Tom Morello

Tom Morello leads a double-life.

The guitarist is a founding member of the politically charged -- and recently reunited -- Rage Against the Machine, but he also has an acoustic solo gig as the Nightwatchman.

Both sides of Morello's career have led the musician to Colorado.

Rage Against the Machine played this summer's Democratic National Convention, and Sunday, Morello showcases tunes from his solo CD, The Fabled City, at the Fox Theatre.

"We actually played four shows in Denver for the Democratic National Convention," Morello said. "It was an interesting gamut of shows -- we played with everyone from Ani DiFranco to James Taylor and Sean Penn.

"It was an interesting 48 hours."

Rage Against the Machine is known for its hard-driving metal and rock sounds. The band called it quits in 2000, but got back together in 2007 to play sporadic concerts.

"We've had a great time playing together, so most likely all signs point to more concerts in the future," Morello said. "When the band originally ended, it opened up the chance for me to explore my solo career."

Morello's solo career really let him explore the political side of his songwriting.

The musician comes from a politically active family: his great-uncle Jomo Kenyatta was the first president of Kenya, and his mother founded the group Parents for Rock and Rap.

Morello was duly inspired and went on to study politics at Harvard University.

"While I was going to Harvard I practiced guitar eight hours a day," Morello said. "I was into political activism, so I moved to L.A. I worked for (Calif.) Sen. Alan Cranston and I did my rock music at night.

"I saw the compromises the politicians made -- and I saw that I could be political and uncompromising in the musical world."

Playing acoustic guitar is a world away from performing echoing guitar riffs in Rage Against the Machine.

However, Morello believes the acoustic medium is the perfect way to get out political messages.

"I've always been a fan of being a rebel and heavy music," Morello said. "Then, I realized that an acoustic guitar, three chords and the truth could be as heavy and effective as a wall of Marshall stacks."

Along the way, Morello created a new musical identity.

The musician named himself the Nightwatchman and made the decision to play open mic nights.

"I decided to sign up and play open mic nights under the name The Nightwatchman, otherwise people would expect a shredding Rage Against the Machine show," Morello said.

"Now, that I'm on my second solo CD, I feel at peace combining the both worlds."

Morello said The Fabled City helped him bridge the gap between acoustic and electric songwriting.

Songs like the "Whatever it Takes," "Midnight in the City of Destruction" and "Rise to Power" cross the bridge between Morello's electric and acoustic sides.

Morello's new tunes also bring out the self-empowering themes the musician wanted to capture on the record.

"I was much more comfortable opening the boundaries between acoustic and electric on this record," Morello said. "The record's really a lyrical quest about hope and redemption.

"I don't write songs for ringtones. I write music that I believe is honest and I let the chips fall where they may."

Morello said he explored the themes of loss and redemption on The Fabled City. The passing of several family members and the idea of social justice also played heavily into the lyrics of the new songs.

"Whatever it takes, you have to stand up for what's right," Morello said. "I wanted this record to be a musical link, like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, the Clash and Springsteen.

"I'm attempting to make music that has a missionary zeal. I play every note as if the listener's souls are at stake."