Rage Against The Machine
Biography
Rage Against the Machine earned acclaim from disenfranchised fans (and not insignificant derision from critics) for their bombastic, fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression into a Molotov cocktail of punk, hip-hop, and thrash. Rage formed in Los Angeles in the early '90s out of the wreckage of a number of local groups: vocalist Zack de la Rocha (the son of Chicano political artist Beto) emerged from the bands Headstance, Farside, and Inside Out; guitarist Tom Morello (the nephew of Jomo Kenyatta, the first Kenyan president) originated in Lock Up; and drummer Brad Wilk played with future Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. Rounded out by bassist Tim Bob (aka Tim C., born Tim Commerford), a childhood friend of de la Rocha's, Rage debuted in 1992 with a self-released, self-titled 12-song cassette featuring the song "Bullet in the Head," which became a hit when reissued as a single later in the year.
The tape won the band a deal with Epic, and their leap to the majors did not go unnoticed by detractors, who questioned the revolutionary integrity of Rage Against the Machine's decision to align itself with the label's parent company, media behemoth Sony. Undeterred, the quartet emerged in late 1992 with their eponymous official debut, which scored the hits "Killing in the Name" and "Bombtrack." After touring with Lollapalooza and declaring their support of groups like FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting), Rock for Choice, and Refuse & Resist, Rage spent a reportedly tumultuous four years working on their follow-up; despite rumors of a breakup, they returned in 1996 with Evil Empire, which entered the U.S. album charts at number one and scored a hit single with "Bulls on Parade." During 1997, the group joined forces with hip-hop supergroup the Wu-Tang Clan for a summer tour and remained active in support of various leftist political causes, including a controversial 1999 benefit concert for death-row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. The Battle of Los Angeles followed later in 1999, also debuting at number one and going double platinum by the following summer. In early 2000, de la Rocha announced plans for a solo project, and the band performed an incendiary show outside the Democratic National Convention in August. The following month, bassist Commerford was arrested for disorderly conduct at MTV's Video Music Awards following his bizarre disruption of a Limp Bizkit acceptance speech, in which he climbed to the top of a 15-foot set piece and rocked back and forth.
Plans for a live album were announced shortly thereafter, but in October, de la Rocha abruptly announced his departure from the band, citing breakdowns in communication and group decision-making. Surprised but not angry, the remainder of Rage announced plans to continue with a new vocalist, while de la Rocha re-focused on his solo album, which was slated to include collaborations with acclaimed hip-hop artists including DJ Shadow and El-P of Company Flow. December 2000 saw the release of de la Rocha's final studio effort with the band, the Rick Rubin-produced Renegades; it featured nearly a dozen covers of hip-hop, rock, and punk artists like EPMD, Bruce Springsteen, Devo, the Rolling Stones, the MC5, and more. By 2001, Morello, Wilk, and Commerford had formed Audioslave with former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, and the group released an eponymous album by the end of 2002. With a de la Rocha solo album still not announced, Epic finally released the long-promised concert album Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium on CD and DVD in time for Christmas 2003. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Live At The Grand Olympic Auditorium (Explicit)
2003

Renegades
2000

The Battle Of Los Angeles
1999

Evil Empire
1996

Rage Against The Machine
1992
i'm in, jenn.
tacit, i kind of agree with you. i could see taking this seriously as teenagers-wi t h - a n g s t , but when you actually begin to have a brain in your body it becomes slightly amusing, doesnt it? |
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i just can't take this band seriously. but it amazes me how they get up and do that with a strait face. pure comic genius.
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I love this band. Glad to hear they're back together...h o p e f u l l y it will awaken the social consciences of a people who have, on average, a 15 minute attention span. I don't care where an individual is on the political spectrum, RATM gives us all something to think about....if we CARE to think.
I'm thinking about forming The Church of Tom Morello...an y o n e care to join? Don't freak people...I'm just kidding! (sorta) |
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dam pandora....o n c e again comparing great artist with kid rock
kid rock is a joke |
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Oh man this is fun! We got some die hard RATM fans here talking about politics and sh*t. I love listening to RATM while I work on my biceps. It's very liberating! hahaha! I heart the band, hahaha!
Peace and Love people! |
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Overpowering l y Radical. That's the best way I can describe them. Calm like a Bomb bishes!
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dude these guy rock!!!!!!!! ! ! ! t h e y r so amazing!!!!! g u r i l l a radio, bulls on perade, killing in the name. omg all just amazing songs. i cant wait to c if de la rocha comes bak
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one of the few bands that have instantly recognizable music. awesome as hell as well.
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after 8 years of President Bush, I really cant wait to see what de la Rocha comes out with. Especially with the band backing him up again.
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They reunited because now was the time to reunite and sing the songs that matter
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They probably ddont stay together because US doesn't allow four way gay marriage YET so in a couple more years when more gay people like you are born they get back together IDK its a thought
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this group freakin rocks. don't understand why they don't stay together.
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Sometimes the Political Message is a little too college Communist *(read: knee jerk left to the point of looking silly) but you can't deny the rhythm section lays out sick sick sickness. Renegades of Funk is one of my all time favorite songs. I always imagine delaRocha torturing GWB when he starts goin off on that NOW DANCE SUCKA! NOW MOVE SUCKA! part, and GWB in his underwear dancing about all herky jerky...but that's just me.
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i never thought i'd be able to see them together again live till i got my LOLLAPALOOZA ticket! gonna be the s**t!!!
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The land of the free? Whoever told you that is your enemy.
One of the greatest bands, wish they'd get together and do another tour. |
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a station made on this band has only a couple of other bands that keep coming up (all mid 90s alternative) . . . what does that tell you about this band: it's unique, and its silence leaves a gaping hole in todays culture.
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this is one of the best bands ever they should come back and make a new albulm
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i belive that this band brought to the attention of the youth in america the hipocracy of our government. I for one i was a naive young girl when i first started listening to this band it definitely planted a seed in my mind. Awesome music, raw message.
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With "leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression" aside, I find that their music absolutely delightful and has, in my opinion, no equal.
And for the record... this is a comment page about, you know, MUSIC, not goddamn politics. On that note, my favorite song by them is 'Sleep Now in the Fire'. |
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Rage Against the Machine epitimizes the angst and dissent of people around the world against an inhumane social system that puts profits ahead of people. In order for people to make real changes (barak are you listening) they have to get together to discuss the issues and how we can build a mass movement.
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Now, thats not to say I support the Democrats either, or even really any political party. My point I'm trying to make is that, good, your angry at the system. What are YOU going to do about it. Thats the issue here. You can spew venom and bile on the internet at whatever you want, but chances are I doubt members of congress read anything on here. So, its in your hands now. If your angry, do something about it. Now thats not to say kill people, but make a stand. Let the world hear your voice!
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Ahh, Internet bantering.
Hehe. Your BOTH wrong. Why? Because, its to easy to blame Bush. Note the fact that any war has to get congresses approval, he can only SUGGEST it. Now I'm in no way saying Bush is intelligent. Hes not. I dislike him, although he WAS the better pick over *gag* Kerry. But note who controled congress. Yes, that would be Bushes PARTY, the Republicans. So while Bush can suggest all he wants, if there is or isn't interest in Congress it won't go. |
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Im not saying that u should change ur views, just be a little less open on places that are for music, not politics. there ARE things wrong with american government, though.
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