Henry Rollins: on the state of music today

[@MegaShiney99]

People who are too lazy to look for music say music is dead, Henry states the truth

[@mattmorgan-moriarty4445]

Yeah, the mainstream might suck more than ever but a little effort and you can find your niches and new stuff online so easily now. I'm always finding new music, or more accurately people can recommend me cool stuff all the time. People who act like they lived through the ONLY period of good music annoy the fuck out me, like they think they were the only generation to have any decent music rather than just it being busier than ever so you have to make an effort to search for the new stuff you like.

[@sharinglungs3226]

The problem is the more access to it you get the more overwhelmed I get by how much of it doesn’t appeal to me. It really is finding the needle in the hay stack. I wish I had less discerning taste in music.

[@edvardferand9934]

Yes, I'm 3 years late to this comment but it's something I have always said as well. There is more music available now with technology than ever. You just have to put in the work to look for it. When you find it, it's worth it.

[@peterhall8572]

He always does

[@peterhall8572]

@@mattmorgan-moriarty4445 I'm still going to ant nowhere league gigs

[@oli0808]

"Christian rock is there for you, if you lack courage and intellect" - Henry Rollins 2010

[@davidpahor862]

Phahahahahaah you fool Henry Rolins is a broken person who likes darkness and destruction. He is portreted as some kind of hero but let me tell you you metalheads or rockers. Your music may have courage but you are lost and broken and neurotic becouse you dont see salvation for your life and even if you will try as hard as you can in your death bad you will show how corageous you are by facing Jesus Christ with your sins and denying him through your life. Will you be like Henry Rollins or Kurt Cobain. Worship false idols and Satan wich gave himself to darkness becouse he cant face the light.

[@asderc1]

@@davidpahor862 now that really is a poor intellect. Serious lack of courage. You make me feel all sticky.

[@siklopz]

hail satan!

David Pahor what a fucking moron!

[@dickpigman5106]

@@davidpahor862 amen brother

[@JohnBarrylizard]

I always dug Henry's views. Right or wrong he seems genuine to me.

[@scottmichael9673]

genuing shill for the Demorats party. Henry's good at 2 things: talking and lifting weights, but he's old now. He shitted on Trump for marrying younger, yet he himself has never been married. Also talks up education but himself dropped out after 1 semester. That being said, America needs him more than they do Foo Fighters or Springsteen. Weight is also his finest work for music.

[@meavid]

Ultimately artists should be judged by their MUSIC, not how much money they have or how many fans they play to.

[@Zen-rw2fz]

The amount of fans is the judgement

[@YQN2149]

should they really be judged?

[@MrProsody]

I would listen to Henry Rollins talk about the state of peanut butter. He is so cool.

[@marksoquetjr4693]

He loves Peanut Butter

[@kingflame81]

Same. He's just that damn engaging.

[@mybraineatseverything7404]

OMG, totally! He's so amazingly observant and smart. One of my favorite quotes from him: "I'm unnervingly polite, but I'm also capably violent."

[@philkessel2735]

willl 88 you’re* seems like you’re the dumbass

[@isaacrossetti4257]

Yeah

[@gunstonlake1871]

I like when he does the Eddie Vedder/Fuel/Creed noise… Yeeeaaawwrrrhhhh

[@pietzsche]

IT's called a yarl :P

[@ronaldwaynevanzant3985]

bucky468 then you are what he’s talking about. Glad to see you here. 🖕😘🖕

[@dinocelikovic21]

Don't you dare compare eddie and pearl jam to those two shits, eddie was the first to do it and the only one who was really original, and the songs were amazing

[@Punkhawkyrtl]

He's defo not talking about Eddie Vedder.

[@jshock7912]

I love it when rockers I love throw out band names and I'm like "Oh my god! Who are they?" And I immediately get to go down a rabbit hole of great music that I just didn't know about.

[@Jeffro5564]

So true, that’s how it happen when I heard of Metallica and what inspired them and what inspired their heros

[@ZeMadCat]

I grew up playing at 17 (52 now) and when Henry was doing his thing I never got into it at all. But I did recognize the importance of it, the relevance to the people that "felt" it. Over the years, I have watched the music scene deteriorate pathetically. I listen to Henry now, and am at the least glad I recognized him and his genre as something raw and pure. So much todays youth could learn from him.

