Brandon Barnes
Encyclopedia
Brandon Barnes is an American musician and producer from Denver, Colorado
. He is best known as the drummer for the punk rock band, Rise Against
. Barnes is the only member of the band who is not straight edge
.
. He started drum lessons when he was twelve until he was seventeen, he also joined a jazz band in high school. He studied music in college and played drums in the University of Colorado
music program. He knew then he wanted to make music his career. By listening to his favorite drummers such as Elvin Jones
, Tony Williams, Terry Bozzio
, Peter Erskine
, and Dave Lombardo
, Brandon got the style of playing he has used in many bands over the last 10 years.
and released their first album, Detailed Instructions for the Self Involved in 1997. Brandon joined Pinhead Circus in 1999 after their drummer Otis left. Pinhead then released their second album, Everything Else Is Just a Far Gone Conclusion in 1999 through BYO Records. Soon after, Barnes split the band after joining Rise Against
in 2000.
left, he was then asked to join the band. The band then signed with Fat Wreck Chords
in 2001. They then release their debut album The Unraveling
and spent the rest of the year touring. The band return to the studio in December 2002 to work on their second full-length, Revolutions Per Minute
in 2003 and toured for 2003 Warped Tour
, which gain the band some success. Rise Against then signed to Dreamworks Records
in late 2003 to began the recording of their third record, but Dreamworks was shortly absorbed by the Universal Music Group
, and Rise Against found itself with Major label Geffen Records
. Todd Mohney, the band's guitarist at the time left and was replaced by Chris Chasse and began the recording of the new album Siren Song of the Counter Culture
. Siren Song of the Counter Culture was released on August 10, 2004 peaking at number 136 on the U.S. Billboard 200
album charts, gaining the band major success with the singles "Give It All
, "Swing Life Away
", and "Life Less Frightening
".
The band re-entered the studio in January 2006, after touring in support of Siren Song of the Counter Culture, Rise Against recorded their fourth studio album at the Blasting Room studio in Fort Collins, Colorado with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. The Sufferer & the Witness
was released on July 4, 2006 peaking at number 10 on Billboard 200 and received generally positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success along with their singles "Ready to Fall
", "Prayer of the Refugee
" and "The Good Left Undone
". Rise Against toured in support of The Sufferer & the Witness throughout the second half of 2006 and all of 2007. The band was a headliner in the 2006 Warped Tour as part of the The Sufferer & the Witness Tour
. In late 2006, the band co-headlined a tour with Thursday
that included the bands Circa Survive
and Billy Talent
. The Sufferer & the Witness has less of the hardcore punk
feel from the band's previous album. In 2007 Chasse decided to leave the band and was replaced by longtime friend Zach Blair
from Only Crime
. During this tour, on July 3, 2007, Rise Against released an EP in Canada titled This Is Noise
, which was subsequently released in the United States on January 15, 2008.
Rise Against's fifth studio album Appeal to Reason
was released on October 4 in Australia, October 6 across Europe, and October 7 in the United States. The album sold 64,700 copies in its first week and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200, making it Rise Against's highest-charting album to date. Appeal to Reason was met with generally positive reviews. Rise Against embarked on a North American tour with bands Rancid
, Billy Talent
, Killswitch Engage
, and Riverboat Gamblers in June and July 2009.
After touring for almost two years Rise Against had begun recording their sixth studio album for a 2011 release, at the Blasting Room
in Fort Collins, Colorado
. Rise Against has announced two South American shows in Brazil and Argentina and a run of European shows in late February and March 2011 respectively. Endgame
was released on March 11, 2011 in the United States peaking at number 2 on The Billboard 200, receiving positive reviews from critics and commercial success in the United States and Canada, along with the band's three previous albums. After touring South America, and Europe, Rise Against will tour the United States in April in support of the Endgame Tour
, with Bad Religion
, and Four Year Strong
in the support of the tour.
Hardware: Tama
Cymbals: Sabian
Sticks: Promark Drum sticks
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. He is best known as the drummer for the punk rock band, Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
. Barnes is the only member of the band who is not straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
.
Biography
Brandon received his first drum set when he was nine years old from his grandfather, who was a jazz musician in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He started drum lessons when he was twelve until he was seventeen, he also joined a jazz band in high school. He studied music in college and played drums in the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
music program. He knew then he wanted to make music his career. By listening to his favorite drummers such as Elvin Jones
Elvin Jones
Elvin Ray Jones was a jazz drummer of the post-bop era. He showed interest in drums at a young age, watching the circus bands march by his family's home in Pontiac, Michigan....
