Latest news with #Morello
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
At the Echoplex, Tom Morello lashes out at ICE raids: ‘No one's coming to save us except for us'
Around 3 p.m. Monday, outside the coffee shop Picaresca Barra de Cafe in Boyle Heights, singer-songwriter Tom Morello backed a dozen local kids and families up against a wall. 'You are witnesses to the crimes being committed against immigrants in L.A.,' he said, asking them for straight-ahead, fearless expressions while he played guitar and sang beside them. Morello, in sunglasses and an outlaw's bandanna under the brutal afternoon sun, was shooting a music video — one he cast very intentionally in the heart of the community most brutalized by recent ICE raids against immigrant families in Los Angeles. 'Pretend you'll remember me,' he sang, flanked by kids who, over the last few weeks, stood a good chance of watching someone they love get shoved into a van and disappeared. 'I wanted to humanize the terrible ICE sweeps that are going on now. We are in really, really dangerous times,' said Morello, the longtime guitarist for the leftist rock group Rage Against the Machine. He spoke to The Times backstage at the Echoplex, where in a few hours he'd headline a benefit show for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. 'I think that Saturday's ['No Kings'] protests showed that every act of joy is an act of resistance in this time,' he continued. 'You saw thousands of people on the streets celebrating resistance and saying that 'You picked the wrong city to try to occupy.'' For decades, Morello's been a fixture in left-populist movements in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles, spanning his time in the now-dormant Rage Against the Machine, as a solo artist and as a left-labor activist. His agitprop punk-funk and pavement-pounding advocacy work are, to him, part of the same practice. But the events of the last few weeks — in which masked and badge-less federal agents have violently searched, detained and deported working-class immigrants across Los Angeles and the country — shook him deeply. Under the second term of President Trump, the most dire warnings of his music seem to have arrived. A few days working to pull together a benefit for CHIRLA — a California-based policy organization and rapid-response network that's become a front line of defense in the recent ICE raids — cohered in Monday's show, which sold out in minutes. He was joined by B-Real of Cypress Hill, Pussy Riot, and the San Diego rap-metal group the Neighborhood Kids. 'There has never been a successful social movement in this country that has not had a great soundtrack,' Morello said. 'I have to find a way to weave my convictions into my vocation. What can I do? Well, I can make a sign and go out. I can text my friends who happen to be in town. It lets people know that they're not alone.' 'The idea for [ICE] is to try to crush us where we are strongest,' Morello said. 'L.A. has just said hell no to that.' Monday's show hosted by comedian George Lopez and DJ'd by visual artist Shepard Fairey, kicked off early with the Neighborhood Kids, whose churning rap-metal brimmed with conviction and lived detail as young people of color watching their government lash out at their families. 'Get them kids up out them cages!' they howled, as guitars and electronics chugged and squalled around them. If a young band can meet a grim moment like this, the Neighborhood Kids did their damnedest on Monday. The Russian activist rock group Pussy Riot has some experience living under authoritarian governments. 'I spent two years in jail. Let me tell you, it sucks,' singer Nadya Tolokonnikova said onstage, face obscured by a pink balaclava while flanked by a hardcore-punk backing band. Pussy Riot's songs about desiccated pollution and ironic euro-rave breakdowns were dispatches from a possible near future for America — one where bleak humor is a survival mechanism under constant threat. Lopez's between-set riffing embodied the sold-out crowd's sentiments: 'There are more people here tonight than at Trump's little birthday party. If he didn't like immigrants, he wouldn't have any wives,' went one milder quip. He teed up sets from the punky rapper and Cypress Hill's stoner savant B-Real, who embodied the two strains of L.A.'s response now — righteous fury and indefatigable confidence. Morello's closer set of solo material was more communally inspirational than furious. He read a message from his 101-year-old mother imploring the crowd to 'become soldiers in the army of love,' played Bruce Springsteen's 'The Ghost of Tom Joad,' honored his late Audioslave bandmate Chris Cornell and stirred a circle pit during Woody Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land.' Speaking to The Times earlier, when asked if this dire moment might call for Rage's return, Morello was circumspect about the band's future. 'Don't wait for any other bands,' he said. 'This is your time. If you don't like what you see, write your song, join a union, get in the street, make a sign, do a protest.' But he did get a riotous response when he told the Echoplex crowd that 'we learned an old Indigenous fighting song for you tonight,' only to kick into an instrumental version of Rage's 'Killing in the Name,' where his backing band let the crowd yell its infamous, profane lyrics of uncompromising resistance. The right to scream those lines back at him, Morello said earlier, is not guaranteed. It's fought for and won every generation. 'People should realize like that artists that make music, and audiences listen to music, may soon be censured. You can be imprisoned, thrown into a gulag. You cannot take those freedoms to be able to say what you want, sing what you want, listen to what you want for granted,' Morello told The Times. 'They're not carved in stone. They are in peril, right now, today. No one's coming to save you, except for you. No one's coming to save us right now, except for us.'