[@Budgetbomber]

ive been watching henry rollins interviews for like 3 hours this dude is the truth

[@bangsnap2651]

I wonder what Mr. Rollins thinks of this gender theory that’s prevalent in society today? I wonder what Mr. Rollins thinks of the government forcing its citizens to take an experimental drug in order to keep their job. I wonder what Mr. Rollins thinks of giving puberty blockers to little kids? I wonder what Mr. Rollins thinks of gender reassignment surgery?

[@giovannispinotti]

dear mr. rollins, as it often happened throughout your long career, you enlighten us. your words are refreshing and inspiring. we want more good music, better human beings, honest statements, true feelings.

[@barryg6622]

I agree with you Mr. Spinotti. I couldn't have said it better myself!!!

[@mrpoop608]

Judgemental pretentious ass-hat sums him up

[@radskankingskateboarder6325]

Punk Rock has some of the most Intelligent and interesting and unique people in the world.

[@__-wm9lu]

Like GG Allin.

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@HardkoresCorner punk punk and blink 182 is punk rock? Bro, dont think you have your labels right... I know what you mean, but blink 182 is what id say is more pop punk. I mean you look at a song like All the Small Things and compare it to My War with Henry on vocals, but definitely dont get me wrong that Blink 182 has some more pure punk songs like Hearts all gone

[@brsvideos8143]

I could listen to Henry talk about music all day.

[@aidanvinum]

Suicide was one of the first bands calling themselves "punk", and rightfully so. aaaaand they were electronic. Punk is an attitude, an approach. It's not punk just because you say it is. And just because it was once punk, doesn't mean it still is... cough cough

[@katinasvenska]

I remember them Frankie

[@ghostrid3]

I watch this video every month to get refocused, thx

[@haz1418]

his restaurant analogy is so true it hurts.

[@Squelch133]

Its jist quote after quote after quote. Love listening to Henry.

[@eileenmccarthy-wulf7006]

masterclass from Dr. Henry Rollins

[@kyzem86]

I can't believe how often I find myself coming back to this video of Henry. I do that each time I come across any new "smash hit song" and can't believe how garbage it is. It would be a dream come true to hand out with Henry and listen to records for an hour or two.

[@JustSomeDamnGinger]

I think this is what people fail to grasp. Yes, the popular music of today is shit, but popular music has almost always *been* shit. You can always find incredible music out there. And with the internet at your fingertips with thousands upon thousands of bands putting their shit online, there's no excuses besides pure laziness or stupidity for why you can't find good music.

[@CelestialWoodway]

+JustSomeDamnGinger Popular music has not always been shit. The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Neil Young etc, sold millions of albums.

[@ROOKTABULA]

There has always been mounds of shit in popular music but there were always a handful of great artists. The prob now is even MORE shit music but not comparatively more great art in popular music.

[@DevastatorJr]

It seems to come and go in waves, popular music will be shit for years and then out of nowhere a band or group of bands will break and all of a sudden the masses catch on and start liking them too. It's all about the music industry having their heads up their asses.

[@thomashesser710]

+CelestialWoodway and you know those artists 35 years later because they were the Exception, not the rule. They were Excpeptional because they had both commercial and critical success, which nearly never happens and is why you know them.

[@thomashesser710]

+CelestialWoodway and you know those artists 35 years later because they were the Exception, not the rule. They were Exceptional because they had both commercial and critical success, which nearly never happens and is why you know them.

[@thejesman]

Yes! Finally someone gets it! I've been trying to say this to people for years. Music isn't dead, it's not in danger or anything, it's just being released in a different way. The internet has had a tremendous effect on music today. You can't just turn on the radio and expect the radio to spoon feed you good music. You have to actually look for it. I know that's a pain in the ass sometimes, but if you really care about music, it's not going to be a problem to do it.

[@makeithurtful]

i don't typically care for henry's domineering opinions over everything, but I liked this because i can relate to it.

[@chrisbyars4422]

Henry Rollins is really intense, in his being, in everything he does. That’s why I like the man

[@fractalign]

Gotta love this dude, I was expecting a diatribe against the state of modern music, so glad he has the vitality to see the goodness in the modern age. There will always be timeless music being made !

[@ezandman6804]

Haatbaard - Bloedsnor ...plugging my own band here... Thank you Henry!

