If you want to interview Henry, it’s a good idea to arrange this with your interviewee prior to showing up. Journalist Marty Beckerman shares his story of scamming his way into a Rollins show as a 16 year old to do an interview with the man that was never scheduled. He was dealt with by Rollins accordingly…
>> My Chat with Henry Rollins, Punk Rock Legend
That was kind of funny. I met Henry in September 1996, at the Civic (in Cleveland, OH). How that happened is kind of funny too. I hadn’t really known who he was–he’d just sort of appeared on my radar about a year earlier, and I’d begun surfing the Internet (in 1995 mind you) for info about him when I stumbled across 2.13.61. I emailed him some questions about authors, and he wrote back. How cool is that? I know now that it’s because he must not have been as busy as he is now, but still…Anyway, I found out he was coming to Cleveland, and I emailed him to ask if I could meet him. He said sure, just go to the box office and tell them who you are and they’ll let you in. When I went to the box office, they said Oh you’re the girl from Toledo–Henry told us about you. After the show, I was the only one allowed backstage–immediately. Contrary to what I’d read (and heard) about him being kind of a dick, he was perfectly nice. Maybe that had to do with the fact that I was 24 and stacked. Maybe not, since no moves were made by either of us–I was too nervous, and he looked really pooped (the show was over 2.5 hours). We had a nice chat, I shook his hand (3 times–I said I was nervous), and that was it. He commented on my firm, non-girly handshake. We kept in touch for a while after that, but not much. I’m pretty sure he’d have no recollection of me whatsoever at this point, but I remember it like it happened yesterday. I still keep track of his doings, but not as closely as I once did–everybody grows up, I guess.
hahah that interview was amazing. that guy is such a tool. i wish henry would have hit him. that just would have made it even better.
o and alayne, thats really cool. i emailed him after i saw him on the 6th of thsi month ad he wrote back. i was tttooottaalllyyy psyched. im really into him right now. im reading a lot of his books and his words are actually helping me through some bullshit thats going on in my life right now. hopefully next yera when he comes back to philly, ill have another chance to speak with him. i started a painting as a present for him. its henry with nick cave. hopefully i can get it to where its able to be given to such an influential person
i wish henry would have hit him. that just would have made it even better.
Yeah, except that part of Henry’s cool-factor is that he _looks_ like he could fuck you up in a hearbeat–this is so that he doesn’t actually _have to_ (which would be assault, technically). When I commented on what a nice guy he was, he smiled at me and said “Don’t tell anyone–it’ll ruin my rep.” By now, though, lots of people know that while Henry is not one to suffer fools (the interview is a case in point), he’s actually nice. I didn’t ask him any dumb questions or to sign anything, and I think he respected that. (He also pointed out that I should be careful who I meet through the internet: “I could have been an ax murderer or something.” I said, “Yeah, I guess, but you’re kind of famous, so I wasn’t really worried. If you come at me with an ax, I might have a problem though…” He laughed.
o i know he a sweet guy. i met him too and got a hug and shit. he was totally rad. im just saying some ppl deserve to get hit…. that asshole was one of em
Agreed. (I feel the same way about some of my students. *shhhh*)