I’d like to say that i loved reading this book. Everyone here MUST read it – hell, Chris practically wrote it for us! Thanks Chris! It was great knowing all of the parties involved. The era’s. The albums. Etc. All of this music met me at a wonderful time of my life. I embraced it and loved every second of it. My actual discovery of the “side projects” began with the “Stainless Steele Providers” CD single, and pretty much ended with my swinging junkies 3 song CD – and EVERYTHING in between (yes even the “The Love Interest” CD) So this book was perfect for me.
I don’t really know where to start… I understand his final words on how he felt at the end of linger, ficken… – and I liked how he addressed how he changed as an artist. The happenings – as it were – were a lot like I had thought. Drugs Drugs Drugs. I am amazed at how chris remained a “casual user”. Uncomfortable situation, after uncomfortable situation. Another interesting part was Al. I got the impression that he is a whirlwind – someone who would probably never start a sentence with “Today I’m in a _______ mood because of _______.” Even as much as he would be around no one would ever really know him. I also now fully believe that Paul was in fact monumental in Al’s sound. (I have never said that in all the discussion on this board about that – but I do believe it now.) So was Bill.
I wasn’t surprised at his comments on pigface. Some of the temperaments of the players (throughout the book) weren’t surprising either. I don’t think Chris “railed” on anyone. I also felt that the Murder inc. sessions could have brought on some interesting music for a little while if it wasn’t for the bullshit. If you guys don’t mind I’m going to write more later…
Just awesome. Now I want books from Barker, Rieflin, anyone with an experience like Chris’. As a fan of the whole Wax Trax scene, this was very gratifying.
This book made me wish I’d grown up as a teen in Chicago, just for the chance to maybe witness some of what was happening. Who knew that Chris worked at the WT store? The drug stories were jaw-dropping, and the insight into how songs from Mind, BSQ, etc. came together was fascinating. I was geeking out at all of the familiar musical references he brings up. So many funny moments in this book, too. One that comes to mind is Jim Nash grabbing the phone from Chris at the Trax store, and telling Cab Voltaire’s Richard H. Kirk “Hey, you should do another album like Microphonies, the only album you ever did that sold worth a shit.” Still makes me laugh.
Who knew that Al was such a maniacal tyrant in those days? I sort-of always knew he had a decent-sized ego, but it’s unbelievable how temperamental he was, seemingly all the time. The way he berated his own musicians was pretty sad. Yelling “UNACCEPTABLE!” at every single member of the band…where is his conscience? I do think that Chris was very fair in his assessment of Al in the book. You can tell that he probably wasn’t thrilled having to detail Al’s dark side, but it was a necessary evil to document. Chris writes in a very enthusiastic style, without being overly-dramatic. It’s obvious that he didn’t need to embellish any of his memoirs.
I was quietly hoping for a mention of some antics at the Pigface shows in Tempe in '91, and Phoenix in '92 (didn’t happen). I met Chris at both of these shows (outside the venues, before showtime), and now I wonder what drugs he was on, and the state he was in when we talked! I was too much of a nerd to ever find out what went down after the shows. I can only imagine.
To Chris, congrats on a great book, and thanks a million for sharing your experiences with us. This book is a goldmine of fascinating information for Ministry/Wax Trax fans. Can’t say I ever thought the day would come where I could read about this era in music.
Reading the book really reminded me a bit of myself and people i’ve hungout with in the past. Particularly one who lived a certain live and went certain directions, but later tries to play it all down like he’s a complete rebel and a rock star (which was referred to of Al). Kinda sad though, how Al starts off all buddy-buddy and just dumps on someone though. Really, from going from “Hey, play with us! It’ll be the greatest thing ever!”, until he throws vodka drinks in people’s faces.
But it’s kinda depressing to hear about Al. Seemed as though he was only trying so hard to be a “rock star”, that he became the way he ended up. He did a pop album, in which he’s ashamed of. So he feels so obligated to play the tough, rugged, rock guy who drinks and does a bunch of drugs until finally going too far and developing some serious problems out of that. But it just seems like Al’s macho gimmick just kept digging him bigger and more wider holes as he went along.
I found the pigface stuff a little funny though, especially the killing joke stuff. Geordie seems like a coked-out douche now, heh. But the pigface tour summary is pretty harsh, not to much of pointing fingers or anything like that, but pointing out every single fact that “no one cared because the music sucked”.
The detail in the book is very precise, and down to every single point and detail possible. But a lot of it seems just…surreal. Al’s a walking, talking cartoon character is portrayed correctly. But throughout the book, it’s just “poor chris”. He’s either inflicted by someone or thing, or dragged into something that’s just going to turn out absolutely bad, or he’s just shafted altogether: “LORAH TOUR”.
