Funny thing about Rage Against The Machine...

[Blue-Jay]

Their music actually calms me down when I'm angry. Angry music. Pissed off music. Damn, it puts me in a good mood. Rock the motherfucker, RATM!

So called facts are fraud
They want us to allege and pledge
And bow down to their God
Lost the culture, the culture lost
Spun our minds and through time
Ignorance has taken over
Yo, we gotta take the power back!
Bam! Here's the plan
Motherfuck Uncle Sam
Step back, I know who I am
Raise up your ear, I'll drop the style and clear
It's the beats and the lyrics they fear
The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
You are the witness of change
And to counteract
We gotta take the power back

Fuckin' right.

[stinkeefresh]

1. they are still on a major label, right?

how can they be called Rage AGAINST the Machine when they generate profits FOR the machine?

I mean, I like their lyrics and all, but they are somewhat oddly named.

[Blue-Jay]

4. Who cares?

Being popular enough to get a contract with a major company doesn't negate their music.

The Berlin Philharmonic has a contract with Deutch Grammophone, but they still deliver the goods.

[stinkeefresh]

7. I don't mean bag on them- they fight the good fight

I just think the name has some unintended irony.

[bedtimeforbonzo]

2. the funniest thing is

them being communists signed to Sony. I guess some machines are more equal than others.

[HornBuckler]

3. Well Dylan Is On Columbia

It's A Neccessary Evil Unfortunately... If You Want To Make A Living -

Some Bands Have Made It On Indie Labels However - That Luxury Wasn't Really Afforded To The Old Schoolers...

Fugazi Comes To Mind

[stinkeefresh]

5. hey, I don't hold anything against a band on a major-

I just think they should have a different name.

[Blue-Jay]

6. OK.

I propose they rename themselves Menudo.

Better?

[stinkeefresh]

8. lol!

ok, good point.

Rage on!

[vi5]

9. The thing is they never TRIED an indie label....

I mean their debut came out on a major. Even though Zach had some indie roots with his first band Inside Out, they never even attempted to go the indie route. By the point where they were starting out the indie scene was thriving as a result of the post-Nirvana spillover.

I don't begrudge them their success since any band that gets that popular singing about what they did deserves many propers. But there's no doubt that there is a case to be made for them being hypocrites as well.

Even they weren't so vehement in their anti-capitalism, or even just more subtle (you mentioned Fugazi), it wouldn't come across as being so bad being on a major. But they were so far to the extreme of the spectrum that to be that firmly entrenched in "the machine" is dubious.

Again, they have my utmost respect but I don't even bother to argue with my more dogmatic aquaintances about it because in many respects they are 100% correct.

[HornBuckler]

10. Well Said

I Don't Give A Rat's Ass What Label They Are On If They Rock - The More Distribution The Better