Legend has it that he got his first job in entertainment by punching out the lead singer of a band he wanted to sing for. He has become typecast as the "thick neck with a loud voice" character in numerous Hollywood films.
Former vocalist of the influential '80s hardcore punk act, Black Flag, Henry Rollins is presently on a spoken word tour, spouting his ideology. The controversial performer brings his tour to the Tralf tonight.
Rollins made a name for himself as the renaissance man of the punk/rock movement. In addition to pioneering the harder side of American punk/rock in the early 1980s with Black Flag - and later with Rollins Band - he has also written and published 15 books and acted in the films "Lost Highway," "The Chase" and most recently, "Bad Boys II." His spoken word performance even gained enough recognition to warrant a Comedy Central special.
"I go out there and talk for two or three hours about everything from personal stories to on-my-feet editorializing of current political events," said Rollins of his performance, in an interview with The Spectrum Thursday . It may sound a like a classroom lecture, but Rollins's brand of brutal honesty mixed with witty satirical commentary is neither boring nor traditional.
"This being an election year I can't leave President Bush alone. The war in Iraq is bulls---. I hope Bush loses," he said. "I didn't like his father and I don't like him any better."
Rollins' career hasn't slowed down much since his days of rigorous touring with Black Flag. The reason for his exceptional longevity no doubt stems from his tireless work ethic. The 45-year-old performer rarely enjoys a day off from tour or travel, currently performing five or six days a week.
"I've been focusing almost all of my energy on the tour and putting my other projects on hold," he said. "Going out there night after night takes a lot of energy and after awhile exhaustion sets in, but I'm 53 dates in right now, and I still feel pretty good"
Indeed a great deal has changed since Rollins began singing for Black Flag in the early '80s.
"The general touring quality has got much better since those days. Both venue conditions and PA systems seem to be a lot better. Also, people seem to have more of an understanding of what I'm trying to do up there, which hasn't always been the case," he said.
Although most of Rollins' energy is currently invested in his tour, he hasn't abandoned his other work. Rollins Band - while currently on hiatus - remains intact and Rollins plans to continue writing and acting as well. He has, however, no intention of becoming a full-time actor, he said.
"I like to act, but I'm like one of those people who waits tables and is an actor on the side - except I tour and play music, and just act a little between projects," he said.
It's important to note that Rollins's performance is not only geared toward fans of his music and writing but also to anyone who enjoys hearing an intelligent and well-put-together rant. Rollins's career has transcended underground music and his influence is felt in media across the artistic spectrum.
"I'm not proud of any one accomplishment in particular, but just that I'm still here doing what I do and that I have been for this long," he said.
Rollins speaks at 8 p.m. tonight at The Tralf, located at 622 Main St. Tickets are available at the venue or at any Ticketmaster location.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
