What better way to learn about all these issues than to hear it from the man himself?  Henry’s 2008 fall tour launches very soon and is sure to pass by a town near you.  Don’t miss out on Henry’s musings and ruminations, rants and raves, and oh yeah, did we mention the special limited edition tour poster by street artist Shepherd Fairey and the release of Fanatic, Vol 3?

And to top it all off, there’s a contest where you can win free stuff, signed by the man.  Click on the image above to got to the contest info page. 

Here’s the press release, as we received it:

THE ‘RECOUNTDOWN’ BEGINS SEPTEMBER 19:
HENRY ROLLINS HITS THE ROAD
FOR A TWO-MONTH ELECTION-SEASON TALKING TOUR

TICKETS GO ON SALE JULY 17-18;
PRE-SALES BEGIN MONDAY, JULY 14 AT 10AM

As the Bush era winds down, HENRY ROLLINS is gearing up to hit the road with an eye to the future and a disapproving nod to the past. HENRY’s latest talking tour, dubbed RECOUNTDOWN, kicks off September 19 in Berkeley, CA and continues past Election Day. Tickets for the tour go on sale July 17 and July 18, with pre-sales starting on Monday, July 14 at 10 a.m. Fans who purchase tickets early will automatically be entered to win an autographed HENRY ROLLINS prize package.

“Hoping that the bad times are almost over, I am taking advantage of the current situation to spend the last few nights of the catastrophic Bush administration onstage,” HENRY says of the RECOUNTDOWN tour. “Things will be so different after he’s gone. For me, the new century will have finally arrived. Since I was last in the cities that I will be visiting on this tour, I have been fairly far and wide and have a lot of new stories to tell. I look forward to spending autumn in my favorite country.”

While the tour’s title boasts multiple layers of meaning, the primary target of HENRY’s wrath and wit is both singular and clear. Sometimes grave, sometimes comical, HENRY’s talking shows – a free-flowing fusion of travelogue, pop-culture, and political commentary – “have become,” says syndicated columnist Alan Sculley, “a lengthy but exhilarating forum.”

“These days, Rollins, a muscled and tattooed icon of the hardcore punk movement, is more valued for his brain than brawn,” says the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Scott Mervis. Agrees Steve Wildsmith of the Daily Times, “His encyclopedic knowledge of politics, of world events, of just about anything makes his brain and his tongue far more powerful weapons than his fists ever were.”

Before the RECOUNTDOWN begins, HENRY’s extensive travels continue with trips to Thailand and Burma, followed by a string of European tour dates in August. Meanwhile, IFC recently filmed HENRY’s performances in Cape Town (South Africa), Belfast (Northern Ireland), and at Tipitina’s in New Orleans for TV specials to air later this year.

For more on HENRY and RECOUNTDOWN pre-sales, be sure to check out www.henryrollins.com and www.21361.com. Current RECOUNTDOWN tour dates and ticket information are as follows:

DATE                       CITY                             VENUE            

Thurs, Sept. 18        Ames, IA                      Stephens Auditorium

Fri., Sept. 19       Berkeley, CA                        Zellerbach Auditorium (Univ. of California/Berkeley)         

Wed., Sept. 24         Naville, TN                      Tennessee Performing Arts Center

Thu., Sept. 25          Atlanta, GA                     Variety Playhouse

Fri., Sept. 26            Lake Buena Vista, FL       House of Blues

Sat., Sept. 27           Fort Lauderdale, FL          Revolution

Sun., Sept. 28          Fort Lauderdale, FL          Revolution

Mon., Sept. 29         Tampa, FL                       Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

Fri., Oct. 3                Stafford, TX                    Stafford Centre

Sat., Oct. 4               Dallas, TX                       Lakewood Theatre

Sun., Oct. 5              Austin, TX                      La Zona Rosa

Tue., Oct. 7              Albuquerque, NM                    Kimo Theater

Wed., Oct. 8             Tempe, AZ                              Marquee Theater

Thu., Oct. 9              Las Vegas, NV                        House of Blues

Fri., Oct. 10              San Diego, CA                        4^th & B

Sat., Oct. 11             Santa Barbara, CA                  SoHo Restaurant & Music Club

Mon., Oct. 13           Portland, OR                            Newmark Theatre

Wed., Oct. 15           Missoula, MT                           Wilma Theatre

Thu., Oct. 16            Spokane, WA                           Knitting Factory

Sat., Oct. 18             Bend, OR                                Midtown Ballroom

Sun., Oct. 19            Vancouver, BC                        Centre for Performing Arts

Mon., Oct. 20           Calgary, AB                             Jack Singer Concert Hall

Tue., Oct. 21            Edmonton, AB                          Winspear Centre

Thu., Oct. 23            Duluth, MN                              Sacred Heart Music Center

