In a 9/5 interview Henry Rollins (Black Flag/Rollins Band) opened with a message for young people.
“I would hope all young people who can vote will do so. If they don’t get on it, a bunch of pasty old white men are going to do their best to create a world they won’t even be alive long enough to suffer through.”
Rollins, talking to music journalist Joel Gausten (posted on Joel Gausten.com), expanded on the theme.
“The young must take the power from the old at every possible opportunity. There’s no need to ever burn out — you just keep making things better with the understanding that most, if not all, established power structures are money-minded and that your health and happiness are not in their calculations.”
Later in the interview, Rollins voiced his concerns regarding today’s political climate.
“I’m not optimistic about the future of the USA as in its current concept and operation. From the Supreme Court to what’s happening on the street, you’re witnessing progress struggling against regression.”
Rollins, an author, radio host and a spoken-word artist quit making music nearly two decades ago. “One day, I woke up, and I didn’t have any more lyrics. I just had nothing to contribute to the form, and I was done with band practice and traveling in groups.”
