Rage Against the Machine have never been shy about where they land politically. But as time passes, the band’s core beliefs and the meaning behind their music seems to be increasingly misunderstood.
This past Tuesday (February 11th), a fan on Twitter/X reached out to guitarist Tom Morello to thank the band for influencing his political beliefs, writing: “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.”
Taking the time to respond directly to the Twitter/X user, Morello clarified that the band’s music and political ideologies do not align with either dominant U.S. political party.
“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,” he wrote.
“(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).”
RATM has been continually accused of requiring proof of the COVID-19 vaccine for their short-lived reunion in 2022 – which doesn’t sit well with certain people on the right side of the aisle.
Morello, however, has taken it upon himself to repeatedly debunk these claims. While some local authorities set entry requirements as a result of the 2020 pandemic, by the time RATM’s shows took place proof of vaccination was no longer required.
“RATM never played a single gig in its history that required vaccination. Not one,” he tweeted in 2022.
Last year, the band was accused of endorsing the Democrats in the latest U.S. Presidential Election after it was announced that their “Democratic National Convention 2000” show was receiving a digital re-release. While the title seemed to suggest RATM played the convention, the event was in reality a protest show outside of the DNC.
“We played a protest AGAINST the convention. You guys are so stupid,” Morello tweeted last year in regards to the performance that saw vocalist Zack de la Rocha condemn both political parties at the time.
