Tom Morello developed an interest in music.
Thomas Baptiste Morello ( born May 30 , 1964 ) is an American musician , singer , songwriter , actor and political activist . He is best known for his tenure with the band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave . Born in Harlem , New York , and raised in Libertyville , Illinois , Morello became interested in music and politics while in high school . Morello is also noted for his leftist political views and activism ; his creation of his side project The Nightwatchman offered an outlet for his views while playing apolitical music with Audioslave .