(Audio)Slave to the music

American hard rock supergroup hit the road with new CD

When Audioslave check into The Kool Haus on March 1 for their first-ever Toronto gig, they'll finally put paid to lingering rumours that they are not a real band. Guitarist Tom Morello recently acknowledged to Tandem that "there has been so much false rumour and innuendo swirling about, but now you're hearing directly from a band member. You can thank the fans for their support and tell them yes this really is a band, not some myth like the Loch Ness Monster - a couple of blurry photographs!"
Some confusion was likely inevitable, given that Audioslave can be termed a "supergroup." Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk played together in politicized hard rockers Rage Against The Machine. In Audioslave, they are hooked up with singer/lyricist Chris Cornell, former frontman of acclaimed Seattle band Soundgarden.
These two pioneering outfits sold over 35 million albums combined, and they have had a huge influence on the sound of modern rock over the past 15 years.
Kicking Audioslave into high gear wasn't easy, however. Early group demo were leaked over the internet, causing problems, and two sets of managers who couldn't agree further complicated matters. "We were really blindsided by that whole phenomenon," explains Morello. "There was no way to predict that we and Chris would get along great, but that our managers would hate each other! We had to get everybody on the same page, by getting brand new managers who wouldn't have factional interests, and we've been moving ahead strong ever since."
Tom adds that "it has been a long road from inception to the release of the record. Now we have settled all the questions. Yes, Audioslave is a band, and, yes, we intend to continue and make more records and tour."
The Audioslave album is a muscular and polished piece of work, ably produced by Rick Rubin (Beastie Boys, Slayer). The first single, "Cochise," has already gained attention via an eye-catching and clearly very expensive video clip.
Morello is full of praise for Cornell's contributions to the record. "We had such confidence in rehearsals as Chris' voice is so unifying. It seemed like we could play anything underneath it and still have it sound very much like our band. As a guitarist, I had the courage on this record to play more emotional and soulful guitar solos, while continuing to try to push the sonic boundaries of the instrument."
He digs Cornell's lyrics too. "I think the haunted existential quality of his lyrics is well matched with the in-your-face nature of a lot of the music. I think that's one of the engines of Audioslave. To me, the record sounds like the sum is greater than the sum of its parts as it is clearly a new band. The only responsibility I feel musicians have is to make music with honesty and integrity. We had done that by the time we had known each other a month. The only expectations we had was to have four friends in a room and make some great music."
Morello is clearly having more fun now than with Rage Against The Machine. "I couldn't be more proud of the music we made, but there were only three new studio albums in ten years. We wrote and recorded more new music with Chris in eight months than we did in the past eight years of Rage. That's what you want. I'm a musician, not a waiting-arounder!"
Hardcore Rage Against The Machine fans may be wondering where the political edge of that band has gone, but Morello insists he remains an activist. "I have basically decided to take my own advice. For 10 years, Rage was encouraging people to fight and take a stand for social justice, and that is exactly what I have done. Along with Serj from System Of A Down, we have founded (website) Axis of Justice (www.axisofjustice.org). There, we participate in a daily basis in changing the world for the better by bringing together fans of music, fans with progressive ideas, and local grassroots groups to organize and fight for change."
Audioslave is out on Sony Music. Audioslave play The Kool Haus on March 1.

Publication Date: 2003-02-09
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2338