Advertisement 1

Dave Grohl joins Prophets of Rage in epic Toronto show

Article content

Prophets of Rage, at least for one night, could have been called Prophets of Dave.

The supergroup – comprised of Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk, Public Enemy's Chuck D, Cypress Hill leader B-Real and turntablist DJ Lord – promised a big surprise at the beginning of their show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre.

And oh boy, did they deliver on it.

To the gasps of the sold-out attendees, Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl graced the stage during the penultimate part of the show, breaking out a blistering cover of MC5's classic Kick Out the Jams, with Chuck D and B-Real singing along, while he delivered his familiar high-pitched scream into the mic, while wailing on his teal Foo guitar.

It was one huge highlight on a night that was already full of high-water marks from the two-hour set, which was dubbed, at least on this night, Make Canada Rage Again.

They kicked off the proceedings with their first single (and Public Enemy cover) Prophets of Rage, followed by the early crowd fave, RATM song Guerrilla Radio, which sent the mosh pit into an early-90s frenzy, leaving little doubt what fans were there to hear.

The setlist was stacked with hits from all three acts, and although most were ready to get their Rage on, Chuck D and B-Real electrified the stage during a medley of Public Enemy and Cypress Hill classics, with Dr. Greenthumb jumping into the pit - with fans holding him up - to deliver stellar versions of Insane In the Brain and Ain't Goin' Out Like That.

And it wasn't all about the familiar. Original track The Party's Over (a new EP drops Aug. 26) went over quite well, and should have them contemplating a full album at the end of tour.

And talk about brotherly love: B-Real was decked out in a bright red Public Enemy T-shirt and matching towel on his head, while Chuck D wore a Cypress Hill tee.

The only hiccup in an otherwise high-energy set was Ghost of Tom Joad, which saw Aaron Bruno from opening band AWOLNATION share the singing duties with Morello. It came across as more campfire-y than Rage's furious version, and was the only time fans really wished that RATM frontman Zack de la Rocha was still at the helm.

Meanwhile, Chuck D had many turns at the mic as well, although he was at his best when he was delivering U.S. election messages to the throngs.

"I don't know what's going on America, but stay as smart as you are and stay put. Stay the f--- awake, Canada," the veteran rapper implored, before busting out Public Enemy's Miuzi Weighs A Ton.

Morello even turned over his guitar at one point to reveal a makeshift poster that read, "Nobody for president!"

On this night, however, the music spoke louder than the messages, especially with the Rage tracks Bullet in the Head, Bulls on Parade and the spectacular closer, Killing in the Name.

Grohl then joined the all-star band once again on stage, as they saluted the crowd with their fists raised in unison.

As the group left one by one, the only remaining member left with the lights shining on him was B-Real, who dramatically stared down the crowd, dropped the mic, and blazed up a huge joint.

A fitting end to a smokin' evening.

Prophets of Rage's setlist:

Prophets of Rage (Public Enemy cover)

Guerrilla Radio (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Bombtrack (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Miuzi Weighs a Ton (Public Enemy cover)

People of the Sun (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Take the Power Back (Rage Against the Machine cover)

(Rock) Superstar (Cypress Hill cover)

Testify (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Hand on the Pump / Can't Truss It / Insane in the Brain / Bring the Noise / I Ain't Goin' Out Like That / Welcome to the Terrordome

Sleep Now in the Fire (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Cochise / She Watch Channel Zero?!

The Ghost of Tom Joad (Bruce Springsteen cover, featuring AWOLNATION's Aaron Bruno)

Bullet in the Head (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Shut 'Em Down (Public Enemy cover)

Know Your Enemy (Rage Against the Machine cover)

The Party's Over

No Sleep Till Brooklyn / Fight the Power

Bulls on Parade (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Kick Out the Jams (MC5 cover, featuring Dave Grohl)

Killing in the Name (Rage Against the Machine cover)

Twitter: @johnwillms
JWilliams@postmedia.ca

Article content
Advertisement 2
Advertisement
Article content
Article content
Latest National Stories
    News Near Pembroke
      This Week in Flyers