A night with Ministry\u2019s Al Jourgensen at the HVAC Pub in Chicago where we discuss his birthday, new musical project and album, the Blackhawks and prostates.<\/p>\n
By James Currie<\/p>\n
October 10th<\/sup>, 2015<\/p>\n What can you say about a man that has no secrets or cares in the world? Someone whose life story has been laid out in the pages of numerous books, magazines and videos all while fronting the most influential Industrial bands of all time. He seems to have done it all, but even at 57, Al Jourgensen proves he still has more to say and give.<\/p>\n I was invited to spend the evening with the man, the myth, the motherfucking legend, Al Jourgensen and what a truly special night it was. Friday, October 9th<\/sup>, was his official birthday. He celebrated it here, in his home town of Chicago with a group of rabid fans. That\u2019s right, Uncle Al could spend his birthday literally anywhere in the world, doing anything he wants, and he chose Chi-town. And keeping with tradition and stepping out of the norm, usually the one with the birthday gets the gifts but tonight, we were the receivers of a very special sonic surprise.<\/p>\n Al and his girlfriend\u00a0Liz Walton along with MC\/Host Damon Ranger, played a live, DJ set that included a mix of Jourgensen classics that spanned across most if not all his music ventures (i.e. Ministry, Rev Co, Skinny Puppy, 1000 Homo DJ\u2019s etc.), personal influences and likes, friends bands and ending with the biggest gift of all, listening to his newest project, \u201cSurgical Meth Machine\u201d. A speed metal project by nature, but much more intricate and diverse to get just one label.<\/p>\n Jourgensen tries to describe it, \u201cYou\u2019re gonna like this new SMM. It sounds like no other band I\u2019ve done. The first half of the album is pretty hostile and the last half is like, it seems someone has got his weed card in California!\u201d He elaborated more saying, \u201cThe first half of the album is like, being on the streets of Wrigleyville, drunk as shit fighting Cubs fans and the last half of it is like, I got a weed card.\u201d And he\u2019s not lying about the card. He reaches into his pocket, pulls out his wallet to show me, he really is a proud \u201cweed card\u201d carrying California man.<\/p>\n Wanna see the video from this interview, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n From what we heard, the album is a psychotic rollercoaster ride. It will mess with your head, high or not. The first track is called, \u201cI Don\u2019t Fucking Care\u201d and as Al states, it pretty much sets the pace for the entire album. He just doesn\u2019t fucking care anymore, but that doesn\u2019t mean we shouldn\u2019t. This is another great addition to an ever growing list of side projects. It\u2019s serious work by the founding father of Industrial music. Some parts make you want to dance, others make you want to chill and one or two will make you want to rip your face off. He\u2019s got it all covered here.<\/p>\n Jourgensen, \u201cAt this point in my fucking life and career, I really don\u2019t. I was really un-burdensome to not have the Ministry moniker or expectations. You can just do something like whatever the fuck we want. I mean the bands name is Surgical Meth Machine. It\u2019s not like we\u2019re going to be on the top 40 radio and on The Voice or American Idol.\u201d He continued, \u201cIt\u2019s not a commercial project for us. It\u2019s not gonna put bank in my wallet, but it was a lot of fun to do.\u201d<\/p>\n I asked him to elaborate and describe this new sound a little more? Jourgensen, \u201cIt kinda sounds like Ministry – a bit- or has that feel at points, but it\u2019s a different level man. It\u2019s like I just literally put my foot on the gas pedal for this record.\u201d Earlier reports Al states this record will have songs that won\u2019t be less than 220 BPM.<\/p>\n Fans of Jourgensen\u2019s work are going to dig this one as well. It\u2019s got lots of different elements in it. Your going to hear a little Ministry, a little Revolting Cocks and dare I say, early Ministry!? (yes, actually referring to his debut 1983 album, \u201cWith Sympathy\u201d) No. Serious. We\u2019re talking a little pop. A little dance. Hypo Luxa himself verifies it. \u201cAs I said, I just don\u2019t give a fuck anymore and I\u2019m actually kind of acknowledging a little of that first fucking horrible pop record I did in 1983.\u201d (he still won\u2019t mention it or any tracks off of it by name, but we\u2019re getting close) \u201cI\u2019ve even got some crooning on some songs, some more pop songs and then just brutal assault. It\u2019s a very dichotomous record. But it\u2019s me and I\u2019m acknowledging everything that\u2019s been me for like the last 35 years. I\u2019m throwing my balls on the table and hoping someone doesn\u2019t have a meat clever.