The chemistry with these two is great. They're both funny. She lets Henry ramble a good long time, and comes in with perfectly relevant questions to stoke the fire. Bravo
It's difficult for me to express in words how important Black Flag's "My War" album was to me growing up. It was the record that introduced me to punk rock. It was significant to me as moody, depressed teenage outcast because it was the record that took me away from escapist music and introduced me to music which actually spoke to my state of mind. Before "My War" I had been listening to stuff like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Deep Purple. Aggressive music, yes, but with Dungeons and Dragons type lyrics or songs about hot cars and/or girls which were not a part of my life. It wasn't until I heard "you say that you're my friend but you're ONE OF THEM" that I felt like there was someone else in the world who understood what I was feeling. "My War" presents no positive solutions, but is ultimately positive because as a statement it says "there is someone else out there just as fucked up as you"; and as a misfit teenager sometimes that's all you really need. My life has gone through so many changes since those days, but "My War" is still my go-to record for when I feel like it's me vs THE WORLD. If ever a single record LITERALLY saved my life, it was certainly this one. I own a stupid amount of records. But if I could only keep one, it would be "My War". Like a dear friend, it's always been there for me. In good times, but more importantly in bad.
The "Mm/y War!" mystery solved. It was an engineering error, two separate takes, cut and taped together a half a second behind the other, type thing. Thanks Henry & Heidi!
'My War' wasn't the very first punk tune I'd ever heard, but it WAS the song that really made me sit up and take notice of punk. 'My War' was the first punk record that I went out and bought. I wish those 82 demos were properly mixed down. The performances were absolutely brutal.
I've been loving these podcasts. I wanted to listen to it for yeeeears, but never had the time, until now. Thank you for all the great stories and moments, you folks are the cat's pijamas. I only have this one (plus the last three) to go. Hopefully Henry & Heidi will be able to make some space in their schedules to bring these back, cuz thy're a great listen. Greetings from Colombia 👋💛💙❤
A lot of people would have run away in tears from Rollins' aggression and bullying in that interview, but to his credit that kid stands there and takes it, and stands his ground throughout Rollins' assault.
My War was the first punk album I ever bought as a teen. To this day it remains one of my favorite albums! It’s by far Black Flag’s finest work. Henry absolutely crushed it on every track. At one point, at around 3:15 of the song My War, it sounds like Henry totally went totally bonkers and had a break from reality...I sometimes imagine they had to stop recording at that point until he could put all the pieces back together, ha ha!
Excellent podcast. Man...this brought back a lot of memories. Saw Flag about 10 times between 1982 and 1986. It was clear the exercise routine was working because Henry always delivered. I remember a show at the Fireman's Hall in Ft. Lauderdale. It was about 120 degrees inside and it was killing Bob Mould of Husker Du. He did his best but quit a little early...I think the humidity and heat were too much. Not Henry! He got up there and just gave 120%. But, thinking back, he always gave it all and this podcast made me appreciate the effort even more. Thanks!
Henry, I don't have the words for how much you have inspired me over the many years and helped me get through some of the toughest times in my life. Thank you! I hope one day I will reach a place where I am able to laugh and be as care free as you seem in these podcasts. I'm still fighting my war (metaphorically speaking).
Mr. Rollins, with all due respect, for the love of god take some credit for My War. Maybe you didn't write it but without the power and rage of you and your voice, the record wouldn't be what it is now.
I want to say that I am impressed as well, but in a way, I am not surprised. Whatever music is brought up, Henry seems to have 100x more knowledge than anyone else.
Raw energy. I love this guy so much. Henry is a wolf among sheep; not because he has teeth, not because he was unafraid to show them, but because he's grown so much as a person, yet still remembers who he is. I think he's a bit too modest when it comes to how much he contributed to My War. I honestly don't think it would have been as intense without him; it may have been a team effort, but it's his voice people hear when they're moments away from making a life changing decision. ...Such as hitting Play.
Living in Vermont and 21 yrs old in 1984 , I had no idea of the divide among punks of the Sabbath-y sound of Side 2. I loved it all. I just took a listen and the ice machine is at the end of Three Nights, not Scream. Also, the 2 "my war"s is hardly noticeable, I'm not surprised no one ever mentioned to Rollins.
