Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello recently aired out some misconceptions about the message behind the band’s music, while also once again tackling other narratives that have often been attached to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted rap metal pioneers in more recent years.
As social media has served as an accelerant to an increasingly hostile political climate, Rage Against The Machine have repeatedly found themselves targeted by those with differing political views. One popular complaint often leveled against the multi-platinum band, generally by right-wing detractors, is the allegation that the group required proof of COVID-19 vaccination for their short-lived reunion tour in 2022.
That’s a narrative Morello has personally set out to repeatedly debunk over the years. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic certainly muddied the waters on the requirements implemented by local authorities to attend that tour, however, by the time it actually took place proof of vaccination was not a requirement.
Even the message behind Rage Against The Machine‘s 2000 protest show outside the Democratic National Convention has been lost over time, with some inferring that the October 2024 digital re-release of that set, titled “Democratic National Convention 2000“, was in some way an endorsement of that party in the latest U.S. Presidential election
Morello also took the time to shoot down that assumption. Ironically though, he shouldn’t have had to, as that guerilla styled performance found vocalist Zack de la Rocha verbally condemning both political parties at the time.
This past Tuesday, February 11th on X, a fan reached out to Morello to thank them for influencing their own political beliefs with Rage Against The Machine‘s 3x platinum self-titled debut, stating:
“Tom. I would like to personally thank you for red pilling me with your 1st album. At the time it applied to Republicans. Now it applies to the dems. Let’s decentralized the power structure.”
Morello responded directly, clarifying that the band’s music and beliefs don’t align with either of the dominant U.S. political parties, offering:
“You’re welcome. But as a reminder the first RATM record came out during the Clinton administration. Then, as now, that music critiqued a capitalist/white supremacist power structure that was and is still in full effect. Currently more so than ever. Listen more closely. Like really listen and it’s quite clear.
(Preemptive dispelling of wearying misinformation likely to flood the comments: while being sharply critical of both no good parties (Clinton/Obama/Biden’s war crimes & subservience to Wall Street and Bush/Trump war crimes, subservience to billionaires and Wall Street & general idiocy) no one from RATM has ever publicly supported a dem or repub candidate. EVER. Also, no RATM show has EVER required proof of vax or mask to attend, and anywhere you heard either of those things, or anyone who has echoed those things, is very probably lying to you about a whole lotta other stuff in the service of a racist/fascist agenda)”
The message behind Rage Against The Machine‘s aforementioned now legendary opening shot does continue to reverberate in modern times, with several of the group most recently celebrating the recent clemency granted Leonard Peltier — an indigenous rights activist whom the band advocated for actively from that album onward.
You’re welcome. But as a reminder the first RATM record came out during the Clinton administration. Then, as now, that music critiqued a capitalist/white supremacist power structure that was and is still in full effect. Currently more so than ever. Listen more closely. Like… https://t.co/YePQX2W4lQ
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) February 11, 2025