[@jclips3040]

Couldn't agree more with this dude!

[@jironthunder7519]

wow this always runs so deep, great video again!!! keep it going, don't stop the music!!!

[@williamgatesenson]

pretty sure the multi-platinum singer he's talking about is Anthony Kiedis. i've heard so many musicians use him as an example of someone who can't sing but the studios make it sound like he can.

[@chrissouthall411]

@@amremorse henry never stated he could sing.. he never needed to sing. they just needed to rock out

[@ryanamuck1087]

It's sad because rhcp used to be good...when they were less known and still on drugs! Just saying

[@DrB81]

I’ve heard him live. So out of tune. Ian brown as well. 🤦‍♂️

[@raggeragnar]

Born 1965. My uncle , one block over from us , played Stones , Sabbath & Zeppelin to the 7 year old me. Then I came across Ramones , Clash & Pistols who led me to Minor threat , Dead kennedys & Black flag. Onward came Peppers , Nirvana & RATM. Now , as a 52 year old fart , I love seeking out theese underground bands , completely outside the regular music industry. I guess it's never to late.

[@richardkey4289]

Same age here, I'm guilty of consuming some corporate ' product' music, but I think its best to try a bit of every thing, as opposed to being too exclusive; ( mainly into metal, but can listen to a bit of just about anything)

[@edfeltch]

When Henry's record came out on Dischord it was so great that Jello Biafra bought half of the second pressing and was like a Johnny Punkinseed planting it all over N.America.I got mine after a DK's show in Sprigfield,Mass.in 1981.SOA was a hardcore manifesto.

[@sublime12201]

He says what he wants.. gotta love that..

[@bluestate69]

Ok, who else thought he was going to blast the music of today!?

[@nathanpenick959]

He did. He said the corporate overproduced music that is shit. That doesn't men music as a whole is doing bad.

[@mcclendonreport]

Rollins is on point.

[@christurnblom4825]

Those last five words really summed it up. I gave him my friends album in 97' I think. They were much like 80's punk. All mono and stereo recorded live tracks mixed on audacity or some shit and burned in the same computer. He's probably been given a million cd's. I wonder if he collects them or just listens to them and chucks them?

[@1pcfred]

I have a promo copy of what I believe is Suicide's first album? It is some F-ed up shit. Now I have to see if anyone has uploaded Frankie Teardrop to KZbin.

[@SierraKilo9]

+Paul Frederick It's there ... a bit electro mate, but it's there ...

[@1pcfred]

SierraKilo9 Yes I found it.

[@sethwetzel974]

Henry I was impressed when you listed D.N.A. One of my favs for sure from back in the day.

[@karinjeffrey7981]

Three provinces over! Hello from Toronto!

[@merlin1997ish]

henry rollins for president

[@DGdescendant22]

Love him.

[@nickpelkey]

thanks for this. It's a very encouraging video. Most of my studio has come from goodwill or salvation army stores.

[@YQN2149]

it's so great when you buy a record online and you get your cd-r with a postcard saying "how the fuck did you hear about us? i've never shipped a cd that far away" :)

[@dathorndike4908]

I have rejected streaming and pay channels since they started. I only use and buy physical media. I am so grateful I have done that from the start because all this crap that is so popular with the masses today just sickens me in every way.

[@SlaysTheDay]

Henry's right, it's kinda going full circle.. he's describing Pink Floyd in the 60s and 70s, nobody knew what they looked like when Dark Side came out, they produced themselves, total originality and experimentation.. Henry's good with metaphors.

[@sloshvictim]

Thank you. Haven't seen Time Isn't On Your Side yet...I teared up man:)

[@plumjam]

Mr. Rollins wins hands down with "Mi-aise-ma".

[@SalAvenueNJ]

"I Tried To Help" HA-HA THAT'S FREAKIN' HYSTERICAL !!!!!

