Rage Against the Machine kicks ass. Definitely one of the most influential bands in my life. The energy between the members has always been electric and it pounds through every record.

My personal favourite album is Evil Empire. Side B has some of the most musically and politically charged music that has ever been made. So while researching a little more about the album’s producer, Brenden O’Brien, I stumbled upon an old MTV article. In the article a young RATM are interviewed about why they recorded Evil Empire in their own rehearsal space.

MORELLO: Why spend two thousand dollars a day in some fancy recording studio trying to recreate the great vibe that we have right here and… So we literally knocked a hole in the wall, rented the room across the hall and ran the wires over the hallway.

ZACK DE LA ROCHA (Vocalist): We weren’t going to go in and play in a studio that just had no environment whatsoever. You get in some of those places and it’s like you’re walking into a dentist’s office. I’ve had my teeth cleaned, thanks a lot, I don’t want to so that. (More here)

One vinyl spin of Down Rodeo is all you need to appreciate the sonic capabilities of that rehearsal space.

Granted, they were on a major label and did benefit from having a solid producer, but the rawness and vibe of that rehearsal space is irreplaceable. Evil Empire proves again that all you really need for meaningful recordings are great songs and great energy.

Take Control of Your Music
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