Unlike protocol, they have a good sound with a rich volume, and quite bright lights. Just goes to show that a main act doesn’t need to hold the support down. The five-headed band shows a lot of energy, especially the bass and guitar players. Just when I want to label them as ‘Nu-Metal’, the last song ‘Jaded’ shows a longwinded and almost psychedelic side, with the guitar as focus.

Throughout their performance the crowd increases rapidly and so does the applause. Quite rightly. After they were done I grabbed the set list, to get more information but things like ‘new drum & bass’ and ‘Untitled’ didn’t make any sense to me.

Rollins Band
First time I saw Henry Rollins live was on a festival, with my only acquaintance his song ‘Liar’; a monument of lyricism. During that performance I was drawn closer and closer to the stage, until I was close enough to feel his breath. Man, was I impressed by this outburst of energy. All anger, but so focussed and well considered. The years that followed I visited his shows whenever I could. Two years ago in Paradiso (Amsterdam), I saw Mother Superior as the smashing support act of the Rollins Band.

Henry Rollins himself must have been impressed by their performances, because he asked the band to play with him on this tour. In opener ‘Disconnect’ it’s already clear that this is not a Henry Rollins act with a coupe of musicians: they perform like a unity. His respect for these musicians is shown by his interaction with all of the guys during the show.

And they really seem to enjoy playing the Rollins songs. Although the songs bear resemblance to the album versions, there is certainly a personal edge to it. Especially from guitar player Jim Wilson, who has the looks of a rookie, with his big cowboy hat, bright lights in his eyes and his face supporting his fingers in his play. This guy obviously loves to play and he knows how to do it. Most of the songs tonight are from the albums ‘Get some go again’ and ‘Nice’.

Bass player Marcus Blake is introduced to us as a nice, friendly smiling, easy going guy (exactly how he appears on stage). But he has a dark side: ’Marcus has evil in him’. How convenient! Good to hear that all his evil comes out through his fingers: man, this guy knows how to handle a bass. Through headbanging, fast bits he is giving all the songs a funky base. Pulled back into the straight and heavy by drummer Jason MacKenroth. A splendid combination! Like the songs have more depth, sound fuller.

Henry Rollins himself repeatedly mentions people who talk a lot, but don’t say anything. That doesn’t go for his introduction of ‘Thinking Cap’: a marvellous statement that it doesn’t matter what clothes you wear, if you put on make up, pierce your face, choose good looking friends: in the end we all get altitude sickness. When you are on the top you’re getting lonely. I know. But on the top of the food chain you’re most likely to get killed. Because it’s all on the outside.

More important is your animal instinct; that’s the only thing to keep you alive. Strength. I really wish I had a recording memory, to put the words down exactly the way he tells em and give em the same impact. Seeing this brutal chunk of muscles talking about animal instinct and strength easily puts you on the wrong foot.

But this audience knows what he’s talking about. Rollins has a clan of admirers who visit his shows frequently, put an extra aspect to it. There’s no modus. Every person is different and has an individual way of experiencing. Some guys are trashing, some shout along with the lyrics on the top of their longs, some just stare at the stage and this time a guy in a baggy outfit is even doing gabber dance passes on the bas rhythms. Great!

The venue is far from sold out and the people inside don’t tear the roof of when the band leaves after an hour, but it’s enough for an encore.
‘Stop Look And Listen’, ‘Too Much Rock & Roll’, and finally Rollins’ version of the Thin Lizzy evergreen ‘Are you ready?’, also found on ‘Get some go again’, sang along by the audience.

When the band leaves the stage I realize that I don’t have this elevated feeling that usually gives me the high after his concerts. Is it because I’m quite blasé, or, like someone from the audience said: Rollins is getting old; lost his energy?

I agree that Henry Rollins didn’t show the explosion of energy that used to draw me to his performances. I think he has lost the sharp edges. He has so many things that occupy him, so many forms to express himself, so many ways to educate his spiritual sense; there’s no need for his anger anymore…. There’s no point. His energy is focussed on more activities, not just the stage. More like: Seen it, done it, time for something new.

And that’s exactly what I felt. I admire Henry Rollins as an artist, as a personality, but I have to be honest in saying that his lyrics, cynicism and his spoken word on the whole, have more appeal to me. So why a large review like this? Because it gives enough room to as much photographs as possible!

Setlist Disconnect On the day  Up for it  What`s the matter man  Tearing  Illumination  Hotter and hotter  Monster  One shot  Going strange Marcus has evil in him  We walk alone

Starve  Thinking cap  Get some go again  Your number is one  Encore: Stop Look And Listen Too Much Rock & Roll  Are you ready (Thin Lizzy)

(Review & Pics: Marcia Gransbergen)