He is perhaps best known for his work with the hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981 to 1986, and for leading the Rollins Band since 1987.
Critic Steve Huey decribes Rollins as "a post-punk renaissance man ... Rollins is relentlessly busy ... and has kept his artistic integrity, becoming a kind of father figure for many alternative bands of the '90s."
Rollins grew up in Washington, D.C.. His parents divorced when he was young, and Rollins was raised primarily by his mother, Iris, who taught him to read before he entered school, and who he credits with instilling his lifelong love of reading.
He was prescribed Ritalin as a child and was sent to the The Bullis School, a Washington, D.C. military school. He disliked the authoritarian atmosphere and the then-boys-only campus, which impeded his early attempts at dating and made him uncomfortable around women for several years. More positively, he said Bullis helped instill in him a sense of discipline and a strong work ethic. It was at military school that he began to develop his muscular build, and began writing. Rollins described his early literary efforts as follows:
"I would write short stories, and they’re probably horribly written, about blowing up my school and murdering all the teachers. Which I would show to this English teacher who I was friends with, my one ally at this school. And he would go, "Okay, don’t show this to your real English teacher. You know, because you can’t say 'fuck' and hand it in as an essay at this school." I went to a pretty uptight all boys school. But he said, "Show me this stuff." And, "I like that you’re writing creatively. Keep this up. Just don’t show it to your 'teacher-teacher' because you’ll get in trouble.""
After high school, Rollins worked at a number of jobs (including as a laborer at the National Institutes of Health), before becoming the manager of a Häagen-Dazs ice cream store.
A longtime music fan with wide-ranging tastes (a fan of Washington D.C.'s funky Go Go music from his teen years) Rollins became involved in the punk music scene through his close friend Ian MacKaye (who would later head Minor Threat and Fugazi). Bad Brains was one of Rollins's favorite groups; singer H.R. would sometimes coax Rollins onstage to sing with them.
Rollins joined S.O.A. (State of Alert)as a singer; the group released one EP on Dischord Records before disbanding. Rollins's steady employment enabled him to finance the recording and pressing of the S.O.A. EP.
In 1981, his friend Mitch Parker gave him a copy of Black Flag's Nervous Breakdown EP. Rollins soon became a huge fan and began exchanging letters with the group. When Black Flag toured the East coast, playing Washington D.C. and New York City, Rollins attended as many performances as he could. At an impromptu show in a bar, he asked to sing Clocked In. As vocalist Dez Cadena was switching to guitar, the band invited Rollins to a rehearsal. Impressed by his stage demeanor, they asked him to become their permanent vocalist. Despite some doubts, he accepted, due in part to MacKaye's encouragement. His high level of energy and intense personality made him a perfect fit as their frontman.
After joining Black Flag, Garfield changed his surname, and got the Black Flag logo tattooed on his arm (thought it was the back of his ultra-thick neck?). It was to be the first of many tatoos (others are punk rock group The Misfits' ghost-faced mascot, the "stickman" sigil of German experimentalists Einsturzende Neubauten, and an impressive 'Search and Destroy' logo taking up his entire back.) As Rollins become more heavily tattooed and more havily-built, wore less clothing on stage, and would often take to the stage barechested and barefoot wearing only a pair of black shorts.
Rollins toured and recorded with Black Flag from 1981 until their breakup in 1986. During Rollins' tenure, Black Flag's music underwent dramatic changes. Though guitarist Greg Ginn was the primary songwriter, Rollins wrote a number of songs with Black Flag.
Throughout most of his time with Black Flag, Rollins kept a diary of his thoughts and experiences. In 1994 he published these diaries as Get In The Van; the book also featured many photographs, as well as Rollins' reminiscences of his time with the group before he kept a diary. Rollins read portions of Get In The Van for an audio book; this recording won a Grammy. Rollins later characterized the entire affair as "corny" and gave his Grammy statuette to an acquaintance.
Rollins began publishing his own books during his time with Black Flag. His early efforts were self-made volumes (photocopied and stapled), though he quickly began printing chapbooks before moving on to establish 2.13.61, an independent publisher named after his birthday.
Also while in Black Flag, Rollins met Joe Cole, an acquaintance of Ginn. They became close friends, and, in December 1991, Rollins and Cole were robbed at the home they shared. Cole was murdered by a gunshot to the head, and while Rollins escaped without injury, the crime remains unsolved. Most of Rollins' subsequent efforts have been dedicated to his late friend's memory. Rollins recounted his friendship with Joe, Joe's murder, and Rollins' attempts to 'come to terms' with this, in his book Now Watch Him Die.
