Composer – RATM
Where to find this song – Evil Empire track # 2
Release Date – April 1996
The Band:
Tom Morello – guitars, effects
Zack De La Rocha – vocals
Tim Commerford – bass
Brad Wilk – drums
The Bio:
Rage Against the Machine earned their wings from anarchist fans for their over-the-top antics and fiercely political music, which brewed leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression. The strange thing is that the band’s guitarist, Tom Morello, actually has a law degree from Harvard and worked in a political office under a need-not-be-named senator in Washington.
Intro
The picking in this song is very easy, and the entire measures are all the same. All you need to do is place your 1st finger on the second fret on the “low E” string. Then, just place your 4th finger on the fourth fret on the “D” string. All you have to do now is pick accordingly.
The rest of the intro is equally easy. The key here is the mutes. Make sure you can get those down in time, and the riff will be no problem at all. All you have to do is place your 1st finger on the “low E” string and your 3rd or 4th finger on the fourth fret on the “A” string. There you have it!
Verse
The verse is pretty easy, but the timing is strange. Listen closely to the audio example. Also, notice that the first and third measures are the same, as are the second and fourth. Begin the first measure by playing the “low E” string open once, and then continue by placing your 2nd finger on the second fret on the “low E” string. Play the “A” string open, and then use your 2nd finger again to play the second fret on the same string. Play it open once more on the same string, and then go to the “low E” string and play it open once. Then just use your 2nd finger again to play the second fret on the “low E” string to end the measure.
For the second measure, just leave your 2nd finger where it is. Play that once, and then play the open notes twice. End this measure by using your 1st finger to play the first fret on the “low E” string.