Rage Against the Machine biography

Los Angeles, California, United States (1991 – 2000, 2007 – present)
The band’s continual members are vocalist Zack De La Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello (who also records as a solo artist under the name “The Nightwatchman”), bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. Rage Against the Machine are noted for their blend of punk rock, hip hop, heavy metal and funk as well as their revolutionary politics and Socialist lyrics and imagery (including use of the former-USSR Red Army white-outlined star emblem, as well as images of Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, and the red EZLN star). Rage Against the Machine drew their inspiration from early metal instrumentation, as well as rap acts such as Public Enemy and Afrika Bambaataa. The group’s music is based primarily on de la Rocha’s rhyming styles and powerful stage energy, and Morello’s unorthodox guitar techniques.