Farewell to the Machine

They were different. \nThey were innovative, intelligent and active. But, most of all, they were different. \nZach de la Rocha announced his split from Rage Against the Machine last Wednesday, to the extreme disappointment of fans. Zach said he was frustrated with the group's "decision-making process" which interfered with RATM's political and artistic desires. \nSome say de la Rocha was influenced by his new solo album project and the actions of Tim C. at the MTV Video Music Awards, in which the inebriated bassist climbed the stage set, interrupting the show for almost 15 minutes. I say whatever the reason, it never should have happened. \nSince their debut in 1992, the members of RATM have made a searing mark on the musical and political world. They broke onto the airwaves with a sound previously unheard by the masses. RATM mixed heavy rock, hip-hop, funk and passion so precisely no one has come close to the tantalizing results. Nor will they ever. \nRage has opened up the doors of expression to the new fusion of rock and hip-hop that has influenced chartmakers today. Tom Morello's influence on guitar work alone has ripped up the axe-ridden world and left it begging for more. Morello is the only modern guitar hero. Tim C. and Brad Wilk propel the hard-hitting rhythms with power and finesse. Even while publically taking the backseat to de la Rocha and Morello, without drums and bass RATM would be "I'm slightly disenfranchised with the machine," not Rage.\nAnd leading man de la Rocha has also brought innovation to a medium that too often succumbs to the lulling melodies of pop or lackluster growls of grunge. De la Rocha gave voice to the rage. The lyrics weren't boring, and they weren't typical. With a rap and a reason, de la Rocha told the stories of the Zapatistas, the sweatshop workers and the politics of South Africa. He gave a song to the soul-seekers and a face to the freedom fighters. And the best part was, the band actually backed what it stood for.\nRATM has played the Tibetan Freedom Concert and benefits for the Anti-Nazi League and the freedom of Leonard Peltier. The musicians were kicked off Saturday Night Live in 1996 when they hung the American flag inverted over the amps. But, perhaps the most intriguing incident the band has inspired recently involves a video from the most recent and acclaimed album, The Battle of Los Angeles. Michael Moore directed the video for "Sleep Now in the Fire." The recording for this video and the rushing of Wall Street afterwards happened to shut down the capitalist giant in the middle of the afternoon.\nYet, after all of the activism, arrests and artistic dominance, the perceived leader of one of the most expansive groups ever has left the building. Zach de la Rocha has taken his self-interests into account and decided that the band is not right for him anymore. He has left a path of despair, disgust, disappointment and some sympathy in his wake.\nOn the bulletin board at www.ratm.com alone, there is a flood of messages of disappointment with de la Rocha's departure. Some fans tell of being barely able to survive the days right after the announcement. And, not too ironically, some express rage at his decision. RATM has created what it wanted to create: fans who care.\nSo what now? Well, the remaining members pledge to stick with the music and to keep expanding the horizon. De la Rocha is looking towards solo work. And the fans? They will remain as loyal as ever.\nHere's to the only love affair I've had that's lasted more than six months. Good luck guys. Keep rocking, keep the rage and keep inspiring angst-filled activists with nowhere else to go.