I wanted to do a little write up about this sooner but work had me tied up. I saw Rollins this past Sunday in Ann Arbor, MI at the Michigan Theatre along with 11 other people in our group (and of course the people in the jam-packed theatre).
If you are a fan of Black Flag, Rollins Band or even punk/hard rock in general there is NO excuse to miss Rollins doing his "spoken word thing". He speaks on current topics like the war on terror, in which he went on a USO tour despite being anti-war because he respects the soldiers out there, George W. Bush and even what life is like for an aging punk-rocker in Hollywood, CA. In addition, he speaks on his experiences from playing all over the world to his unusual encounters with stars in CA such as Ike Turner.
Those familiar with the bands he's been in but unfamiliar with his spoken word may have the first impression of thinking Rollins as this intense drill sergeant-esque man up on stage just yelling about whatever he's pissed about. Now that is true in some cases, but for the most part Rollin's "stand up" is about a million times better than anything you will see on "Comedy Central presents". The man has a true knack for story and joke telling that will have everyone in the audience roaring. Oh shit, I'm starting to sound like a shill. I better wrap it up by giving everyone a link to his upcoming dates so they can make sure to check it out (if it's not already sold out!)
I haven't actually seen him in person, but one of the music channels here did a replay of a spoken word he did here a couple of years ago. I have to agree, he can be funnier than alot of comedians out there. I can see why he pisses off so many minority groups though. Definitely don't go see him if you are a sensitive, politically correct type. Probably don't go see him if you're gay either.
Originally posted by Dawgbut for the most part Rollin's "stand up" is about a million times better than anything you will see on "Comedy Central presents".
Actually, Comedy Central broadcast one of Rollins' spoken word shows a few months ago.
I haven't seen him do spoken word live (though I've heard 5 or 6 of his spoken word albums) but I did see Rollins Band (the newer version) perform. It was refreshing to see a band just go out and play their music and not muck it up with lame lighting, smoke or otherwise useless effects.
whoawhoawhoaWHOA! You make it sound as if Rollins is on stage using the n-word and calling everyone faggots constantly. That wasn't the case when I saw him live...in fact he had very unflattering words for the skinheads that used (and sometimes still do) to show up at the punk shows in the 80s.
Originally posted by DawgwhoawhoawhoaWHOA! You make it sound as if Rollins is on stage using the n-word and calling everyone faggots constantly.
He'd probably call you out for not just typing nigger instead of using "the n-word".
What I was trying to illustrate is that Rollins is really his own man and if that pisses people off he doesn't give a fuck. Exactly why he'd be pissed at the skinheads who assume that he's some sort of ally because he says unflattering things about gays, blacks, who ever.
Originally posted by MercI haven't actually seen him in person, but one of the music channels here did a replay of a spoken word he did here a couple of years ago. I have to agree, he can be funnier than alot of comedians out there. I can see why he pisses off so many minority groups though. Definitely don't go see him if you are a sensitive, politically correct type. Probably don't go see him if you're gay either.
I have seen him live on his spoken word tours more then 10 times, and I have NO CLUE, what you are talking about. His comments on racists were "I can't believe, that in a world we all want to be a cooler place, that these guys are getting tripped up on the smallest tiniest, inch high curb ever. I don't like him because he don't look like me... What bullshit" Sounds like he is really against the minorities there.....
And as far as him being anti-gay.... Wow. Just wow. You've obviously never heard a SINGLE thing he has ever done. Go to Kazaa right now, look up the words "Rollins" and "The Gay Thing".. Listen. Or.. Come on AIM. My name on there is "ChrisHuckeby" I will send it to you.
Actually Merc clarified more in his 2nd post. He meant to say that Rollins is unapologetically Rollins. He's not PC and he says what's on his mind. I'm not sure how Merc related that to not going to see him if you're gay but whatever. Maybe he meant gay as in bad and not like gay as in homosexual?
Also, do you know where Morris and Benson are? I have a friend that grew up in Benson and now lives in Morris...put a little KUMM in your ear (University of Minnesota-Morris college radio station :P)
Originally posted by PoorlyToldJokeI have seen him live on his spoken word tours more then 10 times, and I have NO CLUE, what you are talking about.
And as far as him being anti-gay.... Wow. Just wow. You've obviously never heard a SINGLE thing he has ever done.
From what I have seen, read and from talking to other people, Mr Rollins has certainly pissed off at least some minorities and gay people. As Dawg said, it's not that I think he's racist/homophobic/whateverist, but that his views are his own and definitely strongly voiced.
It's just my opinion that this could cause some problems for some people.
Originally posted by PoorlyToldJokeAnd as far as him being anti-gay.... Wow. Just wow. You've obviously never heard a SINGLE thing he has ever done. Go to Kazaa right now, look up the words "Rollins" and "The Gay Thing".. Listen.
As far as racism, I'd also highly recommend 'Boy on the Train' from the Big Ugly Mouth CD, one of the greatest things ever recorded.
For those that aren't familiar with Rollins at all, here is a story that Rob Overton told in the introduction to More Letters to Rollins as his way of answering the question 'What's Henry really like?':
There's a church around the corner from where Henry lives, a Catholic church. For years this church has been a refuge and drop-off point for unwanted puppies and kittens, and every Saturday they place these unwanted animals in new loving homes. About a year ago, on a Friday night, Henry was riding his bike home from playing basketball, when he sees smoke coming out of a side window of the church. So he races into the curch and back to the side room where the smoke is coming from, and without even thinking about his own personal safety, he starts rescuing these puppies and kittens that are trapped and yelping, grabbing as many as he can fit in his arms and under his shirt and running them outside, only to run back inside for more. It took him five trips, and he suffered minor smoke inhalation, but he saved those animals, every one of them. And although the ensuing media blitz seemed to only focus on the four nuns that died in that fire, this came as no real surprise to me, for as long as I've known Henry Rollins, nuns have just rubbed him the wrong way.