Tuna on Toast with Rise Against Tim McIlrath

01/04/22 • 53 min

1 Listener

Rise Against released their 9th full length studio album titled "Nowhere Generation" in June of 2021! Tim McIlrath from Rise Against joins Stryker on a really fun and entertaining episode of Tuna on Toast.

Tim and Stryker discuss that it's been more than 20 years since the release of their album The Unraveling. Tim talks about his early goals for the band and how weird it was to finally declare that he is a professional musician. This leads into Tim telling Stryker all about his return to college during the pandemic...NorthEastern Illinois University! Tim is back in school going for his degree that he was so close to getting many years ago. Tim talks about meeting with his counselors and being recognized in his classes and which class has been the most difficult. Tim also mentions that some of his classes have helped him navigate this crazy time we live in. Tim then talks about how Rise Against met Fat Mike from NOFX and what led to him signing the band. Rise Against didn't have one show under their belt at the time! Tim also tells a great story of a meeting both he and Joe had with Fat Mike. The guys drove from Chicago to Detroit to chat with Mike. Many of their early shows they opened for Strung Out and Mad Caddies, NOFX and Sick of it All. Tim talks about the band going to a major label and what the band thought was going to happen professionally vs what actually happened. Stryker asks Tim about a show just before the pandemic in which Rise Against opened for the Misfits in Los Angeles. Tim then discusses why they covered the Misfits song "Hybrid Moment" for the Rise Against "Nowhere Sessions" EP as well as the song "Fortunate Son" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. When discussing being the opening act so often early in the career of Rise Against, Tim said "the band you become has a lot to do with your introduction to the industry". The guys also talk about the future of Rise Against. Tim also gives wonderful advice when it comes to being a new band. Tim Mcllrath is a smart and talented dude full of an energy that is absolutely infectious... And as Tim says, there will always be things to Rise Against which means we should have lots of great music from the guys for many years to come. Sit back and enjoy another great episode of Tuna on Toast.

Previous Episode

Tuna on Toast with Jerry Heller (NWA Ruthless Records Ice Cube Dr. Dre Eazy-E)

Ted Stryker unearths an interview heard by very few people with the late Jerry Heller (recorded in 2011)

Jerry Heller was a music manager, music agent and a business man.

In this Tuna on Toast episode, Ted Stryker asks Jerry about is career before his NWA and Eazy-E days. Jerry worked with bands like The Standells, Elton John and Pink Floyd just name a few. Jerry also names the one artists that rubbed him the wrong way!

Jerry goes into detail about the circumstances that led to Jerry meeting Eric Wright AKA Eazy-E. Jerry and Stryker talk about JJ Fad, the song Supersonic, The L.A. Dream Team, Rudy Pardee, the great radio station KDAY and the amazing personalities/DJ's on KDAY. Jerry mentions guys like Juilo G, Tony G and Greg Mack!

Jerry tells a great story of his first meeting with Eazy, MC Ren was also there and the guys pulled up in a Suzuki Samurai.

Jerry Heller answers all of Stryker's questions about Ruthless, who owned the company, and about how it was determined how much the NWA members got paid.

Jerry discusses not only his thoughts on why Ice Cube left the group, but also talks about his feelings towards Ice Cube after the release of the song "No Vaseline". Jerry talks about his encounter with Suge Knight at Monty's restaurant.

Jerry Heller then answers questions about Dr. Dre leaving the group, his importance to Ruthless Records and how exactly Jerry feels about Dr. Dre as a talent!

Stryker asks Jerry about his relationship with Eazy, what was it like both working and personal throughout their years together.

Jerry is a wonderful story teller who was sharp as a tack the day we recorded this interview back in 2011. There are a ton more little nuggets you will hear!

Thanks for listening, sit back and enjoy Jerry Heller on Tuna on Toast.

Next Episode

Tuna on Toast with Chad Tepper

Ted Stryker welcomes Chad Tepper to the Tuna on Toast Studio.

This is such a fun, emotional, and inspiring episode into the life and history of Chad. While he is a star on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Stryker knows of Chad solely through is music.

Chad talks about his collabs with Simple Plan, Bowling for Soup and Travie McCoy, and tells a great story of how he struck up a friendship with Pierre Bouvier.

Chad shares for the first time publicly just how tough his childhood was, his family was homeless and struggling. Chad gets into all the details, again, it's very emotional.

Chad lists The Killers, Sum 41, Good Charlotte and Lady Gaga as a few bands/artists he would love to collab with!

Stryker and Chad discuss his future endeavors which include potentially signing to a big time major label

Chad Tepper is a hard working and creative force, sit back, relax and enjoy another great episode of Tuna on Toast.