Tribute In The Name Of

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Posted: February 20, 2023

Tribute In The Name Of

Nelson’s amazing Rage Against the Machine tribute hits the Cranbrook Hotel Pub

By Ferdy Belland

Michael James Joyce of Nelson’s most eruptive tribute band Guerrilla Radio takes time to explain the how’s and why’s of the band’s origin.

“My buddy and I were hanging out in my girlfriend’s kitchen, and we had some Rage tracks going in the background. He was a drummer, and I’d already been playing guitar for years. After a few beers, and getting into one Rage song after another, all-of-sudden the idea clicked into place with both of us. We both agreed that a well-rehearsed and polished Rage Against the Machine tribute band would work onstage, and many people would want to see it in action!

“We had the ability, we had the energy, we knew who else to recruit to complete the band’s lineup… and besides, WE were the ones who wanted to see it before anybody else! At that time, Rage Against the Machine themselves were on hiatus and we didn’t think they were going to tour anymore, so we felt creating a tribute band was the next best thing. And it’s not as if the show band circuit is bulging with a glut of existing Rage tributes, then or now. The bug of the idea was driven into our heads that day and we went for it – and it’s all been well worth it.”

Rage Against the Machine formed in 1991 and remains one of the most popular American rock bands of their time. Melding elements of heavy metal, rap, punk, and funk into a unique and powerful sound all their own, RATM have sold 16 million copies of their four studio albums (1992’s self-titled debut, 1996’s Evil Empire, 1999’s The Battle of Los Angeles, and 2000’s Renegades) and are renowned for both the revolutionary-political socialist-activist viewpoints and song lyrics of explosive frontman Zach De La Rocha and the inventive musicianship of lead guitarist Tom Morello (nephew of Kenyan revolutionary Jomo Kenyatta), bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk.

The band is continually nominated for membership in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has won numerous Grammy awards for its work. And they inspire Kootenay kids to form bands emulating them – Guerrilla Radio perform Saturday, February 25 at the Cranbrook Hotel Pub (with special guests The Mellow Rows), where they are sure to astound.

“We’ve been pounding away at this for the past five years. We knew right from the start, once we got all of us together as a solid unit, that we had to really dial this in to make it effective and convincing onstage. So we spent the first year locked away in a rehearsal room, practicing and practicing and practicing. And it paid off in spades. So by the time we actually played our first show, we were lock-tight and confident and spot-on and could bash our way through a long set with no mistakes.”

And it would seem that the rockers of British Columbia have taken Guerrilla Radio to heart.

“We recently sold out our show at the Royal in Nelson and it was just awesome! The whole room was bouncing with wall-to-wall people! At times I had to back away from my pedalboard and microphone because there were guys swarming up onto the stage! Shoulder-to-shoulder people jammed up all along the front of the stage, pounding their fists and screaming along with the lyrics – completely off the hook!

“It’s been that way for us for virtually every show we’ve played, which surprises us as much as it surprises anybody else. Fans of Rage Against the Machine are devoted and excitable to begin with, so if that’s their reaction to a small town cover band, you can guess how wild they’d be when they actually see the real Rage Against the Machine live in a big arena!”

Joyce is always surprised by the diversity of the crowds attending Guerrilla Radio concerts.

“The mix of people who come see us ranges from the 40-somethings who loved Rage firsthand back in the 1990s up to modern college-age kids who just know a good banger when they hear it. We play all the hits as well as deeper album cuts, and everyone fires up with every song. Whether we’re bashing out ‘Killing in the Name Of’ or ‘Vietnow,’ the energy from the crowd never stops.

“When we played our very first show, there was a bit of nervousness, because you really don’t know how well you’ll be received, no matter how much you’ve invested into being the best performer you can be. But everybody just gets AMPED when we play, jumping and banging, and it is loud and brash and in your face. And so many people absolutely revere Rage. It’s just amazing for me, and for the others in Guerrilla Radio. That’s why we keep doing this. The adrenaline never stops spraying. I’ll be doing this until they haul me away.”

Joyce considers himself very fortunate to have the caliber of musicians working with him to make Guerrilla Radio blast into life.

“Our new drummer Reid Erickson plays in the Castlegar band Blackout Summer, and he’s attending the music program at Selkirk College, so he’s really, really good. Our bassist Tyler Stack runs a recording studio in Nelson, and he’s also a great player. Our guitarist Jeff is a punk guy from way back – his last band was Drunk On Purpose, but I’ve known him since he played in Conrad Black, back in the late ’90s. I’m the old guy in the band! (laughs) It’s a neat collection of contrasting personalities in this band, and it works like all hell. We’re having so much fun with this. Which is the first goal in any band anyone plays in, right?”

Guerrilla Radio are ultra-stoked to be performing in our fair Key City.

“This is the first time we’ve played Cranbrook. We don’t get out to the East Kootenay very often, but we’ll be changing that. We’ve mostly been playing the West Kootenay towns, and having a blast doing it, but we’re wanting to expand our gigging radius and take the show all around southeastern B.C. We want to go all over the province. Everyone’s hungry and excited to take the act wherever we can. We did play the Central in Fernie once, and that went off, but we’ve wanted to bring this show to Cranbrook for quite a while. We hear good things about the rising scene there and we intend to bring our A-game onstage!”

Nelson’s amazing Guerrilla Radio unleash a raging set of all your favourite Rage Against the Machine songs on Saturday, February 25 at the Cranbrook Hotel Pub (719 Baker Street), with opening act The Mellow Rows.