, Tony Williams, Terry Bozzio
Terry Bozzio
Terry John Bozzio is an American drummer best known for his work with Missing Persons and Frank Zappa.-Biography:Terry Bozzio was born December 27, 1950 in San Francisco, California. He started at age 6 playing makeshift drum sets. At the age of 13 he saw The Beatles premier performance on The Ed...
, Peter Erskine
Peter Erskine
Peter Erskine is an American jazz drummer and composer. He has enjoyed a long and successful career as a session drummer, recording and touring with many famous jazz and rock artists, including Steely Dan and Weather Report...
, and Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo
Dave Lombardo is a Cuban American heavy metal drummer best known for his work with American thrash metal band Slayer. He has performed with Slayer on seven albums, including their groundbreaking 1986 release Reign In Blood and their 2006 release Christ Illusion, for which he received critical praise...
, Brandon got the style of playing he has used in many bands over the last 10 years.
Pinhead Circus (1999)
Pinhead Circus formed in 1988 with Jimmy Pinhead, guitarist, Trevor, bassist, and Otis as the drummer. In 1997 the band caught their attention of BYO RecordsBYO Records
BYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
and released their first album, Detailed Instructions for the Self Involved in 1997. Brandon joined Pinhead Circus in 1999 after their drummer Otis left. Pinhead then released their second album, Everything Else Is Just a Far Gone Conclusion in 1999 through BYO Records. Soon after, Barnes split the band after joining Rise Against
Rise Against
Rise Against is an American punk rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1999. The band currently consists of Tim McIlrath , Zach Blair , Joe Principe and Brandon Barnes .Rise Against spent its first five years signed to the independent record label Fat Wreck Chords, on which it...
in 2000.
Rise Against (2000-present)
After leaving of his previous band "Pinhead Circus" Brandon joined Rise Against in 2000 after their drummer, Dan LumleyDan Lumley
Dan Lumley has been a drummer for many bands, including Rattail Grenadier, Squirtgun, The Riverdales, The Methadones, Even in Blackouts, The Mopes, Common Rider and Screeching Weasel. He was also a brief member of Rise Against...
left, he was then asked to join the band. The band then signed with Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
in 2001. They then release their debut album The Unraveling
The Unraveling
The Unraveling is the debut full-length album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on April 24, 2001, and distributed through Fat Wreck Chords. Mass Giorgini produced the album at Sonic Iguana Studios in Lafayette, Indiana, in December 2000. It is the only Rise Against studio album on...
and spent the rest of the year touring. The band return to the studio in December 2002 to work on their second full-length, Revolutions Per Minute
Revolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)
Revolutions per Minute is the second album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It features the single "Like the Angel" as well as a cover of Journey's single, "Any Way You Want It". The album is considered by many long-term fans to be overwhelmingly their best work.The album had a limited...
in 2003 and toured for 2003 Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
, which gain the band some success. Rise Against then signed to Dreamworks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
in late 2003 to began the recording of their third record, but Dreamworks was shortly absorbed by the Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, and Rise Against found itself with Major label Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
. Todd Mohney, the band's guitarist at the time left and was replaced by Chris Chasse and began the recording of the new album Siren Song of the Counter Culture
Siren Song of the Counter Culture
-Personnel:Rise Against*Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Joe Principe – Bass, backing vocals*Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals*Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussionArtwork*Shepard Fairey – Cover illustration...
. Siren Song of the Counter Culture was released on August 10, 2004 peaking at number 136 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
album charts, gaining the band major success with the singles "Give It All
Give It All
"Give It All" is a song by American punk rock band Rise Against, the song is released as the first single from their third album, Siren Song of the Counter Culture. It is a fast paced song with a slower, chant-along bridge, with all running at two minutes and fifty seconds...
, "Swing Life Away
Swing Life Away
"Swing Life Away" is a song by hardcore punk band Rise Against, from their 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture. Originally written by Tim McIlrath and Neil Hennessy, the song is distinguished from the majority of Rise Against's catalog because it is performed and recorded acoustically...
", and "Life Less Frightening
Life Less Frightening
"Life Less Frightening" is the third song from the Chicago melodic hardcore band Rise Against's 2004 album Siren Song of the Counter Culture...
".
The band re-entered the studio in January 2006, after touring in support of Siren Song of the Counter Culture, Rise Against recorded their fourth studio album at the Blasting Room studio in Fort Collins, Colorado with producers Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore. The Sufferer & the Witness
The Sufferer & the Witness
-Personnel:Rise Against* Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar solo on "Prayer of the Refugee"* Joe Principe – Bass guitar, backing vocals* Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals* Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussion...
was released on July 4, 2006 peaking at number 10 on Billboard 200 and received generally positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success along with their singles "Ready to Fall
Ready To Fall
"Ready to Fall" is the first single by the punk rock band Rise Against from their fourth studio album, The Sufferer & The Witness .An acoustic version of this song was performed live on the CJZN Radio station in Victoria, British Columbia, on January 18, 2007, before a Billy Talent concert...
", "Prayer of the Refugee
Prayer of the Refugee
"Prayer of the Refugee" is the second single from Rise Against's album The Sufferer and The Witness, and was released worldwide in 2006. The song was originally titled "Diaspora", with advance copies of the album using that title instead of "Prayer of the Refugee".The song is featured as a...
" and "The Good Left Undone
The Good Left Undone
"The Good Left Undone" is the third single from Rise Against's fourth full-length album, The Sufferer & the Witness. In June 2007, they announced that they would be holding a contest to determine who could make the best video for the song...
". Rise Against toured in support of The Sufferer & the Witness throughout the second half of 2006 and all of 2007. The band was a headliner in the 2006 Warped Tour as part of the The Sufferer & the Witness Tour
The Sufferer & The Witness Tour
The The Sufferer & The Witness Tour was a concert tour by punk rock band Rise Against, taking place from 2006 until 2007, in support of their second major label album The Sufferer & The Witness....
. In late 2006, the band co-headlined a tour with Thursday
Thursday (band)
Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records...
that included the bands Circa Survive
Circa Survive
Circa Survive is an American alternative rock band from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania suburb of Doylestown, formed in 2004. The band consists of vocalist Anthony Green, former singer of Saosin and members of the now-defunct This Day Forward....
and Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
. The Sufferer & the Witness has less of the hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
feel from the band's previous album. In 2007 Chasse decided to leave the band and was replaced by longtime friend Zach Blair
Zach Blair
Zach Blair is the lead guitarist and backing vocalist for Chicago-based hardcore punk band Rise Against. He is originally from Sherman, Texas.Before joining Rise Against in early 2007, Blair was a member of hardcore punk group Only Crime along with his brother, Doni Blair, who currently plays with...
from Only Crime
Only Crime
Only Crime is a melodic hardcore group formed by Good Riddance singer Russ Rankin and Bane guitarist Aaron Dalbecin 2003. The band plays melodic but hard-hitting punk rock that borrows heavily from early-1980s hardcore bands such as Black Flag.-History:...
. During this tour, on July 3, 2007, Rise Against released an EP in Canada titled This Is Noise
This Is Noise
This Is Noise is the first EP by Rise Against. It was released on July 3, 2007 in Canada, and January 15, 2008 on iTunes by Geffen Records. The EP features 5 songs....
, which was subsequently released in the United States on January 15, 2008.
Rise Against's fifth studio album Appeal to Reason
Appeal to Reason
The Appeal to Reason was a weekly political newspaper published in the American Midwest from 1895 until 1922. The paper was known for its radical politics, lending support over the years to the Farmers' Alliance and Populist movement before becoming a mainstay of the Socialist Party of America...
was released on October 4 in Australia, October 6 across Europe, and October 7 in the United States. The album sold 64,700 copies in its first week and peaked at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard 200, making it Rise Against's highest-charting album to date. Appeal to Reason was met with generally positive reviews. Rise Against embarked on a North American tour with bands Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
, Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
, Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage
Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbandment of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Howard Jones, bassist Mike D'Antonio, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, and drummer...
, and Riverboat Gamblers in June and July 2009.
After touring for almost two years Rise Against had begun recording their sixth studio album for a 2011 release, at the Blasting Room
Blasting Room
The Blasting Room is a recording studio in Fort Collins, Colorado, built by members of Descendents, ALL, and Black Flag, including punk drummer Bill Stevenson....
in Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins is a Home Rule Municipality situated on the Cache La Poudre River along the Colorado Front Range, and is the county seat and most populous city of Larimer County, Colorado, United States. Fort Collins is located north of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. With a 2010 census...
