Henry Rollins
Image: 21361.com
Henry Rollins - Spoken Word Live Review
Live Review
Let's cut through the bullshit - this was a 3-hour spoken-word marathon that displayed the man sticking it to The Man (as Henry kept reminding us). As lead-enigma in Black Flag and then the Rollins Band set up, he gave as good as he got - and then some. Rallying against Bush, Blair, racism, homophobia, world-famine, invasions of defenceless countries, airports and Obama he delivered a funny and sharp tirade against all that is generally a bit shit about the world. But there were plenty of lighter moments coupled with milder yet poignant vignettes centred around his documentary work with Channel 4 (due to be aired this Autumn) including his disturbing visits to Far East burial grounds and killing fields as well as harsher stories about Northern Ireland. He name-checked and emulated (not entirely successfully) John Cooper-Clarke, the punk-poet extraordinaire from Salford who Henry cited as a genius - and deservedly so. "Hire Car" was comically delivered and received a generous round of applause.
The one thing you could never accuse Rollins of - laziness. The man has passion for his subjects and his fans and treats them with fervour and respect. He is also an intelligent and articulate guy who I would happily share some beers with. He is approaching 50 - how time flies. Long may he stick it to The Man...
