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Rage Against The Machine
1991-
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Artistfacts:
| In 1999, they ordered donuts for 300 police officers who protested them outside a show in Massachusetts. |
| Bass player Commerford climbed on top of a 15-foot set at the 2000 MTV Video music awards and stayed there while Limp Bizkit accepted an award. He pled guilty to disorderly conduct. |
| At the Philadelphia stop on Lollapalooza '93, Rage stood naked with duct tape across their mouths and the letters P-M-R-C written across their chests. This lasted for 25 minutes with no sound feedback. They were protesting the censorship of the Parents Music Resource Center. This was inspired by de la Rocha blowing out his voice earlier in the day, rendering him unable to sing. |
| Rage is known for their politics. De la Rocha has appeared at the United Nations' Commission on Human Rights on behalf of convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. At Woodstock '99, he called for justice for Native American Leonard Peltier. |
| Also at Woodstock '99, Commerford draped the American flag over his bass amp and lit it on fire. He says he celebrating his right to free speech. |
| De la Rocha has traveled to Chiapas, Mexico to work with rebel group the Zapatistas. Here he picked up smoking cigarettes as a way to initiate conversation. |
| On Rage's first album, the only additional musicians are Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins and Tool/Perfect Circle vocalist Maynard James Keenan. |
| Morello has a degree in social studies from Harvard. |
| De la Rocha is a Mexican-American; Morello is an African-American. Both their sets of parents are divorced and both faced lots of prejudice as children. Morello calls de la Rocha his "ideological brother." |
| De la Rocha cites his biggest influence as Uruguayan journalist Eduardo Galeano. |
| The band's name comes from a song performed by de la Rocha's previous band, Inside Out. |
| Former Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell was never a part of Rage Against The Machine, however when they split up he formed a band with the remnants of RATM (everyone except De La Rocha) called Audioslave. (thanks, iain - edinburgh, Scotland) |
| De la Rocha's father, Beto, was a member of the Los Angeles collective of painters known as Los Four. He was also the art editor at several Chicano publications in the 1970's. |
| Morello's father, Ngethe Njoroge, was a Mau Mau guerilla and Kenya's first representative to the United Nations. His mother, who is white, worked with the NAACP and founded Parents for Rock and Rap. Morello's great-uncle, Jomo Kenyatta, was the first elected president of Kenya. |
| Morello spent two years as a scheduling secretary for California Senator Alan Cranston (Democrat). |
| The members of Rage rarely socialize together outside of making music. |
| Commerford has used many pseudonyms, including Timmy C, Tim Bob Commerford, and Y.tim.k. His most clever pseudonym was TIM.COM. (thanks, Stefano, Old Bridge, NJ) |
| Wilk is the son of a jewelry salesman from Oregon. He used to play in a band called Bad Radio with Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. (thanks, Helene - Gatineau, Canada) |
| They won 2 Grammys: "Tire Me" for Best Metal Performance in 1997, and "Guerrilla Radio" for Best Hard Rock Performance in 2001. (thanks, Emmanuel - Tijuana, Mexico) |
| Zach De La Rocha's father had a midlife crisis during which he became a born again Christian. When Zach would visit his divorced father on weekends, he and Zach would lock themselves in a completely dark room for the entire weekend to pray and repent for their sins. Zach would sometimes not eat until he left for his mother's house again on Monday. This is a big part of his anti-Chritianity lyrics. (thanks, Noah - Boston, MA) |
| Wilk is a Buddhist. He is generally seen as the most laid-back member of the band. |
| Commerford is descended from a Norman warlord called Fulco de Commerforte, who settled in Ireland in 1169. (thanks, Tom - Trowbridge, England) |
| Rage got together in 1991, wrote the majority of the songs on this album in a manner of 2 months, made a 12-song demo tape, played a few shows in the L.A. area, and were signed onto Epic among hundreds of record labels requesting contract. This album didn't receive much play time on either MTV, or the radio, but it's sales still climbed, and made Rage Against the Machine a popular album. This album most effectively demonstrates Rage's "rap meets metal" combination - proving that they were the only band to get the formula right, and make it work. This is the album most responsible for the entire "rock-hop" revolution that took over the mainstream music industry. Rage made their presence known with this album, as a political threat, and as a musical one. |
