Rage Against the Machine in Minnesota and the state of political pop

I regret not making it to the Twin Cities to see Rage Against the Machine play the Target Center in Minneapolis tonight, sending its mighty roar over the Mississippi River toward Sarah Palin. But we do have the Internet, letting us in on other people's once-in-a-lifetime moments. Here's one:

That's Rage, getting down with a megaphone after being denied access to the stage at the Ripple Effect festival, a day-long event held Tuesday on the Minnesota State Capitol's Upper Mall to promote non-partisan progressive politics in the shadow of the Republican convention.

The band was supposed to be the fest's surprise closer, but according to the Ripple Effect blog, capitol staff and state law enforcement agents shut down the concert because Rage was starting too late -- a half hour before the event's scheduled 7 p.m. curfew.

Rage's megaphone set ended with the band inspiring thousands of protesters to march toward the Xcel Energy Center, site of the convention. The music fans joined a larger march before being dispersed by police.

In light of this protest, which Zack de la Rocha predicted in an interview with me a few weeks ago, it's interesting to consider the position Rage currently occupies. These guys are elders now, nearing or past 40; many of the activists who came out to see them are likely from the next generation. This isn't the usual way musical-political moments unfold.

Shifting paradigms usually require new voices to express what's happening. But (aside from the celebrity candidates themselves) this year's political campaign hasn't produced any new pop stars. Instead, it's caused already established figures from Will.i.am to Sheryl Crow to new heights of creativity and optimism.

It's not surprising that lifetime progressives like Crow have stepped out to provide their support -- or that John McCain's found a stumper in country star John Rich. Barack Obama's effect on the hip-hop scene has been well-documented; most recently, veteran producer Jermaine Dupri has posted his admiration on the Huffington Post, and Spike Lee has predicted that the senator's candidacy could lead to a new golden moment in the African American arts.

Yet no young voice has emerged to embody this surge, the way Bob Dylan did in the countercultural 1960s or Rage did in the street-activist 1990s. Right now, the story seems to be of midcareer artists finding a new spark and stepping out to lead again.

After hearing of the Ripple Effect protest, I happened upon a telling quote from David Berman, the poet who records music under the moniker Silver Jews. In an e-mail chat with the Toronto-based critic Carl Wilson, Berman reflected upon the relationship between "slackers" -- i.e., fortysomethings -- and their youngers (warning to Republicans reading this post: Berman is an unapologetic leftist):

My generation doesn't have 'following' skills. The younger generations, growing up in a more enlightened world perhaps, are team thinkers. My belief is that the next twenty years will be the story of what the adults (us) and the young adults (people born after 1980) do to recover from the damage that this exceptionally stupid and selfish generation of Republicans, businessmen and God-botherers has inflicted.

There is no doubt in my mind that the 40-year-old guys out there who think life has passed them by, the slackers who kept slacking while their peers sold out, will have a very active second half of their lives.

What happened with Rage Tuesday night in the Twin Cities seems to enforce Berman's view. The other headliners on the bill for Ripple Effect -- Michael Franti, Dead Prez, Anti-Flag -- are also in their mid-30s to 40s. None of them could be called slackers; but neither has any lived through a moment when their often radical progressive views connected with the politics of the mainstream. Until, perhaps, now.

There's still time for a new Rage (or Dylan, or the Clash, or Mavis Staples) to emerge with a fresh musical vision. For now, though, it seems enough to enjoy the midlife renewal of so many.

Meanwhile, I'd love to know who your visionaries are. Who's best capturing the rhythms of this political season in guitar chords, samples and beats?

-- Ann Powers

Comments

[Samoht]

Very interesting article, i wish it was longer. When you're speaking of the now it goes by all too fast and it's hard write a commentary going on today when it changes before you finish your first paragraph.

I'd like to answer you're question now:

Here's the lyrics to a song called The Pelican by Menomena. I believe that it can be viewed under a politcal light.

Take it when I'm not looking!
Take it from my hook while it's still kicking!
Don't you feel it when I start reeling?
I guess some things never change,
and I still hold the reins on what you're feeling...

Take it when I'm enjoying!
Take it from my mouth while I'm still chewing!
Don't you feel it when I start pulling back?
I guess some birds never learn;
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing!

