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Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello Got Denied From a Restaurant

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Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello took to Twitter on Saturday to complain about some bad service at a Seattle restaurant, and the restaurant owner responded with a resounding “IDGAF.”

Morello was in town to play with former Audioslave bandmate Chris Cornell in a benefit concert to support the minimum wage increase to $15. After the show, he and his buddies tried to hit up the popular 5 Point Cafe, but they were turned away at the door because the restaurant was already at capacity. This, apparently, was an insult that Morello would not stand for, and he expressed his anger on Twitter.

The restaurant’s owner, David Meinert, wrote on Facebook that “rockstars don’t get special treatment at The 5 Point,” and he “couldn’t give less of a shit.” Meinert defended his restaurant’s record, writing that pays its workers well and offers them benefits, and went on to explain that he had lost respect for Morello due to his rude behavior at the door and on social media.

The 5 Point Cafe even changed its marquee to read “eggs against the machine,” as an additional digg at Morello. You can read Meinert’s full response letter below.

For the record Tom Morello – The 5 Point is totally pro-worker. We try to pay more than any other small restaurant, and on top of the higher pay, we offer health insurance, paid sick days, paid time off, retirement and profit share. Sorry if you had an issue with our staff, but typically our staff is awesome, and when they are not, it’s usually a reflection of the customer. Act like a prick = get treated like a prick.

I have to say, your attacking a small business without knowing anything about it, or addressing your problem with them directly before you go on a public rant, pretty much sucks. Just lost a ton of respect for you, and I’ve been a fan for years, both of your work in Rage and your work for workers rights since.

PS – rock stars don’t get special treatment at The 5 Point. We couldn’t give less of a shit. Sorry.

And PSS – I’m the owner of the 5 Point and have worked to raise the minimum wage in Seattle and support the same nationally, worked to get paid sick days law in Seattle, and am supporting a City sponsored retirement plan for employees of small businesses. I hope you do the same for your employees on the road…

PSSS – turns out he and his crew didn’t get let in as the place was at capacity and there was a line. No one was being let in. According to our doorman who I totally trust, Tom and his crew were all totally rude. Quote from the door guys “I knew who he was, we had no room, his whole party was being rude. He wanted a special room in the back. Clearly had no ideas what it is like inside. I’ve told bigger rock stars than him no.