgame was their highest charted record to date, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard chart with 85,00 copies sold the first week. Rise Against just dropped their third single, “Satellite,” from the record and McIlrath says it’s a song that was an important component on Endgame.

“It was one of the first songs we wrote for this record and it was sort of a launching point, like a jumping off point for us,” he said. “It set the tone for the rest of the songs. When you’re a band and you’re doing records and touring, you take a little break and go away for a little while and when you kind of get back in the saddle, people are always wondering, ‘well, where are they now, where are their heads now, where are they musically?’ ‘Satellite’ is a kind of a rallying cry. We’re still the same band, we’re going to try and heat up on a lot of these issues that they’re talking about.”

More recently, Rise Against has participated in a huge project from Amnesty International. Chimes of Freedom: The Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International is a new 5 CD release that features 75 tributes to the legendary folk hero and songwriter. On the roster of great musical talents is Pete Townshend, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews Band, Bad Religion, and Flogging Molly, just to name a few. The ever-politically-charged McIlrath said Rise Against are strong supporters of the organization’s work

“First and foremost, we’ve always been behind the mission of Amnesty International,” he said. “They protect human rights around the world. They speak up for political prisoners, people who are held in prison simply for their ideology. It’s hard to believe that this still happens in 2012, but it still does and something like Amnesty International is a much needed force to bring awareness.”

And when the tribute was to Bob Dylan, their decision to participate was automatic. “This compilation came up and Bob Dylan is such an incredible songwriter, an incredible force that was satirical and political and always had something important to say. We wanted to jump on that immediately.”

However, choosing the right song that fit the band was not as easy a decision, but the “Ballad of Hollis Brown” struck a chord with the group. “That was something that took us a while to figure out, what song to do, because there’s so many great Dylan songs,” McIlrath said. “But this one, we were backstage somewhere and we were playing a lot of Bob Dylan stuff on shuffle, just kind of hearing the whole catalog, and that one came on and I remember me and our bass player Joe (Principe) just came up to each other and were like ‘I like this one.’ I kind of peeled back the layers, as much as the lyrics a little bit. It’s the story of a farmer who had fallen on hard times. I thought there were a lot of parallels to today’s economical climate.”

Living a life as a professional musician and songwriter was not something McIlrath would have expected. “Never in a million years,” he laughed. “I was far more of a realist. I got into it because I couldn’t not get into it. I picked up a guitar and all of it snowballed from there. I just kept playing because I couldn’t stop playing. I kept writing songs because I couldn’t stop writing songs. When we started up this band, punk rock wasn’t really as popular as it is now.”

And the praise, notoriety, and commercial success was just as much of a surprise. “I underestimated the audience out there I guess. I thought we’d always kind of be on the fringes of music and I’ve been pleasantly proven wrong. To find such a hungry audience out there who’s looking for music that reflects the questions they have about the world. It’s something that’s really inspiring, to see that…a lot of the people give a shit about what we do, and more importantly, just that people feel lost and are looking for direction and want to help and want to be part of fighting the good fight.”

A Day to Remember and The Menzingers will be opening for Rise Against on February 5.

Starts at 7 p.m. $29.50-39.50. - Jason Walsh
Patriot Center at George Mason University: 4500 Patriot Circle, Fairfax, VA; (703) 993-3000; www.patriotcenter.com