| "Rage Against The Machine" is the title of an Inside Out song. Inside Out is a hard-core band on Revelation Records that Zack was in before they broke up and he formed RATM with Tom Morello. "Rage Against the Machine" was the working title for Inside Out's second album, but since they broke up, it seemed the most suitable name to sum up the band's sound, politics, and mission." The common question is, then, "what machine are they raging against?" According to Tom Morello, "The machine can be anything from the police in LA that can tear motorists from their cars and beat them to a pulp and get away with it, to the state capitalist machine that tried to make you just a mindless cog and sort of 'behave' and never confront the system and just look forward to the weekend and the next six pack of beer." The machine has come to mean any form of illegitimate authority that dehumanizes and degrades. |
| Evil Empire was released in 1996, a new genre of music based on Rage's style suddenly became mainstream. Rage Against the Machine avoided the hype of this fuming music scene, and released an album 3 years later that surpassed all the music released in the interval between Rage albums: The Battle Of Los Angeles. In the words of Tom Morello, the album is "heavier, super-hard rocking, rhythmic with deep hip-hop grooves, and some really unique sonic slap-back funk" - a sound that not only takes the popular form that Rage originally created to the next step, but takes it an entire country mile further. (thanks, Tim - Pittsburgh, PA, for above 3) |
| On Rage Against The Machine's first album, the cover is a Pulitzer prize winning photo of a burning monk. The Vietnamese Buddist monk is Thich Quang Duc, who burned himself to death. This act of self-immolation was protesting against the Prime Minister Ngo Dih Diem who was oppressing the Buddhist religion. (thanks, Gilbert - Amarillo, TX) |
| In high school, Tom Morello made up a name and started campaigning for the fictitious person for class president. His "candidate" came in third place in the election. (thanks, David - Saugerties, NY) |
| On September 13, 2000, Rage played for the last time in 7 years at a show in Los Angeles. They got back together in 2007 to perform at the Coachella festival. |
| On August 27, 2008, they played to about 9,000 people at the Denver Coliseum during the Democratic National Convention, which was being held nearby. The group was protesting the Iraq War, and joined an antiwar march lead by Iraq Veterans Against the War. |
| When he left the band in 1999, Zack De La Rocha released a statement saying: "I feel that it is now necessary to leave Rage because our decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band, and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal." (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for above 2) |
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Comments:
| RATM Es la banda mas pocamadre del mundo. back in 1999 when they where on tour they came to mexico city and perform at EL PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES. if you know them very well you should know that this was the best concert on their tour and it was released on dvd. check it out and you might be surpriced on how mexicans love them and know all the songs even if a lot of us dont speak english... nayeli,mexico city - nayeli, mexico city, Mexico |
| I saw RATM in Minneapolis, MN during the RNC. It was easily the best, most moving concert I have been to. As the thousands of police surrounded the concert (Target Center) de la rocha told the crowd to use peaceful protest and let the police be the instegators. It worked, only a few drunk idiots got arrested but it was made in to a much bigger thing than it really was. The news said it was a riot but it was hardly even close. - Beef, Chaska, MN |
| eddie from las cruces, NM - If you know all that, why don't you even know how to spell Zack's name right? - Brian, Wichita Falls, TX |
| Zack:A heckuva dream world you live in, but I like you a lot. You are an inspiration to me as a poet, and of all the rock bands I've heard, I think RATM is the best. Psychology doesn't work with rock, anyway...you just do what feels good. You probably hate Christmas and puppies and me, too. Hate's cool for a few years. After 50 years of Rock, No Shelter is what turns me on now. I am Colonel Mars and I will show you revolution, son. Pay attention. - robert, mudville, CA |
| Also, Zach left the band because he was upset with the other members' preoccupation with fame/pop/MTV. Its sited in a Rolling stone interview where they had a hard time finding him (he was in Chiapas) before making Evil Empire, he was under contract and the other band members had to find him to get the record going.