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Mom Calls About 'Lost' Invite To 4-Year-Old's Party—But There's a Problem
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Virginia couple were left confused after a local mom called to say she had misplaced her child's invite to their 4-year-old birthday party. That is because this was the first Justin and Laney Morello had heard about their daughter Jules having one. Kids' birthday parties can be expensive. As the parents of four young children, Justin and Laney had been planning to do something low-key for their daughter Jules's fifth birthday. "We had discussed how we would probably just do something small for her birthday," Laney Morello told Newsweek. "She'd already had two larger birthday parties, so we felt we could have one be lower key." Jules meets Elsa from "Frozen" at her birthday event. Jules meets Elsa from "Frozen" at her birthday event. Laney Morello But, as Morello said, Jules felt otherwise so "took matters into her own hands." "We'd told her that throwing a birthday party was a lot of work, choosing a date, making invitations, sending them out," Morello said. "She figured, if she did the work of getting the party there, that solved the problem." Jules set about organizing things. In a video posted to Morello's Instagram, @hellomorellos, her daughter can be seen explaining how she invited "everyone" in her class to come along. "She'd told everyone that it was her birthday party, that they could bring their family, and that Elsa [from Frozen] would be there," Morello said. The parents only got wind of their daughter's party plans when another mom called to say she had "lost" her child's invite. Aware that many would have already put plans in place to bring their kids along, Jules' parents decided to roll with it. "Thankfully, we had about two weeks' notice," Morello said. The party ended up going off without a hitch, as the pictures Morello shared with Newsweek show. They certainly delivered on what Jules had promised. From left: The party bags lined up; and the balloons and other items are on display. From left: The party bags lined up; and the balloons and other items are on display. Laney Morello "We probably had about 20 kids," Morello said. "We put out dress-up and balloons, hired a local Elsa, and went to Costco for party snacks. It was fun!" This all happened a little over two years ago now and, according to Morello, Jules "knows better now" than to plan a surprise party. "We had a long conversation with her about what's safe, what's right and how we have to be on the same page, as a family, before inviting people over," Morello said. "She learned from it and we did too. We explain our full reasoning behind decisions we make now, so there's no confusion." Even so, Jules' story might have a few parents on social media thinking twice about suggesting their child has a low-key birthday this year.
