Al Jourgensen: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Cuban-American musician}} |
{{Short description|Cuban-American musician}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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| name = Al Jourgensen |
| name = Al Jourgensen |
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| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|10|9}} |
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|10|9}} |
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| birth_place = [[Havana]], Cuba |
| birth_place = [[Havana]], Cuba |
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| alias = The Alien, Alien Jourgensen, Alain Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa, Dog, Alien Dog Star, Buck Satan, Buck Santa, Uncle Al, Enchanted Al |
| alias = The Alien, Alien Jourgensen, Alain Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa, Dog, Alien Dog Star, Buck Satan, Buck Santa, Uncle Al, Enchanted Al |
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| occupation = {{flatlist| |
| occupation = {{flatlist| |
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*Musician |
*Musician |
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*bass |
*bass |
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*drums}} |
*drums}} |
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| genre = {{flatlist| |
| genre = {{flatlist| |
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*[[Industrial metal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/ministrys-last-stand-brings-al-jourgensen-from-beer-to-eternity | title=Ministry's Last Stand Brings Al Jourgensen 'From Beer to Eternity' | |
*[[Industrial metal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/ministrys-last-stand-brings-al-jourgensen-from-beer-to-eternity | title=Ministry's Last Stand Brings Al Jourgensen 'From Beer to Eternity' | publisher=Vice magazine | access-date=29 October 2017| last=Wiederhorn|first=Jon|date=March 27, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2014/08/list-em-carefully-top-11-influential-minds-of-industrial-metal/5/|title=Top 11 Influential Minds of Industrial Metal|date=28 August 2014|access-date=29 October 2017|publisher=Consequence of Sound}}</ref> |
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*[[industrial rock]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://loudwire.com/ministry-al-jourgensen-rehab-alcohol-abuse/ | title=Ministry Mastermind Al Jourgensen to Enter Rehab for Alcohol Abuse | |
*[[industrial rock]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://loudwire.com/ministry-al-jourgensen-rehab-alcohol-abuse/ | title=Ministry Mastermind Al Jourgensen to Enter Rehab for Alcohol Abuse | publisher=Loudwire | date=19 January 2014 | access-date=29 October 2017| author=Spencer Kaufman}}</ref> |
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*[[synthpop]] |
*[[synthpop]] (early)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_au/blog/before-they-were-metal | title=Before They Were Metal | publisher=Noisey Vice | access-date=29 October 2017|date=14 October 2013| author=John Dean}}</ref> |
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*[[new wave music|new |
*[[new wave music|new wave]] (early)<ref name="RedBullWaxTrax!">{{cite web|author=Rod Smith|title=Wax Trax: An Introduction|url=http://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2014/03/wax-trax-feature|publisher=Red Bull Music Academy Daily|date=27 March 2014|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>}} |
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| current_member_of = {{flatlist| |
| current_member_of = {{flatlist| |
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*[[Ministry (band)|Ministry]] |
*[[Ministry (band)|Ministry]] |
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'''Alain David Jourgensen'''<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Cadrey|first=Richard|date=March 1996|title=Avalanche in 4/4|magazine= |
'''Alain David Jourgensen'''<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Cadrey |first=Richard |date=March 1996 |title=Avalanche in 4/4 |magazine=Pulse! magazine }}</ref> is sometimes credited and referred to as '''Alain Jourgensen''',<ref name="Beyond The City Limits">{{Cite news |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1989-12-29/entertainment/8903210863_1_jourgensen-william-rieflin-martin-atkins |title=Ministry's Musical Vision Goes Beyond The City Limits |last=Heim |first=Chris |date=29 December 1989 |publisher=Chicago Tribune |access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="SPIN CoP" /> '''Alien Jourgensen''',<ref name="Beyond The City Limits"/> '''Uncle Al''',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/to-get-his-weed-card-ministrys-al-jourgensen-said-he-was-invisible-and-it-worked-6806218|title=To Get His Weed Card, Ministry's Al Jourgensen Said He Was Invisible — and It Worked |last=Ohanesian |first=Liz |date=12 April 2016 |publisher=L.A. Weekly |access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref> '''Hypo Luxa''', '''Dog''', or '''Alien Dog Star''',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.metalstorm.net/bands/band.php?band_id=202&bandname=Ministry |title=Ministry |publisher=Metal Storm |access-date=16 April 2016}}</ref> but was born '''Alejandro Ramírez Casas'''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jourgensen |first=Al |title=Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen |date=8 September 2015 |publisher=Hachette Books |isbn=9780306824647}}</ref> on 9 October 1958. He is a Cuban-American singer, musician and music producer. Closely related with the independent record label [[Wax Trax! Records]], his musical career spans four decades. He is the frontman and lyricist of the [[industrial metal]] band [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], which he founded in 1981 and of which he remains the only constant member. He was the primary musician of several Ministry-related projects, such as [[Revolting Cocks]], [[Lard (band)|Lard]], and [[Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters]]. Jourgensen is a prominent figure in [[List of industrial music genres|industrial music]],<ref name="SPIN CoP">{{Cite magazine |last=Blush |first=Steven |date=October 1991 |title=Cult of Personality |magazine=Spin Magazine |volume=7 |issue=7 |pages=77–78}}</ref>{{rp|78}}<ref name="LATimes'92" /><ref name="CMJ HOTM">{{Cite magazine|date=June 28, 2004|title=Ministry: Houses of the Mole (Sanctuary) |magazine=CMJ New Music Report |issue=870 |page=6 }}</ref>{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|p=XIII}}<ref name="Loudwire Top 10 Greatest Industrial Rock/Metal Bands">{{Cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/10-greatest-industrial-rock-metal-bands-watch/|title=10 Greatest Industrial Rock + Metal Bands [Watch]|author=Graham Hartmann |publisher=Loudwire |date=November 4, 2016|access-date=December 17, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Paste 15.11.17">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/11/photos-death-grips-ministry-combined-for-a-post-in.html|title=Photos: Death Grips & Ministry Combined for a Post-Industrial Maelstrom|author=Sean Edgar|publisher=Paste magazine |date=November 15, 2017|access-date=December 17, 2017}}</ref> influencing numerous other groups and musicians, both in alternative and industrial-associated acts. |
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Born in [[Havana]] shortly before the [[Cuban Revolution]] of 1959 |
