Henry Rollins on Reading, Writing, and Global Journeys

Resources

Books

• "Open Up and Bleed" by Paul Trynka - A biography of Iggy Pop and The Stooges, which Rollins rereads annually for refresh on the band's history.
• "Today I Wrote Nothing" by Daniil Kharms - A collection of absurdist short stories by the Russian writer, noted for its violence, humor, and critique of societal norms.
• "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov - Mentioned as an example of Russian literature that had to be hidden, with a discussion of its various translations.
• "Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck - A classic American novel that Rollins read in high school and found compelling.
• "The Pearl" by John Steinbeck - Another work by Steinbeck that Rollins read in high school.
• "The Red Pony" by John Steinbeck - Another work by Steinbeck that Rollins read in high school.
• "Tortilla Flats" by John Steinbeck - Another work by Steinbeck that Rollins read in high school.
• "Salem's Lot" by Stephen King - A Stephen King novel that Rollins found captivating as a teenager.
• "The Stand" by Stephen King - A Stephen King novel that Rollins enjoyed for its length and gripping narrative.
• "Joseph Wambaugh books" - A collection of crime novels by a former cop, which Rollins and his friend Ian read extensively as teenagers.
• "Last Exit to Brooklyn" by Hubert Selby Jr. - A seminal work of gritty realism that influenced Rollins and led to a friendship with the author.
• "Black Spring" by Henry Miller - A book Rollins wished he had discovered earlier in his youth.
• "Rimbaud" (Specific work not mentioned, but collection implied) - French poet whose work Rollins encountered in his 20s and found influential.
• "Baudelaire" (Specific work not mentioned, but collection implied) - French poet whose work Rollins encountered in his 20s and found influential.
• "Artaud" (Specific work not mentioned, but compendium implied) - French writer and theorist whose work Rollins encountered in his 20s.
• "Hawk Moon" by Sam Shepard - A compilation of early works by Sam Shepard that Thurston Moore lent to Rollins.
• "Boy in the Air" by Don Bajema - A book published by Rollins' imprint, 2.13.61, which he considers one of their best works.
• "King Ink, Volumes 1 and 2" by Nick Cave - Books published by Rollins' imprint, 2.13.61.
• "Go Tell the Mountain" by Jeffrey Lee Pierce - A lyric book by the Gun Club, co-created with Rollins.
• "Openers" by Roky Erickson - A book of lyrics by Roky Erickson, published by Rollins' imprint.
• "The Consumer" by Michael Gira - A book by Michael Gira of Swans, published by Rollins' imprint.
• "Lost in the Future" (Stooges book) - A Stooges book that Rollins found very interesting and difficult to find.
• "Shadow of the Sun" by Ryszard Kapuściński - A collection of writings about Africa by the Polish journalist.
• "Another Day of Life" by Ryszard Kapuściński - Another work by Kapuściński focusing on Africa.
• "Imperium" by Ryszard Kapuściński - A book by Kapuściński about Russia and the Soviet prison camp system.
• "The Man-Eaters of Kumaon" by Jim Corbett - A book about tiger hunting in India.
• "M Train" by Patti Smith - A book by Patti Smith that Rollins found captivating.
• "F Train" by Patti Smith - Another book by Patti Smith that Rollins enjoyed.
• "Mysteries" by Knut Hamsun - A novel by Knut Hamsun that Henry Miller recommended.
• "Of Time and the River" by Thomas Wolfe - A novel by Thomas Wolfe that deeply resonated with Rollins.
• "Look Homeward, Angel" by Thomas Wolfe - A novel by Thomas Wolfe that Rollins found compelling.
• "Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan, and Bin Laden, from the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001" by Steve Coll - A dense, informative book about the CIA's involvement in Afghanistan.
• "Presidential biographies" (Specific biographies not named) - Rollins reads presidential biographies to understand American history and leadership.
• "Chalmers Johnson books" (Specific titles not named) - Works by Chalmers Johnson discussing America's global overreach.
• "History of Ska" (Book by Johnny?) - A highly reviewed book about the history of ska music.
• "I Would Die for You" (Gerald Short Stories) - A collection of short stories by Gerald.
• "You're Not Welcome Here" - A book about three women journalists in Vietnam.
• "Fire in the Lake" by Frances FitzGerald - A book about the Vietnamese perspective of the Vietnam War.
• "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens - A novel Rollins and his mother read together.

Videos & Documentaries

• "Endless Beauty" (Sci Fi video) - A video recommended by the podcast's sponsor, Sci Fi Fantasy, to be watched before or after the episode.

