Rage Morello come back

March 28th, 2007 | Music Guru | Music News

The words “Rage” and reunion are being muttered in the same breath these days, but Tom Morello says that no full-scale Rage Against the Machine reunion is, in fact, in the works.

According to Tom Morello he understands the need for one. “These times, I think, demand a voice like Rage Against the Machine to return. Rage was certainly the most outspoken radical voice in music in the ’90s, and the seven years that Rage was away the country went to hell. So I think it’s overdue that we’re back.” Sounds like reunion talk to us.

“Right now there are four shows booked,” says Morello, who’s preparing for the April 24 release of the first album as his alter ego the Nightwatchman. “There’s Coachella and then there’s the three Rock the Bells shows (in July and August) with Wu Tang Clan, Immortal Technique, Cypress Hill and some other hip-hop artists, and right now that’s all that’s on the docket.”

Morello says the Rage rebirth occurred last fall, “when it was clear there was not going to be any Audioslave touring in the immediate future” following the release of that band’s third album, “Revelations.” Bassist Tim Commerford and Rage frontman Zack De La Rocha “had re-established a friendship,” and after some discussions, the band — which also includes drummer Brad Wilk — “all got together and decided (playing some shows) would be great.”

The group has already started rehearsing, Morello says, and “it sounds awesome in the room. We remember how to play those songs; it’s pretty much like riding a bike.”

While any future Rage plans are up in the air, Morello is certain that the Nightwatchman will be busy following the release of the “One Man Revolution” album. “Extensive” touring will take him around the world, including his own Coachella show on April 28, bookings at Bonnaroo and the Newport Folk Festival and a stint opening for Ben Harper.