Born in [[Havana]] shortly before the [[Cuban Revolution]] of 1959. At the age of three Jourgensen moved to the United States with his family, and was raised mainly in [[Chicago]] and [[Breckenridge, Colorado]]. He developed an interest in music at a young age, and was involved in several short-lived bands, as well as briefly performing in the backing band of drag performer [[Divine (performer)|Divine]]. |
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Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 in Chicago and received significant attention from music press regarding the band's 1983 debut studio album, ''[[With Sympathy]]''. His subsequent releases in the 1980s, most prominently Ministry's ''[[The Land of Rape and Honey]]'' (1988) and ''[[The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste]]'' (1989), showcased his stylistic transition; in the early 1990s, he achieved mainstream success with Ministry's fifth studio album, ''[[Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs]]'' (1992). The next few years were marked by publicity surrounding Jourgensen's substance abuse which negatively affected his creative output and resulted in a period of severe depression; during this time, Jourgensen and Ministry appeared in the 2001 [[Steven Spielberg]] film ''[[A.I. Artificial Intelligence]]''. |
Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 in Chicago and received significant attention from music press regarding the band's 1983 debut studio album, ''[[With Sympathy]]''. His subsequent releases in the 1980s, most prominently Ministry's ''[[The Land of Rape and Honey]]'' (1988) and ''[[The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste]]'' (1989), showcased his stylistic transition; in the early 1990s, he achieved mainstream success with Ministry's fifth studio album, ''[[Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs]]'' (1992). The next few years were marked by publicity surrounding Jourgensen's substance abuse which negatively affected his creative output and resulted in a period of severe depression; during this time, Jourgensen and Ministry appeared in the 2001 [[Steven Spielberg]] film ''[[A.I. Artificial Intelligence]]''. |
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In 2005 |
In 2005 Jourgensen established his own record label, calling it [[13th Planet Records]]. Several Ministry records were released, among others, until the early 2010s. Currently Jourgensen and Ministry are signed to [[Nuclear Blast]] Records |
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== Early life == |
== Early life == |
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Alejandro Ramírez Casas was born in [[Havana]], Cuba,<ref name="MetalHammer MyLifeStory" /> on October 9, 1958,<ref name="MetalHammer MyLifeStory">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/my-life-story-ministry-s-al-jourgensen|author=James Gill|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2018| |
Alejandro Ramírez Casas was born in [[Havana]], Cuba,<ref name="MetalHammer MyLifeStory" /> on October 9, 1958,<ref name="MetalHammer MyLifeStory">{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/my-life-story-ministry-s-al-jourgensen|author=James Gill|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=May 4, 2018|publisher=Metal Hammer|title=My Life Story Ministry's Al Jourgensen}}</ref> the son of Margarita "Maggie" Brouwer (born c. 1942) and Gualberto Ramírez Casas (born c. 1936), and the grandson of Julio Brouwer, a biologist.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=7–8|postscript=. Jourgensen writes that his mother was 16 years old when she had him.}} Jourgensen's extended family has Dutch and Spanish heritage.<ref name="LATimes'92" /> In 1961, following the fall of [[Fulgencio Batista]]'s regime and rise of [[Fidel Castro]] to power, his family relocated to the US. In 1964, Brouwer married Ed Jourgensen, a [[stock car racing|stock car driver]] and mechanic for [[Formula One]] driver [[Dan Gurney]]. She adopted his surname for herself and her son.<ref name="LATimes'92" /> |
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⚫ | Jourgensen was raised in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] and in [[Breckenridge, Colorado]] where he graduated from Summit County High School in Frisco, Colorado in 1976. He was a fan of artists such as [[Liberace]], [[The Beatles]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Hawkwind]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[Charles Mingus]], and [[Miles Davis]].<ref name="LATimes'92">{{Cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-02/entertainment/ca-5555_1_al-jourgensen|title=The Face of Fame, The Face of Anger|author-link=Robert Hilburn|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=August 2, 1992|access-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref>{{rp|2}} |
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Jourgensen was raised in [[Chicago|Chicago, Illinois]] and |
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⚫ | in [[Breckenridge, Colorado]] where he graduated from Summit County High School in Frisco, Colorado in 1976. He was a fan of artists such as [[Liberace]], [[The Beatles]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Hawkwind]], [[Pink Floyd]], [[Charles Mingus]], and [[Miles Davis]].<ref name="LATimes'92">{{Cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-02/entertainment/ca-5555_1_al-jourgensen|title=The Face of Fame, The Face of Anger|author-link=Robert Hilburn|last=Hilburn|first=Robert| |
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Jourgensen eventually attended the [[University of Illinois Chicago]], after briefly enrolling at both the [[University of Northern Colorado]] and the [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]]. He worked as a radio DJ after college until he decided to pursue a career as a professional musician.{{cn|date=February 2024}} |
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== Professional life == |
== Professional life == |
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=== Ministry === |
=== Ministry === |
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{{ |
{{Main|Ministry (band)}} |
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[[File:Hellfest2017Ministry 05.jpg|thumb|Jourgensen with Ministry at [[Hellfest]] 2017]] |
[[File:Hellfest2017Ministry 05.jpg|thumb|Jourgensen with Ministry at [[Hellfest]] 2017]] |
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Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 after leaving [[Special Affect]], a [[New wave music|new wave]]/[[synth-pop]] band (notably including [[Frankie Nardiello]], founding member (as [[Groovie Mann]]) of [[My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult]] and drummer [[Harry Rushakoff]] of [[Concrete Blonde]]). Early singles by Ministry and Jourgensen's other projects were released on [[Wax Trax! Records]]. He also produced [[Skinny Puppy]]'s ''[[Rabies (Skinny Puppy album)|Rabies]]'' album. During that time, Jourgensen befriended [[Nivek Ogre]], who later toured with Ministry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/music/ministrys-al-jourgensen-on-his-ties-to-colorado-living-in-breckenridge-attending-greeley-high-school-and-his-ill-fated-attempt-at-a-rodeo-career-5683383|title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen on his ties to Colorado: living in Breckenridge, attending Greeley High School and his ill-fated attempt at a rodeo career|last=Murphy|first=Tom| |
Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 after leaving [[Special Affect]], a [[New wave music|new wave]]/[[synth-pop]] band (notably including [[Frankie Nardiello]], founding member (as [[Groovie Mann]]) of [[My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult]] and drummer [[Harry Rushakoff]] of [[Concrete Blonde]]). Early singles by Ministry and Jourgensen's other projects were released on [[Wax Trax! Records]]. He also produced [[Skinny Puppy]]'s ''[[Rabies (Skinny Puppy album)|Rabies]]'' album. During that time, Jourgensen befriended [[Nivek Ogre]], who later toured with Ministry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westword.com/music/ministrys-al-jourgensen-on-his-ties-to-colorado-living-in-breckenridge-attending-greeley-high-school-and-his-ill-fated-attempt-at-a-rodeo-career-5683383|title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen on his ties to Colorado: living in Breckenridge, attending Greeley High School and his ill-fated attempt at a rodeo career|last=Murphy|first=Tom|publisher=Westword|date=June 12, 2012|accessdate=May 17, 2021}}</ref> |
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The band broke into the mainstream with 1992's ''[[Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs]]'' album. Its opening track, "[[N.W.O. (song)|N.W.O.]]", was nominated for a 1993 [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]], losing to [[Nine Inch Nails]]' "[[Wish (Nine Inch Nails song)|Wish]]". However, its next album, ''[[Filth Pig]]'' (1996), divided their fan base, leading to a commercial decline that became evident when [[Warner Bros. Records]] dropped them from the label in 2001. |
The band broke into the mainstream with 1992's ''[[Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs]]'' album. Its opening track, "[[N.W.O. (song)|N.W.O.]]", was nominated for a 1993 [[Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance]], losing to [[Nine Inch Nails]]' "[[Wish (Nine Inch Nails song)|Wish]]". However, its next album, ''[[Filth Pig]]'' (1996), divided their fan base, leading to a commercial decline that became evident when [[Warner Bros. Records]] dropped them from the label in 2001. |
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At the specific request of director [[Stanley Kubrick]], Jourgensen appeared with Ministry in the film ''[[A.I.: Artificial Intelligence]]''. He related his conversation with Kubrick in an interview: |
At the specific request of director [[Stanley Kubrick]], Jourgensen appeared with Ministry in the film ''[[A.I.: Artificial Intelligence]]''. He related his conversation with Kubrick in an interview: |
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<blockquote>Well, first of all, I hung up on him. I thought it was a crank call. His secretary was calling and I was like, 'Yeah, right.' Click. And then he called back personally and then talked to me, and I was just freaked out. I mean, who wouldn't be freaked out? Here's this eccentric American God living in the countryside of England, and he's calling me up in Austin, Texas, and saying he wants me to do the music for his film and he wants me to be in his film and he's famous and all that. I didn't even believe it.<ref name="Songfacts2012">{{cite web|last1=MacIntosh|first1=Dan|title=Al Jourgensen of Ministry|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/al_jourgensen_of_ministry/| |
<blockquote>Well, first of all, I hung up on him. I thought it was a crank call. His secretary was calling and I was like, 'Yeah, right.' Click. And then he called back personally and then talked to me, and I was just freaked out. I mean, who wouldn't be freaked out? Here's this eccentric American God living in the countryside of England, and he's calling me up in Austin, Texas, and saying he wants me to do the music for his film and he wants me to be in his film and he's famous and all that. I didn't even believe it.<ref name="Songfacts2012">{{cite web|last1=MacIntosh|first1=Dan|title=Al Jourgensen of Ministry|url=http://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/al_jourgensen_of_ministry/|publisher=Songfacts|access-date=9 October 2016|date=18 February 2012}}</ref></blockquote> |
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He and Spielberg enjoyed a friendly relationship,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metalinsider.net/columns/remember-when-ministry-protested-against-robots-in-a-i-artificial-intelligence|title=Remember When: Ministry protested against robots in 'A.I. Artificial Intelligence'?Metal Insider|date=July 5, 2016}}</ref> with two compositions appearing on the soundtrack: "What About Us" and "Dead Practice".{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=192–193}} |
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A number of his songs also appear in other films, such as ''Wicked Lake'' (2008)—produced by [[Fever Dreams (company)|Fever Dreams]] and ZP Studios—for which he composed the entire soundtrack that was released on his own 13th Planet record label—he also makes a small appearance in the film as an art school teacher.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wicked Soundtrack By Al Jourgensen (Based on the Film "Wicked Lake") Various Artists|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/wicked-soundtrack-by-al-jourgensen/id297481091|work=iTunes Preview|publisher=Apple, Inc|access-date=June 17, 2013|date=November 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wicked Lake (2008)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907681/| |
A number of his songs also appear in other films, such as ''Wicked Lake'' (2008)—produced by [[Fever Dreams (company)|Fever Dreams]] and ZP Studios—for which he composed the entire soundtrack that was released on his own 13th Planet record label—he also makes a small appearance in the film as an art school teacher.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wicked Soundtrack By Al Jourgensen (Based on the Film "Wicked Lake") Various Artists|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/wicked-soundtrack-by-al-jourgensen/id297481091|work=iTunes Preview|publisher=Apple, Inc|access-date=June 17, 2013|date=November 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wicked Lake (2008)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907681/|publisher=IMDb|access-date=June 17, 2013|date=1990–2013}}</ref> |
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In a November 2008 issue of ''[[Hustler Magazine]]'', Jourgensen announced that Ministry was officially finished, as the band "[took] up so much time" and releasing new albums was difficult. He also explained that he was responsible for six other bands and could complete seven albums within a year when he was not working on new Ministry material.<ref name="hus">{{cite magazine|title=none|date=November 2008|magazine=Hustler}}</ref> However, despite Jourgensen's insistence that Ministry would never return, a reunion was announced on August 7, 2011. A new album, entitled ''[[Relapse (Ministry album)|Relapse]]'', was released on March 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ministry 'Relapse' Once Again|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ministry-relapse-once-again-20120325|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=Greg Prato|date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> |
In a November 2008 issue of ''[[Hustler Magazine]]'', Jourgensen announced that Ministry was officially finished, as the band "[took] up so much time" and releasing new albums was difficult. He also explained that he was responsible for six other bands and could complete seven albums within a year when he was not working on new Ministry material.<ref name="hus">{{cite magazine|title=none|date=November 2008|magazine=Hustler}}</ref> However, despite Jourgensen's insistence that Ministry would never return, a reunion was announced on August 7, 2011. A new album, entitled ''[[Relapse (Ministry album)|Relapse]]'', was released on March 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Ministry 'Relapse' Once Again|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ministry-relapse-once-again-20120325|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=Greg Prato|date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> |
