The guys over at above-thefold captured this video of Rage Against The Machine doing an impromptu a capella performance of Bulls On Parade and Killing In The Name before a massive crowd outside the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis on Tuesday, after officials refused to allow them onstage to play.
The band had planned to play a surprise set at the Ripple Effect- a left-wing rally held to coincide with the Republican Party Convention. Listed headliners Anti-Flag finished up their set early, telling the crowd: “Stay put- shit’s gonna get crazy.” Members of Rage were seen moments later on the capitol steps, arguing with state troopers, and after about 15 minutes of chanting and heated arguing with police, the band walked around the perimeter of the stage and into the crowd.
After explaining the situation, Zack De La Rocha told the 2000-strong crowd that the band stands for peaceful opposition despite their incendiary sound, and the cops’ decision not to let them play wasn’t based out of a fear of the band, but of the people.
Grabbing a bullhorn, he then led the crowd through the sing-along, accompanied by Tom Morello making retarded guitar sounds with his mouth. The performance was understandably laughable, but the message resonated clearly: Rage Against The Machine are a bunch of goddamned hippies.
Just kidding. Once the “Fuck you I won’t do what you tell me”s died down, Zack and Co. then joined the massive crowd in a peaceful march toward the Xcel Energy Centre, which triggered over 100 arrests.
Officials claimed that the band arrived too late to make the show’s curfew. However, event organizers have questioned police tactics after Caitlin Burns, a stage and logistics manager claimed: “A state patrolman held the band and wouldn’t let them enter (backstage) until it was too late.”
For the record, last week RATM also played at the site of the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
September 4th, 2008 at 5:47 PM
That is one of the coolest videos I’ve seen in a long time. It got me so pumped up right now, I feel like I could smash my desk or something haha
September 4th, 2008 at 9:15 PM
great band, great action on their part, wish I could’ve been there for this or tonights performance
September 5th, 2008 at 8:39 AM
It’s great to see them together and still standing up for what they believe is worth fighting for. You know what’s funny though… I ran into Zach D at a coffee shop a year ago and I was with my 5 year old daughter. I had to say hi to him and expected him to be a bit standoffish, but he was wonderfully charming and very conversational with my kid. I was really impressed. When the warriors can whisper… it makes their voice that much louder when they shout.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:47 PM
this video is the shit, although Tom’s “whah whah whicka whah whah”s are fucking hilarious.
Zack’s speech is brilliant.
September 8th, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Jesus, what fucking dorks. These assholes don’t know shit about shit, sitting around their Hollywood mansion acting like they’re not benefiting directly from Republican tax cuts lol! Bow wow chicka bow wow, AHAHAHAHAHA! I can not believe TM was actually making guitar noises with his mouth. Into a bullhorn. In public!
September 8th, 2008 at 6:35 PM
if it is possible for a band to lose all of their credibility in the space of five minutes, it would probably involve a bullhorn, awkward hip hop “bopping” and making guitar sounds with the mouth.
September 20th, 2008 at 7:49 AM
Poorly and laughably executed but still pretty cool.