Power to the Proletariat

We went because we miss Rage Against the Machine. We went because he's an amazing guitarist. We went because we were curious about The Nightwatchman's (aka Tom Morello's) brand of folk rock. Doesn't hurt that he's hot.

We left a convert. Not a buy-the-album-and-stick-around-for-the-meet-and-greet convert, but a wow-I've-got-to-get-my-ass-in-gear-and-get-involved convert.

What other musician is writing an album full of real protest songs these days? We're not talking about the b-side throwaway songs artists write so they can blather on about their social consciousness. We're talking crafting an entire act around empowering the working class, rebelling against the status quo, improving working conditions for miners and factory workers, calling attention to the devastation of New Orleans, and ousting the current administration for war crimes.

We may not have agreed with everything Morello sang, but we can't deny that his fervor was infectious.

From One Man Revolution tracks like "Garden of Gethsemane," which was laced with biblical allusions, to covers of CCR ("Fortunate Son") and Woody Guthrie (the uncensored version of "This Land is Your Land") songs, Morello incited the audience to action. Like the phrase painted on the bottom of his guitar, he reminded us that to create change, you have to be prepared to do "Whatever it takes."

Whether it's globally or locally, get involved.

Image credit: Photo by Flickr user msmail.