Rage Against the Machine

[ODogg]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

Guys,

Let's leave politics out of this conversation, please.

As for Rage, I've seen them live twice. Once at Lollapalooza 96 in Rockingham, NC, and once in Charlotte along with Wu-Tang Clan.

This band is absolutely AMAZING live! I doubt anything has changed in the 10 years since I saw them last. They know how to get the crowd going, the mosh pits were always f'ing insane, and you can just feel an adrenaline rush when listening to them.

I used to listen to their original album on my Walkman before every football game I played in high school, to get my blood pumping. I hope to God they tour somewhere near me. I'd love to go see them again.

Speaking of which, without RATM I seriously doubt i'd be lifting as heavy of weights as I'm lifting now in my weight lifting program. There's nothing that can get the blood pumping like Calm like a Bomb.

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

Guys,

Let's leave politics out of this conversation, please.

This band is absolutely AMAZING live! I doubt anything has changed in the 10 years since I saw them last. They know how to get the crowd going, the mosh pits were always f'ing insane, and you can just feel an adrenaline rush when listening to them.

True words. Our concert was an absolute mess, which made is even more awesome. On the way out, we had to climb up walls because there were so many people blocking the stairs... it seriously looked like some sort of evacuation or some kind of picture you'd see in a Rage video. I believe I read there were 30,000+ in attendance, and the lawn was shoulder to shoulder up and down. Regardless of any political affiliation, their passion and musical ability easily makes them one of the best bands of the last 20 years, IMO. The stuff they played from the first album sounded like it came out today.

[JRod]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

One issue though that has been pointed out about RATM, that I have noticed as well, is that they do seem to Rage quite well against the machine but really just seem to offer anger at how things are instead of any solutions or alternatives. But then I guess it is just rock music and not a political group. I just noticed that criticism has been leveled at RATM before and until I read it, I never really thought much about it, but it's quite true.

What are they supposed to do run for president? I personally don't want every rock band that sings about government, politics, human affairs to turn into a Bono. Bono serves a purpose and he's not just a rocker that spouts out some political nonsense. He knows his stuff on AIDs, economic relief and recovery. But I don't think every band/singer out there needs to turn into that. It's unfair to single Rage out for this. It's almost like the critics are only saying this because they don't like the message from Rage.

[ODogg]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

What are they supposed to do run for president? I personally don't want every rock band that sings about government, politics, human affairs to turn into a Bono. Bono serves a purpose and he's not just a rocker that spouts out some political nonsense. He knows his stuff on AIDs, economic relief and recovery. But I don't think every band/singer out there needs to turn into that. It's unfair to single Rage out for this. It's almost like the critics are only saying this because they don't like the message from Rage.

I agree with your saying you don't want another Bono. Not every single musician who sings about such issues has to go that route. I'm just saying that the criticism has been leveled at RATM that in their songs actual lyrics they really don't offer any sort of insight other than anger. Personally I am just fine with their all anger message because there is always something to rage about in this world and let's face it, anger makes for better hard edged music than solutions, LOL.

However, this particular criticism is a very valid one I think. I wonder if Del La Roacha himself has any real insights on how to fix much of the injustice that he perceives and sings about, other than the traditional "hang the bad guys high" stereotypical solutions, which all sound great in song but don't offer any real ideas for solving the problems and injustices being discussed in the same breath.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

During the band's first go around (and I'm sure DLR and Morello continue to do so), the band would attend protests and other forms of activism. They are involved, they just don't get the headlines for it like Bono does.

[Skerik]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

During the band's first go around (and I'm sure DLR and Morello continue to do so), the band would attend protests and other forms of activism. They are involved, they just don't get the headlines for it like Bono does.

Attending protests and doing stupid stunts like showing up at gigs naked with tape over your mouth to protest the oh so oppressive government isn't even on the same planet as the things Bono does for the causes he believes in.

[ODogg]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

Attending protests and doing stupid stunts like showing up at gigs naked with tape over your mouth to protest the oh so oppressive government isn't even on the same planet as the things Bono does for the causes he believes in.

Yeah, that's my point and the point of many critics of RATM in regards to their activism. That sort of activism does not offer any solutions, only pointing out that something is wrong. As much as Bono can annoy me at times with his activism, at least he does seem to try to go beyond the typical "the government or big business is evil" type activisim and try to work toward solutions, sometimes with people he does not really like.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

I'm pretty sure DLR's solution would be a full blown revolution.

[sbmnky]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

Saw them two weeks ago at rock the bells her the LA area. It was a great show - complete with multiple bon fires and tear gas! They play with so much energy - it was awesome!

[Chief Illinimac]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

Guys, I made this thread for the music, not the political stuff. Thanks.

[ODogg]

Re: Rage Against the Machine

I know but they are a band that's built on a lot of politics so that's bound to come up. I think it's remained pretty civil though and since the warning no one's been "bad" that I can see.