Teeing Off in the Bronson Centre

-A quick mention; I added some links to this page and one of which is Tracy’s newly created, Vanilla Bean Cafe, Blog.-

In 2003, I stepped foot in the Bronson centre for the very first time. Eight years earlier this was the Immaculata High School. As I walked through the front entrance there was an eerie feeling that only a school can emit at night or once it has been devoid of children for a great amount of time -almost like a hospital or cemetery at night.

The faded grey cement walls expressed a feeling of loneliness. It was still quiet as the slowly growing crowd was still waiting in the cold March air outside, clutching cigarettes with amber tips glowing for mere seconds. The silence was only broken with the sense that you could hear the children that once ran through these halls.

I made my way to my seat which was located two rows from the stage. The stage itself reminded me of elementary school plays, choirs and those always painful Christmas concerts from the school band. Sitting there I couldn’t help but feel that we were duped. Do they actually have acts here? I had been anxious for this performance for quite some time, this was not just some local performer trying to make a name. This wasn’t a regular performance by a band, it was a solo act. Again not your regular solo act this was a spoken word tour.

At that moment I stopped worrying about where I was when I realized the crowd was yelling and chanting in harmony. As I turned in my chair to face the crowd there was a sea of black. Black t-shirts, sweaters, jackets, pants, and hats. Arms that were not covered in black sleeves were covered in black ink. The room was alive with a sea of energetic punks of all shapes, sizes and ages.

Then it happened, the room erupted as a solo figure flashed on to the stage with the speed and energy of a bolt of lighting. Before most had a chance to sit down from the standing ovation, the mic cord was wound from hand to elbow and the grey haired, smaller but still muscular 42 year old powerhouse blasted the room with a barrage of, personal experiences, beliefs, and politics that lasted for 2 straight hours.

The place was electric as the speaker stood for most of the 2 hours in a power stance known by lead guitarists. When he did move it was to pace from one side of the stage to another or to lurch toward the audience in a primitive motion appearing to want to jump out in to the crowd or directly out if his skin.

The stories came one after another beginning with touring and his bands. To those musicians that inspired him and to pay tribute to those great artists that have left us far too early -Layne Staley for an example. The dialogue continued and spilled into politics and his beliefs against all the social in-injustice in the world.

This was Henry Rollins’ spoken word.

Henry Rollins first, and probably, best known as the lead singer of the punk band black flag. Rollins had a troubled childhood with an abusive father and received beatings from black teenagers because of his race. He finally found discipline and his love of working hard when he enrolled in a military high school. He latter went to college but droped out as all his fellow classmates wanted to do was drink and party. Minimum wage jobs -taxi driver for liver samples among the most interesting- would become his life.

During these jobs he would he would be picked up by black flag and became their permanent front man. While with Black Flag, Rollins would be harassed by police officers simply because he was in the punk band. He began to do LSD after a band member said “it will help you not be such an asshole”. After the band broke up Henry started ‘Rollins’ band. The drugs would be put away and he would lead a completely clean life. No booze no drugs but the anger and outspoken nature of his lyrics would only get more precise and tailored.

He began to publish his tour diaries and other stories in the book “Get in the Van”. He also began his spoken word tours. This would be his sounding board that would launch his television and then radio shows. The Rollins show can be watched on IFC and is highly recommended.

He was the classic punk front man that was known for his intense lyrics. ‘Regular’ America saw him as another screaming, dumb punk loser, who was covered in tattoos and will most likely die of an overdose or stabbed by someone in a fight. But what they were not ready for was an energetic, highly intelligent, well read, articulate activist that now has print, radio and TV to spread his message. He continuous to speak out about social injustices. He is truly someone trying to make a difference.