(Photo: VICE)
**This interview was conducted on
December 14, 2016. It has not been edited for length or content.**
When most
people hear the word “punk,” they most likely think of bands like The Ramones,
The Clash, or Sex Pistols. They might think of punk rock as a bygone era, as a
thing of the past. However, when a dedicated, die-hard fan of the genre hears
the term, they will most likely think of Henry Rollins. Rollins, who rose to
prominence as the vocalist from the influential group Black Flag, is the
definition of the word punk. When I scheduled my interview with him, I wasn’t
sure what to expect. Would he be different from his onstage persona? But after
the interview, I was sure of one thing. Henry Rollins is authentic as it gets.
His infamous no-bullshit, straight forward personality helped make him one of
the most iconic figures in the punk community. Although the publishing of this
interview is months past the date it was conducted, I chose not to edit the discussion
of current events; everything he said still rings true for many people today.
----AN INTERVIEW WITH HENRY ROLLINS (by
Eli Tecktiel)----
To begin with, what are your thoughts
on the current [2016] presidential election?
========= I
think that to a certain degree, both parties are out of touch with the
electorate. As far as the Electoral College is concerned, the people spoke
loudly for president-elect Trump. The popular vote says something quite
different. What his supporters will have a hard time admitting is that his
plans might be very hard on them. Hopefully, Congress will neutralize some of
his more crass/dangerous exploits. It’s a very interesting time to be in USA.
You are a well-known supporter for gay
rights. How do you feel about the current state of rights for the LGBT
community in America? What are you happy with? What do you think needs to
improve?
======= I think
things won’t be good until someone who is LGBT isn’t being put upon by someone
else. It is utterly repellent what some people have been subjected to for no
good reason. I am hoping that homophobia is a generational thing and in the
future, people will not be so awful. I think things have gotten better but when
marriage equality has to go all the way to the Supreme Court, that’s a problem.
Moving on to your music, how did you
first get into the punk scene?
========= A guy
I knew loaned me some records. Ramones, Clash, Sex Pistols. I heard them and
pretty much stopped listening to all the other music I had and went for the
Punk music. It seemed to be made for me. My attraction to it was immediate. It
still works for me to this day.
What kinds of music did you listen to
growing up? Do you think that it had any influence on your own music?
========= My
mother turned me onto a lot of good music. Classical, Jazz, Rock, show tunes,
etc. I was well rounded as a listener. On my own, I bought hard rock records
for the guitars, which I always thought were too tame. I used to see bands like
Led Zeppelin, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith. It was good but not as good as going to a
smaller venue and getting right up close. I really don’t know what influence
any of it had on me. I think the biggest influence me was probably the Bad
Brains and Black Flag. They were both very intense and interacted very closely
with the audience. I was a fan of Black Flag before I was in the band. They
were part terrifying and inspirational at the same time.
After you left the band in the 80s,
Black Flag recorded an album in 2013 called "What The...," which you
were not involved with. What are your thoughts on this album?
========== The
band broke up in 1986 when Greg Ginn called me and told me “I quit.” I asked
him how he could quit his own band. He didn’t say anything. I didn’t think it
was my band to keep the name and go on, so I started my own band. I heard a few
songs of the record he put out a few years ago and thought it sounded pretty
weak.
Which Black Flag album are you proudest
of?
========= I am
not the prideful type. I have worked the same way on any record I have ever
done—I give it everything I have. That’s all I know how to do it. When it’s
done, I look to make the next one. I am not interested in listening to anything
I have ever done beyond mixing and mastering it. As soon as it’s at the
pressing plant, I am onto the next thing. I keep away from things like pride
and satisfaction.
How did you get started with performing
spoken word? Do you enjoy it more than making music?
======== I
started doing talking shows in 1983. I was asked to talk for ten minutes, as
part of a large group of people who all got ten minutes. From there, a lot of
shows came and within a few years, I was doing them all over the world. I like
being in a band for the most part but I would rather be alone onstage. It’s
harder and I like not having to wait or compromise because someone up there
isn’t going for it as hard as I am. I could never be in a band again. I don’t
have time for all the drama.
What made you decide to start your own
record label, 2.13.61?
==========
There were bands I thought should have their music out. I brought them to
labels but they weren’t interested, so I did it myself. That’s what you do when
you are in the independent music world, you get an idea and you get to work.
It’s better than waiting but obviously comes with a lot of risk.
How was Rollins Band formed?
========== I
called a guy I grew up with to see if he wanted to play in a band with me. He
said yes. I called the bass player and drummer of the opening band on the last
Black Flag tour and asked if they were available to be in a band with a guitar
player they had never met. They said they would give it a try. We got together
in April 1987 and were on the road by May of that year, I think. First album
was recorded in October of that year.
Do you intend to record with them
again? What about Black Flag?
========== I am
not interested in repeating the past. The Black Flag guys didn’t plan their
lives very well and have to go out every summer and play those old songs to
make money. Funny to think of them, in their 60’s wheezing through those songs.
Sad. I would rather go forward and see what happens up the road.
You co-starred with Charlie Sheen in
the 1994 film The Chase. What was it like working with Sheen?
========= He
was very professional and prepared. He was friendly to me. I didn’t talk to him
but for a few times. After the film was done, I never saw him again. I think we
travel in different parts of the world.
In addition to that, you played Hugh
Benny in 1995's Heat. What was it like to work with legendary actors such as
Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Jon Voight.
============= I
had scenes with Pacino. He could not have been nicer to me. He was very
friendly and funny. Of all those people, he was the only one I met. My part was
small and we were told not to talk to anyone, etc., so I just did my work as
best I could and stayed out of the way.
Many artists aren't happy with the
amount of money they making from streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music,
and YouTube. What are your views on the subject? Would you prefer fans to buy
physical copies of your albums?
=======
Honestly, I don’t care. I never ask how much money I make or have, what I’m
getting paid from record companies. It’s not anything I pay attention to. The
accountants and attorneys do all that. I am told that a lot of money from all
that comes in every year, so something must be going right. I guess it would be
good if people bought my records instead of just downloading them. I buy
records all the time and have no interest in taking anything free but that’s
me. I realize that people see music, royalties and all that differently than
someone in a band might. I am not interested in hunting down some kid somewhere
and asking for my sixty cents.
Do you have a vinyl or CD collection of
your own?
========== My
record collection takes up a three car garage. I have been collecting record
since I was in high school. I buy one to three records a day, so there is
always something coming in. I have been on the road for the last several weeks
and here at the office, there are about 100+ unopened mailers of records. My
building has six stereo systems, so almost any are you’re in, you can listen.
What was the first record you ever
bought? Do you still have it?
=========== I
think the first record was a really bad sounding Parlaphone pressing of Sgt.
Pepper by the Beatles. I think that was it. I had a paper route when I was young
and made a little money. If it wasn’t the Beatles record, it would a double
cassette of Grand Funk’s live album, which I bought because I thought it looked
cool but didn’t really like it when I got it to my room and played it. I don’t
have any of the records I had when I was in high school. I got rid of them when
I saw the Clash in 1979.
To close out the interview, what do you
hope to be remembered for 50 years from now?
=========
Honestly, I don’t care. I am not doing things to be remembered. That’s a whole
other agenda. I am doing things now and will continue to until I am dead. If
all my stuff were to be tossed after I’m gone, perhaps it’s for the best, to
make room for what will happen next