January show previews for ON TAP Magazine

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Bootsy Collins at the State Theatre
The ambassador of funk is bringing his flavorful cosmic bass lines to Falls Church this month. Bootsy Collins, most noted for his work with James Brown and Parliament Funkadelic, is taking his solo act on the road in support of his newest and thirteenth release, “The Funk Capital of the World.” This newest effort features and all-star cast of contributors, including Chuck D, Snoop Dogg, George Clinton, and Ice Cube, as well as the likes of Sheila E., Bela Fleck, and Buckethead. Collins knew it was time to hit the studio again with some old friends. “The secret that I learned is that you can not tell the Universe what to do,” Collins said. “When the Universe is ready, it will tell you, and then you got to be ready. And when the Universe told me it was time to record my new album, Lord, I was ready.” “Don’t Take My Funk” is the first single that spun from the new album and it features his brother, the late Catfish Collins, who passed while completing the record, as well as R&B legend Bobby Wommack. There are also appearances from celebrities like Samuel L. Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Dr. Cornell West. The track “Mirrors Tell Lies,” samples Jimi Hendrix’s song “Roomful of Mirrors,” and was a personal milestone for the Funk Master Collins. “To be able to share a stage or a song with Jimi was something I fantasized about as a young man listening to him on cassettes while I rode in James Brown’s bus between gigs,” Collins said. “And suddenly, just as I’m about to turn 59 years old, it happens.” Aside from this performance at the State Theatre, he will also be at the Baltimore Sound Stage on January 11. For a chance to see the talented stylings from a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, get with Bootsy this month at the State Theatre.
Starts at 7 p.m. $40. - Jason Walsh
The State Theatre: 220 N. Washington St. Falls Church, VA; 703-237-0300; www.thestatetheatre.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
In Flames, Trivium, Veil of Maya, and Kyng at Rams Head Live
Following their “Defenders of the Faith” tour of the United Kingdom, In Flames and Trivium return to North America for a run of shows over the next two months, with a stop at Rams Head Live in Baltimore. The melodic death metal thrash of Sweden’s In Flames has decimated festivals for almost two decades, with their eleventh album, “Sounds of a Playground Fading,” melting faces for the last year. Trivium from Orlando, Florida, has also taken the reigns as one of the most respected outfits in modern metal, having thrown down their fifthy record, “In Waves,” on Roadrunner Records. Balancing the bill is Veil of Maya from Illinois and Kyng from L.A. who are out supporting their current collection of new songs, “Trampled Sun.”
Starts at 6:30 p.m. $25 advance $28 day of. - Jason Walsh
Rams Head Live: 20 Market Pl. Baltimore, MD; 410-244-1131; www.ramsheadlive.com