Daily Record
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
New energy bill update for thousands of people affected by RTS meter switch-off this month
The Radio Teleswitch Service will start to be phased out from June 30. Ofgem has announced its intention to introduce Radio Teleswitching System (RTS) specific licence conditions for suppliers to protect people from the risk of heating and hot water supply disruption and higher energy bills, according to the UK Government. The energy regulator recently consulted on this and is expected to publish a response in the coming weeks. Thousands of Scottish households with ageing energy meters will be affected when the mass RTS deactivation begins on June 30. The latest figures from Ofgem indicate that as of April 4, 2025, there were 129,814 RTS meters remaining in Scotland. Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh answered several written questions from MPs on the topic, including whether or not the deadline could be extended and what steps are being taken to help households still waiting on their energy supplier to install a smart meter. In a written response to Conservative MP David Mundell, who asked about the switch-off process, Ms Fahnbulleh said that energy suppliers led by the RTS Taskforce are planning a careful phase out of RTS from June 30. She added: 'The Government is working closely with the RTS Taskforce, industry and Ofgem to ensure the phase out process is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.' Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello asked about support for people whose electricity meters are not replaced before the deadline, through no fault of their own. Ms Fahnbulleh responded: 'The Government has made clear to industry that suppliers must fulfil their obligations to customers and drive up the rate of Radio Teleswitch (RTS) meter replacements. 'As part of the RTS Taskforce we are doing all that we can to protect consumers from any negative impacts, and make sure that the carefully managed phase out process of RTS from 30 June is as smooth as possible for consumers.' Mr Morello also asked about the potential merits of extending the deadline due to delays from suppliers in fitting new meters. The Energy Minister explained there will be a 'carefully managed phase out of the service starting from 30 June' because the RTS is 'reaching the end of its operational life and can no longer be adequately maintained'. She added: 'The Government is working closely with the RTS Taskforce to ensure the phase out process is planned effectively and consumers are appropriately protected.' Mr Morello also submitted a question asking what steps are being taken to protect customers if their meter is not replaced by the deadline at the end of this month. Ms Fahnbulleh responded: 'Ofgem has announced its intention to introduce RTS specific licence conditions for suppliers to protect consumers from the risk of heating and hot water supply disruption and higher bills. Ofgem has recently consulted on this and will publish a response in the coming weeks. 'These new protections are in addition to current conditions put on suppliers to ensure that a suitable alternative metering system is installed in RTS premises and that consumers' services are not disrupted.' The head of Scotland's national advice service has also raised the alarm over the slow replacement of thousands of ageing energy meters, warning of a 'looming crisis' just weeks before the deadline. Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said vulnerable households were among those at risk of being 'left in the cold' with less than a month to go. In a letter to Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley, he warned that many households remain unaware of what will happen if their RTS meter is not replaced. A similar letter has also been sent to the regulator by Consumer Scotland, the independent statutory body which represents the interests of customers. In his letter, Mr Bartlett called for energy suppliers to proactively identify and prioritise vulnerable customers for meter upgrades, as well as a fresh public information campaign. With the RTS deadline fast approaching, Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national energy advice service has been receiving more calls from worried households. Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier now. Support is also available at or by calling 0808 196 8660. Andrew Bartlett, chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland, said: 'With less than a month to go until the RTS signal starts being switched off across the country, it is increasingly clear that progress on replacing them has not been fast enough. Ofgem needs to urgently clarify if it intends to stick to the June 30 deadline and if a phased approach is being taken, which parts of Scotland will be affected first. 'We are picking up a lot of confusion among affected customers, some of whom are trying to have their RTS meters replaced but have been told it isn't possible until after the switch-off. 'At a time when thousands of people are struggling with energy debts and the cost of living, nobody should be left out of pocket for replacing their meter either. 'Our message to consumers is that if you know someone with an RTS meter, especially if they are vulnerable, encourage them to get it replaced before the deadline if they can. 'The most important thing to remember is that free help and advice is available. Anyone who is worried should visit or call 0808 196 8660 for assistance.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tom Morello Joins Team Springsteen, Rages Against Donald Trump During Festival Set: ‘F–k That Guy!'
