Paul Ryan's love for Rage Against The Machine is amusing, because he is the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades
Interpretation
Tom Morello's quote highlights the irony of Paul Ryan's admiration for a band that criticizes the very political and social structures he represents.
In this quote, Tom Morello emphasizes the contradiction of Paul Ryan, a political figure embodying conservative ideals, expressing affection for Rage Against The Machine, a band known for its anti-establishment and activist messages. This ironic juxtaposition serves to underline the disconnect between the political allegiances of individuals and the ideologies communicated through the music they appreciate, suggesting that one can admire art that opposes their own beliefs.
In practice
In a discussion about political figures and their influence on music culture.
Then about 12 years ago it dawned on me that folk music - the music of Woody Guthrie and Phil Ochs, early Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger - could be as heavy as anything that comes through a Marshall stack. The combination of three chords and the right lyrical couplet can be as heavy as anything in the Metallica catalogue.
The way corporate media likes to portray America is as a homogenous whole that high-five's each other at the Super Bowl. But what we have is a grotesque disparity between the rich and poor that is only getting wider.
Music and the arts feed our souls, but a decent wage puts food on the table. Musicians, fans of music, and grassroots political organizations are a potent force to fight for social justice.
Of course, music is an art form, and it's not all that competitive. But we don't ever intend to be the second-best band on a stage at any show.
Music, I think, is best when it honestly explores personal demons, and it stirs around in the silt of the psyche to find out what's really there.
Paul Ryan's love of Rage Against the Machine is amusing, because he is the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades.
With pop music and pop musicians, you know everything about everyone all the time, particularly their physical appearance. With female musicians, that's made a big thing of, and I think people, certainly with me, have appreciated a bit of mystery.
The easiest way to avoid wrong notes is to never open your mouth and sing. What a mistake that would be.
God gives us the ability, but rock 'n' roll was created by men.
When you pay your money to see me, I want you to have the best concert you can have from me.
Ultimately, to insist that rock criticism be political is first to insist that the humans who make and enjoy music are embroiled in politics whether they like it or not - and whether they know it or not.
I have been accused of being a very simplistic, very lyrical player, and that's okay. That just comes from the blues, which is my background. But every day you wake up and transcend. You can't ever rest on your laurels.
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