RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Guitarist Playing Outside Republican Convention

The Pulse of Radio reports that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello is one of the artists planning to perform at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)'s Labor Day Festival. The event will take place on Labor Day, September 1 in St. Paul, Minnesota, where the 2008 Republican National Convention will also be getting underway the same day. Morello will be joined by other artists, such as Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, as well as former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, union leaders and other activists.

Morello, who has not endorsed a candidate for president this year, told The Pulse of Radio that he believes change doesn't come from government but from the grassroots. "I think that any real, progressive, substantive, radical or revolutionary change for the better that's ever happened in our country has happened because people whose names are not on the ballot, whose names you do not read about in history books, gather together, organize and struggle to make their lives, their community and their country better," he said.

The SEIU festival plans to celebrate workers'achievements and propose a plan for the 21st century that includes affordable, quality healthcare for all, wages that can support families, freedom to join unions without intimidation, and retirement security.
The SEIU represents about two million workers.

Morello has hinted that RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE itself could play outside both the Democratic and Republican conventions, but official plans have yet to be confirmed. The band will headline the second day of Lollapalooza in Chicago's Grant Park on August 2.

Morello will release his second solo album as THE NIGHTWATCHMAN, "The Fabled City", on September 30.