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| Mainstream Rap-Metal started here, in Orange County, CA, during 1991, when lead vocals, Zach De La Rocha quit his old hardcore band, Inside Out, and met up with old friend Tom Morrello, lead guitarist, and later hired bassist Timmy Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. A tale of |
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Mainstream Rap-Metal started here, in Orange County, CA, during 1991, when lead vocals, Zach De La Rocha quit his old hardcore band, Inside Out, and met up with old friend Tom Morrello, lead guitarist, and later hired bassist Timmy Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. A tale of overnight success, by the end of the next year they had released their first album, which went gold in weeks. With their hard hitting anti-establishment lyrics screamed by Zach in a way never before heard, Tom’s unbelievable guitar tweaking, and Tim and Brad’s catchy beats, it was no wonder why they sold.
Zach de La Rocha had known Tim Morrello since elementary school, and both jammed together until they went their separate ways in their late-teens. Zach, after quitting as guitarist for “Hardstance,” started the hardcore metal band “Inside Out” in 1988 so he could get behind the mike. Tim played in various garage bands in Libertyville, IL, including “Electric Sheep,” which he founded with future Tool guitarist Adam Jones.
“Inside Out” called it quits in early 1991. Meanwhile Tom had moved to L.A. in hopes of starting a great rock band. He had no idea what lay in store. Zach was rapping solo in a bar in downtown L.A., where Tom was having a drink. After hearing the moving anti-establishment words from Zach he knew this was his chance at a “great rock band.” Brad, the drummer, had met Tom at an earlier try-out, and Timmy joined later on that year. They made this first public appearance during a party in a friend’s living room at Huntington Beach, CA. The crowd loved it so much that the band, now called “Rage Against the Machine”, named after an “Inside Out” song, that they decided to record their own 12-track cassette. It sold 5,000 copies, which was very good for a local band.
After playing second stage for Lollapalooza II and touring Europe on the Suicidal Tendencies tour, they were picked up by Sony Records and released their self-titled debut album, “Rage Against the Machine.” It was released on November 10th, 1992, and was soon destined for platinum status many times over. It included such hits as “Bombtrack,” “Bullet in the Head,” and “Wake Up.” Nothing like it was ever heard before them. They began rap-metal, with Zack’s anger filled rapping over hardcore-metal tunes.
Sadly, everyone will all have to wait 3.5 years for the next album. But with the massive touring, band producing, and protest organizing, things weren’t that bad. They toured with House of Pain in 1993. That same year they held their famous silent protest at Lollapalooza III by standing naked and still for 15 minutes on stage. Their first sold out show was on November 4th, 1993 at Roseland, NY.
Finally, on August 17th, 1994, RATM receives recognition for their album sales. “Rage Against The Machine” is certified platinum for sales of one million copies in U.S.A., Canada, UK, France, Belgium, and Chile; double platinum in New Zealand; and gold in Germany, Denmark, Holland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and Australia.
The long wait was finally over when “Evil Empire,” RATM’s sophomore album, is released on Epic Records on April 20th, 1996. It enters the Billboard 100 at the #1 spot, an envious achievement. It includes hits such as Grammy nominated “People of the Sun,” “Bulls on Parade,” “Down Rodeo,” “Year of Tha Boomerang,” and Grammy winning song “Tire Me.” On August 31st, 1996, their music video of the song “Bulls on Parade” loses the MTV Video Award for “Best Hard Rock Video.” But the same night they are recognized for Evil Empire’s platinum sales status. Well, you win some and you lose some, I guess.
On January 8th, 1997, RATM’s debut album goes double platinum in the U.S.A.
They begin touring in summer of 1997 in support of the work U2 was doing. They also join forces with Wu Tang Clan, Foo Fighters, and the Roots in an August tour.
On October 30th, 1997, “Evil Empire” is honored with double platinum sales.
To appease fans in-between albums, they release a VHS/CD with uncensored music videos, live concert footage, and a cover song of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Ghost of Tom Joad” on November 25th, 1997. Even it goes platinum stateside.
“No Shelter,” the RATM song off of the “Godzilla Soundtrack” is nominated for “Best Heavy Metal Performance” at the 40th Grammy Awards on January 5th, 1999.
On November 11th, 1999, RATM release their last album with original material, “The Battle of Los Angeles.” It includes singles “Sleep Now in the Fire” and “Testify.”
