Live performance is crucial to punk music more than any other genre. You can listen to records and read fanzines, but you can’t grasp punk music’s vitality unless you’ve stood in a packed room, sweating and yelling. Henry Rollins, former Black Flag leader, knows that live shows can make or break a punk band. Rollins can probably list the best punk artists.
Henry Rollins, the intimidating frontman of West Coast punks Black Flag, is also a music nerd. Rollins appears to have matured from his days of organizing mosh pits and intimidating journalists. Today, he can be found browsing a record shop and praising The Clash to everyone who will listen.
Rollins often recounts his childhood in Washington D.C. in his charming punk rock rants. The US’s most vibrant local punk scene was likely in D.C. Harcore punk was born in the city, and Henry Rollins witnessed its growth. Rollins always loved The Cramps, having seen them many times with his close buddy Ian McKaye of Minor Threat, Fugazi, and Dischord.
The Cramps were a rarity in punk rock, transcending scenes and subgenres and staying in their own lane. The band was one of the best US punk live performers, known for their rockabilly and Americana. Rollins agrees, saying, “The Cramps – not only are the records amazing, but they’re one of the best live bands ever. Lux Interior was a lunatic brilliant singer.”
In 2016, Rollins spoke in San Francisco about his pre-Black Flag days in D.C., saying, “They used to come down to Washington D.C. because they knew that all 75 of us would show up at the small clubs they played,” adding, “To see The Cramps from that close up was magic, and terrifying.”
As a young man, Rollins saw The Cramps, which may have shaped his future as a punk frontman. Seeing Lux Interior in person must have been spiritually awakening. Rollins said, “Lux Interior was hairless and oily and cold to the touch,” because he often fell on me. He danced on the bar in his undies, punching ceiling panels. He would fall down, usually on me, and this salamander man would be on me.”
Interior was also known for his crazy onstage antics, including deep-throating a microphone and wearing little. He was the quintessential punk frontman and expert. Even Rollins could not match the energy and thrill of a Cramps concert during their long career.
1 comment
I love the Cramps and Henry is a 100 percent correct! They were one of the best bands live!!!!!