We're forced to lock our horns up
in some epic clash that we can't finish.
On our own we'll have to settle,
swallow pride and hold our heads up high!

Stake it when you feel threatened!
Stake your claim on land already taken!
Don't you feel it when I start throwing stones?
I guess some birds never learn;
One day these tides will turn and leave you nothing!

Take it!

[Mike]

Great article and video. I've always looked as Pearl Jam as a politically inspired band from my generation.

[John M]

The war in Iraq was approved by the majority of Democrats as well, so don't blame the Republicans alone - both sides are to blame... I hope to god RATM doesn't vote for Obama - that will make things even worse..

[Jiffy Wipe]

Dude, Rage totally ROCKED at this show. Loved it!
www.anonymize.kr.tc

[erichansa]

Seriously, cut that guys hair and he's Adam Sandler's brother. Voice and everything...

[Jackovas]

Epic.

[j]

Flobots.

[Andy]

Or maybe our generation will be able to disassociate music spectacles with actual movements and not buy into this weekend warrior protesting crap. Maybe we'll be the first to see the difference between actually doing something rather than placating ourselves by standing on a street corner for a few hours with the dillusion that it has some effect. ...then again that would be pretty high hopes.

[j]

Immortal Technique

[rupato]

ironically, this made me want to vote republican. i'm red with embarrassment.

[Tyler]

The Flobots are an incredibly talented new band, they talk about peace above all else. I recommend them.

[Scott Budzar]

I'm a pastor in Kent, Ohio who is frustrated with the apathy of the American Church towards politics, war and the poor. It is refreshing and uplifting to hear voices rising up above the status quo and opposing the system at hand.

Last year I had been up late at night and heard on the news of over 250 people being killed in Iraq in one morning. It is so easy to change the channel and block it out. I could not escape it's haunting me and stayed up that night and wrote this poem. It is not toward the non-Christian but it is toward myself and those who claim Christ as their way. Here it is:

"Poverty of Conscience"
by scott budzar

A saint once said without any wonder,
“The bread you don’t use
is the bread of those who hunger.”
So shall I sit around (remote control in hand)
and temporize
my ability or inability to respond
to all those hungry eyes?

Or can I be so brave
as to weep over my own neglect
Of all the meals I threw away
and the spare change that I kept.
We have categories: Vegetarian or Vegan,
Carnivores and Free-Gans
With bumper stickers to criticize
each other's decisions.
Stop with your stance
and can you listen?
While this day 6,500
will die from malnutrition.

Tomorrow morning a fatherless son, a mother
and her HIV infected daughter
Will walk 10 miles for a few gallons
of fecal laden water.
A trip that will provide hardly enough
to temporarily quench a thirst.
Without a choice they knowingly
drink a death but all the while
they give thanks to God for life first.

Pipelines of this liquid life
run all throughout my home.
Is it something I can give or share
or just claim it as my own.

I mean… Does my lawn really need watered
to be a little greener for all
my neighbors to see?
Or dare I be convinced
that 150 people die every hour
that I decide to think
more about me?

There is not one black family
or face on the street where I reside.
But in the most impoverished section of my city
the white face is harder to find.
I cannot settle for the
“that’s just how it is” response.
Because us Christians should know
that’s not what God wants.

How much can minimum wage
feed a single mom with two?
The wealthiest nation in the world says
50 bucks a month will do.
Can you give to the needy
instead of excelling at the art of excuse?
Or is it just easier to get upset
when someone on welfare eats better than you?

They say managing poverty is big business.
So is the Church gonna get “Mega”
or oppose this?
All this reaching inward
is a kick in the teeth
to folks already knocked down;
While pastors take lessons
from marketing strategies
instead of the Sermon on the Mount.

Today’s topics: Racism, fair trade,
war and peace.
Such cool words to print on a t-shirt
and then sell to you and me.

Please tell me that when the Church
is asked to respond to those in need
That we won’t form some holy huddle
and chant WWJD.

Does all my ranting qualify me
as just a liberal “social Gospel” fanatic?
Or if I’m a republican then,
oh yeah - I must be a war-loving addict.

And since when did Christianity all of a sudden
become just about the issues of
homosexuality and abortion.
When hookers, thieves, and notorious sinners knew Yahweh as their Portion.

