Henry Rollins - De-Montfort Hall, Leicester, 24 January 2005

Since Black Flag's break-up in 1986, no-one can deny that Rollins' schedule has been (and still is) brutal, recording albums with the Rollins Band, writing books and poetry, performing spoken-word tours, writing magazine columns, acting in several movies (Bad Boys II, Johnny Mnemonic to name but a few), and appearing on radio programs and as an MTV VJ. He is immensely driven and I doubt there is anyone that can keep up the same punishing pace as he has done. He will tell you how hard it has been in no uncertain terms, he isn't looking for your sympathy, he isn't trying to shock you, he's just telling you the facts.

I remember setting up stage for Henry a few years back (one of the local hired hands), and then sitting in the audience afterwards. I had always known of Henry Rollins, I had heard some of the stuff from the Black Flag days, but I had never realised that this guy was able to stand on a stage on his own and rant, but not just rant. What he has to say is delivered with sound knowledge of the facts, with humour, with a point and with honesty. I have seen this guy lose his temper backstage (and I hope to never repeat that, even though his anger was directed at some idiot who told Henry that he was "mellowing out with old age". If you ever find yourself backstage with Henry, if there is any advice I can give you it is this: DO NOT SAY "Henry, you are mellowing out with old age").

Despite having seen his rage, you can't help but like him, and I realised that I remembered virtually everything he said from the first gig I saw him at. I expected a repeat of the same material, but no, all of this content was new, maybe with the same message (well he is consistent), but with new ways of putting his point of view forward. Now, a lot of this stuff he used isn't printable on the Jitty, and I certainly couldn't do it justice by just telling you what he said, but one thing he was desperate to tell us was that not all Americans voted for George Bush. We hear you Henry, we know and don't feel that you have to apologise to us!

The gig was three hours long, during that time, he did not stop, he did not lose any energy in his delivery, he didn't even stop to take a drink of water. I have NEVER seen anybody do this. Those three hours flew by, sure I knew that the gig had lasted quite a while, but didn't realise for how long until he said thank you for giving him three hours of our time. You also forget that this guy who reminds you of Bill Hicks, Mark Thomas and is making you laugh so hard your sides ache, is also the same man who fronted Black Flag, and started up "The Henry Rollins Band".

If this guy ever comes back to do either his spoken word or music near you, then go and see him, he is awesome.

JMH
25/01/05