Tim McIlrath American punk rock musician Date of Birth: 03.11.1978 Country: USA

Biography of Tim McIlrath

Tim McIlrath, an American punk rock musician, was born on November 3, 1978, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In his early youth, he was influenced by dystopian novels such as George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," which later inspired his work. Growing up, Tim was teased for having one blue eye and one brown eye. As a teenager, he developed an interest in snowboarding and saved money to buy his own snowboard. However, his passion for music eventually took over, and Tim decided to spend his savings on a Gibson SG guitar.

Tim McIlrath completed his education at Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois. In 2011, the school became the backdrop for the music video of "Make It Stop (September's Children)," the second single from Rise Against's sixth album, "Endgame." The song was a response to the increasing suicides of LGBTQ+ teenagers who were driven to despair by their peers.

While attending Northeastern Illinois University, Tim McIlrath specialized in English language and sociology. During his freshman year, he met Joe Principe at a concert for "Sick Of It All." Joe asked Tim to sing a few songs, which he recorded. This encounter led to the formation of the punk rock band Rise Against, and Tim left college to pursue his musical career.

Currently, Tim is married to Erin McIlrath, and they have two daughters, Blythe and Scarlet. They reside in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Tim and his family are strict vegetarians, actively participating in animal rights activities and supporting PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). He frequently collaborates with other musicians and can be heard on various songs and albums outside of Rise Against.

Rise Against's fifth album, "Appeal to Reason," features a sticker from PETA, urging people to defend animal rights. Tim and his bandmates have given numerous interviews on this topic. Additionally, he often appears in videos produced by PETA, discussing his beliefs regarding vegetarianism, the issues of the meat industry and fast food, animal testing, and the use of natural furs and leather.

Tim's musical career began in his youth, and he gained recognition in the local alternative rock and punk scene. His first band was the post-hardcore group Baxter, in which he played from 1995 to 1999. In 1996, they independently released the cassette album "Troy's Bucket," which received a warm reception and made Baxter popular in the Chicago underground scene. However, the band disbanded after several local tours.

In 1998, Tim joined the Chicago-based band Arma Angelus and played bass until 1999. He then became one of the founding members of the group Transistor Revolt, which eventually evolved into Rise Against. As of now, Rise Against has released six studio albums, four EPs, 17 singles, and has produced 11 music videos. Their songs are frequently featured in soundtracks for films, TV series, and video games.