In 1992 rage against the machine released there self titled album to a fanfare of praise amongst the 12-18 age group. the main theme of the album was the age-old communist struggle of the proletariat over the bourgeoisies, and no more was this struggle present than the seminal track 'killing in the name of.'
Yeah! Come on!
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me
This song struck a chord with all those youths that faced struggle every day. Struggles such as being told to be home by a certain time, and to keep their room relatively tidy. This song represented their own struggle with their bourgeois oppressors: their parents.
The advent of the internet provided young fans with an outlet to show solidarity with this struggle and record their own versions to show the world their anger. Poorly transcribed tab of the song could be procured with ease, and cheap camera phones could film the results. here are some of those results:
1)
After an aborted start, scottish lads Shaw, Grant and John open with that classic riff, but unfortunately the guitarist has the rhythmic skills of the queen performing the Macarena. However, the vocalists style was spot on capturing the essence of the rap/rock defiance of parents that is embodied in the popular rage song. Overall Shaw, Grant and Johns performance in the Owen centre East Kilbride showed real determination and grit, and i would assume was highly enjoyed by all those who attended.
Defiance level: 3 - Will tidy my room after dinner.
2)
This group of guys, even though squashed into the box room of a low rent housing block, look as if they are having the time of their lives. I really think this band could make it to the big time, if only the rhythm guitarist would show us his sweet smile. I can only imagine that he must have a lot going on in his life, because if i was rocking out in this band i would be grinning like a cheshire cat. My only reccomendation would be that addition of the sheet music/and or official tab book would, I think, greatly improve the chances of this band making the big time. Keep at it guys. And cheer up!
Defiance level: Mothers too drunk to defy.
3)
The hours spent practicing this phantom riffage really shows in this effort by ..sempajo... With palm muting skills and hair to die for, this youth really knows how to make that Christmas squire strat/marshall amp combo WAIL. I only hope that his mother has paid off his beloved Christmas present before he ultimately gets fed up with it because he has no friends to join his band. Or he is jailed
Defiance Level: NO IM NOT TURNING IT DOWN!!!
4)
This band are either piss poor at all music, or are complete geniuses of the craft. This rocking version has the air of captain beefheart, without the years practicing in a shed under threat of violence. Either that or they cant count. The rocking level-42 slap-bass was a marked change from most of the other acts in this list. The bassist also highlights his unorthodox style by rotating wildly on a swivel chair, a true original. Unfortunately, the band are let down by the vocalists inability to rap and play at the same time, without sounding like he has just been sick up his own nose.
Defiance Level: IM ON THE PHONE!!!!
5)
This band are so hard, that they even have their own bouncer to check no one is watching them on the internet and laughing at them. They are also so mental that the audience too scared to go near them and strike up an old fashioned mosh. I can only imagine that this is the entertainment at some white power rally, up the fields behind the shops and played on stolen equipment. The vocalist, like a true showman, enters the crowd enters the crowd during the climax, bounding about like hes had enough ritalin to date-rape a horse.
Defiance Level: Mother is dead.
6)
This performer really knows how to build up suspense, but lets himself down by not asking his mum to get him a distortion pedal or a plectrum with a cannabis leaf on it. He may have been classically trained, but this is actually a hindrance to such a riff-based classic such as killing in the name of. Overall a good effort in a lovely outdoors setting, but some work remembering poorly transcribed tab is needed.
Defiance Level: Take that fucking guitar into the garden for christ sake, it's the worst thing I ever bought you.
All in all, rage against the machine provided soundtrack to a whole series of hormonal thoughts, and this has now been remixed and recut for a whole new generation thanks to the internet. What is for sure is that, whatever technological advances that occur throughout the next 100 years, teenagers still wont be able to play the fucking right notes, in time.
