Rise Against was never a band to shy away from politics. Alternative Press asked frontman Tim McIlrath for his thoughts on the 2012 presidential election, and Tim's response was mostly about the Republican party:

For the first time in my lifetime, the Republican establishment has lost control of its constituency. At one point, outlets like Fox News did whatever the Republican sector told them to do. It seems that time is over and that the roles are reversed: The Republican establishment is beholden to Fox News. Fox News is the one actually steering the ship nowadays, and the Republicans have to placate that and acquiesce to this viewership they've built up over the last decade.

Watching this [nomination process] unfold [is] showing the really ugly sides of right-wing conservatism [which is] is now synonymous with bigotry. You're seeing people in politics working to create an environment that trickles down into the hallways of high schools, an environment where there are students who feel they don't belong in those hallways, or on this planet.

Tampa hosts the Republican National Convention later this year. Don't be surprised if multiple politically active bands make related protest appearances in the area. Maybe this is how Tampa will finally get a Rage Against The Machine show!

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The Offspring frontman Dexter Holland tweeted the band finished recording their new album. It should be out later this year.

Silversun Pickupsnew albumNeck Of The Woods comes out May 8. They will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live that same night.

The Temper Trap return with a follow-up album this summer. Frontan Dougy Mandagi told Billboard, "The music's a lot brighter. Some of that L.A. sun seeped in... "I mean lyrically it's probably more on the darker side. It's quite interesting how the two opposites compliment each other."

Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock (real name Seth Binzer) woke up from a coma last week. TMZ reports several of his friends say the coma was drug-related. You may remember the band from their biggest hit, "Butterfly," which I try to forget. In the years since then Binzer appeared on four different celebrity rehab-type shows.

Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin pled not guilty to felony possession of cocaine following his arrest on January 12. He could be facing four years in prison.

P.O.D. will return with a new album this summer called Murdered Love.

Eve 6reunited and recorded a new album. You may have heard "Victoria" in The Clash. Speak In Code drops April 24.