Hey all, here is a interview i did with henry rollins, a huge influence on me. Unfortunately, i didnt get a chance to ask more questions. So im a little bit bummed out about how it turned out. Anyway some interesting response’s none the less. I hope you enjoy it. Keep reading!
How are you? And what’s happening over your side of the world?
I just finished a lot of shows in Europe and am about to start a lot of shows in America. I have been travelling all over for several weeks and it’s been very interesting, frustrating and everything else.
You are coming to Australia soon, on your talking tour. Not to give away any secrets, but can you tell me a little about what you might want to talk about?
I will talk about a lot of the places I have been to and things happening in America with our unending bullshit.
What do you think about the Australian Government trying to filter the internet (like China do) in this country and Iran banning Google Gmail. We will have one of the highest level of filtration anywhere in the world?
I must say, I am surprised and very disappointed. I would think that Rudd would have made better decisions than to treat his people like sheep. Truly, Australia is one of the last places you would think this kind of thing would happen. I have been following it all online and the hacker crew are very inspiring.
How do you form your talks? Is there any method to the madness?
Yes, much method. I don’t want to go onstage and waste anyone’s time. I plan out what I want to say and get into it. I think some planning is the right idea; otherwise, things can go sideways.
You seem like a pretty unapologetic man, is there anything you regret saying or doing?
How are you staying fit at the moment? Do you still lift weights?
I have made many mistakes. I would rather take the beating than have regret. I train about 5 days a week with weights and cardio.
Do you listen to much music? Is so what have been listening to lately? Any Australian bands you know and like?
I have a radio show. I am always checking out bands whenever possible. I am listening to a lot of music from a thing called The Nurse With Wound List. A lot of interesting stuff that I have never heard before. I will be getting Kim Salmon’s new album when I get there as well as Rowland Howard’s last one.
My girlfriend talks about the Melbourne hardcore scene in 2002/3 and how much fun it was to go to shows with friends and have a good time. But it’s since changed; people are judged for what they wear, who they know, how long they’ve been “in the scene”, etc. where do you, if at all, think hardcore went wrong?
I think any scene falls prey to that kind of thing. It’s what happens when things get too familiar, the contempt sets in and you start commenting on clothing. I say just go to the show and have a great time, past that, it’s a little too precious to waste time on. Life is short.
As i understand it Ian MacKaye early on dabble in a zine? Did you ever work on or do your own zine?
I don’t know that about Ian. I do my own zine, all my books are nothing but overgrown zines.
Do you ever get nostalgic about early days of hardcore? The confrontation of the music (ideals) and the frontier culture you and the early hardcore bands started? Or just the unknown element to it all?
I have fond memories of the early days of the DC scene. Things were small and you knew that it was happening and it was a great thing to be a part of when being young. Youth is a great thing, knowing that you have so much life ahead of you and that so much is still to come. Holding onto that curiosity is the challenge of adulthood, I think. It has been for me.
Do you feel there is a band, from the early hardcore days, that has slipped under the radar and you feel more people should know about?
That scene has been pretty well documented. I can’t think of any band that is not on some site somewhere.
What piss’s you off lately?
My country’s inability to allow its residents to have a decent health care plan so they don’t have to live in fear of getting sick.
What do you think of Obama’s administration?
I think he walked into a bad situation. I wish he was a lot more forceful. He will never make friends with those who oppose him and he keeps trying. Meanwhile, time is wasting. He put more soldiers into Afghanistan, I don’t like that. I don’t want to be in Iraq anymore, Gitmo either. Things are not moving in the direction I want them to. That’s a lot to do with Democrats not having the spine to get things done. I think Obama could be a four year president.
I just finished watching season 2 of Sons of Anarchy. Which is an awesome show, so congratulations. How was it being a part of that? And was it difficult filming that rape scene?
It was a great thing for me. I had a great time, the cast and crew were great. The rape scene was over quickly thankfully. It was the best time I have ever had in an acting job.
Have you ever questioned your ability to control your own life? And felt helpless? If so when?
I can’t think of a situation in my life where I felt that way. I guess that would be an addiction situation or something? I have had some hard times as we all have but I handled it and am still here.