Zach was disgusted with the site of a bunch of white frat boys jumping up and down to his music without fully grasping what he meant. He felt they were part of the problem and didn't even know it. Just as with his band mates, he felt that the "appearance" of being an activist or revolutionary is NOT the goal, the goal is to be truly open minded and aware of the issues.
I remember they did one last ditch effort to spread their word when they did that TRL thing (yes, believe it or not, they were on TRL with that fool, it made me sick), apparently it made Zach sick too, you can see it during the interviews.
The stuff with Cornell really sucks, I mean musically, socially, and politically. Its just pop now, I don't care how loud you crank you amp - its kiddie-POP.
peace. - eddie, las cruces, NM |
| someone said "...reason for Zach's Anti-Christian lyrics"
... can you site those - and do you really know that they are anti-Christian or is that your own perspective/interpretation? - eddie, las cruces, NM |
| Zach de la Rocha really was the essence of the band.What he sang about really was BETTER then any of the stuff that Chris Cornell will ever write,yet I do like some of the songs by Audioslave.But Rage is so many levels better.The riffs unified with the music.If Zach had never left the band to go solo and if the others stopped believing in the political statements that trouble the world,Rage would still be making music and better then ever because the world has so many more problems today. - Ian, Birmingham, AL |
| The good thing about the guitar riffs in rage is that how it goes with the beat of the music,the music is fast paced,ruthless that still pack a meaningful punch with the lyrics added - Ian, Birmingham, AL |
| Can't wait for RATM'S Reunion at Coachella! 4-29-07 - Steven, Waldwick, NJ |
| in april 07 rage might get back together for 1 show, tickets range from 200 bucks :/ - Logan, Saskatoon, Canada |
| jeremy, i can tell you right now that zach did not write the riffs for Rage...that was all Morello. Zach came up with all the lyrics, but the guitar was Tom. - Matt, somewhere, CA |
| i truly wish rage got back together and in audioslave you can just see who rights each song and if it were'nt for rick rubin audioslave wouldnt be around. the only thing i like about audioslave is that toms riffs are awesome and maybe the fact that they are happy together but still there probably will never be a band quite like rage. - hayden, ontario, Canada |
| For all you guys who were not there during the early nineties, Rage rose out of the ashes of L.A glam rock scene. They educated a generation of rich white kids, east coast punks, southern racist, chicano activist and mexican nationals. they brought political awareness worldwide. As with all of us we get older and let let others take the lead. rage will always be responsible for letting us know how it really goes down. if you weren't there then you are to damn young. Late - Daniel, Los Angeles, CA |
| Audioslave is a very different band than RATM, Zach de La Rocha is a politically themed musician, Audioslave is not trying to be Rage witha new singer, it is trying to be a new band, with its own merits... - Ariel, Woodbridge, CT |
| What was the latest song Zach put out? And who was it with? I haven't heard of anything... if anyone could tell me it would be a great help. :) - Linda, Norfolk, England |
| RATM are not the same at all whitout Zach.
Auioslave are a good band but not the same feeling like it was when Zach was a member of Ratm, but lest thank Zach, Tom, Tim and Chis for all the wonderful songs you dudes have give us.
Songs like Know your Ememy, Killing in the name and Take The Power Back have saved my life, Tanks
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Jacob, Stocholm, Sweden |
| Zach didnt have much musical Talent... Audioslave is a fresh start. I can see how Zach pissed Chris Brad Tim and Tom off. - Timothy, Bloomington, IN |
| rage against the machine were awsome audioslave dont suck but they also dont rule yes zach should put more music out because he is pure lyrical genious - herbaceous, perth, WA |
| Relations between the different band members were tense throughout their career. They would seldom socialize or spend time together outside their music, so it was inevitable that the band would fall apart in some way. Although incredibly talented, Zach was a hard person to work with creatively. - Bob, Tokyo, Japan |
| I think Audioslave is just fine the way it is with Chriss Cornel. There not Rage Against the Machine anymore, there Audioslave. Even though they arent as good as Rage, or political, adn all the other things, there still a kick ass band, and the riffs dont suck. If you where in there possition, or a real musicians positon (like myself) you would understand, and when creative differences like that happen u have to go with the flow (like Audioslave) and make things happen. - zak, skaneateles, NY |
| Question: Is it known why zach split from rage? Because zach currently making music (singles like We Want it All, etc.). Also, a little known fact: Zach wrote ALL THE RAGE RIFFS! Wonder why audioslave's guitar sucks? Because Tom is writing them. Make no mistake, tom is a great guitarist, but, like people before me have said, rage against the machine is nothing without Zach. Further, in response to the comments that "you cant sing angry music forever:" Audioslave's music doesnt mean anything. Its pointless--its just like all the other bullcrap lyrics that every other band is putting out. Rage was incredibly infulential and they made a difference. Audioslave is here for the money, and theyre getting it.
