Sounds of rage, passion and power. It’s what you get when you have a supergroup of iconic musicians from Rage Against the Machine/Audioslave, Cypress Hill and Public Enemy. These icons of rock and rap rock royalty brought their best last week at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
I walked in stoked since I scored an aisle orchestra seat and knew the view would be phenomenal. I’m 5’1 and often get lost in concert crowds. But even so, I was THERE. There to hear one of my absolute favorite guitarists Tom Morrello rip it right.
I knew I would likely lose a bit of hearing that night and I was cool with it, even refused to wear the earplugs being provided by the venue. Those are for pussies, I thought. I'd be honored to say it was Tom’s guitar that made me even the slightest bit deaf. Foo Fighters concerts were mostly responsible for some hearing loss, also okay by me.
They walked onto the stage fists up in unison with hella energy and immediately banged out songs from their new album like “Prophets of Rage” and “Unfuck the World” which literally unfucked my mind. I became lost in the energy of the moment - jumping up and down, fists in the air, beautiful batshit head-banging craziness. With MCs like Chuck D and B-Real, it’s hard not to go loco!
While taking a quick break from all the jumping, I used the time to glance back at the badass Gina Gershon who happened to be directly behind me. She seemed cool AF rocking out and absorbing the energy.
Next came a RATM song, "Testify." Let’s go! They continued to kill it with a Cypress Hill megamix of "Hand on the Pump/Insane in the Brain/Jump Around." It was bananas! So. Much. Jumping. I’m up and down, in and out of the aisle, side to side, screaming along like an ecstatic crazy woman. It was an immeasurable feeling of release and unity, like we were pounding out the fear, pain, tension and aggression, together in unison.
Tom took the mic and I knew what was next. I’ve seen enough video footage of their recent concerts to know that this would be the most emotional moment. A Chris Cornell tribute. They also hinted to this earlier in the set playing a few seconds of Audioslave's "Cochise," and it was an unexpected slap of emotion - a burst of fiery excitement then the extinguishing reality that Chris would never run out on stage to sing that song ever again…
Tom told the crowd there is space up front and motioned for us to come on up. Well, o-fucking-kay. My friend and I ran straight towards the stage. He shared a few sentimental words about Chris. The crowd cheered for a minute straight in Chris' honor and it began, “Like a Stone.” We sang and swayed and honored our lost legend. Tom looked up after the song and made a motion to the heavens and I thought, I love how he loves him so.
Even though I am in the pit, I’m a shorty rock and still can't see shit. But, in the words of B-Real, I ain’t going out like that. I kindly pushed my way to the front passing the man giants, assuring them that its okay. “I’m small, you can still see over me.” They agree.
I arrived - the promised land of boobs to stage - nothing in between. And there was my deity, Mr. Morello. He was so close I could see the creases in his New Balance sneakers and never felt more connected. He also appreciates good arch support. Swoon.
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| No zoom - this is how close I got to The Man! |
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| Needed to zoom - when will I ever be this close again??! |
Here’s where I actually sold my hearing for my soul. HOLY SHIT the riffs, the notes, the energy, Tim Commerford's pulsing bass, Brad Wilk’s explosiveness, my God. The sounds, the sights, the sweat! I was physically thirsty but wanted not. My soul was quenched. They ended with RATM songs, the two BEST ones, “Bulls on Parade” and “Killing in the Name.” And that they did, KILLED, annihilated, abolished and erased my fear of being voiceless, void and helpless. In that moment, I felt inspired and empowered.
I literally CANNOT wait to see them again. Until then, Rage on, brothers, Rage on.
Anyone else get to see these guys in concert or have a Rage moment to share? Their album is SICK too, so even if you haven't seen them, pick up their new record, link here. It will NOT disappoint!
Check out my Instagram post for some dope videos from the night!
Here are a couple of before/after pics to show you how hard we rocked out! 😉
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| Oh, hey! We're so happy to be here. Let's DO THIS!! |
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13480 jumps and hair tosses later and DONE.
"Fuck You, I won't do what You Tell Me" forever embedded in us.
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Concert Set List
- Prophets of Rage
- Unfuck the World
- Testify (RATM cover)
- Take the Power Back (RATM cover)
- Living on the 110
- Hail to the Chief
- Guerrilla Radio (RATM cover)
- Rock Superstar (Cypress Hill cover)
- Fight the Power (Public Enemy cover)
- Hand on the Pump/Can't Truss it/Insane in the Brain/Bring the Noise/I Ain't Goin' Out Like That/Welcome to the Terrordome/Jump Around (Cypress Hill/Public Enemy megamix)
- Sleep Now in the Fire (RATM cover)
- Like a Stone (Audioslave cover)
- Radical Eyes
- Know Your Enemy (RATM cover)
- Strength in Numbers
- Bullet in the Head (RATM cover)
- How I Could Just Kill a Man (Cypress Hill cover)
- Bulls on Parade (RATM cover)
- Killing in the Name (RATM cover)
