Well, they’re as politically ineffective as President Bush, but maybe not quite as bad as the band Bush. Maybe.
During one of the most tumultuous times in US politics in recent memory, one of the most outspoken bands in recent memory has been dead silent.
Of course, we’re talking about Rage Against the Machine.
When this rap-rock band exploded onto the scene in 1992, the group became known for its fiery politics perhaps more than its music. Speaking out against censorship, racial injustice and political and economic corruption, the band seemed unstoppable.
Until it stopped.
The group folded in 2000 and, aside from guitarist Tom Morello’s lame pop sidetrip with Chris Cornell in AudioSlave (whose melodramatic pop was only slightly less annoying than U2), the members all-but-disappeared. Formerly outspoken frontman Zack de la Rocha seemed to have nothing to say until he reemerged earlier this month with tracks from his new band, One Day as a Lion.
Still, the fact that this band and its members had nothing to say about 9/11 or the Bush administration seems suspicious. Are they afraid to speak up during an actual time of conflict and crisis? Do they only raise hell when they’re preaching to the choir—reassuring wealthy white kids that Democrats rock and Republicans don’t? It all seems too easy.
If cheap shots are the name of the game, count these guys in. The band has announced plans to play a reunion concert coinciding with the 2008 Democratic Convention in Denver (no word on a new album, yet). This will give them the chance to complain about Bush (now that he’s on the way out anyway, real brave, fellas), and it will also allow them to attempt to regain some punk cred as they follow in the footsteps of punk pioneers MC5 who infamously played Chicago at the time of the violent protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. (Mc5 guitarist Wayne Kramer is also on the bill.)
Is history repeating itself? Maybe. But this seems like one rerun/reunion we could do without.
Is Rage Against the Machine too political? Not political enough?
Leave a comment and tell us what you think.
Listen!
Jake says...
09.5.08 12:40 am
RAGE! RAGE! RAGE!!!
pessimest says...
09.22.08 2:07 pm
If RATM really wants to be taken seriously they should start by
ditching their label and sell their music direct via Itunes or Napster.
Hard to believe all the hype they try to push when they are attached to Sony.
Maggi says...
10.20.08 8:49 am
a quick, simple look to the WIKIPEDIA website (wikipedia…hmm. have you heard of it?)
could tell you that the members of rage have been all over the map speaking of their political values and spreading the truth, that is suppressed by the mainstream media from attemping to shoot a music video in the NYSE, to the 2000 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION, where during the concert,Zach said to the crowd, “brothers and sisters, our democracy has been hijacked,” and later also shouted “we have a right to oppose these mother–s!” (wikipedia). They tried to play a show at the RNC also this year, but were forcefully stopped from going onto the stage, so they sang accapella in the crowd and led a march towards the convention.
ANd that is only what wikipedia says of them.
Zach says...
11.23.08 8:48 am
wow whoever wrote this is a complete idiot first off it wasn’t onlyt tom morello in audioslave, audioslave was basically rage with chris cornell singing. and they broke up, they weren’t a band durig the Bush administration so why would they say anything as a band.
Lilo says...
02.1.09 2:08 pm
Absolutely agree with Zach,
Whoever wrote this needs to do their homework. The other members of Rage did anything but dissapear and Audioslave was wildly successful as well as political. I think the massive turn out at the band first concert in 8 years at the Coachella Festival says enough about their huge fan base and that they are MOST DEFINATELY welcome to start touring again.
Trevor says...
02.5.09 1:17 pm
Just to add to everything else everyone is throwing at whatever ignorant #@* wrote this article, both Rage AND Audioslave are amazing, its pretty hard not to be amazing when you have one of the most innovative and technically creative musical minds playing lead guitar for you in Tom Morello. And contrary to popular belief Rage didnt have to be a band in order for their members to speak out individually about political issues during the Bush administration, I dont think Zach needs Brad or Tim to hold his hand while he criticizes our government, he is a big boy, I actually hear hes been dressing himself for the past few months, crazy right? To say that they havent spoken out at all is complete lunacy, maybe you need to check out some of Zach’s breakaway work with the Mars Volta drummer, his name escapes me, but the band is called One Day as a Lion, and maybe while youre at it you can listen to both of Morello’s solo albums, Nightwatchmen and One Man Revolution, Morello himself said that hes been playing those songs for years which are nothing but political rants in a folk style format. So whoever wrote this needs to actually do some research before they go shooting their biased mouth off, idk maybe read a little? Or is that too much to ask for anymore?
Fail says...
03.17.09 7:02 pm
Who is does the bitch that wrote this article think she is? Bitch, if you don’t know what RATM is about, what they stand for, and the music, don’t say anything.
Karen added...
Nice.
Did Zack de la rocha teach you to call girls bitches?
Think you should listen to those lyrics a little closer next time.
03.18.09 7:55 am
Dave says...
05.1.09 1:19 pm
She is right in her basic premise. Rage has been back together since 2007 and where have they been? Politically they only done the DNC and the RNC in the U.S. Why haven’t they spoken out about the bailouts or how Obama is another puppet? I was hoping to see them re-release Testify with McCain and Obama’s face instead of Bush and Gore. Oh well.
And their still under Sony’s label which bothers me. With the money they already have and the fan base they hold, they no longer need to worry about getting their band marketed.
I just haven’t seen enough action from them lately and I know I’m not the only one.
Oh and Karen, it’s women, not girls.
thirdeye says...
05.8.09 4:45 pm
what a crap article. This is nothing more than a dig at the band. Tell me bitch why write unproductive, negative garbage? Your negativity speaks volumes about you as a person. Tell me why the big chip on your shoulder and why dont you spend more time writing positive articles? You must think your the center of attention and the be all and end all.
Being known for its politics than its music? That is bullshit, they both come hand in hand. Do you actually know what the songs are about? Your self opinionated dig is pathetic. How the hell can you sit there and have a dig at people who have accomplished more than you ever will? Your a hypocrite.
Your telling others to listen to the lyrics? It is very clear that you hate them and this also implies that you dont know what they sing about. Liar bitch.
You obviously dont know anything about zacks affairs. If you did you would know that he actively campaigned against joe arpayo. Not to mention continuous campaigns to help release mumia.
Cheap shots? Your making one here. Just go back to your media circus and leave the free thinking to the people who can.
Mario RATM says...
05.17.09 5:03 am
shut the fuck up asshole!!!RATM have ALWAYS critizised the USA and abuse and they are not sold up cock suckers like you
thirdeye says...
05.18.09 12:50 pm
well said my friend mario. Fuck the american system and its greed. People are way more important than any unjust/undermining system. Glad too see you can think for yourself. Keep up the battle my friend and never loose faith. Peace out
rockovermars says...
07.3.09 7:43 am
Rage is the greatest band packed with the most talented musicians of all time. It’s sad that people who have no talent OR brains themselves can take such cheap digs at such icons of rock music. RATM! RATM!! RATM!!!