[@lokiverloren]

there is a whole scene that grew up out of the old amiga piracy pre-internet days of musicians, oddly enough every last one is categorised as 'industrial' or 'aggrotech' in some cases. the reason why i mention this is because the amiga and the floppy disk/bbs program exchanging network spanned the globe before anyone even heard the word 'internet', i remember when i got a cracked copy of deluxe paint 4, which was a beautiful piece of software, the installer proudly announced that the file had traveled across the atlantic (and then the indian, as is implied, since i was born and grew up in australia) actually, i think that particular one came straight across the pacific to someone in sydney. but it's the same pirate, fuck you anarchist innovative spirit. the kids who were my peers, most of them a little older than me, are now my musical idols, jan lehmkamper of x-fusion/noisuf-x and johan van roy of suicide commando. these two in particular BOTH started out making tracks on soundtracker or some other hacked derivative, and at that time, in the late 80s, i was 16 and i had an amiga 500 and i was trying my hand at making music and some of the pieces i was most proud of sounded very much the same, hey, at this time i had never even heard ministry. my music, that i made out of my desires and the sounds that turned me on had that same dark, ominous, cinematic incidental music, hard, relentless harsh sound, that i wanted to hear and tried to make for myself. with such fantastic tools available to anyone with a computer being sold new anywhere, you can make REAL shit. hell, who cares if you record it with a mobile phone mic. sadly, i never got out of the garage and showed it to many people and by that time the adult life was in full play and i've never been able to get back to it. simply because creativity needs a sense of almost limitless freedom, and i found myself in and made my own box more cosy than i meant to. well. that's life. but i am so glad to hear henry, who is an old hero of mine from precisely these times, affirming the almost invisible, highly ... well, i don't even know how to describe it... there is so freakin much good music going on these days even amongst genres that i generally hate or kinda feel is a bit over-played. it's always pleased me endlessly that henry has kept his edge although he's a lot more slick than he used to be now. i've never felt that he or my other and many others of those times jello biafra, ever have sold out. the one thing that i will say, however, is, that i think it's time for the edge to have another golden age. the punk/industrial/new wave days of the late 70s/early 80s have not yet been again re-reached. but i am optimistic, i think that we are in just exactly the kind of very dark, uncertain time that produces the kind of absolutely balls-out brazen got nothing to lose courage to spring forth. to me, music is central. to me, music is pre-linguistic, music is first emotion and second intellect. expression of emotions leads to resolution of problems through a period of disorder as people synchronise their emotional attachments to each other's inner worlds. this is why music is so important. music speaks to the inner child, even when nobody else is listening.

[@killmeiunironicallyenjoyru1771]

+Loki Verloren i love those guys. all the german shit man. i also love the whole tumblur wave thing and all the kids from chicago and they're drill music.

[@killmeiunironicallyenjoyru1771]

+Loki Verloren all shit based online.

[@S3CR3TL3V3LZ]

+Loki Verloren That gave me nostalgia for the SID chip. Love the revival of chiptunes atm. There's so much, and I love it.

[@jkrick13]

awesome clip, and bonus points for u2 slant!

[@corm1000]

jkrick13 Henry never liked U2, he has mentioned this before.

[@SuperDF118]

"Christian Rock is there for you. If you lack courage and intellect." Nice one Henry!

[@m.b.4164]

Not cool.

[@MrTehproworld]

I don't know why because I'm a big fan of those HUGE metal festivals, but for some reason the idea of basement tours turns me on too!

[@knutelindstrom3716]

I'm guessing he's referring to underground bands that could care less about "making it", bcuz they make music for the sake of music. Ppl go on about paying for mortgages, cars, insurance, etc.,& how it's silly that anyone would make music if they didn't want to get paid...well, I make music without expectations, but I also live on trash & don't have kids! I dumpster dive & groundscore everything I own, & I write songs just to get them out of my head-it took yrs just to be able to play in front of someone I know, let alone complete strangers. It's communication with the energy, & has nothing to do with impressing humans or gaining wealth. There's way too many ppl who seek fame & fortune, writing songs with only that goal in mind. That can go for anything though too, not just music! Once upon a time ppl had pride in what they did-money wasn't the only goal. There were ppl who wanted to make the best sandwich ever, & when I come across someone who really takes pride in their work, I thank them! Those are ppl who make a difference! Sure, there's a majority that could care less "welcome to blank, how may I help you?" just want my paycheck, but the rare exceptions bring hope-they also get picked on for it too, which is a shame bcuz it's almost like zombies trying to turn them into zombies too! I think I just now understand what the zombie thing is about...the sheeple! I didn't really "get it" before bcuz I thought zombies were boring, but that makes more sense now! Thanks Mr. Rollins! I now understand what the appeal to zombie movies & games is about!

