Rise Against Interview w/ Chris Chasse
by Steve Pfau

Rise Against are having a busy summer – they’ve just released a new album, The Sufferer and the Witness, a resolutely political punk-rock record, and they’re currently touring the U.S. and thrilling sweaty teenagers everywhere on the Warped Tour.  AP’s Steve Pfau talked with Rise Against guitarist Chris Chasse about hanging with Anti-Flag at Warped, their upcoming year of extensive touring, and his favorite CDs of 2006. 

1. Tell us about your new CD, The Sufferer & The Witness. What are some of your favorite moments on the album?

Personally, I think this is the best record by Rise Against thus far. I know it’s typical for a band to
say that, but in this case I truly believe it. I think it shows growth in musicianship, and songwriting, and some of our best songs to date. From fast punk songs, to hard melodic rock songs, I think it’s a great record.

Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore helped us out a great deal with this record as well. As far as I’m concerned, they are basically part of the band, and this record would not have been possible without them. I am very happy with the end product.

2. What made you decide to join the Warped Tour this summer?

The Warped Tour isn’t a decision in my mind. If you get asked to do it, you just do it. It’s a no-brainer.  I think it’s the best tour around. It’s hard as hell, hot as shit, and the longest tour ever, but you can’t possibly get this much exposure and play to this many people on any other tour. It’s more like Punk Rock Summer Camp than anything else, and I hope that we are on many more to come.

3. Who are you most looking forward to seeing / hanging out with at Warped? Are you friends with any of the bands on the tour?

Warped Tour is all about friends, and seeing people that you haven’t seen in ages. We know most of the bands touring this year, and we’re psyched to hang out with them, and share the stage with them. From bands like Anti-Flag, to Thursday, NOFX, Bouncing Souls, and Against Me, it’s one big family reunion.

4. What can fans expect from your performance at Warped? Will you be playing more new material than old? Any b-sides or covers? Do you have any warm-up rituals before you go on stage?

Warped Tour sets are always very limited. You get 30 minutes to play as many songs as possible. In our case, we manage to squeeze in 8 songs or so. Up until July 4th (the CD release date) we’ll probably play one or two new songs, and then perhaps more after that. A few songs from Siren Song of the Counter Culture as well as classic tracks from RPM and The Unraveling. A cover is always possible, guess we’ll have to wait and see. We just try to give the best show we can in
the amount of time we have. The kids that endure the heat for these shows deserve it, in my opinion.

5. Does the band have any plans to go on a solo tour or work on any new material after Warped's over?

We are going to go on a co-headlining tour in the fall with our friends in Thursday that will cover all of the US and hopefully some of Canada. We are going over to Europe for two weeks right after Warped as well. This will be a busy year for us with the new record and all, and we plan on hitting as many places as possible.

We are always writing. Whether it’s on the road, or at home. New songs somehow just seem to appear. Makes it a hell of a lot easier when it comes time to hit the studio. Rather than struggle to put a record together, you have a bunch of songs to choose from and work with.

6. Aside from recording Sufferer, what else have you been up to since 2004's Siren Song of the Counter-Culture?

Touring, touring, and more touring. It’s been non-stop the past two years. Warped Tour in 2004, Bad Religion tour, Alkaline Trio tour, Taste of Chaos International tour, and so on, and so on. We keep ourselves pretty busy, and trying to see the most of the world that we can.

7. What are some of your favorite new bands or CDs from the past few months?

So many CDs to choose from. Honestly, I suck at titles of records, so I’ll do my best.

New AFI, new Terror, new None More Black, new Sick of it All, new Saves the Day, new Taking Back Sunday….the list goes on and on and on. I’m constantly checking out new music whenever possible.