I never questioned my decision to skip out on copping a few pairs of the Fire Red III’s as I scrapped together the cash to scoop three tickets to see a re-united Rage Against The Machine at the 2007 Rock The Bells (my two homeboys weren’t exactly willing to pay $130 a pop to see a rock band and I didn’t want to brave my first festival alone).

A few Zach war cries and Tom Morello solos later, two Southside, Queens niggas were moshing to “Bullet In The Head,” bloodied up — and wanting more.

I even recouped some of my extra $260 outlay a few weeks later.

Two years later, Zach might still be in hiding, but Tom — liberated from Chris Cornell’s mainstream yearnings — has continued to rock on, with Boots Riley in tow.

That’ll more than suffice.


Tom Morello & Street Sweeper Social Club – “Promenade” Video

Rage Against The Machine – “Sleep Now In The Fire” Video