Maybe I’m an old-fashioned punker, but I hate when someone just screams into a microphone. I think you should at least pretend there is a vocal melody there.
For me, Zach de la Rapper is the only problem with RATM. The tunes are pretty rockin’.
I disagree Henry. I don’t know if communism would work or not because it’s never really been given a chance. I mean, the only places where it’s been tried were places where the economy sucked. Places where no form of government would’ve worked. In all likelihood it wouldn’t have worked even if it were given a decent chance. But we don’t know that. Socialism, however, does work. Look at Sweden for example.
And sorry guys, I like a bit of rebelliousness in it’s place. But anarchy is just plain dumb.
Yeah, except it’s “We don’t need a key, we’ll break IN”
Who said that…not i…not i
Anyways…back to RATM being hypocrites. I, do not seem to agree with Skwerl(brian), sure they’re invloved with Sony, but their message and their actions seem to be authentic, for the most part. They seem to be lot more politicaly and socialy then any other band in the mainstream or in the “underground”, sure you can make the argument that a lot of punk and hardcore bands are involved and i wouldn’t argue with ya, but the fact stands that when compared to the music industry as a whole RATM are a great example of a band getting involved in something besides their music and monetary gain. Back in the olden days(aka the 70’s and 80’s) bands like Skinny puppy( animal rights, anti-vivisection), Laibach(anti-faschism/capitalism),and NON( exterme right wing), also known as Boyd Rice. Compared to those bands RARM are nothing but a bunch of “posers”, who only care about their image as “freedom fighters”, but taken in context with todays culture RATM is a force to be reckoned with, both musically and politically.
Wow…i revived a thread…that was already dead…oh the lament!
Bought their first album. Liked it for it’s unique approach.
Bought their second album. S’okay, but getting boring.
Passed on their third. It’s the same ol’ shit.
All the anger and yelling and jumping and shouting and “the world sucks” attitude… what creativity they displayed on the first album is tapped out.
Things I don’t like about RATM:
- Anti-corporation but on Sony records
- every interview/discussion regarding RATM includes the fact that Tom Morello (guitarist) has a Harbard mba or some other nonesense. Wow, I guess he plays guitar that much better because of it. Also kind of blows the ghetto-boy image.
- Tom Morello wears a baseball cap 24/7/365. He probably doesn’t take it off while having sex. Unless RATM is protesting sex this week.
- on Godzilla soundtrack. Hmmm… are we supporting the Zapatistas or the movie industry today, Zack?
- Why must Zack repeat lines four times? Why must Zack repeat lines four times? Why must Zack repeat lines four times? [cut music] Why must Zack repeat lines four times?
I’m ready to start up a band, Rage Against Rage Against the Machine.
Who’s with me?
I dig Rage. I also don’t find it particularly distateful for them to be on Sony–sometimes you have to weigh the pros and cons.
On the one hand, Sony represents everything wrong with the music industry and corporatism in general.
On the other hand, it’s damn near impossible to gain national notoriety without the support of a major label. Sure, they could have gone the Ani DiFranco route, but they are more concerned with getting their message out than with total independence. Being on Sony takes that message to millions of people who otherwise wouldn’t have heard it.
Then there’s the money. They all unquestionably make more money on Sony than they would otherwise, and they feel that they can put that money to good use. If they don’t take it, Sony will just sign some other band who will sing about how it’s great to be an American (where at least they know they’re free) and spend the money on gold-plated Ferraris and naked Filipino sex slaves.
As Satan said, sometimes you have to change the system from the inside. Better yet, you can become the system.
Dr. J
Wow. I thought this died a long time ago.
RATM have addressed the hypocrisy issue many times already. They basiclly weighed the pros and cons and decided that being idealistic and unheard wasn’t worth it.
I don’t agree with much of what they support (esp. Mumia and pro-communism). I think that they often go overboard, but would y’all rather they go too far in that direction or too far in the N’ Sync direction?
Doctor J beat me to my point. What better way is there for a politically active band to reach the greatest number of people than to record for the word’s largest major label? In one sense, it’s the greatest kind of subversion. And as far as donating their royalties to charity goes, fuck that. Consider that one spin of a Rage video in primetime on MTV will reach millions more people than a public service announcement. If Rage is trying to draw attention to the issues they are passionate about, I can’t think of any better way to do it. I agree with celebrities as well os average folks giving time and money to charity, but I don’t see why Rage should be held to a different standard simply because of their lyrical content.
And musically, they kick ass. I saw them in DC in May and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. And after all, that’s what they are, right? Musicians?