“The most valuable lesson I ever learned in the music industry came from failure.”

Tom Morello made an appearance on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday (Dec. 10) to discuss the exciting release of his new solo track, “One Last Dance.” During this engaging conversation, he also took a moment to reflect on his impressive and multifaceted career. You can listen to the entire discussion in the audio player located towards the end of this article.

“Before forming Rage Against the Machine, I was part of a band called Lock Up and I had signed a record deal with Geffen Records,” Morello reminisced with host Chuck Armstrong.

“While everyone back in Illinois assumed I was rolling in money, the reality was far different; I was living in a cramped squat with six roommates, surviving on a diet of cheese and ramen noodles.”

Morello noted that he was younger than many of his bandmates, who were eager to comply with the record label’s demands.

“We thought they must know what they were doing,” he said. “After all, they had Guns N’ Roses on their roster … We were convinced they were experts. We listened to them and created an album that I later realized didn’t reflect my true artistic vision.”

Despite his reservations, Morello initially believed that by adhering to the label’s direction, Lock Up would undoubtedly achieve rock star status.

“We had our fleeting moment of interest, but soon they stopped returning our calls,” he explained.

“We were unceremoniously dropped, and all I had to show for it was around 400 bucks. I was 27 years old and felt like a failure. I had moved to Los Angeles, chasing my dreams, but the moment that band was dropped, I vowed to never again play music that I didn’t wholeheartedly believe in.”

That pivotal moment marked the beginning of Morello’s journey in crafting guitar riffs that would later contribute to Rage Against the Machine’s iconic self-titled debut album.

“This experience taught me a valuable lesson that has guided me through the creation of 22 albums. From that day on, I committed to playing the music that speaks to me and creating art that I am passionate about.”

Discover Tom Morello’s New Solo Track, “One Last Dance”

The most recent showcase of Morello’s dedication to authentic music is his new solo track “One Last Dance,” which features the talents of rapper Grandson and his own 13-year-old son, Roman Morello. This track also finds a place in the upcoming movie, Venom: The Last Dance.

“It’s incredible to create multi-generational riff rock alongside my son,” Morello expressed, beaming with pride.

“During the pandemic, while many were busy mastering sourdough bread recipes, Roman dedicated himself to practicing guitar for eight hours a day, while I’ve jokingly taken on the role of the rhythm guitarist in our family.”

This isn’t their first collaborative effort; prior to “One Last Dance,” they teamed up on the track “Soldier In the Army of Love,” and Morello hinted that there’s much more collaboration in store.

“Currently, I’m in the process of producing what will be my first full-length solo rock album,” he revealed.

READ MORE: Billy Corgan Tried to Take Himself Back to the Early Days of Smashing Pumpkins on New Album

“This album will blend the iconic riff-driven sound of Rage, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage with the more introspective elements of my Nightwatchman project. It will also draw inspiration from Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town and the essence of The Battle of Los Angeles.

Morello assured fans that this upcoming album will encapsulate his definitive sound as a solo artist, thanks to the collaborative spirit brought by his son.

“Roman Morello will have a prominent presence on the album. I can’t keep him off it! We’ll be engaging in a musical duel on several tracks. This is an exciting time for me, and I cherish the freedom to explore my artistry.”

Insights from Tom Morello on Loudwire Nights

• Reflecting on the significance of the year 1999 for Rage Against the Machine, which included the release of The Battle of Los Angeles and their performance at Woodstock: “It was an unforgettable year…the bond that fans have with our band is incredibly meaningful.”
• How Grandson selected “One Last Dance” as the feature song for Venom: “I have around 25 riffs ready to be turned into songs, and I shared all of them with him. The one he chose was actually written by my son, Roman.”
• His children’s experience witnessing Rage Against the Machine perform live for the first time: “The inaugural show was at Alpine Valley, with around 40,000 attendees. They were genuinely surprised by the large turnout to see their dad play guitar.”

Catch the Complete Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Tom Morello was featured on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, Dec. 10; the show replays online here, and you can catch it live every weeknight at 7 PM ET on the Loudwire app. You can also check if it’s available on your local radio station and listen to interviews on-demand.