Rise Against have been at the forefront of socially conscious punk for the last 20 years. On the release of their 9th album, I thought it was a perfect time to get lead singer Tim McIlrath back on the radio, to Take 5. He’s one of the most articulate musicians I know, and our conversations in the past have always been rich ones.

Rise Against’s new album is about the failure of the American dream, the notion that every generation will be better than the last, is a thing of the past. Across punk, protest, and anthem, hear Tim McIlrath’s “America”, and the artists who have been singing this song for decades.

Black Flag - “American Waste”

Operation Ivy - “Freeze Up”

John Lennon - “Working Class Hero

Descendents - “Suburban Home”

Bruce Springsteen - “Born In The USA”