Ministry
‘The difference between Ministry and other bands is that we sold out before we even started.’ Alain Jourgensen (b. Havana, Cuba) began producing music under the Ministry name in the early '80s in Chicago, but was most unhappy with the Euro-pop direction in which his record company pushed him for WITH SYMPATHY, later describing it as ‘that first abortion of an album’. Ministry took on a more acceptable shape for Jourgensen after TWITCH, with the addition of Paul Barker (b. Palo Alto, California, USA) on bass/keyboards and drummer Bill Rieflin to Jourgensen's guitar/vocals/keyboards. The band evolved their own brand of guitar-based industrial metal, considering THE LAND OF RAPE AND HONEY to be their true debut, and employed a variety of guest musicians for both live and studio work, with regular contributions from ex-Rigor Mortis guitarist Mike Scaccia and ex-Finitribe vocalist Chris Connelly. Despite Jourgensen's dislike of touring, Ministry developed a stunning live show, with a backdrop of disturbing visual images to accompany the intense musical barrage, and the sinister figure of Jourgensen taking centre stage behind a bone-encrusted mike stand. IN CASE YOU DIDN'T FEEL LIKE SHOWING UP (LIVE) displays the metamorphosis of the songs as the band extend themselves in concert. At this stage, Jourgensen and Barker were working on numerous other studio projects in a variety of styles, including Lard with Jello Biafra, but Ministry remained one of two main acts. The other, the outrageous Revolting Cocks, served as a more blatantly humorous outlet for the pair's creative talents, in contrast to the dark anger and socio-political themes of Ministry. As alternative culture became more acceptable to the mainstream, Ministry achieved major success with PSALM 69 (subtitled THE WAY TO SUCCEED AND THE WAY TO SUCK EGGS), helped by the popularity on MTV of Jesus Built My Hotrod, featuring a guest vocal and lyric from Butthole Surfer Gibby Haynes. The band were a huge draw on the 1992 Lollapalooza tour, playing second on the bill, and their debut European tour later that year was also a resounding success. In 1994 Rieflin was replaced on the drumstool by former Didjits' drummer Ray Washam.