Tune In, Turn On
Thomas Baptist Morello, also known as Tom Morello, is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and political activist best known for his time in the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, and his unique and recognizable guitar style. Morello, 61, comes to the Borgata this Friday night, touring as Tom Morello & Friends.
Rage Against the Machine was one of the most important, politically charged rock bands of the 1990s, blending heavy metal and rap music, punk rock and funk with anti-authoritarian, anti-capitalist and revolutionary lyrics. As of 2010, they had sold over 16 million records worldwide, and in 2023 were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame – no small honor and indicative of how important the band was.
“The nail in the coffin of traditional guitar playing for me was an early Rage Against the Machine gig in the San Fernando Valley,” Morello told blogger Tim Ferris in a wide-ranging interview in 2022. “We (RATM) were opening up for two cover bands and the cover bands had very technically talented guitar players. They shred like crazy and played beautifully and brilliantly. But I thought to myself, ‘If I’m on a bill with three other guitar players who have that level of useless technique, I don’t need to be the fourth one.’ And so I veered the ship dramatically towards concentrating on the eccentricities in my playing and things that were very unique and then tried to forge into music.”
Morello’s latest single, “Pretend You Remember Me,” was released in July. The song is a protest track written in solidarity with immigrants whose families have been torn apart by the current administration’s immigration policies and purges. It features his signature guitar riffs, along with a video directed by Morello that includes activist Leonard Peltier and footage of immigrants affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles. It’s the first single from his upcoming solo album, set to be released by Mom+Pop Music. Watch the video for “Pretend You Remember Me” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrOVH0L4PvA.
See Tom Morello & Friends at Borgata Hotel Casino’s Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Tickets: $77.-$101. Info: https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/the-music-box/tom-morello.html.
Tune-Ups
Kevin Burt/Lizzie Rose Music Hall, Nov. 20: The eclectic singer-songwriter and blues troubadour Kevin Burt & Big Medicine released his most recent record, “Thank You Brother Bill,” in 2024 as a tribute to the late, great Bill Withers. I had the pleasure of doing publicity for Burt’s album “Stone Crazy,” released in 2020 on Gulf Coast Records. He’s a true gentleman and a heckuva storyteller. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $40 at 217 E. Main St., Tuckerton. See https://www.lizzierosemusic.com/
SensaMotion/Anchor Rock Club, Nov. 22: This reggae trio from Atlantic City, which formed some two decades ago, are friends with a shared passion for the genre. “They take their listeners into a space of positivity and awareness, writing music that is both spiritually uplifting and grounded in mindfulness,” reads their bio. Their 2022 album, “Life In True Color,” was praised for its thoughtful songwriting, emotional depth and production. Building on that momentum, in 2025 SensaMotion released their sophomore album, “Feel It All Around,” which contains collaborations with artists such as Stick Figure, The Hip Abduction, Jacob Hemphill and more.This is a hometown gig for the trio (Art Rivell, lead guitar/vocals; Dylan Farina, bass; Mike Crosson, drums). Showtime 8 p.m. Tickets: $25. Must be 18+. Located at 247 S. New York Ave., Atlantic City. See https://anchorrockclub.com/
Until next week, be safe out there and support our local music scene.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
