| CadaverGirls own Arenalyn had the opportunity to get inside the mind of Henry Rollins, his views on Politics, the War, and the Scene. |
Henry Rollins (born February 13, 1961 as Henry Lawrence Garfield; often referred to simply as Rollins) is an American singer and
songwriter, spoken word artist, author, actor, and publisher. Rollins fronted the Californian hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981
until 1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his
spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups until 2003 and during 2006.
Rollins has embarked on many projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins
Show and Harmony In My Head, television shows, such as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass, along with roles in several films. Rollins has
also campaigned for human rights in the United States, and embarked overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain
American troops
songwriter, spoken word artist, author, actor, and publisher. Rollins fronted the Californian hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981
until 1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his
spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups until 2003 and during 2006.
Rollins has embarked on many projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins
Show and Harmony In My Head, television shows, such as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass, along with roles in several films. Rollins has
also campaigned for human rights in the United States, and embarked overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain
American troops
What are your thoughts on the 2008 presidential election?
HR= I will not be surprised if its at least 4 years of McCain. I have been thinking that since 2006. I reckon it will be down to Obama and
McCain and there will at that time be enough Iran hate on that McCains people will be able to scare enough people into more war.
Back in 2003 when you visited the troops in Iraq did you think they would still be there today?
HR= Absolutely. You can always tell when you start seeing hard structures on bases. Thats the sure sign, when the tent cities go and
they start pouring cement, that means we're staying. Also, it was very apparent that at no time was there an exit strategy. America was
never planning on leaving Iraq. All that work and no basing posture in the region and exploitation of the country's resources? Come on!
Isn't that what Democracy is all about?!
HR= I will not be surprised if its at least 4 years of McCain. I have been thinking that since 2006. I reckon it will be down to Obama and
McCain and there will at that time be enough Iran hate on that McCains people will be able to scare enough people into more war.
Back in 2003 when you visited the troops in Iraq did you think they would still be there today?
HR= Absolutely. You can always tell when you start seeing hard structures on bases. Thats the sure sign, when the tent cities go and
they start pouring cement, that means we're staying. Also, it was very apparent that at no time was there an exit strategy. America was
never planning on leaving Iraq. All that work and no basing posture in the region and exploitation of the country's resources? Come on!
Isn't that what Democracy is all about?!
You are on the road now how is that going? How would you describe your stage show today
as opposed to five years ago or ten years ago?
HR= Tour is life for me. I live on the road a good deal of the year, its what I do with my time. So, in that
respect, the road is ok. As far as the show changing, I go onstage and talk about where I went, what I
saw and how it was, so, those places have been adding up and I have been seeing a lot of things out
there and all that has made up the show. I don't know how it has changed besides basic information.
Perhaps someone who sees me now and then would be better able to tell you.
New punk versus old punk thoughts?
HR= I think things are more interesting when no one knows where everything in the room is. Nowadays, we know where everything in the room.
All forms get tired unless you take them somewhere or just go somewhere else with your expression. Its those who do what they feel that really
interest me. As long as there's youth and electricity, there will always be Punk and there's no need to compare, just to throw yourself into it with
all you have.
Its a 100 years from now you are dead and gone what piece of your work that has been documented (dvd, cd, books) would you
want people to know you by?
HR= Honestly, I don't think like that. I don't wonder what will be said later. Perhaps its not a bad idea that when I go, if it all gets forgotten. I dont
think I have done anything worth remembering really. Perhaps some shows that were good to be at the time but its not like I was on Zeppelin IV
or something.
The CadaverGirls is about the expression of artists without a commercial influence or mainstream pressures your work has
consistently been on the fringes of mainstream, kept out of by its own extreme nature. Where do you see the free expression of
artists going in our futures?
HR= Depends where the future is going to a certain extent. If theres more oppression in America, then free expression might have to go
underground or some place where it can do its thing without being trampled upon. It could very well be that the oppression could be the thing
that fuels it and it blows back on the oppressor. Wouldn't be the first time for that. I think though that if you don't aim for mainstream
acceptance, you can pretty well be left to your own devices. Be careful what you wish for. I have yet to see a painter who paints and then burns
every canvas afterwards. Somehow, art and commerce seem to collide near the end of the month.
Many of our fans and contributing artists are new, young and looking to do that thing that is different to make a name for
themselves. If you could give them one sentence of advice what would that be?
HR= I hope you're still committed to your work when you find out no one cares about what you're doing.
HR= I think things are more interesting when no one knows where everything in the room is. Nowadays, we know where everything in the room.
All forms get tired unless you take them somewhere or just go somewhere else with your expression. Its those who do what they feel that really
interest me. As long as there's youth and electricity, there will always be Punk and there's no need to compare, just to throw yourself into it with
all you have.
Its a 100 years from now you are dead and gone what piece of your work that has been documented (dvd, cd, books) would you
want people to know you by?
HR= Honestly, I don't think like that. I don't wonder what will be said later. Perhaps its not a bad idea that when I go, if it all gets forgotten. I dont
think I have done anything worth remembering really. Perhaps some shows that were good to be at the time but its not like I was on Zeppelin IV
or something.
The CadaverGirls is about the expression of artists without a commercial influence or mainstream pressures your work has
consistently been on the fringes of mainstream, kept out of by its own extreme nature. Where do you see the free expression of
artists going in our futures?
HR= Depends where the future is going to a certain extent. If theres more oppression in America, then free expression might have to go
underground or some place where it can do its thing without being trampled upon. It could very well be that the oppression could be the thing
that fuels it and it blows back on the oppressor. Wouldn't be the first time for that. I think though that if you don't aim for mainstream
acceptance, you can pretty well be left to your own devices. Be careful what you wish for. I have yet to see a painter who paints and then burns
every canvas afterwards. Somehow, art and commerce seem to collide near the end of the month.
Many of our fans and contributing artists are new, young and looking to do that thing that is different to make a name for
themselves. If you could give them one sentence of advice what would that be?
HR= I hope you're still committed to your work when you find out no one cares about what you're doing.
In one of your interviews you said that you hoped your spoken word would get younger people to realize the power of words
that words can start wars and end marriages do you think you are accomplishing that?
HR= From the letters I get and the people I talk to, yes.
Out of all the people you've worked with, who have you found to be the most intriguing? And why?
HR= I don't work with many people. I am on my own most of the time. I did a track with Iggy Pop once, that was interesting. He's something
else, that guy.
What's new for Rollins? What can your fans expect from you in the next year?
HR= I have a lot of shows until the end of the year. If I get back to America in May, I will finish work on two books that will come out later this
year but for the most part, it's shows and travel. If I get killed along the way, it could delay the release dates on the books for at least a fiscal
quarter or two
that words can start wars and end marriages do you think you are accomplishing that?
HR= From the letters I get and the people I talk to, yes.
Out of all the people you've worked with, who have you found to be the most intriguing? And why?
HR= I don't work with many people. I am on my own most of the time. I did a track with Iggy Pop once, that was interesting. He's something
else, that guy.
What's new for Rollins? What can your fans expect from you in the next year?
HR= I have a lot of shows until the end of the year. If I get back to America in May, I will finish work on two books that will come out later this
year but for the most part, it's shows and travel. If I get killed along the way, it could delay the release dates on the books for at least a fiscal
quarter or two
For more information on Henry Rollins
visit the following sites:
http://21361.com/
www.ifc.com
HenryRollinsMyspace
visit the following sites:
http://21361.com/
www.ifc.com
HenryRollinsMyspace