Grammy-winning, Harvard-educated, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted artist, songwriter, and activist Tom Morello, today, releases his single and video, ‘Pretend You Remember Me’ from his first solo rock project, released through Mom+Pop Music. In the video, freed political prisoner Leonard Peltier delivers a powerful message on immigration. Tom directed the video which features Peltier as well as political footage with Tom singing in the midst of LA among women, children and men being affected by the ICE raids.
‘Pretend You Remember Me’ features Tom’s haunting voice and always searing guitar riffs. The song was written by Morello, produced/mixed/mastered by Zakk Cervini and written in solidarity with immigrants after the recent militarization of ICE against immigrant communities & supporters in Los Angeles.
Tom says: “This song is written for all the families torn apart by the recent immigrant purges and kidnappings. Children torn from their wailing mothers’ arms by masked government thugs, people coming home to find their loved ones abducted by the state. Folks who worked, suffered, and struggled for decades just to make a decent life for themselves and their family were violently separated with an uncertain future. ‘Pretend You Remember Me’ is for them and for all those who are finding the courage to stand up against racism, tyranny, and injustice.”
The release of ‘Pretend You Remember Me’ is in partnership with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a nonprofit organization that has served and protected the Los Angeles immigrant community since 1986. CHIRLA aids immigrants in getting the legal defense teams they need as well as fighting against wage theft, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace regardless of immigration status.
Last June, Tom released the single ‘Soldier in the Army of Love’, a guitar-driven track that showcases Morello’s signature sound, skillful riffs and a powerful solo penned by his son Roman Morello. Anthemic and commanding, Morello passionately declares, “Who needs a weapon when you were born one?”
Most recently, Tom was honored to head the musical direction of the “greatest day in heavy metal history”, ‘Back to the Beginning’, the farewell show for heavy metal icons Black Sabbath and their legendary lead singer Ozzy Osbourne. Tasked with coordinating this 10+ hour bash spanning performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Pantera, Slayer, Tool, Alice In Chains, and star-studded supergroups, Morello paid the ultimate respect to the music that made him love music.
Tom continues to tour the world, and after a stretch of sold-out US and Australia dates, he begins the next leg of his 2025 tour tonight in Vancouver with three more sold-out headlining Canadian shows and various festival appearances, including Ottawa Bluesfest.
Upcoming Tour Dates:
July 10th – Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, British Columbia
July 11th – Ballroom – Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia
July 12th – Calgary Stampede – The Big Four Roadhouse Stage – Calgary, Alberta
July 15th – The Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Ontario
July 16th – Ottawa Bluesfest – Ottawa, Ontario
July 17th – The Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, Ontario
July 19th – K Days Music Festival – Edmonton, Alberta
August 30th – Rocklahoma Festival – Pryor, Oklahoma
October 18th – Oakville Centre For The Performing Arts – Oakville, Ontario
October 19th – Living Arts Centre – Mississauga, Ontario
October 21st – FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre – St. Catharines, Ontario
October 23rd – Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts – Brantford, Ontario
October 24th – Richmond Hill Centre For The Performing Arts – Richmond Hill, Ontario
October 25th – Kingston Grand Theatre – Kingston, Ontario
October 26th – River Run Centre – Guelph, Ontario
October 28th – Capitol Centre – North Bay, Ontario
October 29th – Meridian Theatres Centrepointe – Ottawa, Ontario
October 30th – The Rose – Brampton, Ontario
November 1st – Théâtre Beanfield – Montreal, Quebec
November 2nd – Imperial Bell – Quebec City, Quebec
November 3rd – Capitol Theatre – Moncton, New Brunswick
November 5th – Fredericton – Playhouse – Fredericton, New Brunswick
November 6th – Imperial Theatre – Saint John, New Brunswick