Tom Morello has never been one to mince words when it comes to his thoughts on Donald Trump. The firebrand Rage Against the Machine guitarist and solo star joined his friend and fellow rock agitator Bruce Springsteen over the weekend in giving a NSFW salute No. 27 from the stage. Performing at the Boston Calling 2025 music festival on Sunday (May 25), Morello took the stage in front of a towering backdrop that featured a series of images of the president amid a sea of oversized buttons that spelled out 'F–K TRUMP.' If that message wasn't clear enough, at one point during his set, Morello flipped his instrument up to play with his teeth and revealed another pointed message aimed at the current administration taped to the back of his guitar that read 'F–k I.C.E.,' in seeming reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency charged with implementing Trump's aggressive deportation policy. More from Billboard Here Are the 2025 American Music Awards Winners (Updating Live) Shakira Falls Onstage During 'Whenever, Wherever' Performance at Montreal Concert Billy Joel's Daughter Alexa Ray Joel Offers Encouraging Words About Dad's Health Diagnosis Introducing a cover of Bruce Springsteen's 'The Ghost of Tom Joad,' Morello dedicated the track to The Boss, noting that the rocker has been 'in a tussle with the president lately' after the Jersey giant recently dubbed the current administration 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous,' a broadside that raised the ire of the commander in chief. 'Bruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, he's been about truth, justice, democracy, equality,' Morello said. 'And Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a much bigger audience. F–k that guy.' According to at the top of his set, Morello invited fans to enjoy 'the last big event before they throw us in jail.' In the midst of the Trump administration's attack on universities it claims are not doing enough to combat antisemitism, Morello also mentioned his alma mater, Harvard University, which has particularly drawn Trump's ire. In its latest actions, the administration has threatened to strip the school of more than $3 billion in grants following Trump's order to freeze more than $2.2 billion in federal funding grants for the university and threats to revoke its tax-exempt status. Morello praised Harvard's recent decision to offer a free online course called 'We the People: Civic Engagement in a Constitutional Democracy.' Morello, who graduated with honors from Harvard in 1986 with a B.A. in political science, described the class as a primer on 'basic U.S. government, understanding the Constitution, and how to recognize a dictatorship takeover of your country.' The lash out against Trump by Morello amid the president's slash-and-burn reshaping of democratic norms came after Springsteen kicked off his Land of Hope and Dreams tour in Manchester, England on May 14 by lambasting the blitz of strong-arm actions that many political pundits have deemed authoritarian. 'In my home, the America I love, the America I've written about, and has been a beacon of hope and liberty for 250 years, is currently in the hands of a corrupt, incompetent and treasonous administration,' Springsteen told the crowd. 'Tonight, we ask all who believe in democracy and the best of our American experience to rise with us, raise your voices against the authoritarianism, and let freedom ring.' As is his wont, Trump replied to Springsteen's harsh words with one of his all-caps Truth Social disses, calling the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer 'highly overrated' and 'dumb as a rock.' The president continued, 'Never liked him, never liked his music, or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, he's not a talented guy — Just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, who fervently supported Crooked Joe Biden, a mentally incompetent FOOL, and our WORST EVER President, who came close to destroying our Country.' On the precipice of what many financial experts say could be a ruinous global recession sparked by Trump's unpredictable, see-saw tariffs, the president continued his attacks on Springsteen over the ensuing days, adding in another of his favorite targets: Taylor Swift. On May 16, the 78-year-old leader of the free world wrote, 'Has anyone noticed that, since i said 'I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT,' she's no longer 'HOT?'' While Swift has not responded to the unprovoked attack to date, Springsteen was unbowed, doubling down on his disdain for Trump on May 17, telling a crowd in Manchester, 'Things are happening right now that are altering the very nature of our country's democracy, and they're too important to ignore… In my home, they're persecuting people for their right to free speech and voicing their dissent. That's happening now… In America, the richest men are taking satisfaction in abandoning the world's poorest children to sickness and death. That's happening now. In my country, they're taking sadistic pleasure in the pain they inflict on loyal American workers,' calling Trump an 'unfit president' who is running a 'rogue government.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
The Independent
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello piles on Trump in Springsteen fight
Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello is backing Bruce Springsteen against Donald Trump — in characteristically fiery terms. At a music festival in Boston on Sunday, the anti-capitalist axeman performed in front of a "F*** TRUMP" backdrop and welcomed his audience to the 'last big event before they throw us all in jail.' 'Bruce is going after Trump because Bruce, his whole life, he's been about truth, justice, democracy, equality,' said Morello, who has often toured and played with Springsteen in the past. "And Trump is mad at him because Bruce draws a bigger audience. F*** that guy!' Morello added. Springsteen is a longtime Trump critic who endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. But last week, their feud was rekindled when the Born to Run singer called Trump an "unfit president" leading a "corrupt, incompetent, and treasonous administration" during a concert in the UK. Trump swiftly hit back on his social network Truth Social, calling him a "dried-out prune of a rocker" who is "not a talented guy,' before calling for a federal investigation into Springsteen's advocacy for Harris. "BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, OPRAH, BONO AND, PERHAPS, MANY OTHERS, HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!' Trump posted. On Sunday, Morello also praised his alma mater Harvard University — currently under attack by Trump for refusing to bend the knee to his government — for offering a free online civics course that teaches students "how to recognize a dictatorship takeover of your country.' Sporting a Malcolm X hat, he at one point turned his guitar over to reveal a "F*** ICE" sign on the other side, before playing the instrument with his teeth.
