Rise Against plays more than video game music

I have counted at least 18 video games that use songs by liberal punk band Rise Against. Those songs have been influencing fans' politics, says the band's guitarist Zach Blair.

"Kids come up to us constantly and (say) they were introduced to our songs through video games," Blair says. (Rise Against plays Monday at The Joint.)

Furthermore, fans say those games turned them onto Rise Against's socially conscious albums, which in turn made them more critical of right-wing sentiment in their hometowns.

Blair thinks it's funny a "shoot-'em-up" game can deliver a "socially conscious, lefty political message" via its soundtrack.

But as any hard-core gamer can attest, many villains in games are often corrupt corporate despots who ruin the universe with privately run militaries and, of course, zombie research and development.

Blair points out that this game bias against corporations (in games created by corporations) is symbolic of American entertainment at large.

"Most evil geniuses in movies - it's always the head of some evil corporation, and he's the awful guy getting overthrown," Blair says.

If you're wondering why I'm talking about politics with Blair, it's because the popular band self-identifies as progressive punk rockers.

Rise Against doesn't just rock hits such as "Savior" (which was featured in the game "The Sims 3: Ambitions").

The foursome (three of whom are vegetarians) have made songs about the politics of oil spills and homophobia. But they try to follow the lead of their idols, Bad Religion, and not be preachy about it.

"I hope we're doing half as good a job" as Bad Religion, Blair says.

(By the way, Bad Religion songs have been in at least a dozen video games.)

Lyrics aside, Rise Against still has to rock it musically.

"As much as you want to be a political band," Blair says, "you also want to be a kick-ass band."

At the Hard Rock on Monday, Blair says fans will hear two other kick-ass bands, in the openers of The Gaslight Anthem and Hot Water Music.

So, even though Blair aspires to influence listeners politically, Rise Against is still a group of musicians.

"Just come see us play. When it comes down to it, we are a band that loves to play," Blair says.

"Yeah, we do have messages we want to put in your head. If you don't like any of that, there's nothing we can do about it."

Doug Elfman's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Email him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.