Ministry's Last Stand

Ministry is my number one favorite band of all time. They have played together for close to 30 years. When I was in college I found this band. Founder Al Jourgensen IS Ministry. He is the singer, songwriter and main voice for all these years. Originally from Chicago, he signed with Wax Trax in 1980, and started Ministry. In the early years, Ministry had a techno/electronic sound. Most Ministry fans refuse to even admit to this. But the song "Every Day is Halloween" is still one of my favorites!!

With the release of The Land of Rape and Honey, Al Jourgensen became the Godfather of the Industrial Revolution. So many bands today credit Ministry for their sound. And this album is considered a classic and one of the most important in the industrial metal sound. Probably my very favorite song, is "Stigmata" from this album. But it's hard to pick. The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste was next to be released. Still one of top-5 Favorite Albums of all-time. With "Burning Inside" and "So What", you can't miss. All that teen angst I had, was released by shouting the words from So What:

So what, it's your own problem to learn to live with

Destroy us, or make us slaves

We don't care, it's not our fault that we were born too late

A screaming headache on the promised age

Killing time is appropriate

To make a mess and fuck all the rest, we say, we say

So what? So what?

What can I say?? From here was Psalm 69, which I know word for word as well. Al had some drug problems in the 90's, which led to an arrest and jail time. But Ministry prevailed (and I'm happy to admit that Mr. Jorgensen has done what many people have never been able to do....and that's completely kick a heroin habit. The man is clean and buff today). Some of their music during the 90's wasn't so great. I didn't like Filth Pig or The Dark Side of the Spoon all that much. But my love of Ministry still stayed strong.

I could write for days on Ministry. Al's very political stance and his hatred of both President Bush's. His political music. His many side projects which include The Revolting Cocks (with Jello Biafra from the Dead Kennedys), 1000 Homo DJ's (with NIN's frontman, Trent Reznor), Lard (again with Jello), PTP (with Chris Connolly)....and even Skinny Puppy. I could write about all the great songs with all the lyrics that really hit me deep inside. I could write about The Thirteenth Planet, the recording studio and record label that Al created. But I won't.

The C-U-LaTour is getting ready to start. The last stand. Ministry's last tour. I have seen Ministry live 7 times. And yes, I will be in Chicago, May 9th for the last concert ever. At the House of Blues. (the last time I was there I saw Ministry and was actually in the middle of a mosh pit!) With a VIP pass, I even get a chance to meet my idol, Al Jourgensen. The last concert will have a 2 1/2 hour set that will include many "special guests". With a little luck, I will be able to meet Jello Biafra too! Dead Kennedys were another band of my past.

I know most of you have never even heard of Ministry. (but if you saw the movie AI, they were the band that played at the Flesh Fair...and their music has been on many soundtracks) I know most of you probably couldn't care less. But this means a lot to me. My favorite band EVER. As sad as I am, that I won't be able to ever hear any new Ministry, I'm ecstatic that I have this one last chance to see them live. And MEET them!! This is my Christmas present from Mike and it's a great one. It doesn't get any better than this!!