Tom Morello releases new solo album
Tom Morello has a message about his new solo album, Everyone Gets What They Want. “This is a record for people who have had enough,” he says. “These are anti-racist songs for anti-racists. They’re anti-fascist songs for anti-fascists. And if any of that comes across as controversial to any of your readers, they should just look in the mirror and do the math,” reports BritPanorama.
The 62-year-old describes this album as his “first-ever full-length solo rock album,” marking the 22nd record of his career. He claims it is “the first time where I’ve been at the microphone with Marshall stacks blazing.” Throughout his 35 years as founding member and guitarist of pioneering LA rap-rock band Rage Against the Machine, Morello has consistently employed music as a form of activism.
RATM’s 1992 hit “Killing in the Name” features the iconic lyric “f**k you I won’t do what you tell me,” which has become a hallmark of his protest work. The band’s catalogue from 1992 to 2000 blends Morello’s distinctive heavy-rock-meets-electronic guitar style with bold lyrics addressing racism, social justice, corporate greed, and police oppression.
Whether collaborating with Audioslave, Prophets of Rage, or under his alter ego The Nightwatchman, Morello continues to promote activism through music. The latest album serves as a rallying cry against a perceived global far-right resurgence — “it’s my State of the Union address” — and features guest appearances from notable artists such as Serj Tankian of System of a Down and the Irish rap group Kneecap, along with Morello’s 15-year-old son Roman, who has begun to make his mark as a guitar talent.
Despite receiving some backlash from audiences who prefer a more apolitical stance, Morello remains steadfast. While performing at Download Festival in June, he faced criticism for displaying the message “F**k Tommy Robinson” on his guitar, a response to the far-right activist. He notes that some longtime fans have accused him of compromising his initial ideals, especially in relation to his advocacy of the Covid vaccine.
Morello counters, “Well, here’s the thing: there’s a lot of old white men that never understood what that band was about at all. ‘Killing in the Name’ is a song about how white supremacy kills black people.” He reflects on how some fans have failed to grasp the deeper anti-fascist message behind his work.
Currently at home in LA, Morello expresses pride in Everyone Gets What They Want, a record that captures the spirit of defiance while incorporating hard-hitting ballads. He describes it as a “personal manifesto inspired by quiet heroes who refuse to bend the knee to tyranny in their home, in their school, at their place of work, in their jail cell, in their country.” Regarding the timing of his first full solo album, he remarks that rock and roll has always been an act of self-defence for him, but in the current climate, rebellion through music has become an essential form of self-care.
The album opens with “Beth from Electronics,” a tribute to Beth McGrath, who famously quit her Walmart job with a viral rant against the company in 2021. “That’s the energy I wanted [for the album]. That encapsulates the best of raging against the machine,” he asserts. Other tracks like “Soldier In The Army of Love” and “Date Night” blend themes of resistance against hate and historical narratives of bravery during World War II.
“Adjourn It,” featuring Tankian, stands as a pro-immigrant anthem, reflecting on Morello’s participation in protests against U.S. immigration policies. He notes the grassroots efforts of communities to resist ICE through creative forms of protest, highlighting the resilience of these movements. Meanwhile, Morello’s partnership with his son Roman on the album adds a unique dynamic, as the younger Morello has co-written several tracks while also performing in his father’s live band.
Morello emphasizes the influence his son has had on his artistic process, even adding, “I always think that the best riff wins.” Roman, who started playing guitar during the pandemic, showcases a growing proficiency that Morello admires. He recounts how he encouraged his son to embrace music with a promise of teaching him some basic notes.
The legacy of activism resonates deeply in Morello’s family history. Raised in Libertyville, Illinois, by a mother who fought against racism, Morello echoes her lessons. Her recent passing at the age of 102 prompted him to establish The Mary Morello Memorial Project to honor her commitment to activism through community service. He reflects, “From feeding hobos on the back porch during the Great Depression to raising war bonds during World War II to stop the Nazis. She stood up against Jim Crow laws.”
Morello remembers a poignant moment at six years old, when he was forbidden to eat grapes due to a boycott he learned about. “She said, ‘We have to help them because we can.’ And that sentence really made me pause,” he recalls. This foundational experience shaped his outlook on activism and the power of collective action.
“That message is in the DNA of every song I’ve ever written,” he concludes. “You can stand up against the racist, fascist tide across the globe. We’ve stood up to it before. We’ll stand up to it again. And we have to stand up to it now.”
Everyone Gets What They Want is out now via Mom + Pop Music
