interview with tom at 1999 tibetan freedom concert

For a band whose lyrics helped define them as not only a great a rock band, but one on a quest for political change, the words are slow in coming for Rage Against The Machine singer Zach de la Rocha.

Though the music was recorded last October, there is no album title, not even a working title, and de la Rocha still hasn't written lyrics for about half the songs for the band's forthcoming new album.

"We're working to get it done as soon as possible," says guitarist Tom Morello backstage at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Chicago (see review, this page). After mentioning how long ago the music was completed, Morello's dramatic pause and expression belies... if not impatience, certainly extreme eagerness on the band's part to get this project done. Add to that Morello's excitement about the musical developments on the record, and you get the feeling of a super-charged custom race car revving its engine but stuck in neutral at the starting line.

The singer's provocative writing and manic delivery first sent audiences into a frenzy with 1992's self-titled debut album featuring a disturbing photo reflecting their stance against oppression and the evils of war -- a Buddhist monk's self-immolation in protest of the conflict in Vietnam. Soon after, the opening spot on 1993's Lollapalooza tour secured their place as an inventive, raucous, and spirited force to be reckoned with in the international rock -- and political -- world.

Now, it's been about three years since the release of their last record, 1996's Evil Empire, produced by Brendan O'Brien, who is also working on their current album. "We originally met Brendan when he remixed the singles for the first album. He works fast, and maximizes the amount of creative output for the time spent in the studio," say Morello. "We worked at a quick pace, writing about 15 songs in three months, then recorded it in about three weeks." The band is hoping for a fall release.

There is an upshot to a long time between records. Besides the time and stress involved in the kind of international touring Rage has done, not to mention all the benefit concerts they perform, the time allowed the players to hone their craft.

"We took a break between the last two records, and everybody grew exponentially as a musician and as a unit between our actual recordings. This time, there was more of an accord among band members on a personal level. I think we came together with our improved musicianship for our best record to date, hands down," beams Morello like a proud parent.

"It's totally rocking, it's super-funky," he continues. "When we were writing the songs there was a camaraderie among band members which allowed the best stuff to come to the surface. About half the songs are instrumental tracks so far, so it's hard to say which is my favorite. It sounds kind of cliche, but it's really another level of musicianship. There's a sophistication to the playing without letting go of the raw 'we're going to dig a ditch and throw you all in' power of some of your best Rage Against The Machine songs," Morello says laughing -- but he's only half joking.