TOM MORELLO Refutes Claims That RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Mandated Vaccinations For 2022 Reunion Tour: ‘No Offense But You’re A F**king Idiot’

Rage Against The Machine

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE‘s much-anticipated reunion tour, plagued by delays due to COVID-19, finally kicked off on July 9, 2022 with a concert at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin.

The tour was short-lived however. After just 19 shows, a serious leg injury to singer Zack de la Rocha forced the cancellation of their European dates. The band then retreated from the spotlight, and following a peculiar induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, bassist Tim Commerford hinted that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE might be done for good.

One point of confusion during this whirlwind was the band’s alleged vaccine mandate for concerts in 2022. While large venues and companies like Live Nation were enforcing such rules, guitarist Tom Morello took to X/Twitter to dispel the notion that the band itself required proof of vaccination for their shows. He actively responded to fans on the platform, clearing the air about the supposed mandate.

“No offense but you’re a f**king idiot,” Morello said to one person. “RATM has played 19 shows in the last 13 years and ZERO of those shows have required vax. Pass this along to your idiots friends por fa vor. Also, while you’re mewling about Big Pharma, how about Big Oil and Big Tobacco and Big Landlords and Big Military and Big Elon? It’s called Big Capitalism vs human beings and the our planet. So I accept your apology and let’s aim at the right target bubba.”

Morello clarified that the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE reunion tour was planned before the pandemic hit (originally scheduled for 2020). This means the band couldn’t have anticipated the need for vaccine requirements when booking the shows.

He said: “100% incorrect. When we booked the tour and sold the tickets it was pre-pandemic, so naturally no vax requirement. When venues opened during covid some had the below stipulations on concerts held during that period.

“We played ZERO shows during this time. Zero. In part because we wanted to protect our fans and their families. When we eventually played these shows, including the United Center, ALL restrictions at ALL the venues we played had been lifted. While I am a big supporter of science, hear my words: NO Rage fan was EVER required to present anything other than a ticket to see the band. Read that again, Charlie.”

Anyway, cut up all the “UM ACKSCHULLY THEY’RE RAGE FOR THE MACHINE AT THIS POINT” comments. Nobody’s ever heard that joke before. It’ll be so funny, dude.