After Black Flag broke up in early 1986, Rollins quickly formed a new group and released a solo album and an EP with guitarist Chris Haskett. Soon, he added former Gone members Andrew Weiss and Sim Cain, calling the new group the Rollins Band. They gained popularity through the strength of albums like The End of Silence (1992) and Weight (1994). He also gained roles in movies and television shows (particularly as a VJ on MTV) and recorded a cover of AC-DC's Let There Be Rock in 1991 with The Hard-Ons.
Beginning in his later years in Black Flag, he has toured as a spoken-word artist, focusing mostly on social topics, as well as recounting his life experiences. His blend of self-deprecating humor and serious discussion of important social issues has gained him great popularity. He has released nine spoken-word albums through his 2.13.61 publishing company (and several through other record companies); 2.13.61 has also released books by Rollins, Joe Cole, Nick Zedd, Nick Cave and Michael Gira, as well as albums by Rollins Band, Exene Cervenka, Hubert Selby Jr., The Birthday Party, and Gun Club.
Rollins is an avowed free jazz fan, having released albums by Matthew Shipp and Roscoe Mitchell on his 2.13.61 label. In 1990, Rollins guest-hosted a Los Angeles, California college radio program and devoted much of this appearance to saxophone player Albert Ayler's music.
On May 17, 2004, Rollins began hosting a weekly radio show, Harmony In My Head (named after a favorite Buzzcocks song) on Los Angeles' Indie 103.1 radio. The show aired every Monday evening, with Rollins playing a variety of rock, punk, rap and jazz music. He put the show on what would be an indefinite hiatus, with the last show airing on December 27, 2004, in order to undergo a spoken-word tour in early 2005. An expanded edition of Rollins' song lists and show notes of the first run of the show were published by 2.13.61 in November 2005 by fan demand as the book Fanatic. In late 2005, Rollins announced the return to the airwaves of Harmony in My Head; Internet users can listen online every Tuesday evening from 8 to 10 p.m., PST, at www.indie1031.fm as of December 27, 2005.
Rollins is a co-host of the television program Full Metal Challenge on TLC, as well as the host of a weekly series called The Henry Rollins Show on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) airing every Saturday night at 10 p.m. The show is described this way on its official Web site henryrollins.ifc.com.
"Henry Rollins unveils the independent alternative to late night programming with his unique take on music, film, politics and pop culture with the help from intelligent celebrity guests and the most eclectic musical performances on television."
Prior to his weekly series on IFC, Rollins was a host of Henry's Film Corner, a monthly look at movies and cinema.
In 2004, he became an outspoken human rights activist, most vocally a crusader for gay rights. He has pinpointed the rights for gays to marry as a "vital issue impeding on the rights of Americans today." He was the host of a benefit concert called "WedRock" to raise money for a pro-gay-marriage organization. During the 2003 Iraq War, he started touring with the United Service Organizations (USO) to entertain troops overseas, despite his personal opposition to the war and the Bush administration[2]. Rollins has also been very active in the campaign to free the "West Memphis Three" - three young men who many believe were wrongly convicted of murder. Rollins appears with Public Enemy frontman Chuck D on Black Flag song Rise Above on "Rise Above: 24 Black Flag Songs to Benefit the West Memphis Three," a benefit album to help pay for the West Memphis Three defense fund. He also appears on a cover of Black Flag's Slip It In with singer Inger Lorre.
Language
Henry Rollins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Being a fan of the use of language
Being a fan of English, um
I got this amazing letter from a fella named Boris.
And I wanted to read this to you.
He's, he's from um, the Czech Republic.
And I wanted to read you this quick letter by the cat because he's just amazing. And he wrote one of the greatest sentences I haveve ever read in my life and I very much want to share it with you. And I'm not trying to put the guy down, and I'm not saying 'Oh he's dumb.' He's just a cat, he's trying to use English and it's not his language. You know, but he's getting by. Like, how well do you get by in Czech? Right. Help?!? You know, you say 'Check, please!' But you can't get by in Czech. This guy's struggling in English and he's making it! And he's, he is, he is avant. He is, he's bebop! Check this guy out.
Boris checks in from the Czech Republic with this burning missive:
'Hello Henry,
I'm sorry for my English, but I understand English very little, thank you for your favour. My name is Boris. Have 24 years in right Czech Republic. You played in Czech 2x. Both concerts, they were splendid.'
OK. Check out this sentence.
'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo but small, fat, bald headed technologist be insane. '
Let's milk it shall we?
'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo, but such small, fat, bald headed techologist be insane.'
In translation, I think he took his roll of film to right Aid and had a bad right Aid experience. And you've all had that experience in Thrifty and right Aid where time seems to slow down. I think Boris got his film fucked up by the technologist who must be WHOOOOOOO!, a bit insane.
I go on.
'I compilation all material for you and band. I would like to read of your some book, but don't publish in Czech language. This book should be successful in Czech Republic.'
Sure.
