role:: Bass role:: Vocals
Biography
Joseph Daniel Principe (born November 14, 1974) is an American musician. He is the bassist, backing vocalist, and co-founder of the punk rock band Rise Against. He was an early member of the Chicago punk band The Methadones, formed by Dan Vapid. He is also straight edge, a vegan, an animal rights advocate, and actively promotes PETA with his band.
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, Bill Swerski 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 until 1999, when 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”.