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Rage Against the Machine apologizes with with free music
Rage Against the Machine has posted an exclusive collection of free audio downloads and video streams on its official website as a gesture of goodwill toward fans who were recently banned from Napster for downloading tracks from the group’s new album, “Renegades” (Epic/Sony). The ban was enacted by the group’s management and record label without RATM’s consent, according to a statement from guitarist Tom Morello.
“I have been embroiled in discussions on a daily basis with both Sony and Napster to get Rage fans unbanned,” Morello wrote in the third of a recent series of notes that he has posted to the message board on the group’s official website. “But in the meantime, we want to make clear whose side we are on in this matter. We make music for our fans, and we want to share our creativity and our politics with you. To that end, we have released over 90 minutes of free music and video.”
Sony Music is one of the major record labels suing Napster for copyright infringement.
The audio collection on RATM’s site comprises 15 MP3 files that include live performances of the group’s “Guerilla Radio,” “Killing in the Name” and “Sleep Now in the Fire,” as well as a live version of MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams,” one of the cover songs found on “Renegades.” Also included are instrumental versions of 11 of “Renegades” 12 tracks. (Devo’s “Beautiful World” is the only track found on “Renegades” that is not offered as an instrumental.)
The video collection, meanwhile, features streams of eight live performances, including the video versions of the “Guerilla Radio” and “Killing in the Name” live tracks also offered as MP3s, as well as performances of “Testify,” “Wake Up,” “War Within In a Breath,” and others. The footage was filmed in June during the group’s overseas tour.
In the note posted on the group's website, Morello joked that fans could use the “11 instrumental [tracks] to remix, sing over, or send in audition tapes (just kidding).” RATM frontman Zack de la Rocha left the band in October. The group has since stayed mum on who, if anyone, will replace him.
“Renegades” was released on Dec. 5, and debuted at No. 14 on this week’s album chart. In January, RATM plans to release a full-length concert video titled “The Battle of Mexico City,” on DVD and VHS.
Morello's guitar-playing can also be heard on the recent Atari Teenage Riot single, appropriately titled "Rage." The CD-single--featuring six different versions of the track--was released in October.
