P ROTEST
S ONGS
By Jaime By d'Mechi
Jaime Black
M
ore than any other time in the
band’s 18-year career, the cultur-
al and political climate of 2017 is
the perfect environment for Rise Against.
Buoyed by singer-songwriter Tim
McIlrath, bassist Joe Principe, drummer
Brandon Barnes, and guitarist Zach Blair,
it’s bittersweet for McIlrath, frontman and
guitarist for the socio-political melodic
punk act. The band’s leader makes a