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Biografie
Lead guitarist Tom Morello, singer Zack de le Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk got together in the Los Angeles area back in 1991. Introducing a style heavily steeped in heavy metal, punk, funk and rap, the band quickly caught the ears of fans with its initial twelve-song self-titled, self-released demo cassette. Belting out hard grooves with passionate political protest lyrics, the band laid down who they would be from the get-go.
Touring in support of bands like Porno for Pyros and Suicidal Tendencies, Rage Against the Machine scored a label deal with Epic Records, with a second release of its self-titled debut album. Given an unusual amount of creative control, the band did not hold back their unapologetic protest sound. The band even made the self-immolation of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thích Quảng Đức, a self-sacrificial act of defiance against his oppressive government, into the cover image of their first LP. The record went on to achieve triple platinum certification, reaching 45 on the Billboard 200 charts.
The following year, Rage Against the Machine kept climbing in popularity. Supporting House of Pain in early 1993, followed by appearances at Lollapalooza, the band’s following quickly swelled. In addition to its many tours over the following years, the band stayed true to its political activism by appearing in a series of benefits and protest shows. The band headlined the Rock for Choice campaign and organized a show in support of imprisoned Native American activist Leonard Peltier. In 1994, it recorded the track “Year of tha Boomerang” for the John Singleton film Higher Learning, which was about college racism.
Amidst many rumors of being on the verge of breaking up, Rage Against the Machine proved the naysayers wrong with the release of 1996’s Evil Empire. Its long-anticipated second album debuted on the top spot of the Billboard 200 charts. Its appearance on Saturday Night Live in support of the record was cut short when the band hung inverted American flags from its amps in protest of the show’s host, Steve Forbes. Rage also played at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in San Francisco that year alongside fellow performers Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, and many more.
In 1997, the band opened for a U2 benefit concert, then headlined its own tour later that year with bands like Wu-Tang Clan and The Roots supporting. By 1999, its next full length album release would drop. The Battle of Los Angeles once again debuted on the number one spot of the Billboard 200, quickly going double platinum. That same year, Rage played in Woodstock ’99, and their track “Wake Up” appeared on the soundtrack for the film The Matrix.
In 2000, Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine due to differences, causing the band to break up. Despite this, another record came out a few months later. Renegades featured all cover songs of a wide array of acts such as The Rolling Stones, Cypress Hill and Bruce Springsteen. The remaining three members formed the group Audioslave with former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell. Audioslave released three albums before disbanding in 2007.
In 2007, Rage Against the Machine reunited for a performance at Coachella. A small tour followed in 2008 at European and American festivals. For the following years, more shows and side projects kept hopes alive for a new Rage album. But the members stopped playing together around 2010.
In 2019, the band announced its first full-throated tour in 20 years. The tour, planned over the course of 2020, was unfortunately cut short due to the Covid pandemic. Back on track for 2022, the tour was derailed again when de la Rocha suffered a severe leg injury onstage. Regardless, the band is poised to return to the road after the singer recovers.
Live-Bewertungen
I went to several Rage Against the Machine concerts in the early 2000s and went to the show at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 2011 after the band got back together and all I can say is, “Wow!” This band is utterly incredible live.
They bring an energy to the stage that very few bands can match. The concerts are not about distracting the audience with flash stage sets, illusions, or anything else that some bands do. Lead singer Zack de la Rocha demands your attention with his stage presence and vocals. He growls, screams, and sings in a way that few vocalists can. It’s incredible that, after almost two decades of this, he still has any voice left.
Tom Morello is probably one of the best guitarists performing today. Witnessing him live is a treat. Just watch his hands and how they dance over the guitar strings. It is hard to believe that a human being can make those kinds of sounds come from a guitar with only two hands!
The crowd has been electric at all of the shows I have been to. When you go in, expect to dance, jump around, and maybe even get snatched up and sent crowd surfing. There is no standing around at a Rage concert. Every song is fast, aggressive, and electrifying.
When I saw them in 2011 they played for almost two hours and covered every major song in their catalogue. The crowd ate it up and it felt like neither the band nor the crowd wanted to leave the venue. They are currently on hiatus again, but when they reunite and go on another tour, they are an act that cannot be missed.
The only time I seen RAtM was in the early 90's. I was only like 15 or so. Not my first concert, maybe my 7th or so. Not a stadium venue, nor a nightclub venue. More of an antique theater venue. They were co-headliners with Cypress Hill with Funkdoobiest as openers. I don't remember a lot from that day, do to the high amount of...well, high. I do recall I had a great time. Never heard bass notes hit so hard and loud before, even from friend's beaters stuffed with battery killing dual 15's or what have you. The other thing I really recall was trying to comprehend how the guitarist was creating those sounds. How unconventional it seemed. It was experimental, yet held rhythm and melody. It just meshed so well with the rest of the soundscape, yet was different. New. I was lightly familiar with Hendrix by then. Seen the Woodstock VHS, and understood he took the guitar to unexplored territory. It felt like that's what I was witnessing as Morello performed. When you listen to them with headphones or in your car, you don't fully comprehend how some of those sounds are created. Seeing him yank the plug out of the jack of his instrument, then using it somewhat like a cello bow to make the noises you hear on the record was damn impressive. Other than that, I know there was a lot of energy exuded that night. Wish I could remember more. Though that might come flooding back to me when I see them next week in Cleveland nearly 30 years later.
karmajack
I am grateful to have personally witnessed the high-octane holistic medicinal ballistic-spiked pure rushes of adrenaline Rage Against The Machine live at Fair Field in Dallas opening for U2 on their North American 'Pop' tour which also featured the Chelsea FC-supporting, internationally renowned maestro producer & iconic DJ, Paul Oakenfold. Most definitely amongst the best shows I've had the great pleasure to have experienced!
louis-pine-1
Saw them for the first time at Woodstock 99. Band was incredible! Especially Tom Morelo's guitar riffs, outstanding!. The venue sucked as many are aware but Rage and Dave Matthews band were outstanding. Can't wIt to see Rage in a morepleasent environment.
stevenmyers840
I just heard they're playing at santa fe springs swap meet tonight i just don't know what time. i dont know anything else about it.. literally so don't ask me
MsTryMe
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