Prophets of Rage Barred From Performing Inside of a Prison

Last night, Prophets of Rage (the new supergroup comprised of members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, and Cypress Hill) were scheduled to perform a concert for 800 inmates inside of a state prison in Norco, California. It was intended to support the nonprofit organization Jail Guitar Doors (named for the Clash song), which provides instruments to help rehabilitate inmates. The band were forced to play outside of the prison, however, “because of orders issued by the California Department of Corrections just before showtime,” CBS Los Angeles reports.

Tom Morello explained, “We were denied at the last minute because apparently they got some calls from right-wing nuts in Sacramento who said they were going to foment rebellion. What we meant to do is come here to play a great show.” He added, “We play for those on the lowest rungs of the ladder. We play for the underclass, those who do not have a presidential candidate who presents them.”

Jail Guitar Doors co-founder Wayne Kramer said, “They didn’t want to see good things happen for what they consider to be bad people, when in truth, they’re just people.” Watch a local news report–in which Morello declares, “The barbed wire cannot keep the music out; the barbed wire cannot keep the message out”– below.

The prison performance is not Prophets of Rage’s first political show. Last month, they performed at an anti-Republican National Convention rally in Cleveland’s Public Square Park. The band hit the road next week. See their upcoming tour dates here.

Listen to Prophets’ debut single “Prophets of Rage”:

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