Research & Studies

• "The Stooges" (Band) - Discussed for their historical significance in rock music.
• "The Velvet Underground" (Band) - Mentioned as another influential band from the same era as The Stooges.
• "Jimi Hendrix Experience" (Band) - Mentioned as another influential band from the same era as The Stooges.
• "Cream" (Band) - Mentioned as a band to compare against The Stooges in a hypothetical "gym team" scenario.
• "Led Zeppelin" (Band) - Mentioned as a band to compare against The Stooges in a hypothetical "gym team" scenario.
• "The Rolling Stones" (Band) - Mentioned as a band to compare against The Stooges in a hypothetical "gym team" scenario.
• "The Beatles" (Band) - Mentioned as a band to compare against The Stooges in a hypothetical "gym team" scenario.

Tools & Software

• Walkman - A personal cassette player that was a significant accomplishment for band members to afford during the Black Flag days.
• Zoom chat - Software Rollins can now figure out how to use.

Articles & Papers

• "The New York Times" - A publication Rollins' mother read voraciously.
• "The New Yorker" - A publication Rollins' mother read voraciously.
• "Washington Post" - A publication that reviewed books, influencing Rollins' mother's reading choices.
• "Wikipedia" - Mentioned in the context of misinformation about Ian MacKaye's death.

People Mentioned

• Henry Rollins - The guest and author, musician, radio host, and actor.
• Jesse Pearson - The host and founder of Apology magazine.
• Ian MacKaye - Lifelong best friend of Henry Rollins, musician, and reference for reading habits.
• Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Musician from The Gun Club, whose books were published by Rollins' imprint.
• Nick Cave - Musician, whose books were published by Rollins' imprint.
• Daniil Kharms - Russian absurdist writer.
• Mikhail Bulgakov - Russian writer, author of "The Master and Margarita."
• Pivar and Volokonsky - Translators of Russian literature.
• Tony Hisacotes - A writer whose work is described as insightful and potentially risky.
• Jeff Gold - Co-writer of the forward for a new edition of "Total Chaos."
• Iggy Pop - Musician, subject of biographies and discussions.
• Iris - Rollins' mother, who taught him to read and fostered a love of books.
• Paul - Rollins' father.
• Pearl Bailey - Singer who performed in "Hello Dolly."
• Richard Kiley - Actor who performed in "Man of La Mancha."
• Gorvidall - Mentioned in relation to correspondence with Ian MacKaye's mother.
• Shane - Mentioned in relation to Ian MacKaye's reading habits.
• Lydia Lunch - Musician and writer, who influenced Rollins' reading and introduced him to other writers.
• Thurston Moore - Musician, who shared reading recommendations with Rollins.
• Sam Shepard - Poet, writer, screenwriter, and actor.
• Hubert Selby Jr. - Author whose work influenced Rollins, leading to a friendship.
• Mr. Klinger - Rollins' English teacher who encouraged his reading.
• James Joyce - Author whose work Rollins found intellectually challenging.
• Camus - Author whose work Rollins encountered.
• Henry Miller - Author whose work influenced Rollins.
• Rambo - Mentioned as an author Rollins wished he had read earlier.
• Baudelaire - French poet mentioned as an influence.
• Don Bajema - Writer whose work Rollins published and admired.
• Liz - Alan Vega's wife, who collaborated on a book with Rollins.
• Jeffrey Lee Pierce's mom - Collaborated on the "Go Tell the Mountain" book.
• Rocky Erickson - Musician whose lyrics were compiled into a book by Rollins' imprint.
• Butthole Surfers members - Assisted in transcribing Roky Erickson's lyrics.
• Michael Gira - Musician and writer, whose book "The Consumer" was published by Rollins' imprint.
• Ryszard Kapuściński - Polish writer and foreign correspondent whose work on Africa and Russia deeply influenced Rollins.
• Tad Nahaizi Coates - Mentioned as a writer alongside Kapuściński.
• Michel Welbeck - French writer recommended by Kapuściński.
• Mick Geyer - Writer for the United Nations who recommended Kapuściński to Rollins.
• Mahmoud - A Tuareg guide Rollins traveled with in Mali.
• Jim Corbett - British writer and tiger hunter in India.
• Lemmy - Musician from Motörhead, who exchanged books with Rollins.
• Matthew Bruccoli - Biographer of F. Scott Fitzgerald.
• Maxwell Perkins - Editor for F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe.
• Eugene Gant - Fictional character in Thomas Wolfe's novels, representing Wolfe himself.
• Brenda Venus - Recipient of letters from Henry Miller.
• Francis Croll - F. Scott Fitzgerald's last secretary.
• Patti Smith - Musician and writer whose books Rollins admires.
• Dylan Thomas - Poet known for his struggles with alcohol and his association with certain bars.
• Diamond de Gallos - Vocalist and intellect who gifted Rollins a translation of Rimbaud.
• Colonel Kurtz - Fictional character from "Apocalypse Now," compared to Rimbaud's African experiences.
• Norman Mailer - Author who famously stated he doesn't read books, he writes them.
• Rachel Maddow - Television host and author whose books Rollins has read.
• Johnny - Mentioned as someone who sent Rollins a book on the history of ska.
• Gerald - Author of "I Would Die for You."
• Lawrence O'Donnell - Television host.
• Ian MacKaye's brother's wife - An intelligent person who recommends books to Rollins.
• Lally - Mentioned in relation to reading "Fire in the Lake."

