Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Some where Walter Matthau is spinning...


A peaceful concert on the capitol lawn took a turn when rumors started circulating that Rage Against the Machine would play. Supposed headliners Anti-Flag finished up their set and told the crowd: "Stay put: shit's gonna get crazy."

What proceeded can only be described as organized chaos. As fans chanted "Let them play" and "Our Capitol," Rage band members could be seen on the capitol steps arguing with state troopers. After about 15 minutes of chanting and arguing with police, the band walked around the perimeter of the stage and into the crowd.

Zach de la Rocha got to sing through a bullhorn, but that was it. More photos in the slideshow.

Grabbing a bullhorn, Zach de la Rocha asked the crowd to be quiet and sit down. He addressed the crowd with anti-war messages and then led the crowd in an a capella sing-a-long of "Killing in the Name" accompanied by bandmate Tom Morello.

As the crowd began to get restless, de la Rocha and Morello led the audience of approximately 2,000-3,000 people on an impromptu march along Cedar Avenue. Coincidentally, or perhaps on purpose, the Poor Peoples' Human Rights Campaign was also conducting a march. The two marches converged on Cedar Avenue and collectively moved toward the Xcel Center, where thousands are now congregated.

The crowd is collectively rushing the barricades, yelling and provoking police. Black Bloc protesters have been spotted, and I personally overheard a riot cop telling others he was nervous because one was waving an Anarchy flag. The cop said: "they are here." There have been rumors of tear gas along the march. I'm witnessing someone washing out his eyes right now, but didn't witness any tear gas myself. The person rinsing his eyes out is holding a camera and appears to be a photographer.

Is it just me or is it totally comical that the "Let them play chant" from Bad News Bears: Breaking Training started? If you hippies want to be taken seriously you can't quote The Bad News Bears: Breaking Training - I mean Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) was not even in that one. It is bad enough that Walter Mattau was not given best actor 1976 for his role in The Bad News Bears, but then he was passed over for the sequel, Jack Klugman stole the Odd Couple role from him and then he had Billy Bob Thornton destroy his classic Buttermaker in that crap re-make. Those smelly hippies might just as well have pissed all over ol' Walt's grave.

On a totally different note I really like Rage - Bulls on Parade is my favorite Guitar Hero song and trust me you have not seen rock and roll until you see a 240 lb man in his underwear rockin' that on a mini guitar in full Ace Frehley face paint (and it is NOT MAKE UP MOM!).

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