In a groundbreaking interview with Q101 (WKQX), that bastion of alternative rock owned by the ever-so-hip Cumulus Media, Tom Morello graced us with his profound insights into RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE’s earth-shattering decision to abort their North American tour in October 2022. This monumental decision came a whole three months after Zack De La Rocha, in a display of peak physical prowess, managed to shred his left Achilles tendon, leaving a grand total of eight inches of tendon intact. 🤯
Morello, ever the stoic, stated (as transcribed by the highly reputable BLABBERMOUTH.NET, because who else would you trust?): “Well, the irony was leading up to that tour, I ruptured my Achilles. So I was in rehearsal on crutches. I was, like, I would have open-heart surgery on stage and not cancel a show. The show must go on.” Because apparently, Morello is some kind of superhuman🎸. He continued, “So then Zack — he was in such good shape. Everybody was doing their best to make this thing happen. And sometimes it just happens. And he popped the Achilles and he had sort of seen my journey with it. And we finished the U.S. tour and then sadly canceled all the other stuff after that.” So, basically, Zack saw Morello hobbling around and thought, “Hey, I can do that too!” And thus, a tour died.
Morello, in his infinite wisdom, also addressed the burning question on everyone’s minds: the future of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. All this while shamelessly promoting his solo concert at the Vic Theatre in Chicago on November 13. “Here’s the way that I look at it,” he declared, “is RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE was always sort of a volatile situation.” 🙄 Oh, really? You don’t say? “And the fact that we got four great records…” Four? Are we sure about “great”? “…the fact that we played shows in 2022 and a new generation got to… Even when [Zack] was sitting down at those shows, those were some of the best RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE shows that we ever did and really connect to people.” Sitting down? Best shows ever? Is this some kind of new performance art we weren’t aware of? “We finished with five sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden. So if there’s never another show, then that’s quite a way to go out.” Translation: “We made a ton of money, so who cares?” “But in the meantime, cross my heart and hope to die, I am carrying the torch for every one of those riffs and all of the meaning in those songs as well as the other things that I’ve been in. That music matters so much to me, and what it’s about matters so much. And I am bringing that sh*t to Chicago, baby.” 🔥Because nothing says “revolution” like a solo concert in Chicago. Get your tickets now!
And just to add insult to injury, in January 2024, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk, bless his heart, took to social media to drop the bomb: the iconic band would “not be touring or playing live again.” 💔 Thanks, Brad, for clearing that up. We were all holding our breath.
Two months earlier, Morello, in a stunning display of band unity, was the *sole* member of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE who bothered to show up at the band’s Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. One has to wonder, what was the official excuse for the other members? 🤔
Pioneering rapper and BODY COUNT frontman Ice-T, in a moment of questionable judgement, inducted Morello, De La Rocha, bassist Tim Commerford and Wilk into the Rock Hall, reminiscing about the good old days when RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE opened for him. Ah, the circle of life. 🦁
In his acceptance speech, Morello, ever the diplomat, said: “I am deeply grateful for the musical chemistry I’ve had the good fortune to share with Brad Wilk, Tim Commerford and Zach De La Rocha. Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including about being inducted into the Rock Hall.” Differing perspectives? More like “we can’t stand each other.” 🤣
“The reason we are here and the best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message. The lesson I’ve learned from RAGE fans is that music can change the world daily.” Yes, because listening to angsty rock anthems totally solves all the world’s problems. 🌍
The now-61-year-old guitarist continued, bless his heart: “The job we set out to do is not over. Now you’re the ones that must testify. If you’ve got a boss, join a union. If you’re a student, start underground paper. If you’re an anarchist, throw a brick. If you’re a soldier or a cop, follow your conscience not your orders. If you’re bummed out that you didn’t get to see RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, then form your own band, and let’s hear what you have to say.” So, basically, if you’re not happy, start a riot. Thanks for the advice, Tom!
“When protest music is done right,” Morello added, “you can hear a new world emerging in the songs.” Or, you know, just a lot of loud guitars and angry yelling. 🗣️
When it was first announced that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE was being inducted into the Rock Hall back in May 2023, the bandmembers, in a rare moment of coherence, shared a lengthy statement thanking the institution for the induction, and recounting the long, radical journey that led up to the honor. Radical? More like ridiculously overhyped. 🙄
“In 1991 four people in Los Angeles formed a musical group to stand where sound and and solidarity intersect,” they wrote. “We are grateful to all of the passionate fans, the many talented co-conspirators we’ve worked with and all the activists, organizers, rebels and revolutionaries past, present and future who have inspired our art.” So much for the humble beginnings, eh?
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE‘s Rock Hall induction came after the band appeared on six ballots. Persistence is key, kids!
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE‘s comeback tour, which was first announced in 2019 and then delayed several times due to the pandemic, marked the first time the reunited rap-metal quartet had hit the road together since 2011. Talk about a tease!
In late 2022, Commerford revealed that he has been living with prostate cancer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him. 🙏 (But not enough to actually buy his solo album).
Back in 2015, Rolling Stone asked Commerford about the band’s Rock Hall prospects, to which he quipped: “If RAGE gets inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, it’ll be interesting to see who shows up. I think it’s pretty obvious. I think there’s somebody who’s going to show up and somebody who’s not going to show up and maybe somebody who’s going to show up with an enema filled with food coloring and shit all over the red carpet.” Well, he was half right. At least one person showed up. 🤷
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