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At his 57th birthday listening party in Chicago he announced a new project called, SMM or Surgical Meth Machine. In an interview with In The Loop Magazine, Jourgensen stated, "I can't wait to get this record out. If you're a fan of Ministry, you're gonna freak out on this. It's got the whole range of my career as a musician in it even sound of earlier stuff from the beginning."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beintheloopchicago.com/interview-al-jourgensen-ministry-new-project-surgical-meth-machine/|title=Interview : Al Jourgensen Of Ministry And New Project Surgical Meth Machine|last=Currie|first=James|date=October 15, 2015| |
At his 57th birthday listening party in Chicago he announced a new project called, SMM or Surgical Meth Machine. In an interview with In The Loop Magazine, Jourgensen stated, "I can't wait to get this record out. If you're a fan of Ministry, you're gonna freak out on this. It's got the whole range of my career as a musician in it even sound of earlier stuff from the beginning."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beintheloopchicago.com/interview-al-jourgensen-ministry-new-project-surgical-meth-machine/|title=Interview : Al Jourgensen Of Ministry And New Project Surgical Meth Machine|last=Currie|first=James|date=October 15, 2015|publisher=In The Loop Magazine|access-date=November 29, 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2016 March, Jourgensen noted he had a project with [[Arabian Prince]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lithiummagazine.com/2016/03/11/interview-with-al-jourgensen-surgical-meth-machine-march-4th-2016/ |title=Interview with Al Jourgensen – Surgical Meth Machine – March 4th, 2016 |publisher=Lithium Magazine |date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> this collaboration was later confirmed for [[AmeriKKKant|a new Ministry album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMinistry/videos/1384182308269706/|title=Ministry|website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=WeAreMinistry|number=836699532490481664|title=Another night in the studio with |
In 2016 March, Jourgensen noted he had a project with [[Arabian Prince]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lithiummagazine.com/2016/03/11/interview-with-al-jourgensen-surgical-meth-machine-march-4th-2016/ |title=Interview with Al Jourgensen – Surgical Meth Machine – March 4th, 2016 |publisher=Lithium Magazine |date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> this collaboration was later confirmed for [[AmeriKKKant|a new Ministry album]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMinistry/videos/1384182308269706/|title=Ministry|website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=WeAreMinistry|number=836699532490481664|title=Another night in the studio with OGArabianPrince and Kelly Keys|last=Ministry|date=February 28, 2017}}</ref> |
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=== Revolting Cocks === |
=== Revolting Cocks === |
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=== Other bands and projects === |
=== Other bands and projects === |
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During the late 1980s |
During the late 1980s Jourgensen started a short-lived side project named [[1000 Homo DJs]], under the pseudonym Buck Satan. 1000 Homo DJs released two singles, including a cover of [[Black Sabbath]]'s "[[Supernaut (EP)|Supernaut]]."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/supernaut-mw0000269666 | title=1000 Homo DJs – Supernaut | work=AllMusic | access-date=November 4, 2013 | author=Raggett, Ned}}</ref> Also in 1989, Jourgensen was involved in [[Acid Horse]], a collaboration between the members of Ministry and [[Cabaret Voltaire (band)|Cabaret Voltaire]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/acid-horse-mn0000926551/biography | title=Acid Horse | work=AllMusic | access-date=August 3, 2015 | author=True, Chris}}</ref> In 2015, Jourgensen announced that he started "a [[speed metal]] project" named Surgical Meth Machine with engineer and longtime collaborator Sam D'Ambruoso.<ref>{{cite web |title= Ministry's Al Jourgensen Announces Speed Metal Project Surgical Meth Machine Read More: Al Jourgensen Announces New Project Surgical Meth Machine |url= http://loudwire.com/ministry-al-jourgensen-surgical-meth-machine/?trackback=tsmclip | work=[[Loudwire]] | date=February 26, 2015 | access-date=August 3, 2015 | author= Hartmann, Graham}}</ref> The project's [[Surgical Meth Machine|self-titled album]] was released on April 15, 2016. |
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*[[Special Affect]] |
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*[[ |
* [[Special Affect]] |
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*[[ |
* [[W.E.L.T.]] |
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*[[ |
* [[Pailhead]] |
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* [[Lard (band)|Lard]] |
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*[[Surgical Meth Machine]] |
* [[Surgical Meth Machine]] |
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=== Production work === |
=== Production work === |
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Jourgensen and his Ministry bandmate [[Paul Barker]] worked as a music production team under the names Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan, producing their own work as well as other Wax Trax! Records acts. Jourgensen also produced music for [[Reverend Horton Heat]], [[Skinny Puppy]], [[Dessau]], [[Skrew]], Rigor Mortis,<ref>{{cite web|title=RIGOR MORTIS Tap Al Jourgensen As Producer|url=http://www.metalkaoz.com/metal-news/4817-rigor-mortis-tap-al-jourgensen-as-producer.html|work=Metal Kaoz|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=Dimitris Kontogeorgakos|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> The Blackouts, and [[DethRok]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avenoctum.com/2013/07/ministry-lost-gospels-al-jourgensen-da-capo-press/ |title=Ministry – The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen With Jon Wiederhorn (Da Capo Press) |publisher=Ave Noctum |date=July 8, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> Jourgensen's recording complex for the 13th Planet label was located at his former home in [[El Paso, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AL JOURGENSEN'S 13TH PLANET TO RELEASE "WICKED LAKE" SOUNDTRACK|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/273/13888/AL-JOURGENSENS-13TH-PLANET-TO-RELEASE-WICKED-LAKE-SOUNDTRACK--| |
Jourgensen and his Ministry bandmate [[Paul Barker]] worked as a music production team under the names Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan, producing their own work as well as other Wax Trax! Records acts. Jourgensen also produced music for [[Reverend Horton Heat]], [[Skinny Puppy]], [[Dessau]], [[Skrew]], Rigor Mortis,<ref>{{cite web|title=RIGOR MORTIS Tap Al Jourgensen As Producer|url=http://www.metalkaoz.com/metal-news/4817-rigor-mortis-tap-al-jourgensen-as-producer.html|work=Metal Kaoz|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=Dimitris Kontogeorgakos|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> The Blackouts, and [[DethRok]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.avenoctum.com/2013/07/ministry-lost-gospels-al-jourgensen-da-capo-press/ |title=Ministry – The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen With Jon Wiederhorn (Da Capo Press) |publisher=Ave Noctum |date=July 8, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> Jourgensen's recording complex for the 13th Planet label was located at his former home in [[El Paso, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=AL JOURGENSEN'S 13TH PLANET TO RELEASE "WICKED LAKE" SOUNDTRACK|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/273/13888/AL-JOURGENSENS-13TH-PLANET-TO-RELEASE-WICKED-LAKE-SOUNDTRACK--|publisher=The Gauntlet|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=jason|date=September 15, 2008}}</ref> |