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

As for people with money in mind when writing songs, first person I thought of was Adam Levine

[@malcolmnicoll1165]

Viva DIY Punk. Viva Henry Rollins!

[@miked4309]

music is so f'n good today. lots to choose from

[@MISTERMOODYHYADD]

I had a Black Flag skateboard back in 87-88. The Process of Weeding Out, deck.

[@celticbird2398]

My very first exposure to Henry Rollins was through his performance in Sons of Anarchy. Everytime I look at him, I see him as the neo nazi skin head he played in the show. It can't be unseen. Regardless, I think this fucking guy is awesome.

[@JChaos1120]

+Celtic Bird Wow! I knew and loved him before SoA, which made it kind of a challenge to watch. He's pretty legit though.

[@itsMrNoble]

Henry, the great generaliser and recounter of conversations that didn’t ever happen.

[@stevebrown2838]

That's rich coming from someone who has had multiple videos on MTV, has music for sale on itunes and has been on numerous magazine covers.

[@arthowardmusic3209]

He writes a column for the Australian edition of Rolling Stone.

[@JillianDominique]

But he’s still authentic

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@@JillianDominique if you hear his interview on Leno, he talks about how he describes selling out as making music for the sake of money vs making music for the sake of music. If he was a sellout, he'd be like Adam Levine, who if you trace his discography, tries to mimic what mainstream music is like in each of those years he released music. Henry called it quits for music a long time ago

[@phillipjordan3013]

You nuts bro. Rollins is authentic and has paid his dues

[@sharinglungs3226]

You missed his point. It’s about being authentic to the craft. Where it gets sold doesn’t matter if it doesn’t change your craft. Signing to a major will come with compromises so they can make money off your craft. Ultimately for these artists you have to grow up and make a living. The sad part is you can sell out completely and still be broke.

[@SpettroFamily]

This have to be the best and most accurate interview by Henry Rollins : he's basically talking about all the movement that started back in those days on MySpace : it was awesome and was 100% punk and DIY mentality - lot of incredible bands and creativity , it was fantastic - i was there since second one with my label and my music project and i could witness it all - i was doing CD-r , then cassette and then we tried to make vinyl again - you can laugh very hard at me but beleive me : to make a vinyl in 2010 you had to be mad, cause no one was buying vinyl anymore, not at all - so vinyl start again : some years later, all the majors smell the buisness and they start repress vinyl again - and all the vinyl press got busy and vinyl had an huge, amazing comeback - and the rest is history

[@badcanadian]

Province? This video shot in Canada?

[@katb4316]

Mr. Rollins is great. I love to hear him speak.

[@tomkat69pc]

wonder, if he's still listening to "einstuizende noibauden" ..

[@mattasticmattattack8546]

As someone who has been in the food industry for a decade and a half i love that reference and linguini and tuna fish sandwiches

[@stanlindert6332]

I was into metal... Than I heard punk. I like tunes that are real burners.

[@sjewitt22]

I agree with what he says, just think it's a shame a lot of young people don't get to know quality music scenes anymore. not to the scale of before and that could be damaging politicaly.

[@richmoreno9938]

He starts off by saying music of today is alive and well, but ends up talking about bands from the pre-internet era, using old technology and recording techniques, etc. which was better in my opinion. Having access to 100k + bands at your fingertips via internet has killed music. It’s killed the mystique and thirst for live music because there’s too much of it now.

[@Morra5472]

This interview is over 10 years ago and things have changed drastically so take it with a pinch of salt.

[@CobaltTheCrusader]

I'm not really a fan of Rollins as a musician, but as a person is becoming one of my all-time favorite people. From Big-Think to Wrong Turn-2, Rollins is just a an intelligent and very optimistic guy.

[@apachedisco]

Everyuthing good died in the 90's/.

[@Jcrash71]

Facts

[@TaxinGigs]

Incorrect

[@OliverWrist]

Right on, as always! I just wish more people could relate to Henry's honest observations. I feel this is an accurate snapshot.

[@ryan49er1]

His opinion is a little biased considering his personality and background. He's going to almost always hate anything that is widely accepted and not underground. Not that he is wrong but I can see where people would disagree.

[@vwharman]

The people who say music is dead are talking about an industry that made celebrities for a long time, and they bemoan that they won’t make another star to make a fortune of. Music won’t go away.

