Comedian, traveler, music eccentric talks politics and more at BCT

Henry Rollins has been at it for decades — and “it” could be just about anything.
Known predominantly from his first major act as the frontman of punk rock band Black Flag from 1981 through 1986, Rollins has since engaged in artistic outlets from radio hosting to stand-up comedy.

Rollins’ show Monday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater was part of a spoken-word tour highlighting his life as a musician, traveler, political junkie and generally curious citizen of the world.

The show was a comedy routine, lecture and storytelling all rolled into one, with Rollins lending insight about everything from gay rights and election politics to reminiscing about his early days in the punk scene in Washington, D.C.

“He’s one of the few people in terms of celebrities who just gets up there and tells it like it is,” show attendee Chris Chapman said of Rollins. “He doesn’t skirt around issues or have to be politically correct.”

Rollins’ demeanor was curious and naturally inquisitive. The comedian was opinionated and witty but never off-putting, and he spoke as knowledgeably about political change as he did about the impact of music on culture.

“No one in the KKK needs a baseball bat to the head,” he said. “They need P-Funk records, they need better ideas.”

It was clear the spirit of punk rock was still alive and well within Rollins, and his lecture lent hints of that at every turn. His presence was commanding, his words articulate and his energy inspiring. He made people want to listen, he definitely wanted to be heard and he was not afraid to back what he said.

When talking about why he always signs his name to everything he does, even if it’s just a comment on the Internet, he said it’s because he wants people to hear him.
“John Hancock signed his signature as big as he could on the Declaration of Independence,” Rollins said. “Because he wanted the King of England to see it. That’s so punk rock to me, and I love it.”

Rollins also expressed a die-hard affection for ideas, change and action. He said he encouraged less complaining about the way things are and more getting up and changing them.

“I like the idea of wholly opinionated Americans,” he said. “Turn me on, give me a reason. Don’t just tell me that I can’t do something, because then you make me kind of want to.”