Aug. 9, 2007

Rage Against the Machine Returns to Midwest for One Night Only

By Randy J. Klodz

Arguably one of the most influential bands of the last two decades, hard-rocking, Los Angeles-based band Rage Against the Machine is ready to make its only currently scheduled U.S. headlining date when the quartet storms through Alpine Valley Music Theatre on Aug. 24.

Rage Against the Machine—which includes Zack de la Rocha (vocals), Tom Morello (guitar), Tim Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums)—had long been on hiatus as Commerford, Morello, and Wilk joined ex-Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell to form the popular hard-rock band Audioslave while de la Rocha took to solo work.

The band has returned this year to play a handful of festival dates including Coachella and Rock the Bells, but has scheduled just one headlining show to date. The band is also slated to perform at the annual New Orleans Voodoo Music Experience and the Vegoose Festival in Las Vegas.

Known for its politically charged lyrics and first-in-the-air salvos, Rage Against the Machine drove itself into the fabric of worldwide culture with hard-driving hits like “Bulls on Parade,” “Guerrilla Radio,” “Killing in the Name,” “People of the Sun,” “Sleep Now in the Fire” and many others.

The band’s latest release of original material, “The Battle of Los Angeles,” hit home in 1999 and sold over 2 million copies. The band released “Renegades” in 2000, a covers album, which also received much fan fare. Though plans have not been divulged publicly, Rage Against the Machine fans worldwide hope for future albums and a full tour reunion.

Alpine Valley Music Theatre is at 2699 Highway D in East Troy, Wis. Tickets for this all-ages show are listed for $57 each with showtime slated for 7 p.m. Rock band Queens of the Stone Age is also scheduled to perform. For more info on Rage Against the Machine log on to www.ratm.com.