Tom Morello's Nightwatchmen Plays Nairobi
Band Photo: Audioslave (?)
While visiting family in Nairobi, Kenya earlier this month, Axis of Justice co-founder and Audioslave guitarist Tom Morello donned his alter-ego - the Nightwatchman - and performed in a local nightclub called the Cork. At the club simply for a night out, Morello was recognized by the house band who persuaded him to get onstage and play. Morello borrowed an acoustic guitar and performed a slew of his politically-tinged folk songs including "House Gone Up In Flames" and "Flesh Shapes The Day," and, according to one observer, was "uproariously received" by the African audience.
Morello has roots in that African nation - his parents met in Kenya and his father still resides there, plus his great uncle was Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president and leader of the resistance against British colonialism.
Commented Morello, "It has been quite a year. First to play an unforgettable show in Cuba with Audioslave and then to play a Nightwatchman show in Nairobi, Kenya. From kick ass rock n roll to political folk tunes, music clearly transcends all borders."
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12 Comments on "Tom Morello's Nightwatchmen Plays Nairobi"
5. writes:
Im gonna go out on a limb and say his nightwatchman stuff sounds like Dave Mathew's.....Tom you are all good intentions, but I agree, shut the fawk up. And , Deathspiral im not sure many more people are down with Ted Nugent than Tom Morello, but it cant be that many. They are polar opposites and their is a middle ground in music. You do not have to be a cheese eating surrender monkey, nor do you have to be a redneck a$$hole........morello's political clout went south after rage and so did his signature sound.
6. writes:
'cheese eating surrender monkey'...? I like the point you make, Metalmilitia but, just so you know, I'm a trained Martial Artist and spend much of my time sparring with and training cops. I just don't like people who don't think-like many of Unkkkle Ted's fans...Supposively, in America it's okay to have different opinions-but the way, where the f*** is Bin Laden and why haven't we killed him?
8. writes:
what's wrong with fighting oppression and discrimination? prevailing for justice? Morello at least does more than just hide behind his music - he's out there in foreign countries actively contributing to the betterment of global living standards. you dont see anyone from, say, cryptopsy or cannibal corpse doing that. perhaps Tom has a lesson to teach, and we a lesson to learn...
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11. writes:
Jesus Christ....
I think people are getting way to excited about a humble little acoustic solo performance.....Especially one that was performed in f***ing Kenya....Let the man do his thing, it's not even metal....Not that Audioslave are either though.......
As far as politics is concerned, I'm glad not every band is politically driven, that would defeat the purpose of music as escapism....But I'll be damned if it doesn't put the spotlight on issues that need to be faced, whether you're on the same side of the issue as the band or not.
RATM made some of the best music to ever reach the radio listener landscape. More importantly their lyrics weren't attacking one party or the other....Rage had a problem with just about everyone, mostly injustices in other countries but ours as well.....The problem was they were making really strong cases and it was very hard to argue against them.
Many politicians were made publicly speechless, embarrassed and bitter when Zach de la Rocha or Tom Morrello (harvard grads) cut down an oppossing view point in public forums. This happened often enough for our govt. to go to the trouble to monitor RATM's troublemaking, closely.
More importantly Rage were more active in confronting things like poverty, cracks in our justice system, and abuses of great varieties than any other band existing, for a time even eclipsing Bono and U2.
The world needs well off rockstar types who are imformed, educated, worldly and generous.
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1. Zontar the Munificent writes:
Morello - do the world a favour...shut the fawk up!