Sad news from the world of music, Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk says the band will not be getting back together. The politically driven rock band split up for the first time in 2000, only to reunite in 2007. They broke up again in 2011 only to announce a reunion in 2019, but that tour was delayed until 2022 due to Covid-19.
When that tour finally came to fruition, frontman Zac de la Rocha suffered a serious leg injury during the band’s second show. He was able to push through the first part of the tour, but Rage ended up canceling their shows in Europe and the second leg of the US tour. Most fans assumed the band was back together and the dates would be rescheduled.
Wilk broke the disappointing news that would not be happening on January 3rd via Instagram. “I know a lot of people are waiting for us to announce new tour dates for all of the canceled RATM shows,” Wilk wrote. “I don’t want to string people or myself along any further. So while there has been some communication that this may be happening in the future… I want to let you know that RATM (Tim, Zack, Tom, and I) will not be touring or playing live again.”
He went on to apologize to fans who were waiting for more Rage shows to happen. Ending the post with “I really wish it was…”
While this is obviously bad news for Rage fans it’s hard to say most didn’t see something like this coming. The band’s on-again, off-again history paired with the delays in rescheduling was kind of an indicator that something was up.
In November 2023, Rage was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and only guitarist Tom Morello attended the ceremony. “Like most bands, we have differing perspectives on a lot of things, including being inducted into the Rock Hall,” he said during his acceptance speech. “My perspective is tonight is the great opportunity to celebrate the music and the mission of the band, to celebrate with the fifth member of the band: Rage Against the Machine’s incredible fans. The best way to celebrate this music is for you to carry on that mission and that message.”
Some interpreted this as yet another instance of the band wearing its political and social causes on its sleeve. Some saw the absence as writing on the wall that another Rage reunion was just never going to happen.
We wish all the members of Rage Against the Machine the best of luck in their other musical and political endeavors. You can read Wilk’s full post below:
