Inside Out (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | August 1988 |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Orange County , United States |
| Products | Music recordings, live performances |
Inside Out was a hardcore punk group originating from Orange County, California, with Zack de la Rocha as the lead vocalist, who would later gain prominence with Rage Against the Machine.
Biography
Formed in August 1988 and active until late 1991, Inside Out released a single 7-inch EP titled No Spiritual Surrender in 1990 through Revelation Records; this release was subsequently expanded into a six-track CD. The band extensively toured the West Coast of the United States and completed one tour along the East Coast before disbanding. Their lyrics frequently delved into spiritual topics without adopting an overtly religious stance. They had prepared material for a follow-up album named Rage Against the Machine, which ultimately inspired the name of de la Rocha’s next project. The group dissolved shortly after guitarist Vic DiCara departed to pursue life as a Hare Krishna monk. Vic went on to establish the Krishna-themed hardcore band 108 and briefly contributed guitar work to Burn.
Inside Out appeared on California’s KXLU radio station, performing unreleased songs. Despite the modest sound quality of these broadcasts, recordings from their radio sessions and live performances have been widely circulated within underground trading circles and file-sharing networks. In early 2013, a remastered, high-fidelity recording of one of their final concerts from May 1991 was made publicly available. Deciphered lyrics from unreleased tracks such as "Rage Against the Machine" and "Darkness of Greed" have provided insight into the formative stages of Rage Against the Machine. Their songwriting tackled both societal issues in America—evident in tracks like "Redemption" and "Burning Fight"—and more introspective themes, as heard in "Sacrifice" and "By a Thread."
In October 2016, a VHS recording surfaced online showcasing a 1990 Inside Out performance in Reading, Pennsylvania. This footage includes previously unreleased songs such as "Burning Fight," "Deathbed" (later recorded by 108), "Undertone" (which features the "wake up" motif later used in Rage Against the Machine’s "Wake Up"), along with "Empty Days," "Redemption," "Blind Oppressor," "Turn," and "Face."
Remixes
The song "No Spiritual Surrender" was remixed by Oktopus of Dälek and featured in 2006 on the mashup compilation Threat: Music That Inspired the Movie under the title "Ghost in the Machine."
Musical style and legacy
Inside Out was identified with the youth crew movement within hardcore punk. Their sound drew inspiration from bands such as the Faith, Dag Nasty, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, and Led Zeppelin. Prior to their breakup, their style began incorporating elements influenced by hip hop artists like Run-DMC.
Songwriting was a collaborative effort between DiCara and de la Rocha, with some pieces created individually and others co-written.
Their impact can be seen in bands including Have Heart, Stick to Your Guns, Linkin Park, Turnstile, One Step Closer, Refused, Incendiary, Coalesce, and Mouthpiece.
Current lineup
- Zack de la Rocha – lead vocals (known for Rage Against the Machine, Hardstance, One Day as a Lion, Farside)
- Vic DiCara – guitarist (associated with Shelter, Beyond, Burn, 108)
- Mark Hayworth – bassist (formerly of Hardstance, Gorilla Biscuits)
- Chris Bratton – drummer (played with Drive Like Jehu, Justice League, No For An Answer, Chain of Strength, Statue, Wool)
Former members
- Rob Haworth – guitar (Hardstance, Farside)
- Alex Barreto – drums (Against the Wall, Chain of Strength, Hardstance, Statue, World's Fastest Car, Ignite, Alien Ant Farm)
- Sterling Wilson – bass (Reason to Believe, No For An Answer)
- Mike Down – guitar (Amenity, Forced Down)
- Joey Piro – drums (Pitchfork, Forced Down)
- Michael Rosas – guitar (Headfirst, Smile)
Discography
- No Spiritual Surrender – EP released in 1990