Jeremy, Los Angeles - jeremy, los angeles, CA |
| I don't think RATM will ever be the same without Zack. He was their esscence. A band has to be a unit to make it work- I don't think Chris Cornell is a very good replacement. Audioslave don't have the attitude and passion RATM did, it's a shame. - Linda, Norfolk, England |
| Why bother criticising Audioslave, with a few people out there saying its a pathetic RATM replacement without Zach who is god. Now its Chris Cornell has sold out and Audioslave are a just a softrock band. Don't forget all these guys are getting older so of course their musical styles will mellow out. There's nothing more cringeworthy than seeing someone pretending to be angry decade after decade. At some point you've got to let the next wave pick up the reins and run with them. Maybe that is why we haven't heard from Zach and it is time for him too to rethink the next phase of his musical journey as it seems his former band and Cornell have done. Not many people pushing 40 feel the same anger about the same issues they did as a 20-something.... - Julie, Perth, WA, Australia |
| Were personally sought out by U2 singer Bono to support them on their Achtung Baby tour in the early 90s. Bono and Tom Morello are long-term friends. - Tom, Trowbridge, England |
| where the hell is zack? One song with D.J. shadow over the past 4odd years just doesn't satisfy. Was he treatened after making the 'testify' video during the whole Bush-Gore contention thing?
I see a void in the music scene with out him. - kyle, Amherst Is., Canada |
| Rage Against the machine without ZDLR is pointless pretty much, as far as I'm concerned. It's not as much about the music itself as it is the lyrics--albeit the exceptional music adds to the powerful influence of the lyrics. - Rowan, San Carlos, CA |
| Although De La Rocha is not a member of the band anymore, and the band is maybe not so politially active anymore, I regard this change of singer as a good thing. Musically, the band became more valuable. That's because Cornell really SINGS, and he is SO good at it. Constructive change it was. - Matt, KrakÃ?w, Poland |
| Chris, do you seriously believe that you can sing better than Chris Cornell, the best rock singer of all time behind Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant? Then I for one would like to hear it!
- Tom, Trowbridge, England |
| Tom Morello is still very politically active. In addition to his work with Audioslave, he is now a folk singer under the alias "The Nightwatchman". His songs are primarily political and socioeconomic. He is also one of the founders of the Axis of Justice, a nonprofit organization whose goal is to bring together other musicians, fans, and organizations in the fight for social justice and related issues. The other founder is Serj Tankian of System of a Down. They've got a ".org" website for anyone who wants to check it out. - Stephen, Miami, FL |
| De La Rocha needs to get back in that band, and the rest of them need to get together on it. Cornell needs a poprock band. I sing better than he does. This is worse than David Lee Roth leaving Van Halen. It would be cool if they all just liked swapping partners and got back together for the real music, the way the dead did, but you'd need an open mind, and I guess a politically motivated band doesn't have the thinking capacity. I hope that I am wrong, I hope they proveme wrong and make a few more songs.
- Chris, Li,NY, NY |
| what ever happened to zach de la rocha will always be a debate but i feel soundgardens chris cornell will fill in his spot very well - Jake, anderson, IN |
| the band audioslave is rage without de la roche...just a new lead singer. the band stopped believing in what de la roche was singing. - rachel, c.wood, Canada |
| at one point , the singer from cyprus hill was going to replace de la rocha...... - marlow, perth, Australia |
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