Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine, or more commonly reffered to as Rage or RATM are a rap rock / funk rock / alternative metal band from Los Angeles California. Consisting of consisting of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, drummer Brad Wilk, and bassist Tim Commerford,

The band first began when Tom Morello met Zack de la Rocha in a club in LA. He had recently left his band titled "Lock Up" and was impressed by Zack de la Rocha's freestyle performance and thus asked him to become a rapper in a band. Zack de la Rocha convinced a chilhood friend to join as bassist, Tim Commerford, and Tom drafted in Brad Wilk as drummer. Rage was formed.

After their first gig in Orange County, California, Rage released their first demo tape. It attracted lots of interest with record companies. Rage eventually decided to sign with record label Epic Records, with whom they recorded their self titled first album.

The debut album was incredibly successful reaching triple platinum status. The single "Killing in the Name" was heavily played on every mainstream radio station, creating rapid album selling. The band then went on tour, playing in Lollapalooza 1993 and as a support act for the band Suicidal Tendencies in Europe.

Rage went on to record their second album, despite rumours of a break up, titled Evil Empire, which entered Americas Billboard's Top 200 chart at number one in 1996. In the next year, Rage went on their PopMart Tour, the band opened for U2 and back-lined for Green Day. All Rage's profits went to supporting social organizations. After this Rage began a US tour with special guests Wu-Tang Clan. The latter were removed from the line-up and replaced with The Roots for unknown reasons.

After the tour, Rage released their next album titled, The Battle of Los Angeles, which also debuted at number one. It sold 450,000 copies in the first week, eventually going double-platinum. The album featured the famous songs, "Guerrilla Radio" and "Calm Like a Bomb".

On the 18th of October, 2000. Zack de la Rocha, released a statement which announced his departure from Rage. This put Rage into hiatus, Morello, Wilk, and Commerford formed a new band called Auidoslave, whilst Zack de la Rocha recorded a solo album, which had not yet been released.

In mid-January 2007, rumors were circulating that Rage were reforming. The speculation was confirmed on January the 22nd, as Rage were announced as headlining the final day of Coachella 2007. The reformation was described as "primarily being a vehicle to voice the band's opposition to the "right-wing purgatory" the United States has "slid into" under the George W. Bush administration since RATM's dissolution". Rage are still touring to this date, having headlined Reading and Leeds festival in 2008, as well as others in countries such as Japan, New Zealand and Australia.