[@MurphysJif]

Pitch correction. The ultimate destroyer.

[@strangebrew1231]

This should be re titled the state of music in 2010

[@1suaveguy]

i'm not a rock fan at all, but i saw a pretty big named rock band live recently and they all looked like fashion models! i literally thought to myself "is this what rock bands look like now?" the crowd loved them though, knew all the lyrics...he's dead on though, rock stars use to look like the anti-establishment, now they kinda look too clean!!

[@ethanmercado4105]

+0LolaLola probably some shit like Panic @ The Disco

[@1suaveguy]

Ethan Mercado ha! That's exactly who it was

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@@1suaveguy are they even considered rock? I thought they were a pop rock band...with that singer, moreover on your clean look comment, I've always considered them more pop than rock

[@1suaveguy]

@@SomeRandomHobo44 what's the counter though? seriously right now who is the metal or just straight rock band that's on their level. Also at the time i posted this was viewing them up close from behind the stage, they were playing their own instruments, looked like a rock band to me.

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@@1suaveguy counter...? And level...? What does that have to do with my question of if they were more pop than rock? And er, just cause a group plays instruments doesn't make them automatically a rock band. Think that's a definite misconception most people have, as an example of like Maroon 5. People think they're a rock band since they play instruments, but they've publicly stated they're a pop band, not a rock band.

[@amyevans1118]

Thank you Henry Rollins for telling it like it is. Well said.

[@90sgrunge1]

The music just sucks today I can't even listen to the radio but even searching internet knowing people who love same kind of music I like they say " ehh this band is good or okay" but far and few between. Even Rollins band would scare half the 20 year old college kids if they were playing at a bar. Maybe it's just a long dry spell . But since 2000 rock music of all types as far as new bands sounds soft.

[@kekelaward]

Check out Maximum the Hormone.

[@GregLynn]

Every no and then, I go on Myspace and just search RANDOM WORDS and whatever band or song comes up, I listen to it. It's GREAT. and ENDLES!!!!!!

[@deathlarsen7502]

LMAO the music industry is so in the toilet.

[@tranglomango]

Johnny Weasils he probably agrres with you if he considers POP music. But I think he mentions bands only. idk. I agree with you, but in terms of alternative genres such as punk and metal for instance, I think they are doing well

[@BlemishesNow]

George Spiggot music = better than ever Music industry = worst than ever

[@rbagel55]

I don't know, it is a matter of opinion. I am and old fart, i am 52. Hard rock and Classic and early thrash metal is what I grew up on. But when I talk to high school age kids today-I find out that most of them listen to hip hop or rap or that new pop shit, you know that shit that is made with computers and autotuned vocals. Meaning that you don't really sing in tune like you did in past times How about that, you don't really have to have talent or know how to play and instrument really well to make it in music nowadays. See that was a requirement back in the 70's & 80's, going downhill. I will have to disagree with you, the music is worse than ever. Most of the rappers lyrics glorifies gang culture. It is talentless low IQ SHIT, and the Ameican music industry needs to be detroyed !!

[@timmbrockmann959]

Exactly, I hate it when people confuse "music" with "music industry"..

[@zachary_attackery]

doing well? working part time at mcdonalds between tours and losing money on every tour is considered doing well?

[@LouieV6]

You know what else makes America so great? the freedom to express our opinions whenever and however we're pleased to do so.

[@DavidEitle]

I love Henry but U2's 80s output was great.

[@SalAvenueNJ]

Who thinks The Who's "Long Live Rock" should be playing behind this ?

[@richardkey4289]

Ha.that song has been stuck with n my head for about a month now, it rises up, then fades, then rises back up.not sure how / why. - did Pete's birthday just roll by or something....?

[@tawmbout]

the internets

[@specialk3460]

I'm gonna start a band soon. Honestly, I'd love to do small shows. I kinda joked with my friends, "Aim to get as big as Nirvana so we can get as big as "The Gizmos" (a local band we love). Local shows just seem more fun because they're more up close and intimate.