RATM release their final studio album, “Renegades,” an album of cover songs from everyone from Cypress Hill to Rolling Stones to Bruce Springsteen. Includes hits “Renegades of Funk” and “Ghost of Tom Joad.” It hits shelves on December 5th, 2000.
RATM win “Best Hard Rock Performance” for “Guerilla Radio” at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2001.
RATM release their final album, a live album chronicling their final two shows, which take place at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in L.A., CA. The show is phenomenal, flawless, and sometimes even spontaneous, playing all their hits with unbelievable precision and indescribable beauty. It is released on November 21st, 2003, and Rage Against the Machine become part of the history books.
The band announces their official break-up, and the rock world mourns at the loss of one of the great ‘90’s bands. Not to fear, for everyone but Zach stay together to form Audioslave, with Chris Cornell, named the 3rd Greatest Male Rock Vocals, as their new front man.
Zach de La Rocha’s vocals were unheard of before his time. For the first time in metal history, rap and rock were successfully merged into a GREAT band. The semi-socialist views in their anti-capitalistic lyrics moved tens of millions of teens to think outside of the box the world over. They sparked a cultural revolution. Your government doesn’t know everything; it’s imperfect. The media tells you what they want you to think. Those messages are still held dear by many, and can be heard on your radio stations still, over a decade after their release.
Tom Morrello, one of the greatest modern guitarists, arrived on the scene playing like no other at the time. Like Jimi Hendrix before him, he played his guitar to make noises other guitarists could only dream to emulate. Tom’s emulated DJ table scratching in “Evil Empire” and trumpets on “The Battle of Los Angeles, among other things. He won Best Guitarist four years in a row from 1998-2001. He inspired a generation of guitarists to play more than just power chords. Not that his power chords were bad. He made even the most simplistic chords sound grand. He’ll live long in Audioslave. Timmy is one of the best bassists of all time, blasting out the beats you’ll want to crank so loud your floor shakes. The drummer Brad sets up every song with hip-hop like beats that will either have you toe-tapping or head-banging. They've spawned most modern music. Nu-metal. Rapcore. Rap-metal. All of it. Korn, Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Deftones, Mudvayne, Linkin Park, Audioslave...everything. They are just as important as Nivana, and arguably better.
I wonder if Tom, hoping for his “great rock band in LA” could foresee even this. I doubt it. Could anyone have? Well, here’s to hoping for a RATM reunion tour some day… Is it too much to ask for one more single in these politically trying times?
Bio written by: Master_Shake |
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Discussion Topic
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System of a Down is the
nex-gen RATM!
U kno it's true. They're both out there in
there sound. They were both innovative when
they hit the scene. They're both VERY, VERY
political. RATM is just more straight-forward
in there lyrics than SOAD. SOAD is the
reincarnation of RATM.
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Master_Shake |
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Replys
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Listener
| Nah man u cant even think about compairing
SOAD to RATM. RATM started it all and u no
it. u shouldnt be saying there the same
because if there was no rage the would be no
SOAD and Limp Bizket n all them bands so i
say that u cant compare a newer version to a
older verson becausse with out the old 1
there would b no new 1 | SussJockey | dude, i never said that. i said they were a
like in their political message. So wat if
RATM started it? I kno they did. I wrote a
fucking bio about that for the fucking RATM
website. Damn. Taht bio ur'e reading on
this site is miy own. | Master_Shake | Ah, Well i wouldnt say they are the next
RATM, but, Wow, they certinly show that music
isnt lost. | Mr_Krift | they are both awesome but there music isnt
that simalar and not all soad tracks are
political where ratms are (except some on
renegades) | punkdude2067 | Settle for nothing wasnt that politcal by
RATM, but thats beyond the point.
SOAD=Greatness RATM=immortalness. | Mr_Krift | The nature of their music is nowhere near the
same and even their political messages are
different except for the evilness Capitalist
consumerism. SOAD is Straight forward but
Rage is Revolution!