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== Musicianship == |
== Musicianship == |
||
Jourgensen has played a multitude of instruments throughout his career, including guitars, bass, violin, banjo, keyboards, piano, pedal steel guitar, trumpets and drums to name a few. However, he claims he is "not really good at any of them." He said, "I'm jack of all trades and master of none. But I can collage bits and pieces together musically."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Acharya|first1=Kiran|title=Revolting Lots: Al Jourgensen's Favourite Ministry Albums|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/20135-al-jourgensen-favourite-ministry-albums-interview?page=8| |
Jourgensen has played a multitude of instruments throughout his career, including guitars, bass, violin, banjo, keyboards, piano, pedal steel guitar, trumpets and drums to name a few. However, he claims he is "not really good at any of them." He said, "I'm jack of all trades and master of none. But I can collage bits and pieces together musically."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Acharya|first1=Kiran|title=Revolting Lots: Al Jourgensen's Favourite Ministry Albums|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/20135-al-jourgensen-favourite-ministry-albums-interview?page=8|publisher=The Quietus|access-date=June 7, 2016}}</ref> |
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Jourgensen's singing style has varied throughout the years. On Ministry's early releases such as ''[[With Sympathy]]'' and ''Twitch'', he sang with a fake British accent, which he regrets.<ref name="azzerad1">{{cite book|last=Azerrad|first=Michael|title=Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground|date=December 2, 2012|publisher=Little, Brown |isbn= |
Jourgensen's singing style has varied throughout the years. On Ministry's early releases such as ''[[With Sympathy]]'' and ''Twitch'', he sang with a fake British accent, which he regrets.<ref name="azzerad1">{{cite book|last=Azerrad|first=Michael|title=Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes from the American Indie Underground|date=December 2, 2012|publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=9780316247184}}</ref>{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=50–51, 65}} Inspired by [[The 13th Floor Elevators]], Jourgensen started utilizing vocal effects beginning with ''The Land of Rape and Honey'' to distort his voice using [[Eventide, Inc|Eventide]].{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=85, 230}} In 2006, starting with ''[[Rio Grande Blood]]'', Jourgensen switched to a more [[thrash metal]] approach. |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
||
=== Relationships and family === |
=== Relationships and family === |
||
[[File:Al Jourgensen.jpg|thumb|right|Jourgensen at the Astoria, London during 2004, promoting ''[[Houses of the Molé]]'']] |
[[File:Al Jourgensen.jpg|thumb|right|Jourgensen at the Astoria, London during 2004, promoting ''[[Houses of the Molé]]'']] |
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Jourgensen was married to Patty Marsh from 1984 to 1995 and the relationship produced one daughter.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Rolling Stone Review|url=https://archive.org/details/rollingstonerevi0000unse/|url-access=registration|publisher=Scribner's|year=1985|isbn= |
Jourgensen was married to Patty Marsh from 1984 to 1995 and the relationship produced one daughter.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Rolling Stone Review|url=https://archive.org/details/rollingstonerevi0000unse/|url-access=registration|publisher=Scribner's|year=1985|isbn=0684183323|editor-last=Robbins|editor-first=Ira A.|pages=14–15|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/rollingstonerevi0000unse/page/14/mode/2up|chapter=January 1984 / Milestones|oclc=1225857589|lccn=85642819|issn=8755-6324|via=the Internet Archive}}</ref>{{rp|15}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Al Jourgensen|url=http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Al+Jourgensen&lastnode_id=515720&searchy.x=0&searchy.y=0|work=Everything2|publisher=Everything2 Media, LLC|access-date=June 17, 2013|author=danlowlite|date=October 9, 2002}}</ref> In 2002, he married Angelina Lukacin.<ref name="Chicago Music Guide">{{cite web|url=http://chicagomusicguide.com/interview-with-al-jourgensen-from-ministry/|title=Ministry Interview|author=Dennis M. Kelly|work=Chicago Music Guide|date=September 9, 2004|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> In July 2014, he announced that they were divorced.<ref>{{cite web|title=MINISTRY's AL JOURGENSEN: Divorced, Happy And Starting New Project Called DUBWEISER |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ministrys-al-jourgensen-divorced-happy-and-starting-new-project-called-dubweiser/|access-date=October 17, 2014|date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Jourgensen's autobiography, ''Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen'', was released in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/outtakes-from-ministry-the-lost-gospels-according-to-al-jourgensen-1 |title=Outtakes from 'Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen' | NOISEY | |
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⚫ | Jourgensen's autobiography, ''Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen'', was released in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wiederhorn |first=Jon |url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/outtakes-from-ministry-the-lost-gospels-according-to-al-jourgensen-1 |title=Outtakes from 'Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen' | NOISEY |publisher=Noisey.vice.com |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> |
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As a result of the divorce from wife and business partner, 13th Planet Records officially shut down {{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}. In 2015, Jourgensen closed his residence and recording studio in El Paso, Texas and moved to Los Angeles to pursue new music endeavors. |
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=== Legal and health issues === |
=== Legal and health issues === |
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In 1995 |
In 1995 police raided Ministry's Texas headquarters and Jourgensen was arrested for possession of [[heroin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/506329/ministrys-al-jourgensen-arrested-on-heroin-possession/ |title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen Arrested On Heroin Possession |publisher=MTV |access-date=April 16, 2016}}</ref> He received a five-year [[probation]] sentence. Jourgensen was dependent upon heroin for twenty years. Jourgensen kicked his heavy drug (heroin, methadone, crack, pills) habit, and as of 2019, he has limited his intake to beer, marijuana, and [[psilocybin mushrooms]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ministry's Al Jourgensen on how playing in a band is like 'Naked and Afraid'|url= https://www.revolvermag.com/music/ministrys-al-jourgensen-how-playing-band-naked-and-afraid |publisher=Revolver|access-date=February 7, 2020|date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> |
