With it being the Christmas period I got to thinking about how hard Santa Claus works to get all those presents delivered, so I decided that perhaps it was time to see if we could get a quick interview with everyone's favourite workaholic. And here it is, my quick interview with the legendary Henry Rollins.
[Alternative Nation] What have been your highs and lows of 2007?
[Henry Rollins] I don’t know of any highs. The lows have been that America is still locked in this death grip in Iraq.
You have a wonderfully eclectic radio show, are there any plans to make podcasts available?
No. If you were to look around on the internet, you could probably find an archive of the shows. I am told there is one.
Are there any plans for ITC's The Henry Rollins Show to be broadcast in the UK?
It would be great but we can’t seem to get interest from UK TV. It would have been great if were able to get the show on there.
You have written and spoken extensively on the tribulations of being in a band. What is the single most important lesson you have learned in all your years as a musician?
Being in a band really makes you see how badly you want something. Being a band was always a tough job but always worth it. It’s harder than anything I have ever done.
A lot of people will have heard your brilliant duet with William Shatner, which other artists would you love the chance to work with?
I can’t think of any really. The Shatner thing wasn’t my idea, just my good luck to be available at the right time. He’s a really cool guy. It’s been awhile since I thought of myself and music in the same thought actually.
As a fan of vinyl, how do you feel about the increasing popularity of digital downloads and the lack of vinyl releases?
I think it’s a sign of where the technology is at. People like their iPods and the download facilitates that. I see nothing wrong with it. There’s a lot of vinly actually. More than there was a few years ago. A lot of bands are putting out vinyl versions of their albums now. I have been checking them out, some sound good, others, not so much. I think the technology goes where the market is and eventually defines the market. I may have that backwards but I think you know what I mean.
You come across as a very down to earth person and your ideas on the world in general seem like basic common sense. Why is there so little common sense in modern media?
In America, it’s corporate media and now that there’s a “war” they have to keep the lies going to keep selling whatever it is they are at this moment. Don’t expect Rupert Murdock to give you a fair shake, it’s not profitable in his world. It’s too bad that so many people won’t look outside the few outlets and seek out alternative sources for information. I guess a lot of people don’t have the time and it takes some. Also, you really have to want to know, that’s where a lot of people fall off.
You have been filming with Ray Winstone, Ron Perlman and Cuba Gooding Jr. recently. How was that experience and what can you tell us about the film?
Of the three you mentioned, I only did scenes with Cuba, who is a good guy and a solid actor. It was good work for me, I am always looking for a job. I think the film will be pretty cool. It’s a bit hard to explain. I play a priest, that should tell you how odd this one will be.
You have been very outspoken about the war in Iraq but you did a USO tour for the troops out there, how difficult was it to refrain from voicing your views on George W. Bush's illegal war whilst surrounded by it?
I’ve done 7 tours for the USO. The war they are fighting and the one we are speculating on are two different things. They are trying not to get killed every day, it’s really a different discussion when you’re out there. This war, if you want to call it that, is really not their fault. They are just caught up in it.
You are a workaholic. As well as your spoken word tour, radio show and forthcoming film, do you have any other projects in the works?
I’m working on a couple of books that will come out in 2008 and some DVD stuff, old shows, new shows. I have a lot of travel and shows planned for all of 2008. I am in Pakistan at the moment, checking it out.
What hopes do you have for the world in 2008?
Fair elections in America, withdrawl from Iraq.
Henry Rollins' Spoken Word tour hits the UK in January and February.
26-01-08 Hammersmith Apollo / London, UK
27-01-08 Colston Hall / Bristol, UK
28-01-08 Wulfren Hall / Wolverhampton, UK
29-01-08 Vicar St / Dublin, Ireland
30-01-08 Academy / Manchester, UK
31-01-08 Academy / Newcastle, UK
02-02-08 Music Hall / Aberdeen, UK
03-02-08 Theatre Royal / Glasgow, UK
