Future User frontman and bassist Tim Commerford — formerly known as Rage Against the Machine’s bassist — got quite the notion to take aim at the state of American healthcare, and it started off by convincing a back surgeon to let cameras capture his spine surgery. Using that footage to make a video for the song “Voodoo Juju” featuring his Rage bandmate Tom Morello and Rush pals Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson for hilarious roles as doctors has made for a unique and witty social commentary.
“I got the idea for the video after I ruptured a disc in my back and needed emergency surgery,” Commerford says in a statement. “As someone who often goes under the knife, I’ve always been a bit overwhelmed by the process, paperwork, approvals and costs. Luckily, I have insurance, but it got me thinking about all the people in this country who can’t afford medical treatment.”
“I read an article recently that said there are over 40 million uninsured people living in the States, which is insane. I talked my doctor into letting me shoot the surgery, then explained the concept to Tom, who was totally into the idea. And of course, you can’t talk about universal healthcare without bringing Canada into the conversation, so I called Geddy and Alex and asked if they’d be part of it and was blown away when they said yes. And all that footage of my back being opened up is real, no joke.”
“Voodoo Juju” sees Morello playing the bottom line-conscious Dr. Van Drusel, who explains to Commerford that, because Rage Against The Machine hasn’t played since 2011, his supplemental insurance has expired, requiring Commerford to cough up a $20,000 down payment in cash to cover the initial costs. After taking Commerford’s credit card for additional fees, he tells his patient, “Your physical recovery will take 6-8 weeks. The financial recovery… hard to say.”
Adding life-threatening insult to expensive injury, Van Drusel abandons Commerford mid-surgery. Fortunately, Timmy C awakens in Canada, where Dr. Lee and Dr. Lifeson have been keeping a watchful eye. They explain the benefits of Canadian healthcare and set him straight.
Commerford and Future User co-conspirator Jordan Tarlow call the band’s sound “prog-tronic,” a mix of early prog rock and modern electronics.
The band’s debut, #SteroidsOrHeroin, came out this past February.