[@rshowe2]

Love the Creed/Nickleback voice...cracked up. You know I/we love and live the DIY spirit, but Henry is not taking into account that "real" Bands cannot Afford to release CD-Rs and tour "basements" without having a Real job; one that would force music as a career out of one's life. Technology has made it cheaper but maintaining a band costs big money. If you want to be a pop/rock musician as an actual Career, you have to tour larger venues than basements and you have to get your music heard by more than cassette sharers. Love the idea, but any musician trying to make a living doing it knows this video is kinda bs. Yeah, Rollins can say these things now bc his name is now a brand. His whole argument is based on the benefits as a consumer of music as opposed to a producer of music. That's the conundrum regarding "the state of music today."

[@CraigReviews]

Myself and everyone at The Music Mag supports Henry and his opinions. The internet has helped so many musicians get out there and be heard, rather than a label selecting a few that they want to be pushed. What I love about lesser known bands is that most of them love playing live, don't digitally edit their tracks too much, and just love the music!!

[@humanrays]

This is why I roll my eyes every time a 14-year-old says "I hate my generation's music! I miss the good old days!"

[@tonymarshall3978]

oh thank god I was terrified from the title he was going to say the same typical "back in my day" but I forgot he was smart enough man to know music lives. the rumours of its death have been grossly exaggerated

[@scottsmith8162]

Henry Rollins is an elitist and is not nearly as intelligent as he thinks he is. Similar to Maynard James Keenan.

[@voitlung]

I agree with him, but I also agree with you

an elitist??? because he developed his own opinion?!

[@azastas4516]

Why is he a elitist? Why?

[@MrJommins]

amen brother.

[@RebelThoughts82]

Nickelback is hands down the worst band to ever exist. Nothing is worse.

[@MsBoo253]

Thank you.

[@RebelThoughts82]

Cara Victoria You're welcome beautiful.

[@jp0005jp]

Search ''De Toppers'' that is worse :P

[@edgarallanhoe-w2s]

Maroon 5 , 30 seconds to mars , U2 , Coldplay I can go on and on

[@vaquita7389]

RebelThoughts82 puddle of mudd are so much worster

[@nachoxsupreme1444]

This still holds true to the date

[@TommyMcPhail]

WWHRD?

[@zackspaulding]

He's got a good point there, well said Mr Rollins!

[@joshmartins560]

I respect Rollins ..but he comes across as a crotchety, "back in my day" dink in this clip.

[@mr.antaeus5730]

I can see where you're coming from, but you can't say that rock and metal music contains even a fucking fraction of the talent that bands like Sabbath, Maiden, Megadeth, early Metallica, or any great metal bands have. Technology has killed the talent it takes to make great music and in turn, technology has killed the inspiration kids have to be the best musicians they can be

[@90sgrunge1]

It was just different back then. The kids these days will never get to experience great punk rock live or heavy hard jazz hitting rock like Rollins band. Janes addiction members say the exact same thing.

[@motherfinestudios]

I don't see that on this one. Isn't the beginning of this video based on Rollins just praising the fuck out of what the internet is doing for the musicians who are for some time now launching their albuns on CDRs or something? To me this is kind of pretty close to the zeitgeist of a lot of talented people who are currently advancing the art.

[@Narumi4918]

Christian Joy Absolutely not. In my opinion, if anything, modern music, ESPECIALLY metal, is the most technical and experimental it has ever been BECAUSE of the advent of technology. Basically; shits heavy and techy bruh

[@jimmytheblaze]

i had this argument way back in 2000 when I said that the internet and downloading is the best thing ever to happen to music, think positive. And the reply ? " oh but the artist will suffer and blah blah blah etc. "The only one's suffering are the big labels,and they don't have an interest in the music, for them it's money. Now, in 2013,a kid, sitting in his room, playing his guitar, 100 miles from the nearest studio can do it all himself --- youtube is a blessing folks, downloading is a gift.

[@dizocilpine]

when the electric guitar was introduced it was not considered real music, when punk came along it was not considered real music, leave my drugs and electronic music out of it henry. notpunk/10 although he was dead on the money about pearljam/creed

[@Soulreaper152]

Electronic music is total shit and drugs are bad, You are the one that is wrong.

[@bananacar4779]

Soulreaper152 Hey,"Soul Reaper":You sound like a brainwashed God believing robot.

[@dizocilpine]

Soulreaper152 2punk4me

[@TardyMoments]

whitewiddoww Although electronic music is shit...

[@horatiolampjaw8576]

Matt Hartley idm and noise. that's your answer. electronic music is not shit.

