Question:
What percent of a Ministry live performance is actually iive? Which incarnation of Ministry over the years had the highest and lowest levels of actual “live” performance (vs. reliance on tape, hard drives, and computers)?
good question! I’d probably say their oldest stuff, 81-82, and their most recent tour (and upcomming one) are probably the most “live” they’ve been, but this is just a waking up too early guess [:P]
kind of a strange question, the guitar/bass parts of ministry are very easy to play, so these are always live. samples are on the keyboards, well, and what’s left? drums? well even if there are any complex drum parts on the album (which i think is also a rarity for ministry) they are simplified in the live versions. i consider this true after “the mind” album and all live shows afterwards, since they’ve stopped playing more electronic stuff like “you know what you are” or “where you at now” pretty much in favor of more guitar-driven tracks.
Do sequencers that have to be programmed on stage count?
The first backing tapes were used in '83 for the WS Tour.
Prior to that, the band used a Sequencial Circuits Pro-One for the bass sequences in stuff like ‘Effigy’ and ‘Revenge’.
http://www.keyboardmuseum.com/pic/s/seq/p1.jpg
It would only remember 2 simple sequences and Al would have to reprogram it in between songs. Quite a tricky feat when you think about it.
wow, wempathy, that’s cool!
you should write a book or something about everything ministry… 
you should write a book or something about everything ministry…
Unfortunately, my Ministry knowledge base is limited to the years '81 through late '83. You know, ‘the abortion’ years.
Do sequencers that have to be programmed on stage count?
The first backing tapes were used in '83 for the WS Tour.
Prior to that, the band used a Sequencial Circuits Pro-One for the bass sequences in stuff like ‘Effigy’ and ‘Revenge’.
http://www.keyboardmuseum.com/pic/s/seq/p1.jpg
It would only remember 2 simple sequences and Al would have to reprogram it in between songs. Quite a tricky feat when you think about it.
I LOVE this guy!
-al
I would say anything post-1988, considering it was the Mind tour that everything was mostly done “live”. Al pitched a hissy about the Rape & Honey being too processed, too DAT-y. Can’t remember where he said it, that’s mostly why two drummers, not to mention the keyboardist, where in high form on that tour.
IMO, the livest has been the Filth Pig tour. I see next to no reliance on backing tapes, or even general bullshit, around that time.
I would love to know what keyboard was being used to trigger the arpeggiator pattern for “Where You At Now” during the LORAH tour. Bill Rieflin would walk out on stage and appear to start the song on a synth. The pattern and samples sound slightly different live, as if they’re in a different key. It’s a long-assed intro, too, and sounds like Bill is doing some live tweaking (this is the Flashback bootleg version I’m talking about). It’s still my favorite show opener of all the Ministry tours (the Mind tour opener is a close, close second).
1002
I would say anything post-1988, considering it was the Mind tour that everything was mostly done “live”. Al pitched a hissy about the Rape & Honey being too processed, too DAT-y. Can’t remember where he said it, that’s mostly why two drummers, not to mention the keyboardist, where in high form on that tour.
I think The Mind tour was still relying heavily on technology and/or tape. What part of that final encore of LoRaH was live? Maybe Rieflin’s bass drum? Surely not the dude pounding the keyboard with his head.
IMO, the livest has been the Filth Pig tour. I see next to no reliance on backing tapes, or even general bullshit, around that time.
Unfortunately, Al could barely slur his way through a show back then.
What about the tour for Dark Side of the Spoon? That live version of “Eureka Pile” we got recently seemed to have a backing tape for the female vocal samples. Or were they just loaded onto a keyboard?
This thread makes me sad. I wish Ministry had a full-time keyboardist or something so that there was more of an electronic element to the band…
Unfortunately, Al could barely slur his way through a show back then.
really? i have 4 boots from sphinctour and they’re all good.
i thought his most drugged out shows were in 99 for dsots, no?
What about the tour for Dark Side of the Spoon? That live version of “Eureka Pile” we got recently seemed to have a backing tape for the female vocal samples. Or were they just loaded onto a keyboard?
This thread makes me sad. I wish Ministry had a full-time keyboardist or something so that there was more of an electronic element to the band…
I wish Ministry used more electronics, too. They haven’t been prominent on any album since TLORAH.
I wouldn’t think DSOTS is his most drugged up tour, what with that album supposedly being about cleaning up.
The stagehand filling in for Al on two shows in '92 (he threw on the hat and glasses - and nobody noticed!) is kind of a bad sign. But yeah, just guessing I would say Filth Pig was a bad time drug-wise.
The stagehand filling in for Al on two shows in '92 (he threw on the hat and glasses - and nobody noticed!)
Which shows were those?
Unfortunately, Al could barely slur his way through a show back then.
really? i have 4 boots from sphinctour and they’re all good.
i thought his most drugged out shows were in 99 for dsots, no?
I didn’t see them on the DSOTS tour. I skipped it because he could hardly stand up when I saw them on the Sphinctour. He’d sing his lines and then step back and lean on the amp until he had to do something again.
Seeing him jumping around the stage on their last tour was a real treat. I’ve talked to people that hated it, but comparatively speaking it was a hell of a show.
wow.
[reply]The stagehand filling in for Al on two shows in '92 (he threw on the hat and glasses - and nobody noticed!)
Which shows were those?[/reply]I believe he mentions it on the Opie and Anthony interview, but I don’t know specifically which shows they were, except that it was during Lallapolooza. It would be great to know, because I probably HAVE one of them! He says something to the effect that a stagehand (or maybe guitar tech? that sounds right) had to cover for him because he was backstage being RESUSCITATED. That’s pretty freakin’ hardcore…it took me going through hell to kick the habit, but I think if I had DIED (or come close, anyway) I would’ve gotten the message!
Any of you guys that are friendly with the band - it would be interesting to ask about that one. I’m curious as hell.
Question:
What percent of a Ministry live performance is actually iive? Which incarnation of Ministry over the years had the highest and lowest levels of actual “live” performance (vs. reliance on tape, hard drives, and computers)?
= most pointless thread here yet.