I've been thinking about this for a while. On the cover of RATM's first album is Thích Quảng Đức setting himself on fire in protest against the Vietnam government's treatment of Buddism. Now, the problem I have are Rage implying their music is as powerful as that action, and that them standing on stage is as much a protest? Are they saying this world is full of evil but also protest and the music and songs reflect the protest? If so, do they think they're good enough musically and lyrically to express the emotion and heroism of a man willing to set himself on fire for his beliefs? I know RATM's songs are very uncompromising, there is anger and reistance in the lyrics but does a album of songs that people dance to really equate to a man who literally self-immolation?
Bascially I'm wondering if RATM (or any band) have the right to put something so extreme on their mechendise?
I don't know if there's a differance to singing about real life events (Holiday in Cambodia, Sandinista! album, The Streets Are Ours) compared to featuring the radical image so directly.
Bascially I'm wondering if RATM (or any band) have the right to put something so extreme on their mechendise?
I don't know if there's a differance to singing about real life events (Holiday in Cambodia, Sandinista! album, The Streets Are Ours) compared to featuring the radical image so directly.