THE
RECOUNTDOWN TOUR WITH HENRY ROLLINS
by Jason Walsh
With the state of the nation in peril, Americans
have watched Wall Street crumble to ashes,
bringing our economy to a dangerous low; gas
prices that have skyrocketed to a point where
soccer moms have to take out a loan to get
the kids to school; an election parading forward
with a lot of talk about everything but solutions;
and two wars that have cost three trillion
dollars and more than five thousand lives.
To take a catch phrase from the current campaign
rhetoric, "it's time for some tough talk."
The Recountdown Tour which began in September,
is the latest spoken word outing for hardcore
orator Henry Rollins, a master at his unique
style of talking tough. This newest engagement
is not only a chance for him to address the
madness plaguing our country, but also, in
his words, "To celebrate the end of the
Bush era."
The native of Washington, DC began this recent
tour in September and will be venting his
disapproval to fans across the United States
and Canada. Though he could speak for days
on the follies of the Bush administration,
which he has a great length over the past
two terms, the content of the Recountdown
Tour addresses the current parties battling
it out for the Oval Office.
"The show will be about where I have
been and what I have seen over the last several
months," Rollins said. "Not a ton
on Bush as we all know what we know about
him and his people."
The
focus of Rollins' verbal assaults this time
around will be directed towards the 2008 campaign
for the presidency and the future of our executive
branch of government.
"The election drama has been depressing
as far as the attack ads and Palin and all
the hate," he said. "Ultimately,
the issues get glossed over in favor of lipstick
on pigs and whatnot. As usual, the people
lose."
Rollins opinion on the outcome of the election
has changed in light of the recent activity
by both parties. What he once believed to
be the obvious outcome is no longer what he
thinks will truly happen come November.
"I used to think McCain was going to
win," he said. "Now, I am not so
sure."
He attributes the change of heart not only
to McCain's choice as a running mate, but
the same platforms and promises Americans
have been hearing for the past eight years.
"I think the Palin thing will eventually
bite him and seeing the two debates, it's
apparent to me that he has nothing new to
say besides the same 'Bushite' stuff. Not
all that 'mavericky.' Perhaps enough Americans
will want something else that they will vote
accordingly."
Rollins began his spoken word career during
the final days of the Black Flag era, some
twenty years ago. Now, with numerous tours
under his belt and a catalog of spoken word
audio and video releases produced, he says
being on tour is where he is at his best and
this year has been no different.
"That is what I do so all is fine,"
he said. "I would rather be on the road
than anywhere else, so it has been a good
year for me. Almost all of it has been out
here. Being off the road holds little appeal
for me, less and less as time goes on."
With the current economy, escalating fuel
costs have hit hard on touring acts in all
avenues of the entertainment industry, as
well as poor attendance by fans who can barely
make ends meet, much less afford expensive
ticket prices at the box offices. Rollins
says those factors luckily haven't affected
his performances this past year.
"I have been spared and the shows are
doing very well," he said. "Some
places, better than ever. The other expenses,
you have to pay them and you do and get on
to the next show."
His passion for writing and sharing stories
and opinions with audiences was somewhat overshadowed
by his greater success as the sweaty, tattooed
"hot animal machine" that decimated
venues, whether in Black Flag or Rollins Band.
It's been years since he has taken the stage
with a band and the desire to perform musically
does not sit high on his list of priorities
these days.
"I don't miss it all that much,"
he said. "Sometimes I do. I just don't
see what I could do with it that I had not
done in the past. When I see someone singing
the same old songs over and over again, year
after year, I wonder why they don't want to
do something more with their lives. I am trying
to push myself in other directions and keep
myself a little off balance in an attempt
to keep it real. I like the idea of making
new music but not so hot on doing old material
even though I miss it."
The Recountdown Tour wraps in Seattle at
the end of September, with the possibility
of an additional show in Alaska to be tagged
at the end. Rollins says though the year will
be drawing to a close, the work will continue
and he plans on a great deal more for the
future.
"I have some company stuff to do as
we are making some changes and preparing stuff
for 2009," he said. "After that,
I want to get some traveling done and see
some places. I have some destinations planned
but it's all the early stages. Past that,
2009, I don't have planned out all the way
but I usually have the overall shape of the
year formatted by February."
When:October 30 : 7:30 p.m.
Price:$31.50-$50
Event Phone Number:212-840-2824
Town Hall 123 W 43rd St. New York, NY 10036
JERSEY
BEAT INTERVIEW: Henry Rollins
