axisofjustice Blog and Journals

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California – Today's rock n rollers, alongside legendary rock icons, assembled at The Troubadour last night for The Justice Tour kickoff show. As previously reported, The Nightwatchman, a.k.a. Tom Morello, is taking his show on the road for Axis of Justice.

Hundreds of fans lined up at the club before 8 p.m. last night, hoping that they would gain entrance before the rock club's capacity was reached. Those that did make it in got way more than they ever imagined for their $10 donation.

As Tom took the stage, he thanked everyone for coming and joked that the crowd had no idea what was in store for them. "I was reading the lineup for Live Aid before heading over here," Tom mentioned, referring to the landmark 1985 charity benefit, "and what we've got here tonight is more impressive." You decide.

A revolving, nonstop flow of musicians took the stage for the next five hours, including AFI's Davey Havok, Steve Vai, Slash, Pete Yorn, Wayne Kramer (MC5), Jerry Cantrell and Stewart Copeland (The Police).  If that's not enough for your $10 donation, how about  putting half of the newly reunited Jane's Addiction (Perry Farrell and Dave Navarro) onstage with Flea and Travis Barker for some classic Jane's material. 

Closing out the evening, Sen Dog and B-Real joined the rockers onstage and got the crowd a-jumpin'. The audience watched in amazement as Vai and Slash traded off guitar solos during Cypress Hill's set, and even Morello looked like he was experiencing a "Pinch-me-is-this-real?" moment.

As the evening came to a close, Tom reminded the crowd to support the night's charity of honor, PATH Partners (PATHpartners.org) – an agency that helps communities through regional planning – and urged those in attendance to stand up for social change and injustice. He then led the audience in a rousing rendition of "This Land Is Your Land" and wished them a good night. The soldout fundraiser raised approximately $4,500 through tickets and merchandise, while the Axis of Just-ette Gals raised another $900 inside the venue.
   


The Justice Tour's next stop is NYC on Thursday, where they will partner with the Road Recovery's 10th Anniversary Benefit Show at The Nokia Theater. Confirmed performers include Cantrell, Slash, Kramer and Farrell. Here are the other dates that have been scheduled, according to The Nightwatchman's MySpace:

4.20 - New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
4.22 - Asheville, NC @ Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall
4.24 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
4.27 - Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
5.1 - Chicago, IL @ Park West

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Morello's all-star jam at SXSW

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