Hank is proof that hard work, self discipline, integrity, and focus will make you a success. I've watched him go from being a fucking maniacs to being a Naplolean Hill offspring. Good job, Hank- you deserve it.
Amazing podcast I love listening to these. And for those out there that like criticize Henry based on one damn video clip of a bad moment my question to you people is don't you ever have bad days? Haven't you ever made a mistake haven't you ever maybe went off on somebody that you didn't mean to because you were so fatigued you can't see straight? Nobody saying that it's okay but it has been 40 some years. How about we focus on who he is now period seems like a pretty awesome guy love you Henry better fan forever warts-and-all I will remain a fan. Keep up the good work XOXO
Noice, I like the Black Flag 1982 demos cuz they’re heavy as fudge. Those versions of songs such as My War, What Can You Believe?, Yes I Know, Modern Man, Slip It In, and others are amazing. The lineup of Henry Rollins (on Vocals), Greg Ginn (on Lead Guitar) and Dez Cadena (on Rhythm Guitar) Chuck Dukowski (on Bass Guitar), and Chuck Biscuits (on Drums) is so damn awesome. After Biscuits, Bill Stevenson (the replacement from the Descendants) is a good drummer as well. The lineup of the 4 guys and Bill is cool as well. My War is a great album. Other than that, cool:).
Henry, I doubt you read comments as you turned them off for all of the episodes after this. As a long time fan, but as a brand new listener to these podcasts, I'm just wondering when you're planning on doing more of these? I just want to say that I greatly enjoyed this, and not even because My War is one of my favorite records of all time.
Henry seems to have forgotten that Black Flag were playing the stuff from MY WAR side 2 at their live shows through 1982 and 1983, so punks were getting their minds blown by that material even before the album MY WAR came out.
@@joyofsox Yeah, I've read that it annoyed some people that they would play so much unfamiliar material. But getting new songs broken in through live performance is a great way of getting them ready to record, and Husker Du always worked fast in the studio.
I tried a Pink Floyd/Wizard of Oz thing where I started the My War album about a second after Heidi brings up the topic and I shit you not, Nothing Left Inside started when the discussion moved to Side 2.
A lot of mysteries solved here. My War was always an oddly produced record--very muffled and bottom heavy. And those weird ambient noises on "side 2" have now been solved. Also I always thought the "my-y war" part was Rollins coming in late on the vocal overdub, now I know. I wish he would've done this for every BF album he sang on. Maybe My War is the only one with an interesting story as it was their "comeback" album and also their new sound/line-up.
I too have the HEAT = BARF syndrome Heidi. It is the bane of my existence. The trick I use when no AC is putting frozen to icy bottles of water in my pits. It cools the blood. BTW, be careful, too much can put you in to shock. Stay cool.
that Fanzine kid clip, and the dude getting punched out clip....i never thought they were over-the-top or anything. Henry mighta gone a little harsh on him, but it doesn't matter if that kid was 16, or 20. if he wanted to be in that line of work he was not prepared, and that's on him. Bill Burr puts people like that to task all the time, and people eat it up! Bill Hicks would do it too. sure Henry was on the harsh side, but outside of the amazing Penelope Spheeris (Decline of Western Civilization) A LOT of reporters at the time just didn't do their research, and didn't care, and it showed that they were not giving the same respect to artists like Iggy Pop and Lee Ving as they were to artists like Michael Jackson and Bono. i don't think that clip would've happened now. not just Henry losing that intensity or anything, but i mean compare that Fanzine kid to Sean Evans on Hot Ones. it doesn't matter to him if it's Beyonce, or Kyrie Irving, or Henry, or some youtube loser, he's going into that interview ready walk his guest through stupid hot wings, and go in for the deep dive questions, maintaining composure all the way through. journalism in the 21st century has elevated to where that Fanzine shit doesn't really happen. how many times do you see that Newsroom clip? certainly no His Girl Friday.
the songs on my war are fantastic, the production is too subdued and muted for the music., its clear, yeah, bit the sounds lacks the dynamics of the music and the performances. the explosive songs should sound explosive and the heavy songs should sound heavy, but they dont.
MY WAR was a great album, as far as lyrics and music, but Spot fucking buried everything. The engineering on it was terrible, sounded like shit. But the song writing was awesome
