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Rage Against The Machine formed in 1991. The band's strong poltical lyrics dealing with anger, racism, censorship, and other issues, mixed with heavy rap-metal riffs landed the band a major label contract the following year. The debut album "Rage Against The Machine" raised conterversy, as soon as it was released, The album cover has a picture of a buddhist monk, burning himself to death, protesting the Vietnam War. The album was a big hit, and has some tracks on it that were from the bands cassette that got them signed. The lead single "Killing In The Name," was a breakthrough hit, but the song was edited for radio purposes, and according to Zack made the song lose all purpose. The band soon toured with the likes of Pearl Jam, and Tool. They also toured a sold out UK tour. Rage toured the Philadelphia leg of the Lollapalooza. In 1994 the band released the second single from the album, "Freedom." Also in 1994 while on tour in France, the french government halted the sales of offensive Rage T-Shirts. Two years later Rage returned with thier sophmore smash "Evil Empire." The album debuted at #1 on Billboard, fueled by the smash single "People Of The Sun." The follow-up "Bulls On Parade" was also a smash. In 1997 the track "Tire Me" won a Grammy for Best Metal Preformance. The first two singles were nominated in 1997, and 1998 for Best Hard Rock Preformance. In 1997 Tom Morello was named Artist Of The Year, for his outstanding guitar playing abilitys. The group also had the chance of a lifetime, when the opened up on a tour U2. Later on that year they toured Wu-Tang Clan. They also released home video that year. Morello was also arrested for protesting against sweatshops. In early 1998 Zack also took a stand, this time against the massacre that took place in Mexico, that the Mexican government was supposed to be behind. Rage also had the first single from the "Godzilla" Soundtrack "No Shelter." P.Diddy, Ben Folds Five, Green Day, Silverchair, and past tour mates Foo Fighters, appear on the soundtrack. Morello later that year wrote President Clinton to release indian activist Leonard Peltier, who has been in jail since 1975. Morello also made a cameo in the ninth "Star Trek" movie. Rage, Bad Religon, Black Star, and The Beastie Boys played a benifit gig in 1999. Rage appeared on the Matrix soundtrack, with Rob Zombie, Marylin Manson, Ministry, The Prodigy, Rammstien, and others. The band also played Woodstock 99' alongside Metallica, KoRn, limpbizkit, Aerosmith, Bush, Creed, Red Hot Chili Peppers, DMX, The Offspring, The Chemical Brothers, Live, Ice Cube, and others. They also released thier new album "The Battle Of Los Angeles." The album debuted at #1 on Billboard selling over 430,000 copies. They out sold the likes of Mariah Carey, Santana, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and Foo Fighters. The album nabbed them five Californica Music Awards, for Outstanding Group, Outstanding Artist, Outstanding Guitarist, Outstanding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album, and Arthur M.Sochot Public Service Award. This was all fueled by the explosive first single "Guerilla Radio." . The next single "Testify" won Best Hard Rock Preformance at the Grammy's, and the album was nominated for Best Rock Album in 2001. The video was directed by Micheal Moore (Future Director of Smash Documentry "Bowling For Columbine.) In 2000 Rage toured with The Beastie Boys again, raising money for charity. Also "Guerilla Radio" was feautured on the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2, with Papa Roach, Powerman 5000, Bad Religon, Anthrax f/Chuck D (Public Enemy), Fu Manchu, and others. |
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