I was going out with an actress, that was my first mistake. She was going out with a musician, that was her first mistake. Antonio Lulic

It’s a real treat for us to have this guy here with us tonight. Alejandro Escovedo
We’ll see about that. Tommy Stinson

There is no greater performance than James Brown burning ass on the Rolling Stones at the TAMI show. I’m sorry, sorry my friends. And I fuckin’ love the Stones, but James Brown, boys and men. You were screwed. ‘I think I’ll go on after James Brown.’ ‘Oh yeah, can you put me in the schedule somewhere after James Brown.’ Fuck no! Get out, go home, save it, don’t waste it, man.
Bruce Springsteen

“Hello, my name is Bruce Springsteen.” Name badge worn by Frank Turner

Ok, if we play it will you shut the fuck up? Motion City Soundtrack, annoyed with a drunken fan adamant about his request.

‘Just try my best?’ Is that my mother back there? Bahamas

Every single person on the airplane yesterday was a folk singer. It made me feel not very special. Glen Hansard

It took me 20 years to figure out that I was in liquor sales, but I’ve taken to it. James McMurtry, on a career playing music in bars

I’ve been drinking since, well, the last 12 years have been kinda rough. Ben Nichols

Have I missed last call? Ben Nichols, a few minutes later

It’s SXSW. You’re supposed to start drinking when you wake up. Frank Turner

I went to SXSW and all I got was drunk. T-shirt

Doctor, my IV bottle has run out again. James McMurtry requesting another drink.

You’re over 21, right? Bartender, handing me a beer

It is early in the morning for me. Ben Nichols, halfway through a 1:40pm set.

I always play this too loud. Bob Mould before ripping into “Change Your Mind.” He wasn’t kidding.

Just hold off one more second. Glen Hansard, finishing a solo acoustic set as an electric band kicked in next door

We’re gonna sing it loud so that they can hear us in the Hooters parking lot. Tom Morello, signaling towards the Hooters situated up the road.

I know this looks like fun, but this is my job. Kindly do not fuck with me. T-shirt worn by a sound guy

I still do that, don’t you? Come on, you gotta check your moves! Bruce Springsteen, on playing guitar in front of a mirror

I swear I tuned this guitar before I left Canada. Bahamas, while tuning. Again.

Every year they ship the stage in from the UK, which is a mighty feat of engineering when you consider that you can get the same thing down the road in Austin. Antonio Lulic describing the stage in the venue temporarily known as the British Embassy.

How much time have I got? It’s a short set today. Fuck it. More songs. Frank Turner

Thank you very much Texas, or as I like to call you, ‘Old Mexico.’ Archie Powell

We’re playing 127 shows over the next 3 days. This is the first one and we’re off to a good start. We’ll be playing anywhere there is a pa. Bahamas

Listen up youngsters, this is how successful theft is accomplished. Bruce Springsteen, after showing how similar the riff from the Animals’ “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” is to his own “Badlands”

I’m not a miserable wreck, so what do I write about? John Doe

“Loving me is like pissing in the wind.” Chorus of “Pissing in the Wind” by the Bluebonnets

“Yes I’m drunk but damn you’re ugly.” Lyric from “Red Dress” by James McMurtry

We’ve never tried this before but we’re gonna try surround sound. The Lumineers, spreading themselves throughout the church sanctuary in which they were playing

We were all ‘new Dylans.’ The old Dylan was only 30, I don’t even know why they even needed a new Dylan. Bruce Springsteen

Let that guy in, he’s my friend. (pause) I just met that guy on the street, he’s a good guy. Glen Hansard, upon seeing a guy stopped at the door by security.

If you’re from here, it’s damn good to see you again. If you’re not from here, it’s damn good to see you again. Jon Dee Graham

There are no happy accidents, only beautiful mistakes. Written on the bathroom wall at the legendary Continental Club

Click here for more Twangville coverage of SXSW.

Art by Mitch Clem

You might know Henry Rollins for any number of reasons, whether you’re a Black Flag fan, an I.F.C. movie buff, an avid political reader or someone who’s crazy about watching stand-up comedy and spoken word. Seeing as I am all of the above, it’s understandable that I was interested in interviewing him. He’s currently touring and if you are a member of any of the aforementioned groups, I would suggest you find a way to go see the man. Also, if you enjoy that What Would Henry Rollins Do? picture as much as I do, I would urge you to go to www.mitchclem.com and check out his other stuff. He does a few webcomics which I adore.

Twangville: What’s the best thing you’ve read in the past year (and for that matter, what are you reading right now)?
Henry: The best book I have read in a great while is Dark Ages America by Morris Berman. I learned a lot and it made me think. I am starting on a book called War Made Easy and wrestling with Alfred Jarry and Proust as well.

T: What’s your favorite venue you’ve performed in, and is there any particular reason why it means something to you?
H: I think the best venue in America was Club 57, otherwise known as Webster Hall. It’s in NYC and it’s such a perfect sound in that place.

T: Who’s your favorite new artist and where did you hear about them?
H: I don’t know if I have a “favorite” but I have been listening a lot to new bands like The Epsilons, Bark Bark Bark, Real Shark Fake Zombie, and others but there’s a lot of kind of new bands that I listen to a lot. Yellow Swans, Wolf Eyes, Black Dice, Mar Shi, Excepter, Deerhoof, who are not all that new but what great records they make. There’s a ton of happening bands at the moment.

T: If you could see any artist or band perform live at any point in their career, who would it be and when?
H: Hendrix 1970, Coltrane 1965.

T: Who’s your favorite author?
H: That’s hard to answer. Thomas Wolfe, Camus, Miller, Hamsun, Selby, Fitzgerald, Kapuscinski, Kharms, there are many writers who have moved me.

T: Do you prefer touring on your own or with the band?
H: Both have upsides but as far as the actual act of touring, I would rather be on my own.

T: What’s your favorite city to travel to alone?
H: NYC, Melbourne, Casa Blanca, Cairo, Washington DC, Tokyo, there are many.

T: Who’s your favorite West Wing Character (completely a question just for me)?
H: CJ!

T: If you had to choose, who would you volunteer for in the ’08 election?
H: Edwards