Following the exciting announcement of their 2025 tour alongside Papa Roach, Tim McIlrath, the founding frontman of Rise Against, engaged in an insightful discussion with Loudwire Nights. He took this opportunity to reflect on the band’s remarkable journey and share their future aspirations.

To delve deeper into this engaging conversation, be sure to listen to the complete interview available in the player at the end of this article.

“We emerged from a punk and hardcore music background,” McIlrath explained to host Chuck Armstrong. “There were very few examples of success in our genre. When our songs began receiving airplay on the radio and our videos started appearing on television, it was a surprising turn of events that we hadn’t anticipated. I certainly never expected that we would still be one of the few bands left standing from our original scene.”

Reflecting on the origins of Rise Against, now nearly 25 years in the making, McIlrath recalled how many were skeptical about their ability to forge a sustainable career in music.

“I remember when we first started the band, people would often ask, ‘What will you do when you hit 40?’” he shared with a hint of nostalgia. “Well, I’ve passed that milestone about six years ago, and surprisingly, we’re still here, thriving.”

McIlrath expressed his enjoyment in reminiscing about Rise Against‘s journey, as it’s inspiring to witness the band’s growth since their inception in 1999. He also conveyed a newfound respect for other bands in the industry that have persisted even longer.

“Understanding what it takes to endure, stay relevant, and survive in this industry has given me a profound respect for the seasoned veterans of the music scene,” he added thoughtfully.

Anticipating New Music and Exciting Tours with Papa Roach

While sharing nostalgic memories about Rise Against‘s journey, McIlrath also expressed palpable excitement about the band’s future projects and upcoming events.

“Rise Against is currently hard at work on new music,” he revealed enthusiastically. “We have a significant amount of new material completed, and we can’t wait to share it with our fans next year.”

In addition to releasing new tracks, McIlrath is eager to embark on the road with Papa Roach, a collaboration he has been looking forward to for the past two decades.

“What I’ve observed over the last twenty years is that the guys in the Papa Roach camp are incredibly dedicated and hardworking,” he shared. “It feels like our paths frequently cross on stages around the globe.”

READ MORE: Jerry Horton Says Papa Roach Have New Songs Nearly Finished

McIlrath noted that Rise Against often receives accolades for their strong work ethic and he was quick to extend that recognition to Papa Roach.

“Both of our bands are not afraid to hit the road,” he emphasized. “Touring with Papa Roach has been on our wishlist for quite some time, and now that we’re finally making it happen, the timing feels just right.”

Insights from Tim McIlrath on Loudwire Nights

• His perspective on collaborating with bands that may not have the same fanbase as Rise Against: “I genuinely believe that genre-blending can bring excitement, allowing us to play for audiences who may not typically attend our shows or listen to our music.”
• His observations of change in the music industry: “When young bands ask how to reach our level of success, I have to remind them that my advice is rooted in experiences from 1999. I can guide them to the skate shops and record stores where they can distribute their flyers, but the landscape has evolved immensely.”
• His unwavering commitment to addressing social issues through music: “To me, being vocal about various issues was never a debated topic. We originated from the punk and hardcore scenes that have always emphasized political engagement. For me, political discourse is intrinsic to music; it’s part of the reason I started making music.”

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Tim McIlrath made an appearance on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The show replays online here, and you can tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET or on the Loudwire app. Check if the show is available on your local radio station and enjoy interviews on-demand.