Joe Principe

Joe Principe
Joe Principe, bass guitarist for Rise Against
Background information
Born	(1974-11-14) November 14, 1974 (age 42) Downers Grove, Illinois, United States
Genres	Punk rock, hardcore punk, melodic hardcore
Occupation(s)	Musician, bassist, activist
Instruments	Vocals, bass, guitar
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Fat Wreck Chords (2001-2003) Geffen (2003-2007) DGC/Interscope (since 2007)
Associated acts	Rise Against 88 Fingers Louie Dead Ending
Notable instruments
Fender Precision Bass

Joe Principe (born November 14, 1974) is an American musician. He is the bass guitarist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the American melodic hardcore band Rise Against.

He is also a straight edge, a strict vegetarian, an animal rights advocate, and actively promotes PETA with his band.

Joe Principe began his musical career at age 15, learning to play by ear and influenced during his formative years by Bad Religion, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, the Descendents, Bob Skwerski and other like minded bands. Principe attended Holy Cross High School in River Grove, Illinois.

In 1993, Principe formed the Chicago punk band 88 Fingers Louie with Dom Vallone, Mr. Precision, and Denis Buckley. The band were together for six years of touring and releasing records (Go Away, Wanted, Totin' 40's & Fuckin' Shit Up, Behind Bars, 88 Fingers Up Your Ass, The Dom Years, The Teacher Gets It, Back On The Streets, 88 Fingers Louie/Kid Dynamite). In 1999, tensions formed within the band, and the members decided to break up and go their separate ways.

Shortly after the breakup with "88 Fingers Louie", Principe met future bandmate and friend Tim McIlrath at a Sick of It All concert. Principe asked McIlrath to sing over a few tracks that he and former 88 Fingers Louie guitarist Mr. Precision had recorded. It was then McIlrath agreed to form the band. They later met up with drummer Toni Tintari and formed the band as "Transistor Revolt", the band's original name before changing it to "Rise Against".