RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Guitarist TOM MORELLO Launches FIREBRAND Record Label

According to The Pulse Of Radio, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello has launched a new record label called Firebrand, which he has co-founded with Ryan Harvey of the Riot-Folk Collective. Morello told Rolling Stone, "The label gives you one-stop shopping for all your rebel-music needs. It's the kind of label that I wish had existed my entire artistic life."

The label was launched on Thursday (June 4) with a digital sampler of music by Harvey and activist musicians like Egyptian revolutionary Ramy Essam, San Francisco indie rockers BUILT FOR THE SEA, Swedish punks LYCKA TILL and Bronx-based post-rock singer Bell's Roar.

Morello explained, "People always ask me, 'Why aren't there artists writing lyrics like PUBLIC ENEMY or THE CLASH or RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE?' And my answer is always, 'There are. They may not be currently at the top of the chart and you have to seek to find them, but there are.'"

In addition to his work with RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, Morello was a member of AUDIOSLAVE and performs solo under the name THE NIGHTWATCHMAN.

The guitarist said about the roster on his label, "Firebrand artists are black, white, Arab, Jewish, men, women, queer, straight, folk, punk, hard rock, hip-hop, but they all have one thing in common: They play music with a sense of purpose to create a more just planet."

Morello said that while the acts on Fireband will be politically active and themed, "first and foremost the music has to be great."

In addition to his solo acoustic tours and albums, Morello has spent time over the last couple of years recording and touring with Bruce Springsteen and the E STREET BAND.