There is a sort of “I was above thre fray” attitude from Chris for a lot of the book. To be fair though, I think that’s just the nature of the first person narrative. Chris sees himself as somewhat separated from a lot of what was going on because it’s the story as he saw it. If Paul or Bill or even Al were to write a book, you’d probably get the same sort of effect from their narratives.
Are you referring to the version performed on the live in london 1991 Revco tour?
I don’t have the book in front of me, so I don’t remember if it was the London show, or one of the U.S. gigs, but Chris mentions that they played the song that long in the encore.
Ok, I just checked the book (pg. 151), and it was the Paris gig in January of '91:
“…a thwarted attempt to win over a hostile audience the same night provoked us into playing our last (and longest) song “Get Down” for 40-plus minutes - stick that in your pipe and smoke it Paris.”
[size 3][font “Times New Roman”]I really enjoyed the book. The time period is exactly when I was introduced to Ministry. [/font][/size]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]It was 1989 and in college I was treated to the Mind tape. It blew me away and instantly wanted more. I started buying Ministry & the side projects as well as other industrial artists like NIN, kmfdm, front 242 etc. The music was weird/strange which made it fun for me. So when I read the book, I was very intrigued about this time period and what it would be like to be apart of a new fresh sound that was emerging. As a person who plays drums and has an ear for music, I could understand (maybe not always) what industrial bands like the cocks were trying to achieve.[/size][/font]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]The drug references throughout the book are completely understandable although doing a lot of blow can become a problem. I guess Chris was one of the lucky ones. Al kept going which makes sense…speed, coke, crack heroin… Its funny how he’s seems to be very controlling but can’t control himself; addiction (additive personality) will do that to you. Chris throwing up left and right was surprising. I’ve been around the drug/alcohol scene and didn’t witness much of that part. That’s a good thing…hehe.[/size][/font]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]Here are some things I can think of right now:[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font “Times New Roman”]The short film looking for mr goodcock and the interviews if filmed would be a great find. [/font][/size]
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[size 3][font “Times New Roman”]Zoo Disco is something I never heard of so I’m glad Chris shared that info. [/font][/size]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]The pigface and martin tales wasn’t surprising. I always figured a bunch of crazy people making noise would be a great time for all!!![/size][/font]
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[size 3][font “Times New Roman”]I enjoyed the telling’s of Al (Elaine), Ogre, Phildo and Tucker. Al was driven to prove something, all the time. Understandable but “unacceptable”…just playin’ [tongue][/font][/size]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]I was lucky enough to meet Chris in 1995 at the limelight in NYC in front of Chris’ “tour bus” and also in the stairwell right before the show. The show was Chris and William playing together. It was a great show. Outside in front of the bus, I asked Chris if ministry was going to release another cd. He seemed pretty alert and said “no! I’m not with ministry anymore and I don’t care what they do”. I told him I enjoyed his solo stuff and was looking forward to the show. I know why he wasn’t too happy to be asked that question. I of course had no idea what was going on but understand now since I’ve read the book. Back then it was hard to know about what bands were doing, when a release would happen let alone if someone was touring. Now with the internet much isn’t a surprise. I sorta like it that way.[/size][/font]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]There is so much in the book that I’m going to read it again and share some more thoughts later on.[/size][/font]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]I’m so glad you wrote the book Chris…THANK YOU. I hope you prosper from it and decide to go out and do a small tour. (A few big cities would suffice =) ) I guess a dream would be to hear your early waxx trax stuff and some ministry/cocks live. [/size][/font]
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[font “Times New Roman”][size 3]I know Angie was around this time period. Chris do you remember her as a groupie or anything worth sharing. She’s a big part of Al’s life now.[/size][/font]
Yelling “UNACCEPTABLE!” at every single member of the band…where is his conscience?
chris handled that perfectly. see signature. that was one of a few times i laughed out loud and had to stop reading for a second cause i was giggling so much at it
Late,
grmpysmrf
Reading the book really reminded me a bit of myself and people i’ve hungout with in the past. Particularly one who lived a certain live and went certain directions, but later tries to play it all down like he’s a complete rebel and a rock star (which was referred to of Al). Kinda sad though, how Al starts off all buddy-buddy and just dumps on someone though. Really, from going from “Hey, play with us! It’ll be the greatest thing ever!”, until he throws vodka drinks in people’s faces.
But it’s kinda depressing to hear about Al. