Tom Morello is surprised by how many fans misinterpret Rage Against the Machine’s songs.
He expressed this in a post on X, stating, “Never ceases to amaze me how many folks who’ve heard RATM are in Paul Ryan mode, having literally ZERO understanding of anything that band was about and even less understanding where any of us might stand on contemporary issues.”
Morello recounted a recent conversation he had with a couple at a restaurant who claimed to be big fans of ‘Killing In The Name.’ The woman mentioned, “I love that song. It helped me rage against my parents and later against the jab!”
In response, Morello explained, “Ma’am that song is about racist cops who often behave like the Ku Klux Klan in service of historical white supremacy and are boot licking lackeys and thugs of the racist capitalist ruling class.” He noted that the woman appeared confused, “chewing and blinking, chewing and blinking.”
A fan commented, “God forbid people misunderstood it was against authorities forcing you get the vaccine to go to your concert or fly or work. That was ok, awesome use of authority. You really understand what to rage about.”
Morello replied to that fan, stating, “Perfect example right here. No sir, no one was required to be vaccinated to attend or buy a ticket to any RATM show ever. Feel free to check with any of the tens of thousands who attended. Blinded by presumptive bias and misinformation what other sacred tenets of your world view and opinions are perhaps based on total falsities?”
Another fan mentioned, “I think people are referring more to your stance on the war machine.” Morello responded, “My stance on the ‘war machine’ has been unwavering since I was a teenager: Every US President in my lifetime has been a war criminal by the standards of the post-WWII Geneva Conventions and if there was any justice in this world they would be treated as such and answer for those crimes.”
He concluded with, “Again, when you just make stuff up based on bias and misinformation you’ll likely embarrass yourself.”
This isn’t the first time Morello has criticized RATM fans. He had previously clarified that the band never required vaccinations for their 2022 shows when some questioned if RATM needed fans to be vaccinated for their tour. Some venues had COVID-19 rules, but these were lifted before the band performed. Fans only needed a ticket to attend.