[@rigohook1160]

I wanna hear a compilation from his collection now. I'd love to discuss with this guy about the specifics of todays music.

[@Kendall2001]

If Henry Rolllins thinks the state of the music industry and rock music industry in general is "alive and well" he's deluded. We don't even make rock stars in America anymore! All the bands that can draw the biggest crowds at their concerts are the same bands that were the biggest bands of the 1970's and 1980's. What hard rock bands have come along since the 1980's can draw as big a crowd as Metallica or Guns 'n Roses? And those guys are in their 50's! It's next to impossible for musicians to even male a living as rock musicians anymore because the industry is on its ass.

[@bananacar4779]

He wasn't talking about their fucking salaries,he's referring to the creative energy.If you think music is about being a "star",I would fucking hate to see your record,or sorry,cd collection.

[@Kendall2001]

Rock music is in worse shape right now than it ever has been since rock and roll was invented. There is no money in it! Most bands can't even afford to tour. The only ones that can draw a good sized crowd are bands from the 60's, 70's and 80's when we had a successful rock music industry. What rock band has come along in the last 20 years that can draw as big a crowd as Metallica? Nobody! And Metallica has been around for over 30 years! Imagine that. It's been 30 years and there still hasn't been a rock band to come along since then that can outdraw them, Van Halen, Aerosmith, KISS, The Rolling Stones or any of the other rock legends. If you don't care about money, if you can't understand it takes money to live, you're delusional too.

[@Simma7]

Kendall2001 I'm just going to assume you're trolling. If not, you missed the point entirely.

[@kennethwilliams7337]

I agree, but that does not mean people should stop creating it. Get a day job if you have, but never stop creating if you love it.

[@SomeRandomHobo44]

@@Simma7 I would also like to second the troll suspicion

[@SpaceAce1993]

Tell it like it is my man.

[@Crackmandan]

Christian rock lacking intellect? Audio Adrenaline's album Underdog is quintessentially the 90's rolled up in one fantastic album. I dare say there are anthems in that album that will be ignored solely based on the fact that IT IS Christian. I started to agree with Rollins up until he said the above then he lost me. I know non-Christians who loved that album because it was good! Does Rollins realize that in U2’s infancy the band were going to be missionaries? Songs like Streets With No Name is about Heaven. I don’t claim to know where Bono or the rest of the bands heart lay now but I can assure you of their past and it was most certainly Christian.

[@thatstheguy07]

One hundred and ten people gave this a thumbs down?

[@Kendall2001]

Rollins is absolutely ignorant about the internet's effect on music. Ever since the internet and the illegal downloading that has proliferated because the internet made it easy for even a child to do and get away with it, 95% of the record companies have gone bankrupt. The record companies that are left have no money for artist development. That means that if a band doesn't sell very well with their first or second album, they'll lose their contract and have to do something else besides being a musician for a living. If that had been the state of the music industry in the 1970's, do you realize how many great bands never would have made it? Today we wouldn't have the classic albums Pink Floyd made because Pink Floyd would have lost their record contract. They didn't start seeing well until The Dark Side Of The Moon album which was their seventh album! The same would have happened to Queen because they also didn't start selling a lot of albums until their sixth or seventh album. Pink Floyd and Queen are just a couple examples of bands that would never have made it if the music industry had been in as bad shape then as it is now. There are plenty more legendary, incredibly talented rock bands that also wouldn't have made it.

[@SuperSquishface]

+Kendall2001 Yet me & everyone involved in music that I know couldn't care less.

[@Kendall2001]

The Joker That's because none of you have music careers.

[@SuperSquishface]

Kendall2001 I don't? The studio fired me, thanks for telling me=(

[@AnotherRandomPoser]

+Kendall2001 I think a lot of the bands he is referring to are simply happy that their music is being listened to. They do it for the music, the scene, and the fans, not the money.

[@Kendall2001]

PunkInDrublic98 Playing in a band is a great hobby to have. It's a lot of fun. Being a professional musician is a very different situation though. If you're professional that literally means it is your job; playing in a band is your profession. For professional musicians, the "rather be heard than paid" ethos is not applicable. We professional musicians above all else must be payed for our work because we would literally die if we didn't get paid at least enough to pay for the basic necessities of life. It costs money to live!