Rage Against the Machine, a Los Angeles based rock band formed in 1991, combined politics with anger-fueled rage. Their first studio album was released on election day in 1992, when President Bush was still elected. Songs such as “Killing in the Name,” “Know Your Enemy,” and “Freedom” especially highlight themes of politics and current world problems facing America. Lead singer, Zack de la Rocha and guitarist Tom Morello’s mixed racial background broke barriers as they saw themselves as inferior people because of society’s racist ways. Which set the band apart from the other mostly white-washed rock bands at this time. The front cover of their first album depicts a Buddhist monk burning himself in protest, clearly very fitting for the leftist anti-war, pro-anarchy band.

The band became infamous not only for their chart-topping and Grammy award-winning music but also their controversial and outspoken protests against the Republican party. For instance, in 1993 while performing at the Lollapalooza festival in Chicago, the members stood naked for 15 minutes with each man having a letter on his chest. Tim’s read “P,” Zack’s read “M,” Brad’s read “R,” and Tom’s read “C.” The guys were protesting against Parents Music Resource Center, an organization made by overprotective parents in order to keep their kids away from listening to explicit lyrics; Rage songs contain one or more swear word.

In 1999, with the success of their third album, “The Battle of Los Angeles,” Rage had asked documentary director Michael Moore to film the video for their song, “Sleep Now in the Fire.” Moore happily agreed, the politics were boiling throughout the video and song. As the 2000 Presidential Election approached, the band was getting louder and angrier. In the video, the band performs outside of the New York Stock Exchange. Even as the cops show up and the band is asked to leave, they continue performing; this caused the doors of the Stock Exchange to close. Rage’s pride in exposing America for its faults and unjust rules are exactly what makes people love the band.

The sad thing is, many bands today do not have the same passion or political drive that Rage Against the Machine had. The band ultimately broke up in 2000 when Bush was elected and they felt they could not agree on music in the same way they previously did. EHS Psychologist Mike Bills said of the band, “I love Rage Against the Machine. They were a very confident band that alerted Americans of the dangers and facts about our country. Not to mention they have such great songs too, not only to keep us aware of current affairs but also play amazing music.” They did, however, reunite in 2007 for a reunion tour which lasted until 2011, but since then the band has not played together in over seven years; leaving fans feeling nostalgic and uninspired.

What will it take for Rage to play again? Modern rock music seems to be less and less exciting–there is no assertive political drive or creativity to most of the new music today. With everything that has been happening since Trump was elected in 2016, one would think that more musicians would start making groundbreaking woke music. But instead, all we hear is forgettable and boring music, which is exactly why Rage Against the Machine needs to reunite again! In order to have younger people rediscover such classic songs as “Take the Power Back,” and “Testify,” the legendary political hard rock band needs to make another impact on the world. In the days of Trump and Pence is when this world more desperately needs de la Rocha and Morello.