Fri., Oct. 24              Minneapolis, MN                      Pantages Theatre

Sat., Oct. 25             Chicago, IL                              Vic Theatre

Sun., Oct. 26            Detroit, MI                                The Fillmore Detroit

Mon., Oct. 27           Toronto, ON                            Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Tue., Oct. 28            London, ON                             Centennial Hall

Wed. Oct. 29            Buffalo, NY                               Town Ballroom

Thu., Oct. 30            New York, NY                         Town Hall

Fri., Oct. 31              Albany, NY                              The Egg

Sat., Nov. 1             Boston, MA                              Orpheum Theatre

Sun., Nov. 2            Philadelphia, PA                      First Unitarian Church

Mon, Nov. 3            Alexandria, VA                        Birchmere

Wed., Nov. 5           Louisville, KY                           Headliner’s

Thu., Nov. 6            St. Louis, MO                           The Pageant

Sat., Nov. 8             Boulder, CO                            Boulder Theater

Sun., Nov. 9            Aspen, CO                               Belly Up Tavern

Mon., Nov. 10         Salt Lake City, UT                    Murray Theater

What It’s About:

Henry has begun talking about his recent trip to South Africa, where he was faced with poverty, AIDS , and issues surrounding the imminent and inevitable increase of orphans, as their mothers continue to die from AIDS, hunger and sickness.  There can be no chance without education.

How Henry Helps:

Increasing awareness through his talking shows, recently filmed two shows in South Africa, which will be broadcast, along with footage of his travels through the streets, later this year.  Watch for a forthcoming DVD release.

To Find Out More (please note that the following sites are not directly endorsed by Henry Rollins):

Learn about HIV/AIDS in South Africa at the UNESCO website (Official Site)

An excellent article on girl’s education on the UNICEF website (Article), including a link to donate

Visit the Ubuntu Education Fund (Official Site) to learn about (and donate to) their initiatives and programs in the Eastern Cape Province region of South Africa

What It’s About:

 (From their mission statement):  Hollygrove is a child-centered, family-focused community organization serving abused and neglected children and those at risk of abuse. Based on a philosophy of character-building values, we help children and families to heal and develop emotionally, physically, intellectually and ethically. Our goal is for children to be part of safe, healthy and permanent families and to become contributing members of society.

How Henry Helps:

Henry donates money to this organization on a regular basis.   Henry donates one dollar from the purchase of either volume of his Talk is Cheap spoken word CDs from his website (Volume One or Volume 2 or Volume 3 or Volume 4) to Hollygrove.  Since 2003, he also donates one dollar from the sale of each copy of his “Nights Behind the Tree Line” CD to them, as well (article).  In 2005, Henry performed 4 shows in 2 nights in Santa Monica and donated his proceeds to benefit Hollygrove (article).  His contributions are ongoing.

To Find Out More:

Hollygrove Children and Family Services (Official Website)

Donate today and help disadvantaged and abused children in need.  (Donation Page)

Buy direct from Henry and $1 will be donated to Hollygrove for each CD you purchase:

Buy Talk is Cheap Volume One
Buy Talk is Cheap Volume Two
Buy Talk is Cheap: Volume Three
Buy Talk is Cheap: Volume Four
Buy Night Behind the Tree Line

What It Was About: 

Topic: Henry Rollins for President?: An evening of spoken word with Henry Rollins to benefit University of Baltimore Students for Public Interest Law (UBSPI)

Monday, 11 October 2004, organized by the University of Baltimore Students for Public Interest Law (UBSPI)

UBSPI is an organization at the University of Baltimore School of Law that provides summer stipends for law students who work in public interest jobs that help the poor and underrepresented gain equal access to the justice system.

 To Find Out More:

UBSPI (Official Site)

What It’s About:

 (From the official website): Shortly after three eight-year-old boys were found mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas, local newspapers stated the killers had been caught. The police assured the public that the three teenagers in custody were definitely responsible for these horrible crimes. Evidence?

The same police officers coerced an error-filled “confession” from Jessie Misskelley Jr., who is mentally handicapped. They subjected him to 12 hours of questioning without counsel or parental consent, audio-taping only two fragments totaling 46 minutes. Jessie recanted it that evening, but it was too late— Misskelley, Jason Baldwin and Damien Echols were all arrested on June 3, 1993, and convicted of murder in early 1994.

Although there was no physical evidence, murder weapon, motive, or connection to the victims, the prosecution pathetically resorted to presenting black hair and clothing, heavy metal t-shirts, and Stephen King novels as proof that the boys were sacrificed in a satanic cult ritual. Unfathomably, Echols was sentenced to death, Baldwin received life without parole, and Misskelley got life plus 40. 

For over 14 years, The West Memphis Three have been imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit. Echols waits in solitary confinement for the lethal injection our tax dollars will pay for. They were all condemned by their poverty, incompetent defense, satanic panic and a rush to judgment.

