Once upon a time, Henry Rollins was the Incredible Hulk of American rock. As the frontman of hardcore band Black Flag in the 1980s and the Rollins Band in the 1990s, he was a shirtless, ripped-shorts ball of rage with a microphone. In recent decades, he's become ever more the Bruce Banner, the Hulk's mild-mannered human alter ego, though one still squeezing a microphone in spoken-word shows. The live punk-rock raconteur is part of a career portfolio of acting, TV presenting, podcasting, publishing and writing that included columnist stints at Vanity Fair, LA Weekly and the Huffington Post. A call from the Listener in advance of four New Zealand dates finds him at work in Nashville, his home of the past few years.
What's up for discussion on this tour?
If you've ever suffered through any of my shows before, there's always a travel component, but with Covid I couldn't go anywhere. Luckily, or unluckily, I had enough events during Covid domestically that made for good storytelling. They were unpleasant at the time, but in retrospect made for a damn good tale. That was my challenge this time around, because I often use an interesting location just for things to happen. But when you wake up in your bedroom every day, chances are not as good.
Given your many outlets, what is it that makes you keep touring? And how does a talking performance compare to your music days?
Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra July 8 - 14, 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
