Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band known for a unique style of rap metal and themes of left-wing revolution. The rapping of Zack de la Rocha, the heavily affected guitar of Tom Morello, the groovy basslines of Tim Commerford, and the solid beats of Brad Wilk are responsible for this stylistic notability. They are one of the most popular anti-establishment bands in history, some people interpreting this as hypocrisy.
==Politics and activism==
RATM could be considered far left for its support of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation:
===Wall Street protest===
In 2000, RATM shot the music video for their song “Sleep Now in the Fire” outside the New York Stock Exchange with Michael Moore as the director. According to the band, Mayor Giuliani decreed they “shall not play on Wall Street.” Because they didn’t have a sound permit and had brought a few hundred attention-grabbing fans with them, cops approached the site and arrested Michael Moore. The band and the fans then charged the stock exchange and blew past the limited security, resulting in the exchange being shut down for a single day. The Occupy Wall Street protests probably would’ve been more effective if heavy metal and rap were involved more.
The music video, including Michael Moore’s arrest:
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl4wkIPiTcY&t=140s</youtube>
===Concert cancellations by the government===
===Bizarre right-wing response===
Paul Ryan is a RATM fan,Briquelet, Kate. "Paul Ryan worked his way up the political ladder following tough childhood (August 12, 2012). New York Post. Retrieved August 12, 2012. which the band took offense to. It’s similar to Trent Reznor kicking Ted Cruz out of a Nine Inch Nails concert or the members of Nirvana finding out their high school bullies are Nirvana fans. During the 2020 George Floyd Protests, Tom Morello’s online support of BLM led to replies from oblivious fans on Twitter,Right-wing fans mocked for boycotting Rage Against the Machine after realizing the band’s political stance https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/rage-against-the-machine-right-wing-conservatives-politics-boycott-tom-morello-a9558241.htmlRight-Wing Fans Of Rage Against The Machine Have Only Just Realised What The Band Sing About which can be seen here:
Not all right-wingers like them though, such as Ann Coulter saying "They're losers, their fans are losers, and there’s a lot of violence coming from the left wing.”"Rage Against Bush". Spin. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2007-05-15. Or Gary Bauer (yeah, that guy again) saying that's what the "kids
at Columbine" listened to.http://www.langston.com/Fun_People/2000/2000ADE.html Does that sound familiar?
===Gitmo tunes===
Their music has been used as torture at Gitmo along with that of bands like Nine Inch Nails, which RATM has obviously opposed.Becker, Bernie (October 22, 2009). "Musicians Protest Tunes Used in Interrogations". The Caucus. The New York Times. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
===Poe's Law===
During the 2020 US Presidential elections, some Trump supporters were seen dancing to "Killing in the Name" while flying "Make America Great Again" and "Blue Lives Matter" flags, proving that satire is dead.
<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddrFt1BHkUQ</youtube>
==References==
Category:California
Category:Left-wing activists
Category:Moral panics
Category:Musicians
Category:Political activists
Category:Punk
Category:Socialists