RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE was founded in Los Angeles during 1992 by vocalist Zack De La Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Timmy C. (real surname Commerford) and drummer Brad Wilk. Morello was previously a member of the Geffen signed LOCK UP, with whom he recorded the 'Something Bitchin' This Way Comes' album, whilst De La Rocha had formerly fronted Hardcore act INSIDE OUT, issuing a 1990 EP 'No Spiritual Surrender'.

The band's caustic rendition of 'Killing In The Name Of' on the much castigated TV show 'The Word' helped propel the track into the British charts.

The band appeared as special guests to KISS at the 'Kaos In The Park' gig on July 5 1997 in London's Finsbury Park.

AGAINST THE MACHINE topped off the year in true rebellious when Morello found himself arrested along with 32 other people as part of a protest against a clothing manufacturer the guitarist claimed were guilty of using slave labour.

Morello involved himself in the single 'Come With Me' by Rap star PUFF DADDY which included reworked 'Kashmir' riffs from ex-LED ZEPPELIN guitarist JIMMY PAGE. The song, a massive international hit, was included in the soundtrack for the smash movie 'Godzilla'. Another project found Morello in collusion with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS bassist Flea, HENRY ROLLINS and Rappers BONE THUNGS-N-HARMONY for a version of the EDWIN STARR hit 'War' for inclusion on the soundtrack for the movie 'Small Heroes'.

In mid 2000, as RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE announced a forthcoming album of cover versions, Zack De La Rocha quit the band. The ex singer first post band outing being a guest slot on British drum and bass unit RONI SIZE REPRAZENT.

Initial copies of the album came with two bonus live cuts taken from tapes for a shelved live album. The rare pairing were MC5's seminal 'Kick Out The Jams' and CYPRESS HILL's 'How Could I Just Kill A Man' featuring Sen Dog and B Real.

Although the band approached DOWNSET's Rey Oropeza speculation ensued toward the close of the year that CYPRESS HILL's B Real had secured the position of frontman in RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE.

By mid 2001 however it had been revealed that the remaining band members had been ensconced in the studio with Chris Cornell of SOUNDGARDEN repute. Quite surreally while the Cornell union was being kept under wraps the band found themselves in the media via an unexpected source as RICHARD CHEESE had cut a collection of his Rap Rock and Nu-Metal favourites in a lounge The album, entitled 'Lounge Against The Machine' naturally included a take on 'Guerilla Radio'.

By early 2002 the union with Chris Cornell was announced officially as CIVILIAN, the band also being scheduled for an appearance on the U.S. leg of the 'Ozzfest' tour. However, although an album was recorded it appeared as though the band had split up before it had even debuted in public. Much to the band members annoyance demo recordings, cut at the Seattle Bad Animals studio, were leaked and widely circulated on the internet. Meantime drummer Brad Wilk was found to be working with the QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE duo of Nick Oliveri and Josh Homme, penning five songs for use in the movie soundtrack to the Jodie Foster film 'The Dangerous Lives Of Altar Boys'.

By July word arrived that the Cornell / Rage band project, now dubbed as AUDIOSLAVE, was back on the cards again, apparently difficulties between two separate camps in both label and management areas- the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE personnel's business affairs handled by Peter Mensch and Cliff Burnstein's Q-Prime concern with Cornell being managed by Jim Guerinot's Rebel Waltz, having scuppered the original proposition.

Former RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE frontman Zack De La Rocha was revealed to be working on a new record in collaboration with Trent Reznor of NINE INCH NAILS his studio in New Orleans. Other artists involved in the project included Dan the Automator of the GORILLAZ and CYPRESS HILL's DJ Muggs. De La Rocha made headlines as the Gulf War in Iraq got underway in March as his anti-war song 'March Of Death', a collaboration with DJ Shadow, was made available for download.

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, breaking a seven-year lull, reunited for one show as the headliners at the 2007 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The band then announced they were to join up with the WU-TANG CLAN for three shows under the banner of 'Rock the Bells', kicking off in New York on July 28th.

Tom Morello, Jerry Cantrell of ALICE IN CHAINS, Perry Farrell from JANE'S ADDICTION and Gilby Clarke, of GUNS N' ROSES, were among the musicians who performed at the Sing Sing maximum-security prison in Ossining, New York on 2nd May 2009 for a show organized by Punk rock pioneer and activist Wayne Kramer of MC5.