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You asked, Henry Rollins answered

Henry Rollins brings his Spoken Word Tour to the Alix Goolden Hall, Jan. 5
93507mondaymagHenryRollins
Henry Rollins brings his Spoken Word Tour to the Alix Goolden Hall, Jan. 5

Editor Note: In support of his 80-date tour, Henry Rollins - punk pioneer, actor, author, photographer, columnist for LA Weekly, TV host, radio DJ and spoken word performer - answered Monday Magazine’s readers questions. Rollins will bring his Spoken Word Tour to the Alix Goolden Hall on Jan. 5.­ - Sara Wilson

 

Did you ever eat train food again after your Siberian Express trip?

I don’t believe so. I have been on a lot of trains since in America, Russia, Poland, Europe but never got any food. It’s not like the time on the Trans Siberian Express made me wary of train food. You can get sick on food all over. I have puked in a lot of interesting places.

If you could do anything in life what would you do? Or would it be what you’re is currently doing?

I would like to live in Afghanistan for awhile, see the Panjshir Valley and other parts. I have been there twice but never had the chance to look around. I don’t think it would be all that safe. There are a lot of things I would like to do. Most of those things have to do with travel. I do get to travel a lot and check the boxes next to those destinations. As far as a major shift in work, I can’t think of anything. Presently, I am working in the fields that interest me the most.

What is the most surreal experience you’ve had?

Hours before the first anniversary of the murder of a friend of mine, I was in the grocery store and met a man he had interviewed on video several times. I had never met the guy before but had seen the video footage many times. I walked back to my apartment and at a club across the street, the sound truck me and my friend used on the last Black Flag tour was doing sound there that night. I had not seen it in about five years. It was a strange hour.

What do you think about Canada, and our place in the world? What can we best contribute?

I think Canada is on the good side of things and always notice it when I am there. The American versions of capitalism, freedom and democracy can be quite brutal. When you live here, you get used to it to the point to where you don’t even notice but when I am in Canada, I think about the USA differently. I think Canada is a great example of how things can work well when people are not so ambition driven and selfish. I think you all should never lose all those good things. I am sure your country has its downsides. No country is immune but I think for the most part, there is far more to admire about Canada than disparage.

What does a world with  Trump as president look like?

Polluted and dying. He is a not-all-that-good business man. He sees the world for the deals he can make. He’ll do fine and “the people” will benefit from the crumbs that fall from his mouth. He’s just a trickle down economics guy. A modern day slaver. The captives voted for the captor and successfully repelled the liberators. Fossil fuel extraction in this century will do a lot of damage. Denial of climate change will eventually make all life suffer. He and his cronies will probably be able to do a lot of damage in a small amount of time.

Who is the most exciting band or performer for you right now?

As a live band Thee Oh Sees are a tremendous live band and their albums are great as well. Teresa Suarez of Le Butcherettes is someone to keep your eye on. She has a great record coming out next year collaborating with a great band. It’s not for me to spill the beans so I will hold off but she’s great and the new album is really great.