Rage Against The Machine Member Says Brendan O’Brien Is Better Guitarist Than Tom Morello

2
3718

Former Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford revealed in a new Digital Trends interview that producer Brendan O’Brien is the best guitarist he has ever been around, which is high praise since Commerford has spent the majority of his career playing with Tom Morello. O’Brien has produced albums by Rage Against The Machine, Pearl Jam, and Stone Temple Pilots.

“Brendan O’Brien mixed the [Wakrat] record. He’d produced a couple of Rage records, Audioslave, and everything in between, from Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, and Pearl Jam — and he’s the best instrumentalist and best guitarist I’ve ever been around. Set aside that he’s a great producer and engineer. When he was mixing it, he was quick to say, ‘Hey man, this has definitely got a King Crimson vibe to it.’ Coming from him that meant a lot, because he can play pretty much any song from any band in that era.”

“I was a huge prog rock fan as a kid in high school, and I’m so thankful for that. As much as I was over the top into the Sex Pistols, that was my one true love. I really went from the Sex Pistols to Rush, and ultimately to King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and everything else. I’m really thankful that that’s how I learned how to play my instrument, by emulating [Yes bassist] Chris Squire and people like that.”

“And what is punk rock, you know? Is punk rock really music, or is it really just an attitude? I get into that discussion with people all of the time. I personally consider be-bop jazz to be punk rock. And prog rock would definitely fall in that category too. Any time people are breaking outside the norm and playing something that isn’t expected — that feels like punk to me.”