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Henry Rollins / Keith Morris

live in Washington, DC (2003)
Henry Rollins

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Chris
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on June 20th 2003

Before anyone says it, I know this isn't the real "Black Flag". I am well aware of the almighty Greg Ginn and how there is no Black Flag without him. That being said, the tour is a benefit and is not being billed as a "Black Flag show".

The 9:30 Club fucking rocks. Good medium sized venue, drinks are a little pricey, but eh, fuck it. A lot of good, larger name bands roll through, which is cool, because based on the smaller size of the 9:30, one would think most would opt for the larger capacity. So a good show at the 9:30 is a good show.

Q and Not U kicked the night off. Good set, and being the first time I had seen them, I was very impressed with the energy that goes into their live show. I don't own any albums, so don't ask me what they played. I was there for another reason.

The one downside to Q and not U opening was the opposition to the headliner. While both the music of Black Flag and QANU are experimental and abstract, one would think an opener for the music of Black Flag would have a much harder, intense, and brutal edge to it. No dice.

Keith Morris walked out on stage, proclaimed "Hi, we're the Rollins Band, My name is Keith" and jumped right into "Nervous Breakdown". The age, drinks and drugs can easily be seen in Keith's face, but not in his voice. Keith continued to crank out a few more Flag songs including "Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie", "Wasted"; and a few others that ain't coming to me right now.

After Keith walked off stage, there was a certain level of energy racing through the place. As the music for "Rise Above" began, the place erupted as Henry Rollins came on stage. But ole' Hank wasn't alone. By his side, singing backing vocals was Hank's old co-worker, and DC's favorite son, Ian MacKaye.

Further into the eve, the set consisted mostly of material from "Damaged", with the exception of "My War" and a few other miscellaneous songs. (no "Loose Nut", damn it)

In the encore, Hank opened with a brutal rendition of "Damaged I", which was shocking as I'd expect "Damaged II" would be a little more fan-friendly.

If Ian MacKaye is DC's favorite son, the red-headed stepchild would be Clutch's Neil Fallon. And to my shock, (I secretly suspected Ian's appearance) Neil made a brief appearance to do "American Waste". Off the hook.

In conclusion, shitty review. Great night.

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Anonymous (June 26, 2003)

Does he have any desire to do anything new in the "punk" community? What is his current relationship with Henry/Keith?

-sickboi

Anonymous (June 25, 2003)

Guess what guys, I'm interviewing Greg Ginn this weekend about the upcoming Black Flag shows, the future of SST records, and his other projects. Anything intelligent any of you want to ask?

housewrecker (June 24, 2003)

When I saw them in Philly, they covered Sheena is a Punk Rocker and Time Bomb. It was an amazing set...although I would've loved to see them with Ian.

Anonymous (June 23, 2003)

They did "Time Bomb" and another cover that I don't remember.....Hank said "Time Bomb" was one of those songs he always wished he'd written.

-sickboi

Anonymous (June 23, 2003)

the chicago show was sweet, hey sickboi did they play any ramones covers in D.C. cause they did 4 for us and gave a shout out to wesley willis with a rock on london, rock on chicago before launching into rockaway beach(?) one of the best shows ever
-moldy

TheOneTrueBill (June 22, 2003)

with GBH muthafucka! i'm so there

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

Keith leaves in july for a circle jerks tour.

melvyl (June 21, 2003)

if someone knows this, please fill me in...

the rollins band is touring europe next month and "playing black flag songs for the west memphis 3", does anyone know if this is the lineup it's going to be or is it going to be without keith?

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

Yeah, I guess not everyone can be nice and pretty like you.

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

Yeah, but does Rollins have a unibrow? On TV Party it looked like he did.

joeg (June 21, 2003)

i was at this show too. i guess i'll add a few things to the review. first, i was in the 2nd row so i was basically face to face with henry. i could see the beads of sweat dripping off his face i was so close. keith was fucking amazing. did all the first 4 years shit. starting off with nervous breakdown-the crowd just went insane. then after his 15 minutes, henry jumps right out and the crowd goes insane. 'rise above' starts and out of the corner of my eye, i see ian and the crowd erupts again. amazing peformance. if you missed this show, you missed a once in a lifetime chance. maybe not if you can see the l.a. show w/ greg, but this is as close as you're gonna get to the flag. best night of my life. here's the setlist:

Nervous Breakdown
Ive Had it
Depression
Wasted
Fix Me
No Values
Revenge
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Rise Above (w/ Ian )
Cant Decide
Room 13
Jealous Again
Thirsty and Miserable
TV Party
Ive Heard it Before
No More
Police Story
What I See
Black Coffee
Slip It in
Six Pack
My War
Damaged 2
American Waste (guy from clutch did it)
Modern Man
Time Bomb (Ramones Cover)

Anonymous (June 21, 2003)

It makes me extremely angry that I forgot about this tour, and that the show rolled through Detroit last night, on a night where I didn't have anything to do...

FUCK LIFE...

WEZ

funkisdead (June 21, 2003)

fuck yeah.

lieutenant (June 21, 2003)

Sickboi, upload all of your pictures somewhere online. I have no doubt that this show ripped. Of course I was not present, but I don't think many would argue. God, looking at Rollins and Ian on stage like that... The only word that really comes to mind is FIERCE. I do not care if that sounds lame.

sickboi (June 20, 2003)

That he did my friend, dropped to his knees and shit, I think I have a pic of it if you want.

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

Hey, sickboi, wuestion- Did Henry really go off on Damaged I like he does in the original? I know he fucked his throat up pretty bad, but did he finally belt out some snarls?

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

when i saw ian and henry together in that picture, i nearly creamed my jeans. holy shit, you lucky SOB.

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

that fucking picture is amazing. that alone gets a 10. man i wish iw ould've gone when they were in NYC.

Ramo

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

I just realized that MacKaye and Rollins have both aged really really well.

RyanTMurphy (June 20, 2003)

Am I the only one who can't read the beginning of the review because the picture is covering it?

joeg (June 20, 2003)

god you're idiots...its obvious henry is the one to the far left with the long hair playing guitar. geez, some people.....

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

which one's henry rollins?

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

"Is Rollins the one with the unibrow?"

well, he was the guy with the rifle near the end of "the New Kid"! p'sha!

inagreendase

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

To the dude below me:

I'm not usually one to get snobby like this. But if you can't recognize Henry Rollins in a picture, you really have no business being at this website.

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

Is Rollins the one with the unibrow?

fallingtopieces (June 20, 2003)

all i have to say is BAD BOYS 2. henry rollins WHAT!!

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

Rollins has really slimmed down...he's not the hulking msucle beast we once was, now he's rip and agile. I heard he quit power lifting due to the possibilty of a back injury. Just thought that was an interesting fact, I still don't know anyone who'd last 5 seconds in a fight with him though.

TheOneTrueBill (June 20, 2003)

Written as only sickboi could...

I'm starting to feel that me reviewing the Chicago show on saturday would be a little redundant. Damn. i was looking forward to writing something

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

Fuck! I saw this at Amoeba in LA back in Dec. and thought I had seen the best there is to offer. But now Hank comes out with Ian. Fucking nuts. Oh well, I get to look forward to Greg Ginn's Black Flag in Sept......I only hope Ginn get's it together well, as it is rumored Dukowski is not in and Keith is swaying. Maybe Rollins will decide to play a few more Cali shows, I hear the new rollins record is gonna slay.

Anonymous (June 20, 2003)

I saw this in Norfolk, VA last week. I wish I could follow this tour until it ends.