Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath Talks “Nod,” Longevity, and the State of Punk in 2025
Rise Against is back. Rise Against’ s Tim McIlrath recently sat down with Skratch N Sniff and SNSMix.com to talk about their first new music in three years, as well as their upcoming new album.
After a three-year musical hiatus, the Chicago punk rockers have returned with “Nod,” a punchy and poignant new single that sets the stage for their next full-length release. The song is not only a call-to-action anthem, but also a subtle reminder—or head nod—to acknowledge the similarities we share.
“It’s not necessarily a call to action in the sense of, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do; we’re going to go out and fight,’” he said. “It’s more like, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do—we’re going to take a breath, assess the situation, and see who’s still on our side. The title ‘Nod’ refers to that moment when you make eye contact with someone and recognize that you’re in this together. It’s that unspoken understanding—you see someone wearing a Jawbreaker T-shirt, carrying a skateboard, standing in line at a show, or witnessing an injustice on the street, and you just nod.”
The track is the first taste of an album produced by Catherine Marks (Boygenius, Foals, Manchester Orchestra) and mixed by Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, Queens of the Stone Age), and marks a reflective yet fired-up chapter for the band.
The band’s upcoming album has been nearly two years in the making, the product of a post-COVID reset and a deliberate return to creativity. McIlrath also openly discussed the details surrounding Rise Against’s upcoming new album, and how teaming up with Catherine Marks, known for her work with forward-thinking alt-rock acts, gave Rise Against a fresh outside perspective.
“Once we felt that creative spark again, we started writing for the next album at our own pace, without rushing,” said McIlrath. “So, what you’re hearing now is the result of work that began about a year ago. She wasn’t intimately familiar with Rise Against’s history, which was exactly what we were looking for—someone who could step into our world without any preconceived notions.”
Even with a new record on the way, McIlrath is aware of the evolving music landscape—and the pressure for artists to stay in line in the age of social media.
“Artists have a choice: they can let social media influence them, or they can do what our favorite artists did in the ‘80s and ‘90s—persevere,” he said. “If you listen to the wrong people or put too much stock in trolls, yeah, you might feel pressure to dial things back. We know that our fan base needs a band like Rise Against to echo how they feel. That’s our mission. I’m not here to cater to trolls.”
McIlrath also voiced concerns about digital monopolies and the fragility of online platforms, especially since Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter.
“When one person monopolizes a platform we rely on, we run the risk of losing control over how our voices are heard.”
“It reminds me of how Steve Albini talked about digital music—he wasn’t just nostalgic about vinyl, he was concerned about giving full control of music distribution to digital databases. With physical media, you own it. But if Spotify shut down tomorrow, how many artists would disappear overnight for people who don’t own their albums?”
“That’s the danger of monopolization. We’ve given a handful of billionaires control over the spaces where we communicate, and history shows that the billionaire class isn’t exactly the most stable group of people.”
From passing out PETA pamphlets at shows to seeing Rise Against’s history recognized at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, McIlrath acknowledges how far the band has come.
“It’s surreal. To be in a museum with bands that shaped who I am—it’s just crazy. Since Rise Against started, I’ve met so many musicians that I once stood in the front row for. I grew up watching bands play at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago, listening to hardcore records, and absorbing every bit of Fat Wreck Chords history.”
“Now, not only have I met these people, but I’ve toured with them, become friends with them, and earned their respect. That never gets old. It still feels like I’m a kid in a candy store. I still get excited seeing bands like Quicksand, Hot Water Music, Refused, and Sparta. And we’ve toured with all of them. That’s a full-circle moment for sure.”
In 2023, NOFX announced that their upcoming tour would be their last, marking the end of their 40-year career. When the punk rock legends retired, it gave McIlrath pause.
“I went to their final show in San Pedro, and for a second, I thought, Wow, they’re really done. But then I thought about it—those guys are about ten years older than me, maybe more. When I put it in that perspective, it made perfect sense. They’ve had an incredible run. Whether it’s with their own band or the dozens of bands they helped foster through Fat Wreck Chords, their impact is permanent. Where would punk rock be without Fat Wreck? Where would Rise Against be? So yeah, at first, I was surprised. But when I really thought about it, I totally got it. They left a hell of a legacy.”
It also made him reflect on Rise Against’s own longevity.
“I never expected Rise Against to be the band that survived the early 2000s. I always figured we’d be the ones getting dropped. It’s all felt like a wild ride. Only recently have I started accepting the idea that we might have real longevity—that we could keep this going as long as we want. But right now? I don’t think about the end. I think we’re better than we’ve ever been. I love the songs we’re writing, the shows we’re playing. That’s what I focus on.”
Still, it’s the personal milestones that hit the hardest—like singing the national anthem on opening day at a White Sox game.
“Top five for sure,” he said. “Growing up, my dad and I used to try to buy tickets from scalpers outside Sox Park in the ‘80s, just hoping to get into opening day. So to have the White Sox invite me to sing the anthem on opening day? To put my dad in a skybox, watching his son perform while fighter jets flew overhead? That was surreal. And it had to be the White Sox. Any other team, it wouldn’t have meant as much.”
Rise Against just kicked off the Rise of the Roach tour with Papa Roach and Underoath, a collaboration McIlrath says has been years in the making.
“Every time we’ve played with them, they’ve been some of the nicest guys on the planet,” he said. “This tour is something we’ve talked about doing for years, and it’s finally happening. I get that rush every time I step on stage. It’s the thing that transforms me into a person capable of performing. If I were just going through the motions, my body literally wouldn’t cooperate—I can’t fake it.”
With a full slate of international festivals, weekenders, and two legs of a North American tour ahead, the band is poised for a landmark year.
“We’re excited to get this new music out there. We’re firing on all pistons right now,” he said in closing.
Rise Against’s return in 2025 isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about relevance, reinvention, and resilience. With “Nod,” the band has reasserted its voice in a chaotic cultural moment, offering not just commentary but connection. And as McIlrath himself says, it’s not about how long they’ve lasted—it’s about how much more they still have to say.
Watch the full interview with Rise Against’s Tim McIlrath at the link below!
Rise Against are currently on the road as part of the “Rise Of The Roach” tour with Papa Roach and Underoath.