MONDAY, JANUARY 16
Graveyard, Radio Moscow, and Daniel Davies at DC9
The 70s stoner rock grooves of Sweden’s Graveyard will be rocking the roof at DC9. Having just introduced the world to their second album, “Hisingen Blues,” Graveyard is back in the States for another run of dates. Their sound is a chaotic pulse of folky “mind-warping” blues, heavily influenced by the likes of Sabbath, Cream, and Blue Cheer. They have spent time in North America touring alongside Clutch, Witchcraft, and even CKY. Joining the ride is Iowa’s Radio Moscow promoting their third disc, “The Great Escape of Leslie Magnafuzz.” Opening is Daniel Davies, frontman of Year Long Disaster and son of Dave Davies of The Kinks, who has been working on a solo project which features Brad Davis of Fu Manchu on bass.
Starts at 9 p.m. $10. - Jason Walsh
DC9: 1940 9th St. N.W., DC; 202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19
Ghost, Blood Ceremony, and Ancient VVisdom at the Rock N Roll Hotel
Ghost will finally be materializing in the States as their first North American Tour finally hits the shores this month. The melodic devil metallers from Sweden had planned to come over earlier but their tour was delayed because of visas and whatnot, but they arrive this January with Blood Ceremony and Ancient VVisdom. The thing about Ghost is that they have this stage presence, fronted by the vocalist, “Papa Emeritus,” donned in a Catholic Cardinal uniform with a red skull mask, while the five remaining mysterious members of the band, known as the “Nameless Ghouls,” perform in dark hooded robes. The secret identities of the group is unknown, and after they arrived in this world in 2008, they released their first album, “Opus Eponymous,” in 2010. “Ghost is the name of a devil worshipping ministry,” preaches Papa Emeritus. “That, in order to spread their unholy gospels and, furthermore, trick mankind into believing that the end is ultimately a good thing, have decided to use the ever so popular rock music medium as a way to achieve their ends.” The “doom-drenched” throwback metal is epic and evil, assuring us all that the apocalypse is coming soon. This is what happens when some of Dethklok’s Klokateers rent a rehearsal space. Joining the Ghouls from Ghost is Blood Ceremony from Toronto, who have blended “witch rock” in a Sabbath-meets-Jethro Tull vein. The flute-driven Canadian satyrs released their second album this year, “Living with the Ancients.” Rounding out the evening of occult metal retribution is Ancient Vvisdom from Austin, featuring former members of Integrity and Iron Age doing dark acoustic pagan folk songs. Last year, Ancient Vvisdom did a split EP called “Inner Earth Inferno” with none other than Charles Manson, who contributed previously unreleased material.
Starts at 8:30 p.m. $15. - Jason Walsh
Rock N Roll Hotel: 1353 H St. NE, D.C.; 202-388-ROCK; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Anvil at Jammin’ Java
It was the 2008 documentary “Anvil: The Story of Anvil” that brought the 80s Canadian metal trio back into the minds of fans, after they spent the previous three decades cursed in the shadows of the unknown. After touring the world alongside Bon Jovi, Whitesnake, and the Scorpions in 1984, they were poised to be one of the planet’s biggest metal bands, ready to sell billions of records, and it just didn’t happen. The rest of the bands went on to make millions of dollars, countless world tours, platinum albums, women, wine, and mansions, but Anvil just faded into the void. The documentary, the directorial debut by “The Terminal” screenwriter Sacha Gervasi, who was a one-time Anvil roadie, was widely viewed, praised, and applauded. “Broken us wide out into the general mainstream, you know,” founding guitarist and vocalist Steve “Lips” Kudlow said. “From obscurity to a household name. A thirty year overnight sensation.” During shooting, Anvil worked on their album, “This is Thirteen,” named so because, well, it was their thirteenth record. They reemerged in the metal scene since, gaining opening slots with AC-DC and Saxon as well as many of the big European and North American festivals, and a couple headlining runs here and abroad. They recorded the follow up this past year at Dave Grohl’s studio with producer Bob Marlette, dubbed “Juggernaut of Justice.” Anvil will be mounting the “Monument of Metal” tour, which finds itself at the Jammin’ Java in Vienna. “Lips” says they may have not gotten the fame and fortune they feel all the decades of hard work should have earned, but the band still has a true passion for the music and belief in what they do. “That’s what it’s all about, and I don’t really plan to change my ways,” Kudlow said. “All that’s happened is that I’m getting sort of famous for sticking to my guns and having that kind of philosophy, so I’m certainly not going to change. I don’t want to.”
Starts at 8 p.m. $15. - Jason Walsh
Jammin Java: 227 Maple Ave. East, Vienna, VA; 703-255-1566; www.jamminjava.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
Dark Funeral, Abigail Williams, Inquisition, and Gigan at Jaxx
The evil black metal lords roll through Jaxx once again. Led by Sweden’s Dark Funeral and their founding guitar incinerating duo of Blackmoon and Lord Ahriman, the night of demonic power chords includes a return visit from Phoenix’s Abigail Williams, who passed through Jaxx twice over the last couple months with the legendary Mayhem from Norway. Taking their name from the Salem witch accuser in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,“ Abigail Williams have completed their second studio epic, “Becoming,” which is scheduled to release this month on Candlelight Records. Rounding out the bill is Inquistion who comes all the way from the nation of Columbia, a thrash outfit who have gone to the dark side of black metal. Opening the all-ages show is grind core assassins from Tampa, Gigan, who released their third album this year, “Quasi-Hallucinogenic Sonic Landscapes.”
Starts at 6 p.m. $23 advance/$25 day of show. - Jason Walsh
Jaxx: 6355 Rolling Rd. Springfield, VA; 703-569-5940; www.jaxxroxx.com