1. I missed the boat on Rage Against The Machine back in the 90's. I was busy...
2. "Killing in the Name" is 22 years old.
I am a huge fan of this band today. It all feels very fresh to me now. Killing in the Name is the perfect song on some level.
Is it because of its virtuosity? No, it's pretty basic. Because of its musical originality? No, jumping octaves is nothing new. Because of its political statement? Not really anything new there either.
The sum is greater than the parts. It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea either.
As a metalhead, RATM didn't seem like a metal band to me, however, they pre-dated the New Metal scene, and spoke to a generation of kids bored out of their minds with Grunge. I kinda feel like they had more in common with Punk than Metal or Rap, and the proof is in the pudding. I don't believe you will ever see any RATM music playing over a Taco Commercial (see blog on Ramones http://nerdyrocksnob.blogspot.com/2015/04/blitzkrieg-bop-with-sour-cream.html ).
Time has treated the band kindly. They could be as relevant today if they wanted to, but they don't. That's pretty respectable. The music holds up also (for me anyway). I secretly want to be that kid with his middle finger in the air screaming "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!" If I had a time machine, I wouldn't change anything.... But still, I should have invested in this band back then.
These guys lean to the left, and that's ok. I stay independent because that's where my heart and head is. I can separate art from politics. I like Billy Brag, and he is a straight up socialist, so there is plenty of room for a leftist band on my phone. I don't have to agree with any of it. God Bless America.
Their statements were rudimentary and repetitive, but not all lyrical art is Springsteen.
So why now do I talk about them? It is a throwback time of year for me, that's why. I do this shit all the time. I find a band that was before my time and dig in. I've done it quite a bit. Problem is that now that I am a little older, the stuff I used to dig into now feels like golden oldies. Stones, Who, Credance, James Gang, Blue Cheer, Cream and the like is so played out and dated that it becomes a little stale to revisit with any regularity.
So naturally I'm rediscovering music I missed from the 90's and beyond these days. I stay relevant in today as well, but as a nostalgic kind of guy, I'll always have some roots in History.
That's how I am, and I won't do what you tell me.
For anyone interested, Tim Commorford's new band, Future User, has a video that features the water boarding of John McEnroe. Can't make this shit up.
Have a great weekend.
Nago
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