'I you for very much autograph or publicity material or answer in my letter. Thanks a lot for it. I wish for you, band much power, health, and energy at further way music. Goodbye in future concert in Czech Republic. Boris'
The communique from Boris makes me think of how great a feature-length movie with this use of language would be. Could you imagine an intense courtroom drama with scowling, wildly gesticulating lawyers making a case for their clients, kicking it like Boris? Think of having the air flight attendant come on with an "English as a second language" message. 'For making landing immediate time incredibly, broken moving not now, stupid motor on flaming. I declaration emergency!'
In "Language," Henry Rollins uses a letter he received from a fan named Boris from the Czech Republic to explore language and its limitations. Rollins acknowledges the difficulties of communicating in a language that is not one's own, and he marvels at Boris's ability to convey his thoughts and feelings despite the language barrier. Rollins shares one of Boris's sentences, which is grammatically incorrect and misspelled, but he finds its meaning and message to be both powerful and poetic. The song is a celebration of language and its ability to connect people across cultures and borders, but it also acknowledges the challenges and limitations of using language as a means of communication.
Line by Line Meaning
So!
Henry Rollins starts the song by speaking in an excited tone.
Being a fan of the use of language
Rollins talks about loving the art of language.
Being a fan of English, um
Rollins emphasizes his love for the English language.
I got this amazing letter from a fella named Boris.
Rollins introduces Boris, the writer of the amazing letter.
And I wanted to read this to you.
Rollins expresses his desire to share the letter.
He's, he's from um, the Czech Republic.
Rollins shares Boris's origin, the Czech Republic.
And I wanted to read you this quick letter by the cat because he's just amazing.
Rollins emphasizes the amazingness of Boris's letter.
And I'm not trying to put the guy down, and I'm not saying 'Oh he's dumb.'
Rollins clarifies that he is not belittling Boris's language skills.
He's just a cat, he's trying to use English and it's not his language.
Rollins shows empathy towards Boris's efforts to use English, which is not his native language.
You know, but he's getting by.
Rollins acknowledges Boris's determination to communicate in English.
Like, how well do you get by in Czech?
Rollins questions the listener's ability to communicate in Czech language.
Right. Help?!?
Rollins sarcastically asks for help to emphasize the difficulties of speaking a foreign language.
You know, you say 'Check, please!' But you can't get by in Czech.
Rollins gives an example of common Czech phrase and implies that it's not enough to communicate in Czech language.
This guy's struggling in English and he's making it!
Rollins admires Boris's determination even though he's struggling with English.
And he's, he is, he is avant. He is, he's bebop! Check this guy out.
Rollins praises Boris's use of language and recommends the reader to read Boris's letter.
OK. Check out this sentence.
Rollins directs the reader's attention to the sentence in Boris's letter.
'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo but small, fat, bald headed technologist be insane. '
Rollins quotes Boris's sentence with an attempt to reword it correctly.
Let's milk it shall we?
Rollins jokingly asks the listener to further analyze Boris's sentence.
'On two concert, I'm shootive collective photo, but such small, fat, bald headed techologist be insane.'
Rollins rewrites the sentence to mean that Boris took a photo at two concerts but the film got messed up by the technician who was crazy.
In translation, I think he took his roll of film to right Aid and had a bad right Aid experience.
Rollins interprets Boris's sentence as Boris having a bad experience at a store named 'right Aid.'
And you've all had that experience in Thrifty and right Aid where time seems to slow down.
Rollins compares Boris's experience to the common experience of slow service at stores like 'Thrifty' and 'right Aid.'
I compilation all material for you and band. I would like to read of your some book, but don't publish in Czech language. This book should be successful in Czech Republic.'
Rollins reiterates Boris's request for an autograph, publicity material, and answers to his letter. Boris also expresses his interest in reading a book by Rollins that he believes would be successful in the Czech Republic.
I you for very much autograph or publicity material or answer in my letter. Thanks a lot for it. I wish for you, band much power, health, and energy at further way music. Goodbye in future concert in Czech Republic. Boris'
Rollins summarizes Boris's letter with his well wishes for Rollins and his band at their future concert in the Czech Republic.
The communique from Boris makes me think of how great a feature-length movie with this use of language would be.
Rollins shares how impressed he is with Boris's use of language and how it would make for a great movie.
Could you imagine an intense courtroom drama with scowling, wildly gesticulating lawyers making a case for their clients, kicking it like Boris?
Rollins imagines a courtroom drama with lawyers using language in the same way Boris does in his letter.
Think of having the air flight attendant come on with an 'English as a second language' message.
Rollins suggests having an airline announcement with language similar to Boris's.
'For making landing immediate time incredibly, broken moving not now, stupid motor on flaming. I declaration emergency!'
Rollins creates an example of an airline announcement message with language similar to Boris's.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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