by Rene Luna
Staff Writer
The Rage has died out.
Early in October, Zack De la Rocha, frontman for the intense, politically charged, hard rock band Rage Against the Machine, stepped down.
According to Rolling Stone Magazine, De la Rocha blamed his resignation on a communication breakdown.
“The band’s decision-making process has completely failed. It is no longer meeting the aspirations of all four of us collectively as a band and from my perspective, has undermined our artistic and political ideal. I am extremely proud of our work, both as activists and musicians, as well as indebted and grateful to every person who has expressed solidarity and shared this incredible experience with us,” he said.
One of the other potential reasons explored in De la Rocha’s leaving include bassist Tim Commerford’s arrest on Sept. 7 at the MTV Video Music Awards when, in an intoxicated state, he climbed the stage and had to be removed by security from Radio City Music Hall. Angered, De la Rocha who walked out on the venue, as well as his working relationship with the band.
Rage Against the Machine had also returned to self-management, after firing their management team of six months, G.A.S. Entertainment.
It is unclear whether the band can officially keep the name Rage Against the Machine, since De la Rocha owns the name, as it came from a song from his previous band, Inside Out.
Nevertheless, the band does not consider itself “done.”
“We’re proud of our history and what we’ve accomplished musically and politically over the last nine years,” band members, Tim Commerford, Tom Morello and Brad Wilk, said on the band’s official website, www.ratm.com. “We are committed to continuing with our efforts to effect change in the social and political arena and look forward to creating more ground breaking music for our fans.
“In other words, we’ll keep it loud, keep it funky and most definitely rock on.” The band did not specify what form its future endeavors will take.
Currently, De la Rocha is working on a solo project, which he reportedly has been working on for some time now with hip-hop artists such as DJ Shadow, Company Flow and Amir from Roots. De la Rocha has also rapped on renowned drum and bass producer Roni Size’s album, “In the Mode,” on the drum and bass song, “Centre of the Storm.”
De la Rocha’s departure should not impact the band’s next album, which consists of 29 tracks of live material and studio cover versions, including the songs of Bob Dylan, Devo, Cypress Hill, and Minor Threat, slated to be released in early December.
