So I'm a regular reader of SPIN magazine, and they always have this section where an artist list the albums that influenced them, and they give a little paragraph about each one. So in the spirit of this piece, I've decided to write blogs about bands that have influenced me over the years. These are in no particular order, but just as they come to mind.
One of the bands that has greatly influenced me over the years has been Rage Against the Machine. When I first heard Rage I was in Jr. High and I heard "Year of the boomerang" off the Higher Learning movie soundtrack. I remember hearing that song and thinking what a crazy sound they had, but I was into rap and not really any kind of rock, thus I never paid any more attention to them. Later on in high school I went through this "Christians can only listen to Christian music" phase and so I couldn't listen to Rage because they were so political and they said "bad" words. The first time I really heard them was through my friend who was in love with them, and he would always play them when we Dee Jay'd at lunch during highschool. When I heard songs off their debut I was just blown away, and I decided to go get the album. I remember looking at the cover with the monk lighting himself on fire in protest, and just going "Wow, this is going to be hardcore".
The thing I love about Rage is the ferocious energy, harsh lyrics, and how Tom Morello freaking shreds like no other. Regardless if you agree with their political views, Rage brought the ruckus. And you could either listen or get the hell out of the way. Rage inspired me because they stood up for what they believed and expressed how they felt even if people didn't like what they had to say. At this point in my life, I was facing a lot with my walk with God with people questioning my faith and being challenged to step up as a Christian. Listening to Zach spit out lyrics that challenged the norm and asked people to question what they know, inspired me to do the same. With that, I began searching more deeply what it was I believed, and I began to stand firm against those who tried to knock me down.
Rage also helped me in realizing that things are not as peachy as them seem. Just because the government or any authority says something should be a certain way doesn't make it right. As people we need to seek and discern the information we are given by the media etc and make informed decisions for ourselves, and not be told how to think. I began to realize that their was lot of suffering and atrocities being committed everyday throughout the world and in America, and that definitely broke my little bubble. Rage challenges us to pay attention to what's going on in the world around us. They aren't about money, chicks, or fame, and that's seen in their music.
When they broke up it broke my heart because they were just unbelievably awesome, and I never got a chance to see them live. At a time in music where Limp Biscuit was ruining everything awesome about rap/rock, Rage stepped it up and showed how it should be done. My favorite album is their debut, and "Wake Up" is my favorite song. The Matrix was that much tighter because it ended with "Wake Up" with Zach screaming his ass off. When he gets going I get so pumped up I just wanna break something. Obviously, the members of Rage aren't Christians, and they really aren't down with religion in general, but nevertheless they make good music that makes you think, and rocks your soul. RATM, I salute thee...
Rip the Mic
Rip the Stage
Rip the System
I was born to Rage against them
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I agree that the song at the end of the Matrix was clutch. I've never really dug Rage just by my naturally laidback disposition, but I definitely respect how it set the mood of The Matrix.
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