Henry Rollins: The Column! Advice From Diamond Dave

By Henry Rollins Thu., May 17 2012 at 3:34 AM

[Look for your weekly fix from the one and only Henry Rollins right here on West Coast Sound every Thursday, and come back tomorrow for the awesomely annotated playlist for his Saturday KCRW broadcast.]

Still in Australia, with a lot more shows to go. Right now, I am in Brisbane. We got in a few hours ago from Cairns in the north. Before that, we were in Darwin, which is way up at the top of the country. Last night was a sauna -- I came off stage soaked. Now that we're more south, the weather is far less hot and humid.

I am 70-some shows into the tour. This is where some performer types either head home or start dialing in the show from their happy place countless mind-miles away. For me, this is where it gets really good, like the second hour straight on the treadmill. It takes about 50 shows to really know you're doing this for keeps; it's the part of the tour that makes you see how much you really want to do this. The show is either something you live for or want to run away from.

Some performers and bands are just not built to slog, and that's OK. For me, there has always been a great integrity to the artists who are out there every year, one way or another, doing their thing, racking up the nights under the lights. There is, however, a line between those who constantly tread the boards because it's what they do, and those who do it because they have nothing else they can do.

As performers grow older, I reckon there are two ways they can go. They can either be up there, playing more deeply from their guts than ever, or they can be phoning it in so crassly that it leaves a lump in your throat as you leave the venue at the end of the show. Years ago I was on tour, opening for a band that's been around for years -- great music, lots of fans. During the show, the guitar player would turn his back on the audience and talk to his tech while playing pitch perfect. He thought nothing of showing a packed house how little the show meant to him. It was kind of heartbreaking and I don't think I'll ever be seeing that band again.

David Lee Roth, a man never short of a memorable quote, said this to me when I interviewed him 22 years ago. I think this really nails it:

Tags:

David Lee Roth, Henry Rollins

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Janine Ferguson

Love you Henry!Janine

Jennie Vasquez

Really great article that hits home at a good time for me. I have always lacked motivation and determination and sometimes I have spells of completely giving up. I could be the poster child for apathy, taking the path of least resistance, and procrastination. I've been phoning life in for years. Unfortunately, I am now seeing a similar pattern in a young man I know and I'm looking for ways to help him get back on track. This article give me ideas. I'm always fascinated by people who stay driven even after doing the same thing for years or those that are facing adversity and manage to tread forward full steam ahead. Whatever it is that makes them that way, well I want and need some of that and I tell myself that as long as I'm breathing, to not give up the search for it and once I find it to not throw it away. I know it comes from within but it seems to be hiding in me. I remember the first time Diamond Dave blew me away with his performance. 10 years ago I was given tickets to his show for my 30th birthday and had never really thought of him other than a good singer with an obviously over the top sense of humor about himself. I remember seeing him jump, run, and kick his way through his performance. Back then he would have been around 47 I think and remember being in awe of his physical abilities at his age and his performance was top rate. 47 is not old but he was doing moves most 30 year old people can't do. Well now at 57 I think he looks as good as ever if not better. I remember being even more in awe of him when he became an EMT. That isn't the easiest thing to do and he sure didn't need the money but from somewhere he had the desire to do it and he did it. I do have to say that whenever Henry writes about his tour experiences of other performers that always give it their all, like Diamond Dave and Iggy Pop, most if not all make huge efforts to stay in tip top physical shape especially long after the average person their age has quit taking care of themselves. I mean really hour 2 of the treadmill. I'm happy if I run half an hour a few times a week. There has to be a correlation between motivation and drive and keeping yourself in top shape. I don't think it is a coincidence. I'd love for Henry to write an article on what these artists do to stay physically fit and how they stay motivated to keep moving.

Mizeriqua

This reminds me of a show I saw last November in Austin, TX. Henry, you were there, and I believe you officiated a marriage between two lucky people. Well, one of my all time favorite people ( I won't even name him here, but let's just say he is considered a legend in many ways and he has inspired many a tattoo - even on you) performed that Friday night at the festival, and I think he should take your advice. He let me down. He let us all down. He was not there for us. He acted like a Diva and was clearly not there to give the audience what they wanted. He didn't seem to have any pride in what he was doing.