Tom Morello created the identity of The Nightwatchman, an "artist of the people," when a desire to return to political activism in his music struck him in 2003, after over a year of playing non-activist rock in Audioslave. The Nightwatchman first began playing political acoustic folk music in a Los Angeles coffeehouse before a small crowd, and soon after went on Billy Bragg's Tell Us the Truth tour. He initially had no plans to record, but later recorded the song "No One Left" for Songs and Artists that Inspired Fahrenheit 9/11. In February 2007, he announced a solo album, One Man Revolution, which was released on April 24, 2007 in the US and May 7th worldwide. The Nightwatchman's first headlining gig was played June 17, 2007 at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas. Morello has toured since the CD was released and said he plans to tour the U.S. again in the fall. Morello also had the original song, "I'm Alone Without You" featured in Michael Moore's film Sicko.
Morello describes The Nightwatchman as "the black Robin Hood of 21st century music" and "a reaction against illicit wars, a reaction against first strikes, torture, secret prisons, spying illegally on American citizens. It's a reaction against war crimes, and it's a reaction against a few corporations that grow rich [off] this illicit war while people beg for food in the city streets." At the moment, The Nightwatchman is taking priority over Morello's two rock bands, Audioslave and Rage Against the Machine, saying "To me, it seems that the world needs songs of rebellion and revolution right now. It's exciting." He has compared The Nightwatchman to Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan. He confirmed that a second album is in the works for a late 2008 release, and that it may even go beyond the folk of his debut, including electric guitar in it. Two songs to be possibly included in the new release are "Midnight in the City of Destruction" (about New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina) and "King Of Hell", written about Guantanamo Bay.
The Satellite Party's Carl Restivo is set to join Morello on his upcoming tour, as a second guitarist.