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Jourgensen almost lost his arm and foot in two separate incidents, the first due to a spider bite,{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=193–194}} the second the result of a hypodermic needle wound.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=185–186}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Ministry Founder Jourgensen Undergoes Foot Surgery|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/ministry-founder-jourgensen-undergoes-foot-surgery_1125667|work=Contactmusic.com|publisher=Contactmusic.com Ltd|access-date=June 17, 2013|date=December 14, 2009}}</ref> |
Jourgensen almost lost his arm and foot in two separate incidents, the first due to a spider bite,{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=193–194}} the second the result of a hypodermic needle wound.{{sfn|Jourgensen|Wiederhorn|2013|pp=185–186}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Ministry Founder Jourgensen Undergoes Foot Surgery|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/news/ministry-founder-jourgensen-undergoes-foot-surgery_1125667|work=Contactmusic.com|publisher=Contactmusic.com Ltd|access-date=June 17, 2013|date=December 14, 2009}}</ref> |
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=== Body art === |
=== Body art === |
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Throughout the years, Jourgensen has amassed a large number of tattoos. In 2012 |
Throughout the years, Jourgensen has amassed a large number of tattoos. In 2012 he underwent facial piercings after a bet with his daughter; she called him a "pussy" for not having any piercings while Jourgensen called her the same thing for not having any tattoos. They then decided to have their tattoos and piercings done respectively to create a "pact." He had 16 facial piercings done in one sitting.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Yücel|first1=Ilker|title=Al Jourgensen InterView: Surviving into Relapse|url=http://regenmag.com/interviews/al-jourgensen-interview-surviving-into-relapse/|website=Regen Magazine|date=March 3, 2012|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Slug Magazine|title=Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen Al Jourgensen with Jon Wiederhorn|url=http://www.slugmag.com/book-reviews/book-reviews-29/|website=Slug Magazine|date=October 30, 2013|access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref> |
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== Discography == |
== Discography == |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
{| class="wikitable" |
{| class="wikitable" |
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|Additional vocals on ''Dead Souls'' (track 12). |
|Additional vocals on ''Dead Souls'' (track 12). |
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=== Solo releases === |
=== Solo releases === |
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|13th Planet Records |
|13th Planet Records |
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== Notes == |
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=== Commentaries === |
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{{Notelist}} |
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=== Reference notes === |
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⚫ | |||
== References == |
== References == |
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⚫ | |||
=== Cited sources === |
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{{Reflist}} |
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=== Bibliography === |
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* {{cite book|last1=Jourgensen|first1=Al|last2=Wiederhorn|first2=Jon|url=https://archive.org/details/ministrylostgosp00jour|title=Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen|type=loan required|date=July 9, 2013|location=Boston, MA|publisher=Da Capo Press|name-list-style=amp|isbn=978-0-306-82218-6|oclc=811206550|via=the Internet Archive}} |
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== Further reading == |
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* {{cite book|last1=Wiederhorn|first1=Jon|last2=Turman|first2=Katherine|name-list-style=amp|title=Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal|year=2013|publisher=itbooks|location=New York|isbn=978-0-06-195828-1|url=https://archive.org/details/louderthanhellde00wied|type=loan required|via=the Internet Archive}} |
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* {{cite book|chapter=Jourgensen, Allen (Al)|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/internationalwho00lond/page/265/mode/1up|title=International Who's Who in Popular Music|url=https://archive.org/details/internationalwho00lond/|url-access=registration|edition=10th|date=2008|location=London|publisher=Routledge|page=265|isbn=978-1-85743-454-5|oclc=1035717574|via=the Internet Archive}} |
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== External links == |
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{{Commons category}}<!-- |
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* {{cite web|title=Ministry's War on Bush |work=Rolling Stone |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ministry/articles/story/6196660/ministrys_war_on_bush |accessdate=June 12, 2006 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071001180709/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ministry/articles/story/6196660/ministrys_war_on_bush |archivedate=October 1, 2007 }} |
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* {{cite news | first=Michael | last=Roberts | title=So What? Ministry isn't on a major label anymore, but Al Jourgensen still loves his job | url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2003-04-10/music/so-what/ | date=April 10, 2003 | newspaper=Dallas Observer }}--> |
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* {{discogs artist|86726}} |
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{{Ministry (band)}} |
{{Ministry (band)}} |
Revision as of 11:35, 29 February 2024
Al Jourgensen | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Alejandro Ramírez Casas |
Also known as | The Alien, Alien Jourgensen, Alain Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa, Dog, Alien Dog Star, Buck Satan, Buck Santa, Uncle Al, Enchanted Al |
Born | Havana, Cuba | October 9, 1958
Genres |
|
Occupations |
|
Instruments |
|
Years active | 1978–present |
Member of | |
Formerly of | |
Website | ministryband |
Alain David Jourgensen[6] is sometimes credited and referred to as Alain Jourgensen,[7][8] Alien Jourgensen,[7] Uncle Al,[9] Hypo Luxa, Dog, or Alien Dog Star,[10] but was born Alejandro Ramírez Casas[11] on 9 October 1958. He is a Cuban-American singer, musician and music producer. Closely related with the independent record label Wax Trax! Records, his musical career spans four decades. He is the frontman and lyricist of the industrial metal band Ministry, which he founded in 1981 and of which he remains the only constant member. He was the primary musician of several Ministry-related projects, such as Revolting Cocks, Lard, and Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters. Jourgensen is a prominent figure in industrial music,[8]: 78 [12][13][14][15][16] influencing numerous other groups and musicians, both in alternative and industrial-associated acts.
Born in Havana shortly before the Cuban Revolution of 1959. At the age of three Jourgensen moved to the United States with his family, and was raised mainly in Chicago and Breckenridge, Colorado. He developed an interest in music at a young age, and was involved in several short-lived bands, as well as briefly performing in the backing band of drag performer Divine.
Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 in Chicago and received significant attention from music press regarding the band's 1983 debut studio album, With Sympathy. His subsequent releases in the 1980s, most prominently Ministry's The Land of Rape and Honey (1988) and The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989), showcased his stylistic transition; in the early 1990s, he achieved mainstream success with Ministry's fifth studio album, Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs (1992). The next few years were marked by publicity surrounding Jourgensen's substance abuse which negatively affected his creative output and resulted in a period of severe depression; during this time, Jourgensen and Ministry appeared in the 2001 Steven Spielberg film A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
In 2005 Jourgensen established his own record label, calling it 13th Planet Records. Several Ministry records were released, among others, until the early 2010s. Currently Jourgensen and Ministry are signed to Nuclear Blast Records
Early life
Alejandro Ramírez Casas was born in Havana, Cuba,[17] on October 9, 1958,[17] the son of Margarita "Maggie" Brouwer (born c. 1942) and Gualberto Ramírez Casas (born c. 1936), and the grandson of Julio Brouwer, a biologist.[18] Jourgensen's extended family has Dutch and Spanish heritage.[12] In 1961, following the fall of Fulgencio Batista's regime and rise of Fidel Castro to power, his family relocated to the US. In 1964, Brouwer married Ed Jourgensen, a stock car driver and mechanic for Formula One driver Dan Gurney. She adopted his surname for herself and her son.[12]
Jourgensen was raised in Chicago, Illinois and in Breckenridge, Colorado where he graduated from Summit County High School in Frisco, Colorado in 1976. He was a fan of artists such as Liberace, The Beatles, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Pink Floyd, Charles Mingus, and Miles Davis.[12]: 2
Professional life
Ministry
Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 after leaving Special Affect, a new wave/synth-pop band (notably including Frankie Nardiello, founding member (as Groovie Mann) of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult and drummer Harry Rushakoff of Concrete Blonde). Early singles by Ministry and Jourgensen's other projects were released on Wax Trax! Records. He also produced Skinny Puppy's Rabies album. During that time, Jourgensen befriended Nivek Ogre, who later toured with Ministry.[19]
The band broke into the mainstream with 1992's Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs album. Its opening track, "N.W.O.", was nominated for a 1993 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance, losing to Nine Inch Nails' "Wish". However, its next album, Filth Pig (1996), divided their fan base, leading to a commercial decline that became evident when Warner Bros. Records dropped them from the label in 2001.
Ministry's next albums, Rio Grande Blood (2006) and The Last Sucker (2007), as well as the 2006 Revolting Cocks album Cocked and Loaded, were released on Jourgensen's new record label, 13th Planet Records, which he formed after falling out with the mainstream agendas of major industry labels.[20]
At the specific request of director Stanley Kubrick, Jourgensen appeared with Ministry in the film A.I.: Artificial Intelligence. He related his conversation with Kubrick in an interview:
Well, first of all, I hung up on him. I thought it was a crank call. His secretary was calling and I was like, 'Yeah, right.' Click. And then he called back personally and then talked to me, and I was just freaked out. I mean, who wouldn't be freaked out? Here's this eccentric American God living in the countryside of England, and he's calling me up in Austin, Texas, and saying he wants me to do the music for his film and he wants me to be in his film and he's famous and all that. I didn't even believe it.[21]
He and Spielberg enjoyed a friendly relationship,[22] with two compositions appearing on the soundtrack: "What About Us" and "Dead Practice".[23]
A number of his songs also appear in other films, such as Wicked Lake (2008)—produced by Fever Dreams and ZP Studios—for which he composed the entire soundtrack that was released on his own 13th Planet record label—he also makes a small appearance in the film as an art school teacher.[24][25]
In a November 2008 issue of Hustler Magazine, Jourgensen announced that Ministry was officially finished, as the band "[took] up so much time" and releasing new albums was difficult. He also explained that he was responsible for six other bands and could complete seven albums within a year when he was not working on new Ministry material.[26] However, despite Jourgensen's insistence that Ministry would never return, a reunion was announced on August 7, 2011. A new album, entitled Relapse, was released on March 26, 2012.[27]
At his 57th birthday listening party in Chicago he announced a new project called, SMM or Surgical Meth Machine. In an interview with In The Loop Magazine, Jourgensen stated, "I can't wait to get this record out. If you're a fan of Ministry, you're gonna freak out on this. It's got the whole range of my career as a musician in it even sound of earlier stuff from the beginning."[28]
In 2016 March, Jourgensen noted he had a project with Arabian Prince;[29] this collaboration was later confirmed for a new Ministry album.[30][31]
Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks, also known as RevCo, is an American industrial rock band that began as a musical side project for Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc van Acker, and Jourgensen. The band took their name after being involved in a fight in a Chicago bar in 1983: Jourgensen, Richard 23 and Van Acker, celebrating the formation of their new band with a few drinks, ended the evening in a brawl, with bar stools thrown through the windows. As he ejected the trio, the owner—a man who Jourgensen recalls was named Dess[32]—shouted, "I'm calling the police! You guys are a bunch of revolting cocks!"[32] The trio decided to use the name for their band.
The band have changed lineups several times. RevCo currently features Jourgensen (guitars, keyboards, programming, background vocals, producer), Josh Bradford (vocals, background vocals), Sin Quirin (guitars, bass, keyboards) and Clayton Worbeck (keyboards, programming, mixing, bass). Their seventh album, Sex-O Olympic-O, which was produced by Jourgensen at his studio, was released on his 13th Planet label in March 2008. The follow-up album, Got Cock?, was released in March 2010 on the same label. A remix album of Got Cock?, titled Got Mixxx?, was released in 2011.[33]
Other bands and projects
During the late 1980s Jourgensen started a short-lived side project named 1000 Homo DJs, under the pseudonym Buck Satan. 1000 Homo DJs released two singles, including a cover of Black Sabbath's "Supernaut."[34] Also in 1989, Jourgensen was involved in Acid Horse, a collaboration between the members of Ministry and Cabaret Voltaire.[35] In 2015, Jourgensen announced that he started "a speed metal project" named Surgical Meth Machine with engineer and longtime collaborator Sam D'Ambruoso.[36] The project's self-titled album was released on April 15, 2016.
