lights out, this land is yours and I ain't no President's Son

On Friday the 13th, in the cramped cavern of the 7th Street Entry, we were treated to a political and musical delight, and a bit of a surprise of an evening. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine is currently out on a solo tour billed as "The Nightwatchman." Turns out, Mr. Morello has a wonderful, deep, melodic voice and he pulled off his guitar-stylings on his acoustic really expertly (admittedly, I didn't *love* some of his original songs...they were a bit too obvious and simplistic for me...some might say "contrived," even). My man Ike Reilly opened for him and is doing part of the tour with him, as well. They went to high school together in Libertyville, IL and have maintained their friendship since. (Also an alum: the late, great Chris Farley. crazy, huh?)

Most exciting was when Ike joined him on stage to pound out a stirring version of CCR's "Fortunate Son." Incendiary, really. I was lucky enough to see John Fogerty do it at the Vote For Change show a few years back...when we had hope of booting out that President's Son (as Fogerty had done before, Morello and Reilly stuck in "President's" instead of "Military" rightly so). Those were hopeful times. Now, it was another rallying cry...maybe looking towards the countdown to January '09. Whew. The only pointed comment from Morello about Dubya was sharing his hope that Bush will be taken before an International War Crimes Tribunal. The crowd went wild.

We did get to meet and hang with Morello, which was totally exciting and surreal. (also REALLY exciting for me: we got to chill with Babes in Toyland drummer/legend Lori Barbero like it was no big thang. She is sweetness personified, people. sigh.) My man Fitzy did an exceptional job of storytelling of the night's events. He brought such a fresh perspective to everything, and did a far better job at it than I was attempting... here ya go: 612Jams

here's a funny pic Fitzy took (I think I look like a madwoman, he's got a better pic on his blog with him, Ike and Tom):


note: because he missed one song (and it was a doozy) I will scribble about it. Morello did his own interpretation of "Guerrilla Radio" that was riveting. It was still super-tough and powerful, even without Zack's screaming...maybe more so, because for the first time, I heard all the words, crystal clear and resolute as ever. Even more thrilling and chilling: all those voices in the Entry singing (shouting) along with Morello, "What better place than here, what better time than now?"

Now, bring on the revolution.


GUERRILLA RADIO


Transmission third world war third round
A decade of the weapon of sound above ground
No shelter if you're lookin' for shade
I lick shots at the brutal charade
As the polls close like a casket
On truth devoured
A Silent play in the shadow of power
A spectacle monopolized
The camera's eyes on choice disguised
Was it cast for the mass who burn and toil?
Or for the vultures who thirst for blood and oil?
Yes a spectacle monopolized
They hold the reins and stole your eyes
Or the fistagons
The bullets and bombs
Who stuff the banks
Who staff the party ranks
More for Gore or the son of a drug lord
None of the above fuck it cut the cord

Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio

Contact I highjacked the frequencies
Blockin' the beltway
Move on D.C.
Way past the days of Bombin' M.C.'s
Sound off Mumia guan be free
Who gottem yo check the federal file
All you pen devils know the trial was vile
An army of pigs try to silence my style
Off 'em all out that box
It's my radio dial

Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up
Lights out
Guerrilla Radio Turn that shit up

It has to start somewhere It has to start sometime
What better place than here, what better time than now?

All hell can't stop us now
All hell can't stop us now
All hell can't stop us now
All hell can't stop us now
All hell can't stop us now
All hell can't stop us now