This footage, which claims to be the first Rage Against the Machine concert ever, is pretty fascinating to watch. Beyond hearing these songs in their infancy, look at the early 90s fashion on display here. The three people up front, Zack De La Rocha with his funky dance moves and black shirt over white sweatshirt apparel. It just brings me back!
The show took place California State University, Northridge on October 23, 1991 — 29 years ago yesterday.
Somebody at Rock Sound tracked down Tom Morello, who had seen the footage and had this to say about it:
"I have seen a bit of clip and I have a full recollection of that show. It was actually the first time we played in front of a public audience, we had done one show previously but that was a living room party so that filmed footage still qualifies as our first 'proper' show.
I remember when we started playing there was no one in the audience, it was just people walking back and forward on the way to lunch at Cal State Northridge. After an hour long performance we won over a couple of headbangers, which was a victory for us at that point in our careers!"
Here is the band's set from the show:
01 – “Killing In The Name” (instrumental)
02 – “Take The Power Back”
03 – “Autologic”
04 – “Bullet In The Head”
05 – “Hit The Deck”
06 – “Township Rebellion”
07 – “Darkness Of Greed”
08 – “Clear The Lane”
09 – “Clampdown”
10 – “Know Your Enemy”
11 – “Freedom”
