If you go
› What: Tom Morello with the Last Internationale› Where: The Signal, 1810 Chestnut St.› When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 4› Admission: $27-$55› For more information: 423-498-4700
The way Tom Morello sees it, we have just scratched the surface when it comes to what the electric guitar can do. He not only believes artists like himself should continue to explore how it can be used, but they must in order to remain relevant in a world of computer-driven music.
"I always saw myself as the DJ in the band, creating new sounds," he said.
Morello, who performs Saturday night, May 4, at The Signal, is fascinated with the guitar and what he can do with it. He is continuously challenging himself and trying to learn. He is the co-founder of Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave and Prophets of Rage.
He also worked with Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen, which he said was one of the most interesting and challenging gigs of his career. He said The Boss and his E Street Band "are the world's greatest bar band," and that Springsteen would pull from his own vast catalog of songs, as well as any number of cover tunes - and do so without notice.
"Those guys can pivot on a dime," Morello said of the band. "We did 32 shows and 182 different songs in one stretch."
Morello worked with electronic musician Bassnectar (Lorin Ashton) on an electronic music project in 2015 and again on his latest project, "The Atlas Underground." Last year's album pushes things even further, blending guitar rock with EDM and hip-hop. It includes collaborations with Marcus Mumford, Portugal, The Man, RZA and GZA from Wu Tang Clan, Big Boi, Gary Clark Jr. and Pretty Lights.
Morello said the album was a chance to work with people he respects and wanted to learn from.
"This record also afforded me the opportunity to divest myself of my natural Type A controlling character," Morello said.
"After initial conversations with the collaborators about theme and lyrics, I made it clear that there was no ego stake in these songs and that the only goal was to make something we all loved."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.