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Artist News
Rise Against release controversial single
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 1 June 2009
Oft-political Chicago punk rockers Rise Against are to release a single questioning the US army’s treatment of its own serving soldiers, because, say the band, they want to focus on the issues of the “suicide rate of troops, torture, [and] internal sexual abuse”. The narrative of the track, entitled ‘Hero Of War’, is based on the true story of a soldier who served in Iraq.
Frontman Tim McIlrath explains: “‘Hero Of War’ is the story of one soldier, not all soldiers, as he battles not just the war around him, but the war that rages within. Inspired by true events, we were given the choice to either document the tribulations of these times as they unfold around us, or ignore them. To ignore these problems, in our opinion, is letting down the brave men and women who risk everything”.
He continued: “‘Hero Of War’ is our attempt to lift the stigma that surrounds everything from the skyrocketing suicide rate of troops, torture, internal sexual abuse, an under-funded VA, and the growing number of military personnel fighting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as they return home. We hope this song and this video help the simmering dialogue about these problems evolve into a rolling boil”.
The track is out on 8 Jun in the UK. The video is here.