. Rise Against has announced two South American shows in Brazil and Argentina and a run of European shows in late February and March 2011 respectively. Endgame
Endgame (Rise Against album)
Endgame is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. Produced by Bill Stevenson, it was released on March 15, 2011. Rise Against began work on the album in September 2010, after completing touring in support of its previous album, Appeal to Reason, in mid-2010...
was released on March 11, 2011 in the United States peaking at number 2 on The Billboard 200, receiving positive reviews from critics and commercial success in the United States and Canada, along with the band's three previous albums. After touring South America, and Europe, Rise Against will tour the United States in April in support of the Endgame Tour
Endgame Tour
The Endgame Tour is an ongoing concert tour by punk rock band Rise Against, taking place from 2011, in support of their sixth full-length studio album Endgame....
, with Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
, and Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong is an American pop punk band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The group consists of vocalists and guitarists Dan O'Connor and Alan Day, bassist Joe Weiss, and drummer Jackson Massucco...
in the support of the tour.
Drum equipment
Drums: Tama- 6.5"x14" Bell Brass Snare Drum
- 10"x12" Tom Tom
- 16"x16" Floor Tom
- 18"x22" Bass Drum
Hardware: Tama
- Iron Cobra Power Glide Single Pedal
- Iron Cobra Lever Glide Hi-Hat Stand
Cymbals: Sabian
- 14" Paragon Hi Hats
- 22" Paragon Ride
- 18" APX Crash
- 18" AA Medium Crash
Sticks: Promark Drum sticks
Pro-Mark
Pro-Mark is a Houston, Texas-based American drumstick company owned by founder Herb Brochstein. It is a widely known stick company generally played in drum set, drum and bugle corps and concert bands.-History:...
- TX5BW Hickory 5B wood tip
Rise Against
- The UnravelingThe UnravelingThe Unraveling is the debut full-length album by American punk rock band Rise Against, released on April 24, 2001, and distributed through Fat Wreck Chords. Mass Giorgini produced the album at Sonic Iguana Studios in Lafayette, Indiana, in December 2000. It is the only Rise Against studio album on...
(2001) - Revolutions Per MinuteRevolutions per Minute (Rise Against album)Revolutions per Minute is the second album by American punk rock band Rise Against. It features the single "Like the Angel" as well as a cover of Journey's single, "Any Way You Want It". The album is considered by many long-term fans to be overwhelmingly their best work.The album had a limited...
(2003) - Siren Song of the Counter CultureSiren Song of the Counter Culture-Personnel:Rise Against*Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar*Joe Principe – Bass, backing vocals*Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals*Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussionArtwork*Shepard Fairey – Cover illustration...
(2004) - The Sufferer & the WitnessThe Sufferer & the Witness-Personnel:Rise Against* Tim McIlrath – Lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar solo on "Prayer of the Refugee"* Joe Principe – Bass guitar, backing vocals* Chris Chasse – Lead guitar, backing vocals* Brandon Barnes – Drums, percussion...
(2006) - This Is NoiseThis Is NoiseThis Is Noise is the first EP by Rise Against. It was released on July 3, 2007 in Canada, and January 15, 2008 on iTunes by Geffen Records. The EP features 5 songs....
(2007) - Appeal to ReasonAppeal to ReasonThe Appeal to Reason was a weekly political newspaper published in the American Midwest from 1895 until 1922. The paper was known for its radical politics, lending support over the years to the Farmers' Alliance and Populist movement before becoming a mainstay of the Socialist Party of America...
(2008) - Rise Against 7"Rise Against 7""Grammatizator" / "Voice of Dissent" is a single by the American punk rock band Rise Against, released May 12, 2009, on Fat Wreck Chords.According to the band, the single was a result of a bet the band lost to NOFX frontman and Fat Wreck Chords chairman Fat Mike, to release an exclusive 7" vinyl on...
(2009) - EndgameEndgame (Rise Against album)Endgame is the sixth studio album by American punk rock band Rise Against. Produced by Bill Stevenson, it was released on March 15, 2011. Rise Against began work on the album in September 2010, after completing touring in support of its previous album, Appeal to Reason, in mid-2010...
(2011)