What not to expect from Rage Against the Machine…
After a much-discussed performance at Lollapalooza earlier this year, Rage Against the Machine has essentially disappeared again from the public eye; that is, until a announcement by guitarist Tom Morello concerning the future of Rage hit the presses late last week.
In a recent interview with Billboard.com, Morello revealed that, although he does not intend for Rage to stop touring, his personal solo endeavor, the Nightwatchman, is now his “principal musical focus,” meaning as of now, there are still no plans for the politically heavyweight to release a follow up to 2000’s Renegades.
“There are no plans for that…We’ve had a wonderful year and a half of playing shows, and I don’t see any reason to not play more shows. The thing is there’s only so many hours in the musical day, and mine are very occupied right now.”
The band’s reunion in 2007 was sparked primarily by the current political climate. Having been known for 
their political activism, the four-piece outfit could not stay inactive for the entire Bush term. Morello noted in a 2007 interview with NME. “Is it a coincidence that in the seven years that Rage Against The Machine has been away that the country has slid into right-wing purgatory? I think not.” Since an initial reunion concert at Coachella in the spring of ‘07, Morello and Co. have been making their way across the world, performing at music festivals and political rallies alike, all with the goal of offering their political heavy commentary between some pretty loud music stylings.
However, the recording of new music has never been a part of this equation. Morello’s comments are just the latest to downplay hopes for a new studio album; in August, frontman Zach de La Rocha revealed he wasn’t sure where recorded music fit into the band’s future.
As the Nightwatchman, Morello still finds himself with a slew of unrecorded material, even after the releases of two albums in just the last 18 months: One Man Revolution in April 2007, and The Fabled City this past September. Though unsure about the next album’s release date, Billboard also reported that Morello is considering recording with his touring band, which he calls the Freedom Fighter Orchestra.
One thing he does know about the future, however, is that Morello doesn’t expect to be any less politically active now, even with a Democrat in office; “I really do believe that the system under which we live is fundamentally a one corporate party state with two right wings. We still have…[to] continue the struggle, which the Nightwatchman will certainly do.”
Check Out:
“Testify” (Live at Coachella 2007)
Tom Morello 2008 Tour Dates:
12/09 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
12/11 - Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up
12/12 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
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