More side projects
Production work
Jourgensen and his Ministry bandmate Paul Barker worked as a music production team under the names Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan, producing their own work as well as other Wax Trax! Records acts. Jourgensen also produced music for Reverend Horton Heat, Skinny Puppy, Dessau, Skrew, Rigor Mortis,[37] The Blackouts, and DethRok.[38] Jourgensen's recording complex for the 13th Planet label was located at his former home in El Paso, Texas.[39]
Musicianship
Jourgensen has played a multitude of instruments throughout his career, including guitars, bass, violin, banjo, keyboards, piano, pedal steel guitar, trumpets and drums to name a few. However, he claims he is "not really good at any of them." He said, "I'm jack of all trades and master of none. But I can collage bits and pieces together musically."[40]
Jourgensen's singing style has varied throughout the years. On Ministry's early releases such as With Sympathy and Twitch, he sang with a fake British accent, which he regrets.[41][42] Inspired by The 13th Floor Elevators, Jourgensen started utilizing vocal effects beginning with The Land of Rape and Honey to distort his voice using Eventide.[43] In 2006, starting with Rio Grande Blood, Jourgensen switched to a more thrash metal approach.
Personal life
Relationships and family
Jourgensen was married to Patty Marsh from 1984 to 1995 and the relationship produced one daughter.[44]: 15 [45] In 2002, he married Angelina Lukacin.[46] In July 2014, he announced that they were divorced.[47]
Jourgensen's autobiography, Ministry: The Lost Gospels According to Al Jourgensen, was released in July 2013.[48]
Legal and health issues
In 1995 police raided Ministry's Texas headquarters and Jourgensen was arrested for possession of heroin.[49] He received a five-year probation sentence. Jourgensen was dependent upon heroin for twenty years. Jourgensen kicked his heavy drug (heroin, methadone, crack, pills) habit, and as of 2019, he has limited his intake to beer, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms.[50]
Jourgensen almost lost his arm and foot in two separate incidents, the first due to a spider bite,[51] the second the result of a hypodermic needle wound.[52][53]
Body art
Throughout the years, Jourgensen has amassed a large number of tattoos. In 2012 he underwent facial piercings after a bet with his daughter; she called him a "pussy" for not having any piercings while Jourgensen called her the same thing for not having any tattoos. They then decided to have their tattoos and piercings done respectively to create a "pact." He had 16 facial piercings done in one sitting.[54][55]
Discography
The discography includes the following music records.[56]
With Ministry
Date of release | Title | Label |
1983 | With Sympathy | Arista Records |
1986 | Twitch | Sire/Warner Bros. |
1988 | The Land of Rape and Honey | Sire/Warner Bros. |
1989 | The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste | Sire/Warner Bros. |
1992 | Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs | Sire/Warner Bros. |
1996 | Filth Pig | Warner Bros. |
1999 | Dark Side of the Spoon | Warner Bros. |
2003 | Animositisomina | Sanctuary |
2004 | Houses of the Molé | Sanctuary |
2006 | Rio Grande Blood | 13th Planet/Megaforce |
2007 | The Last Sucker | 13th Planet/Megaforce |
2012 | Relapse | 13th Planet |
2013 | From Beer to Eternity | 13th Planet |
2018 | AmeriKKKant | Nuclear Blast |
2021 | Moral Hygiene | Nuclear Blast |
with Revolting Cocks
Date of release | Title | Label |
1985 | No Devotion (12") | Wax Trax! |
1986 | Big Sexy Land | Wax Trax! |
1986 | "You Often Forget" (12") | Wax Trax! |
1988 | You Goddamned Son of a Bitch – Live | Wax Trax! |
1986 | Stainless Steel Providers (12") | Wax Trax! |
1990 | Beers, Steers, and Queers | Wax Trax! |
1993 | Linger Ficken' Good | Sire/Reprise/Warner Bros. Records |
2006 | Cocked and Loaded | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
2007 | Cocktail Mixxx | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
2009 | Sex-O Olympic-O | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
2009 | Sex-O MiXXX-O | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
2010 | Got Cock? | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
2011 | Got Mixx? | 13th Planet Records/Megaforce Records |
with Lard
Date of release | Title | Label |
1989 | The Power of Lard | Alternative Tentacles |
1990 | The Last Temptation of Reid | Alternative Tentacles |
1997 | Pure Chewing Satisfaction | Alternative Tentacles |
2000 | 70's Rock Must Die | Alternative Tentacles |
Other releases
Date of release | Band | Title | Label |
1987 | Pailhead | "I Will Refuse" b/w "No Bunny" | Wax Trax! |
1988 | Pailhead | Trait (EP) | Wax Trax! |
1989 | Acid Horse | No Name, No Slogan (12") | Wax Trax! |
2011 | Buck Satan and the 666 Shooters | Bikers Welcome Ladies Drink Free | 13th Planet Records/AFM Soulfood Records |
2016 | Surgical Meth Machine | Surgical Meth Machine | Nuclear Blast Records |
Featured releases
Date of release | Band | Title | Label | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | Special Affect | Too Much Soft Living | None (Special Affect Music) | Full member (1979-1980). |
1983 | Alan Vega | Saturn Strip | Elektra | Keyboards on Saturn Drive (track 1). |
1989 | Skinny Puppy | Rabies | Nettwerk | Production, engineering, mixing, guitar and additional vocals. |
1992 | Skrew | Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame | Metal Blade | Engineering and guitar. |
1994 | The Reverend Horton Heat | Liquor in the Front | Sub Pop / Interscope | Production, pedal steel guitar, piano and vocals. |
2008 | False Icons[57] | God Complex | 13th Planet Records | Mixing and production. |
2010 | Front Line Assembly | Improvised Electronic Device | Metropolis | Production, vocals, lyrics, string arrangements, additional programming and mixing
on Stupidity (track 9). |
2015 | Coal Chamber | Rivals | Napalm | Additional vocals on Suffer in Silence (track 4). |
2018 | Beauty In Chaos | Finding Beauty In Chaos | None (Bandcamp) | Vocals on 20th Century Boy, originally composed by T. rex (track 4) |
2020 | Static-X | Project Regeneration | Otsego Entertainment Group | Additional vocals on Dead Souls (track 12). |
Solo releases
Date of release | Title |
|
---|---|---|
2010 | Alien Christmas/It's Always Christmas Time | 13th Planet Records |
References
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- ^ [1] Archived May 21, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
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