Everything

by Henry Rollins

"Work on Eye Scream started in 1986. I was crossing America constantly and
experiencing the morality shifts, attitudes, and rituals in different parts
of the country - the difference in the way people were in the Bible Belt as
opposed to New York City, the way blacks and whites interfaced, the
intolerance of homosexuality, the morality plays. I started to become aware
of how brutal the country is and how much ferocity, cruelty, and oppression
are inherent in the culture and how much of it was in me. I wanted to
document it and create a book that brought the whole thing to a boil and see w
here it left me off. In the summer of 1995, I finished the book and started
to edit. Re-reading the manuscript over and over, I realized all the things I
had picked up over a decade of playing Devil's advocate and it was inspiring
because it clearly defined who my enemies are. As an American, I feel it
impossible not to be infuriated by the way things are and have been. I refuse
to be happy about the day-to-day and go along with it. There's too much
spitting in my face and too much spitting in the faces of people who don't
know any other way of life. This book is brutal, and at times, funny. I know
that I will probably get a ton of shit for Eye Scream. Enjoy, or better
yet... don't." ---- Henry Rollins

Genres: Biography

219 pages, Audio CD

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Henry Rollins (born Henry Lawrence Garfield; often referred to simply as Rollins) is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, author, actor and publisher.

After joining the short-lived Washington, D.C. band State of Alert in 1980, Rollins fronted the Californian hardcore punk band Black Flag from 1981 until 1986. Following the band's breakup, Rollins soon established the record label and publishing company 2.13.61 to release his spoken word albums, as well as forming the Rollins Band, which toured with a number of lineups until 2003 and during 2006.

Since Black Flag, Rollins has embarked on projects covering a variety of media. He has hosted numerous radio shows, such as The Henry Rollins Show and Harmony In My Head, and television shows, such as MTV's 120 Minutes and Jackass, along with roles in several films. Rollins has also campaigned for human rights in the United States, promoting gay rights in particular, and tours overseas with the United Service Organizations to entertain American troops.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A free verse exploration of the urban decay that has wormed into us all - mature audience. Henry Rollins is a great example of what I call the 'outside observer'; someone who looks at society from an almost anthropological perspective - making totemic connections that the collective 'we' often fails to see due to proximal blindness.

[Harvey Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contains one of my favorite Rollins lines: "The rent is always due around here."
Heavy and insightful and jaded.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not really sure how to classify this book. Biography? Philosophy? Memoir? Tone Poem? A little of everything?

I'm still a big Rollins fan, but I'm finding his books to be a bit tedious. I liked Get in the Van, since it had the focus of being in Black Flag, but the rest is just ... meandering isn't the right word, since there seems to be a sense to what he's writing, but it does feel like stream-of-consciousness.

That isn't what lowers this to two stars, though. I just can't get behind the nihilism and violence that permeates his non-spoken-word work. When I was in my twenties, I think I found it more attractive, but now I just feel like it's excessive. There's also this weird "sensitive machismo" thing that comes out of it, since Rollins is progressive and empathetic, but also postures a lot in the way he writes.

I might try a couple more books of his, if they're more memoir than ... whatever this is ... but if they're all like this, I might be done with them.

[Ietrio · Rating 4 out of 5]

2024-05-08:

i love rollins' bios. the energy in them. i don't remember reading anything as alive as that. i like his ideas too, even if there are some things i do not agree with. heck. 2024 rollins probably has some things he does not agree with from the bios.

this is poetry. it is good. but it lacks the vitality of the prose. these are thoughts, and not observations.

> how many diseases you can count on that man's face? humiliation, shame, rage... how much more can you take?

[J.J. Ulizio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free verse musings on a wide array of topics from homosexuality and police to drug use and the struggles of day to day life from Henry Rollins. From a time period in his life where he is a lot more aggravated, depressed and upset in the world around him. Recommend for people whom are already fans of his. Would not recommend to someone new him not a good entry point.

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rollins tried too hard to sound like an edgelord, the work comes across as forced and inauthentic.

[Timo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rough and arty with jazzy sounds.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free form poetry by Henry Rollins. Very pretty, somtimes disturbing, but worth the read if you are a poetry and/or Henry Rollins aspirant.

[Joseph Schlag · Rating 2 out of 5]

rough and at times horrific