Tom Morello releases 'Pretend You Remember Me'
Mom + Pop
Morello directed the video, which features the freed political prisoner Leonard Peltier
Tom Morello 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 and supporters in Los Angeles.
"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," Morello shares.
The release 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 and fighting against wage theft, discrimination, and harassment in the workplace regardless of immigration status.
Last June, Morello 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, Morello 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 all-day 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.
Morello 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 (Thurs, July 10th) in Vancouver with three more sold-out headlining Canadian shows and various festival appearances, including Ottawa Bluesfest.
