Joe started 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 and other similar bands. Starting out in Chicago punk band 88 Fingers Louie. After 6 years of touring and releasing records with the band, Joe made Rise Against with singer/guitarist Tim McIlrath, former 88 Fingers Louie guitarist Mr. Precision, and drummer Brandon Barnes. In 2002, Mr. Precison left and was replaced by Todd Mohney, who was replaced by Chris Chasse in 2004, who was later replaced by guitarist Zach Blair in 2007. Rise Against released their first two records ("The Unraveling", and "Revolutions Per Minute") on Fat Wreck Chords, and their next two ("Siren Song of the Counter Culture", and "The Sufferer & the Witness") on Geffen.