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.
You want to meet a bunch of really friendly people? Go to a Slayer concert. There'll be some real psychos there, but most of those people will take care of each other.
I don't believe people playing rock n' roll should have crowns. We're not kings and queens. Anybody can play it.
I just wonder where I was when the talent was being given out, like George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Eric Clapton... oh, there's many more! I wouldn't want to be like them, you understand, but I'd like to be equal, if you will.
I want to see 10 female rappers getting regular rotation. It can't be all about a man's opinion.
The difference between blues, jazz, rock n' roll and rap is that rap stayed poor. Even the white rappers are poor. It's scarier to look at poor people; it makes everyone uncomfortable. Their pain is something that people would like to see swept under the rug.
Just because you're not a drummer doesn't mean you don't have to keep time.
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