Nightwatchman To Play Union Benefit Show

By Sarah Cobarrubias in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 23, 2010 6:20PM

Tom Morello is a pretty busy guy. He’s guitarist for both Rage Against the Machine and the lesser-known rap-rock group, Street Sweeper Social Club, and he’s also been performing solo since 2003 as the Nightwatchman, using the folk-playing alter-ego as an outlet for his liberal political views. Morello will make a visit to Chicago April 30, performing at the Bottom Lounge as the Nightwatchman to benefit the Industrial Workers of the World, an international union that promotes uniting all workers as one class and abolishing the wage system.

We were lucky enough to see the Nightwatchman at Schubas for his One Man Revolution tour back in the Summer of 2007. It was, of course, a politically spirited, emotional show. Morello not only riled up the crowd with nothing but an acoustic guitar, occasional harmonica and his low, deep voice, but he also proved his ability to engage the crowd through articulate storytelling and a healthy dose of anti-Bush sentiments. He played some of our favorite tracks from his debut album, One Man Revolution, such as the album’s title track and the vigorous, fist-pumpable “Union Song.” And he even threw “Guerrilla Radio” in the setlist for all the RATM fans in the crowd.

For next month’s show, we expect to hear some tracks from his newest album, The Fabled City, released September 2008. This album is much more serious and somber than One Man Revolution, but it’s also richer and more instrumentally complex, as Morello backs up his acoustic guitar with piano, cello, drums and what his first album was so sadly lacking - electric guitar. The show will open with Chicago's own Rust Belt Ramblers and Bucky Halker, with all proceeds going to the IWW. It also celebrates the IWW’s new location; founded in Chicago in 1905 and relocated over twenty years ago, the union just moved its headquarters back home to the Windy City in January.

Nightwatchman Plays Friday, April 30th at the Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake, 8 p.m., $16, 17+