Rage Against The RNC

Oh, you silly police officers. Stopping Rage Against The Machine from taking the stage will not actually stop them from playing, and you should know that. As everybody probably has figured out by now, RATM are not the type of band that likes to keep quiet about their beliefs. Frontman Zack de la Rocha's lyrics definitely ride on the far side of left, which in turn speaks directly to the working, middle-class people. As planned, RATM made their way to St. Paul to speak directly to those people, as well as to directly make demands of the horde of conservatives that have flooded the city for the Republican National Convention. Having a show already planned for tonight, they decided to arrive a little early to take the stage for a unannounced performance at the Ripple Effect Day Festival. That idea was quickly shot down, with the cops citing the band's absence from the festival's original roster, which apparently disallowed RATM from performing. Stupid. Instead, RATM decided to take it to the crowd where the police couldn't stop them. With a bullhorn in hand, de la Rocha and guitarist Tom Morello treated the crowd to a cappella versions of two RATM classics, "Bulls On Parade" and "Killing In The Name Of."

From reports I've read, the crowd dispersed peacefully from that impromptu show. Apparently that's not the case for a lot of other areas surrounding the RNC. People are going nuts up there! I don't know though, after seeing these uber-police, I'm not sure sure if I'd like to be anywhere near St. Paul.