Subversive tip – Listen to Rage Against the Machine
Today’s subversive tip is to listen to the ultimate subversive band – Rage Against the Machine. Read on to listen to the track and find out more about this radical band.
Rage Against the Machine is a rock band that lives what they sing about. Whilst their economic perspective is different to mine, they are as interested in freedom and removing oppression and prejudice as free market libertarians. They have something to say and make a stand against injustice and the hypocrisy of the state and its violence (hidden from most people by the careful PR we are subjected to) and our willingness to close our eyes and ears.
When I first listened to RATM, I was amazed at the energy and power of their music. Much of that comes from the passionate zeal of Zack de la Rocha, the frontman (one of the people I would most like to meet). He said that his earlier hardcore band, Inside Out was:
about completely detaching ourselves from society to see ourselves as…as spirits, and not bowing down to a system that sees you as just another pebble on a beach. I channeled all my anger out through that band.
The very name Rage Against the Machine implies not mindlessly conforming. I see Zack de la Rocha as one of the few people who will confront and shame the system and refuse to play their games for money and approval. He does not compromise his message to be non-threatening and mild and socially acceptable but speaks the unvarnished truth. He is not for sale and will not be silenced. No wonder the authorities have stopped some of their concerts.
To just think of RATM as yet another rock band is to miss the point. Their music does not exist apart from what they have to say and is their medium and message.
Anyway, listen to their music and take a moment to appreciate their energy and integrity.
Tags: subversive
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