Rise Against is a punk/hardcore band from Chicago, Illinois, USA. Formed in 1999, and originally performing under the name Transistor Revolt, they released a self-produced demo entitled Transistor Revolt in 2000, a year before signing with Fat Wreck Chords to release their first two albums, The Unraveling, and Revolutions Per Minute in 2001 and 2003. They later switched to Dreamworks Records and recorded their album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. However, Dreamworks Records got taken over by the Universal Music Group and Rise Against finally found themselves on Geffen Records an Universal Music Group subsidiary, releasing Siren Song of the Counter Culture in August 2004. A re-issued version of The Unraveling was released on August 23, 2005 through Fat Wreck Chords. There is great speculation that Rise Against will release their 4th studio album in mid-2006.

Rise Against's original lineup consisted of Tim McIlrath (vocals and guitar), Joe Principe (bass and vocals), Brandon Barnes (drums), and Mr. Precision (guitar and vocals), and recorded its debut album with renowned punk producer Mass Giorgini. Mr. Precision left the band in 2001 and was replaced by Todd Mohney. Shortly after the band signed with Geffen, Mohney left and was replaced by Chris Chasse.