How Henry Helps:

In 2002, Henry organized the benefit CD Rise Above, featuring Slipknot, Slayer, Motörhead and Queens of the Stone Age, among others, to raise funds to help the West Memphis Three.  He continually makes reference to the cause on his radio show Harmony In My Head on LA radio station Indie 103.1.  There is also a book, Broken Summers, which documents the process.

In October 2004, Henry and Jello Biafra donated signed merchandise to be sold at a monthlong exhibition supporting the Three in Phoenix, Arizona.  Performed at the Skeleton Key Art Auction to benefit the WM3 on May 12, 2006. 

Current Status:

10/29/2007 – Attorneys for the West Memphis Three have just filed a Second Amended Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, which basically presents scientific data that proves the boys are innocent.   The statement is a major step in proving that the evidence used to convict the boys was faulty.  However, the defense is still struggling financially and can use your help.

To Find Out More:

The West Memphis Three Official Site
A review of Rise Above for VH1

Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three (Book)
By Mara Leveritt Buy it from Amazon

Rise Above: The West Memphis Three Benefit CD
Buy it from Amazon

Visit Damien Echols’ Skeleton Key Art Auction website, set up to support the West Memphis 3.  Official site.

Broken Summers by Henry Rollins
Buy it direct from 2.13.61

What It’s About:

(from the Freethejena6.org website): The Case of the Jena 6

Last fall, when two Black high school students sat under the “white” tree on their campus, white students responded by hanging nooses from the tree. When Black students protested the light punishment for the students who hung the nooses, District Attorney Reed Walters came to the school and told the students he could “take [their] lives away with a stroke of [his] pen.” Racial tension continued to mount in Jena, and the District Attorney did nothing in response to several egregious cases of violence and threats against black students. But when a white student–who had been a vocal supporter of the students who hung the nooses–taunted a black student, allegedly called several black students “nigger”, and was beaten up by black students, six black students were charged with second-degree attempted murder. Last month, the first young man to be tried, Mychal Bell, was convicted. He faces up to 22 years in prison for a school fight.

How Henry Helps:

Frequently mentions the Jena 6 in interviews and talking shows.

Current Status:

Part of the original conviction was dropped in September, 2007, but legal action is ongoing.  The defendants continue to need financial and political support.  Visit freethejena6.org to donate and sign their petition.

 UPDATE (Dec. 3, 2007):

A plea deal for Mychal Bell is currently being considered.   Read the general AP report.

 To Find Out More:

Visit the Free the Jena 6 website
Check out the Friends of Justice Jena 6 website

What It Was About:

A Benefit for Freedom to Marry in support of gay marriage efforts in NY, NJ and CT. Held April 28, 2004.

How Henry Helped:

Henry hosted this event.

To Find Out More:

Check out the WedRock Event Listing
Read Margaret Cho’s description of the event
And here’s an DC MetroWeekly article talking about Henry’s role in the event

What It’s About:

Located in beautiful Big Sur, California, The Henry Miller Memorial Library is dedicated to the life and work of the great American writer, Henry Miller, in addition to cultivating and encouraging writers and artists of all shapes and sizes.   The library houses and preserves Miller’s writings, books and artwork, as well as promoting the Big Sur arts community as a whole.  Performers supporting the library in the past include Laurie Anderson, Patti Smith, Roger Eno, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Neil Young and Peter Case. 

How Henry Helps:

Henry headlined the benefit show, “A Giant Among the Redwoods,” on May 13, 2006.  He is an outspoken fan of both Henry Miller’s work and work ethic.

To Find Out More:

Visit the Henry Miller Memorial Library Official Site

(Note: the library offers a 25% discount on books in their gift shop if you bring proof you arrived via public transport)

What It’s About:

(From the website mission statement):  The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops & Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. We uniquely empower Iraq & Afghanistan combat veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues.

How Henry Helps: 

Henry has referenced the site in several interviews.  Interview with founder Paul Rieckhoff and fellow Iraq War veteran Jason Lemieux on The Henry Rollins Show (EPISODE 310 - FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH 2007).  He also donated signed merchandise for the IAVA’s First Annual Fall Benefit in New York.

To Find Out More:

Visit the Operation Truth / Iraq and Afganistan Veterans of America Official Website

Visit founding author Paul Rieckhoff’s personal website and learn more about his book, “Chasing Ghosts”

What It’s About:

A highly popular news, politics and opinion blogsite run by Arianna Huffington, who was listed on Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People list in 2006.

How Henry Is Connected:

Arianna Huffington appeared as a guest on The Henry Rollins Show   (EPISODE 320 – FRIDAY, AUGUST 31ST 2007) and discussed the current state of politics in the United States.

To Find Out More:

Visit The Huffington Post Official Website