Hasta La Victoria Siempre! | ChicoPacoPancho | NOW WAY SOTD IS THE SAME AS RAGE!!!! THERES
NO WAY THEY COULD EVER BE RAGE EITHER SO JUST
QUIT DREAMING! | illustionsofmurder | i would have to agree with you master shake.
tho there music is different thier point of
view are very similar. RATM dies SOAD comes. | SOADfreak | das buwwsheeet! ooo.... wait, they do have
the same goals. A lot of their songs have the
same meanings. About being a slave, losing
control of politics, so on.. so forth. | bgrotha | thats the point here...you cant deny that
thier points in thier lyrics are similar | SOADfreak | And about SussJockeys point earlier, system
of a down is still very original and if there
was no RATM im sure it wouldnt have made an
impact on SOAD....SOAD didnt come out that
much later than RATM | SOADfreak | two similar views, two different styles, they
are, or were in RATM's case brilliant
bands and both political ,but SOAD just
isn't deep politics | bucketheader | SOADfreak, thnk about it. No soad i dont
think would be the same without RATM. Now,
SOAD is definatly one of my favorite bands.
But SOAD is SOAD and RATM is RATM... SOAD is
the next Gen. SOAD. if anything Audioslave
would be the next gen RATM, due to the band
members ;) | Mr_Krift | | i agree...i think.. | SOADfreak | | well yes except soad are shit | steersteer | ...ya! has anyone here heard the new song
cigaro? | SOADfreak | They are a new age rage, but rage is much
better and more innovative. | AIC4LIFE | I think both band is there own, and there is
no way to compare either of them. | Mr_Krift | i say....SOAD is 10 outa 10 and RATM is 8
outa 10. | SOADfreak | | system of a down is the shit u dumb asses. | jeremy5551212 | | hell fuckin yeah. | SOADfreak | | ... | SOADfreak | how can you possibly get the nerve to say
that! RATM and SOAD can be said to be similar
in a way..a very small way...RATM is better
and always will be | ZC99 | They relate to eachother in lyrics...it has
nothing to do with who is better...you must
have really took the time to think that
through huh. | SOADfreak | I dont know if i could compare RATM to SOAD.
Soad are pretty good but if i listen to rage
and then put on a soad album id have to put
the RATM one back on. The political
similarity is there but these are two bands
not to be compared in greatness. RATM rule! | Zapatas_Blood | | so does SOAD. | SOADfreak | they are both really great but i would have
to say rage is better. being that when they
started there was no one before them to lay
the groun work of anticapatilism and
anticorporation. | agent_carter | not in that genre of punkrock/rap/whatever
else is mixed in
of coarse there were like hippies and stuff
but not as mainstream as rage. | agent_carter | comparing Rage to ANY other band is
stupid...they have such an original sound,
thats what mkes them rage. And System of a
Down.....im sorry but their music is a little
whacked,and when it comes to lyrics, no one
could get a point across better than rage,
Every song they had was a
statement...System....i have no idea...theres
no comparrison, im sorry...Rage is too good
to put them on their level | LifelessDead | i agree aceept i think soad gets their
message accross clearly just in a different
way, more lighthearted at times. but their
passion for the cause is strong. | agent_carter | yeah! has anyone here heard of axis of
justice? souls? and the lyrics to b.y.o.b
include 'why doesnt the president fight
the war, why do they always send the
poor/everbodys goin to the party have a real
good time, dancin in the dessert blowin up
the sunshine.' its not always good if a
band is constantly serious, its also about
fun. possibly why ratm broke up. | SOADfreak | sorry to interject but I just wanted to name
some other political bands that should be
mentioned. KMFDM, Atari Teenage Riot,
Bomb20,Body Count, all also pioneers in their
own respects in Anti Establishment music | ZeroWipeOut | DUDES QUET FIGHTING THAY BOTH R THE SHIT AND
THAY COMEWITH A GOOD MESSIGE ITS JUST NO ONES
HEARING IT THAY JUST THINK ITS COOL CUZ AVERY
ONE ELS DUZ AND THATS JUST HAW IT IS | gg_ile | | we arnt fighting you damn fool. | SOADfreak | I think one thing is certainly clear. RATM
and SOAD are similar in that their works are
all about beating the system. They have both
supported global causes to that effect. Serj
Tankian and Tom Morello even worked together
on a project in California where they handed
out food to the homeless. | mistral | No fucking way. RATM is sooo much better than
SOAD. SOAD isn't bad, but they're
nothing compared to RATM. seriously, what are
u on? well i'll take two. | 420girl69 | yea im not too into soad, especially their
recent stuff. but ratm has great music, sucky
politics, though | dirtylettuce | | | |
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