'Right-wing nuts' stop Prophets of Rage jail gig because they think prisoners don't deserve live music

'We play for those on the lowest rungs of the ladder,' said Rage's Tom Morello

The band ended up playing outside the prison's fences (Getty)

Prophets of Rage, a new politically conscious supergroup formed from members of Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Cypress Hill, have been forced to cancel a show at a state prison in Norco, California because “right-wing nuts” threatened a rebellion.

Tom Morello and co were supposed to play for 800 inmates on Wednesday night in support of nonprofit organisation Jail Guitar Doors, but the California Department of Corrections were forced to shut the concert down at the last minute.

“We were denied at the last minute because apparently they got some calls from right-wing nuts in Sacramento who said they were going to foment rebellion,” Morello told CBS Los Angeles. “What we meant to do is come here to play a great show.”

Jail Guitar Doors co-founder Wayne Kramer said he believed the protesters weren’t happy about prisoners getting to see a show.

“They didn’t want to see good things happen for what they consider to be bad people, when in truth, they’re just people,” he said.

“We play for those on the lowest rungs of the ladder,” Morello added. “We play for the underclass, those who do not have a presidential candidate who presents them.”

America has a rich tradition of jail concerts, with Johnny Cash having famously played in several.

Undeterred, Prophets of Rage ended up playing outside the prison walls, loud enough for the inmates to hear.

“The barbed wire cannot keep the music out,” Morello said.