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After going the acoustic route as the Nightwatchman, Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave) decided to go back to his electric roots, recruiting a prime candidate to get behind the mic, the Coup's Boots Riley. Both men's careers in and out of music make for some impressive stats: Morello is a Harvard graduate, a winner of multiple Grammys and the founder of Axis of Justice, a grassroots social justice organization; Riley is the leader of acclaimed Oakland hip-hop group the Coup and is an active community organizer in his hometown. The two not only have a wealth of experience under their belt, they also have an explosive synergy together that comes off as a visceral rally between Riley's quick-witted rhymes and Morello's rapid, shrieking guitar attacks. Street Sweeper Social Club debuted as openers for Jane's Addiction and Nine Inch Nails on their 2009 tour (echoing the early '90s Lollapalooza scene) to help reel in fans before the release of their self-titled first full-length, which features another star: Galactic's Stanton Moore on drums.
- Stephanie Benson
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