Rage Against The Machine

General Info

Rage Against the Machine was a band from Los Angeles, California.

Their music was a revolutionary combination of heavy rock and hip hop, with punk and jazz elements.

Most of Zack de la Rocha's lyrics in RATM dealt political and social concern, but he manages to fit some personality in, too.

Rage publically supported political causes, and played many benefit concerts as well as voicing their opinion about particular issues.

Rage's politics were generally "leftist". Left-wing politics are usually those concerning the working class, the environment and and a fair, just manner of collective coexistence.

The "machine" in question can be quickly defined as the state propaganda system of media, corporations, and government. It can just as easily mean any form of illegitimate authority.

"Rage" directed at the machine means demonstrating, by any means necessary, one's dissatisfaction with the status quo. ratm2.jpg Rage was about generating social conciousness, urging activism & involvement, and fighting for change. They spoke for a number of people and cultures.

By broadcasting over popular media, Rage sparked a new consciousness in many minds. To quote Zack de la Rocha: "We're not going to play to the mainstream. We're going to hijack it." Rage created commercially viable music, that was still rebellious and sincere in it's nature.

Zack de la Rocha left the band in late 2000.*

• Taken from [1]

• The song "Guerilla Radio" is in the 2nd Tony Hawk video game.

• The song "Wake Up" is in the movie "The Matrix" at the beginning of the ending credits.

• The core of Rage Against The Machine has moved to create the band Audioslave after the singer Zack de la Rocha left the band in 2000.