\u201d<\/p>\n I asked how it came to be and who did he collaborate with on it. Jourgensen, \u201cIt was just me and my (long time collaborator) Sammy (D\u2019Ambruoso). Yeah, Mr. D\u2019Ambruoso came through with the beats and I\u2019m doing all the guitars and bass on this and we split the vocals on it. We\u2019ll see\u201d.<\/p>\n And soon we\u2019ll see how the growing group of fans downstairs feels as well. In a few minutes we were going to walk out and meet the audience that came to see and hear the legend. He was definitely ready and said, \u201cI\u2019m here. It\u2019s not like I haven\u2019t done this before. I\u2019m ready. Let\u2019s do this!\u201d<\/p>\n Before we walked out to meet the crowd of adoring fans, we made a slight pit stop of sorts. Al asked me to follow him outside to the balcony. We talked about his age and how things are still pretty good for him mentally and physically. Went stepped out onto a metal porch. He said, \u201cWatch this!\u201d The proceeded to unzip his pants and say, \u201cCheck it out.\u201d He leans into the railing, whipped out his dick and proceeds to piss over the edge into a garbage can on the other side of the alleyway. Creating a golden arch 30 feet high. \u201cThat\u2019s pretty good right?\u201d, said Jourgensen. \u201cI\u2019m 57, but I still have a prostate that works.\u201d It was impressive. Even a couple unsuspecting and innocent passersby made comment, \u201cWow, that\u2019s pretty good man!\u201d I\u2019m still also impressed, he didn\u2019t get shocked as he pissed on several wires and what appeared to be power lines.<\/p>\n And, yes, there\u2019s video of it. Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n After our balcony break, we proceed back into the venue. We\u2019re lead out into an area filled with fans waiting to meet him. It was a VIP meet and greet. He signed autographs, took pictures, shared drinks and stories, then headed down to the stage for the main event.<\/p>\n The lovely Liz was manning the controls and playing those classic tracks for the house of fans all while shaking it up with Al and other guest on stage. And all this while in 6\u201d platform high heel boots. Al took the stage and the mic. He thanked everyone for coming out to celebrate his birthday and hopes they all enjoy his new music.<\/p>\n In between tracks, \u201cThe Alien\u201d took to the drum kit that was on stage playing along with some songs. He banged the drums, the cymbals and sticks around in tempo and gave it a live feel. In between songs, he talked to the house asking how they were doing and to get up and dance. At times he mimicked vocals on the mic and even sang along with some tunes.<\/p>\n A collective sigh and cheer was heard when Mr. Jourgensen said the words, \u201cmight as well have fun people, cause isn\u2019t Everyday Halloween.\u201d Another reference to that forbidden time. Then, a hardcore, pumpin\u2019 remix of \u201cEveryday is Halloween\u201d. Fan\u2019s erupted!<\/p>\n When Al wasn\u2019t taking control of the stage, he was out with the fans. He came out into the crowd to see friends and mingle. This continued throughout the night. I\u2019ve been to some record release parties where that\u2019s not the case. Some just let the DJ start the music, then retreat back into their dressing rooms. Not Jourgensen. He was there front and center the entire time.<\/p>\n After the DJ set of hits and mixes was over, it was time for the main event. The new al-bum started. He kicked it off and hoped we liked it. Then the first track hit. \u201cI Don\u2019t Fucking Care\u201d dropped with a warm reception. By now, people were lining up at the front of the stage, mashing about and really coming to life. He continued through the entire album and by the end had a mosh pit going. After all, it wouldn\u2019t be a true Jourgensen gig without one.<\/p>\n Before leaving the stage, someone brought out a birthday cake. It was red and black Blackhawks sheet cake complete with 666 candles. Al blew them out and symbolically ended the night.<\/p>\n I can\u2019t wait to get this record and if you’re a Ministry fan, you’ll be clamoring for it too. After listening to all the tracks one after another, it works. You definitely go for a ride with this one. It will mess with your head, high or not. You get a sense of something familiar, but yet it\u2019s truly something new.<\/p>\n No official release date yet, but check back with us often as we will make the announcement when it happens.<\/p>\n Wanna see and hear more from Al Jourgensen, click on our exclusive video interview. There, you\u2019ll hear more about the new album, his \u201cfamily tie\u201d with the Blackhawks and dream of becoming the next GM and of course, the special announcement describing the Ministry reunion New Years Eve show and why he hates all you motherfuckers. Click here.<\/p>\n For photos from Al\u2019s birthday bash, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n For the video interview and deeper discussion with Al, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n