Organizations & Institutions

• Apology magazine - The magazine founded by the podcast host.
• 2.13.61 - Rollins' publishing imprint.
• SST Records - A record label Rollins was involved with.
• Discord Records - A record label founded by Ian MacKaye.
• Patreon - A platform for supporting creators.
• Substack - A platform for newsletters and essays.
• Sci Fi Fantasy - Sponsor of the episode.
• YouTube - Platform where the Sci Fi Fantasy video is available.
• Oberiu - A Russian absurdist and futurist literary movement.
• United Nations - Organization where Mick Geyer worked.
• City Lights Books - Independent bookstore and publisher that showed interest in publishing Don Bajema's books.
• Impulse! Records - A jazz record label known for its curated releases.
• Lollapalooza - A music festival where Rollins had a day off in New York.
• The Gun Club - Band of Jeffrey Lee Pierce.
• The Birthday Party - Band of Nick Cave.
• The Bad Seeds - Band of Nick Cave.
• Suicide - Band of Alan Vega.
• Angels of Light - Band associated with Michael Gira.
• The Stooges - Band discussed extensively.
• The Velvet Underground - Band mentioned for comparison.
• Jimi Hendrix Experience - Band mentioned for comparison.
• The Minutemen - Band released on SST Records.
• The Meat Puppets - Band released on SST Records.
• Hüsker Dü - Band released on SST Records.
• Hawkwind - Band mentioned in relation to signing albums for Lemmy.
• Motörhead - Band of Lemmy.
• The White Horse Tavern - A bar where Dylan Thomas may have sought inspiration.
• The Chelsea Hotel - A famous hotel known for its literary and musical history.
• The Fillmore - A renowned music venue.
• Whiskey a Go Go - A famous music venue.
• The Temptations - Musical group mentioned in relation to Whiskey a Go Go.
• The Lords Resistance Army - Mentioned in the context of children abducted in Africa.
• University Press - Type of publisher for academic and specialized books.
• City Lights - Mentioned as an impressive imprint.
• The Orange Peel - A music venue in Asheville.
• The Wolfe Estate - Organization managing Thomas Wolfe's home and legacy.
• The Commissar Vanishes - A book about art and censorship in the Soviet Union.
• The CIA - Mentioned in relation to Rollins' reading interests.
• MSNBC - Television news channel.
• CNN - Television news channel.
• A-Cashick - A book publishing imprint that Rollins admires.

Websites & Online Resources

• patreon.com/apology - The Patreon page for the Apology podcast.
• substack.com (under Apology Magazine) - The Substack page for Apology magazine.
• amazon.com - Online retailer where Rollins ordered books.
• discord.house - Mentioned as where Ian MacKaye kept Rollins' records.

Other Resources

• Discord House - Location where Ian MacKaye kept Rollins' records.
• The Wolfe House - Thomas Wolfe's former home, which Rollins has supported financially and visited.
• Thurber's typewriter - A literary artifact Rollins has used.
• Mark Twain's writing room - A literary landmark Rollins has visited.
• Henry Miller's handwritten letters to Brenda Venus - A collection of letters Rollins has reviewed.
• The Dagger from Lemmy - A gift from Lemmy to Rollins.
• Communist and Eastern Bloc political art book - An art book Lemmy lent to Rollins.
• Motorhead compilation albums - Albums Rollins would bring to Lemmy for signing.
• Hawkwind albums - Albums Rollins would bring to Lemmy for signing.