In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford expressed uncertainty about the band’s end, despite drummer Brad Wilk’s announcement earlier this year that suggested otherwise.
Among the setbacks surrounding RATM’s breakup, Commerford maintained a distinct stance. In the interview, he revealed his detachment from the decision-making processes within the band, stating:
“I don’t know. I don’t get involved in that. I’m the bass player. I just wait for someone to tell me what to do. Brad said what he said, but he’s one step above me. He’s in the No. 3 spot. I am the low man on the totem pole. That’s all I can tell you. I’m the bass player. The bass players always are the last people to find out about sh*t like that.”
Still, his other comments reflect a sense of willingness to return to RATM if circumstances change, as the bassist likened his readiness to Batman’s summoning via the Bat-Signal.
Why Did RATM Decide To Quit Music Scene?
On January 4, 2024, Brad Wilk took to Instagram to announce that RATM would no longer be touring or performing live. This was the third occasion such an announcement has been made. Wilk’s statement aimed to address the uncertainty surrounding the canceled dates from the band’s Public Service Announcement reunion tour, clarifying that there would be no rescheduling of the shows and signaling an end to the band’s live performances:
“I know a lot of people are waiting for us to announce new dates for all the canceled RATM shows. 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. I’m sorry for those of you who have been waiting for this to happen. I really wish it was…”
What’s further complicating is the lack of an official statement from the band as a whole, either confirming or denying Wilk’s claims. This leaves room for speculation about the band’s future.
RATM Went Under Similar Issues In The Past
Formed in the early 1990s, RATM quickly rose to fame but was not without its internal conflicts. The departure of Zack de la Rocha in 2000 due to a ‘broken decision-making process’ within the band led to the remaining members forming Audioslave with Chris Cornell, which lasted until 2007.
Despite a subsequent reunion that saw the band touring and performing until their second split after a final show at L. A. Rising in 2011, RATM announced a comeback with the Public Service Announcement tour in 2020. However, this effort was thwarted by the pandemic and de la Rocha’s severe Achilles tendon injury in 2022, which led to the cancellation of the tour.
Meanwhile, Commerford has not been idle. In 2022, he launched a new project, 7D7D, with Mathias Wakrat and Jonny Polonsky, releasing their first single, ‘Capitalism,’ and following up with ‘Insignia’ in February 2024. You can watch the music video for the song below.