I wonder of these things with a frustration and confusion that will not go away.
It is because I cannot escape or blanket my heart
from the things Jesus had to say.

Have we, oh Church, blessed God with monuments
or have we paved another mile for hell to come.
In the words of MLK - a "poverty of conscience"
is what we suffer from.

[JIMBO]

State Radio

[Tim]

the Flobots are, in my opinion, the leaders in the new political scene. great great music, and one day they will be huge!

[LySrgikiD]

FloBots!!! intense socio-political commentary intelligently interlaced with thumping beats!

they stole my head when i listened to them the first time, and it's about time they rose to stand in their rightful place.

[Relik]

Flobots are the new & improved RATM. RATM were great musicians, but they didn't use their celebrity/power to effect change. They advocated change, but the Flobots are creating change through Flobots.org and Street Teams.

The Denver-based band Flobots is teaming up with non-profits Fight With Tools and Let Us Rise on Monday, August 25, to launch a new nationwide campaign, America Will Be!, in which people are invited to share their vision for a better America.

“What the Obama campaign has shown is that a lot of Americans want change,” said Flobots lyricist Jamie Laurie, also known as Jonny 5. “But real, long-lasting change only happens when a lot of people put pressure on whoever is in power. This means it is our responsibility to determine what that change will be.“

[Confused]

I find it amusing that at a rally to promote non-partisanship everyone is blaming the republicans for everything. This rally is nothing but the same partisan politics that are currently being played out in Washington by the Republicans and Democrats now. While I like RATM, their partisan message at a non-partisan event is exactly what is wrong with American politics today. Until both sides stop blaming each other for what has happened in the past, nothing is going to change. While there would be no war in Iraq if the Republicans hadn't suggested it, there would also be no war in Iraq if the Democrats hadn't voted for it. Both sides are to blame for the state of the American economy, war, and the way out lives have been impacted today.

[M]

Check out a band called Ignite. Their lyrics carry very much the same sentiment as Rage. Frankly, I'm surprised more people have not heard of them.

[Tiptonizer]

Flobots the next RATM? I can ride my bike with no handlebars no handlebars no handlebars,,, I can't stop laughing. Shirley,,, you're not serious...

[Relik]

Confused: RATM played outside the DNC too. Where do you get they are partisan? They are for the removal of both parties. As far as you blaming the Democrats for not voting against the war.. Maybe you should research the Anthrax attacks. In case you didn't notice, Anthrax was sent to democrats in congress while they were talking about the Patriot Act. It was also sent to most media outlets. This was clearly not an act of a terrorist as this type of anthrax required a multimillion dollar lab to create without killing the creator. After the warnings were received, the media and the democrats have been lapdogs ever since.

Tiptonizer: Have you even bothered to listen to the lyrics or to look up some of their other songs? I saw them live Aug 31st here in Austin and they were unbelievable. I heard them speak about the Iraq war, our liberties & freedoms, and hope. I love "f--- you I won't do what you tell me", but then, what exactly are you going to do? RATM didn't give answers in my opinion. And at the height of their stardom, they disappeared for years. They really let me down.

They are the next RATM for me because of the message, not the type of music.

[Mr.X]

"Meanwhile, I'd love to know who your visionaries are. Who's best capturing the rhythms of this political season in guitar chords, samples and beats?"

--http://propagandhi.com/audio/

A Bit Anti-American but I think if your looking for 'fresh' dissenting voices and opposition in music then these are your guys

[Daniel Ucko]

Listen to the song "American Bravado" by rapper Manifest One.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUD4kZifc18

One of my professors wrote the book by the same name.

Telling of our society and the state of this country.

[pwnage]

Ha ha, you got called out on your BS in Vice magazine:

http://vice.typepad.com/vice_magazine/2008/09/new-york---with.html

[ann powers]

@pwnage:

About time someone called me on my ageist blathering! For the record, I am a fan of Against Me! but would run if Kanye came near me with a megaphone.
-- Ann P

[Noah Wiles]

@Scott Budzar: I am by no means a man of faith, but I read your poem and wanted to thank you for sharing it with us. I found it very insightful and moving. Keep doing what you are doing brother.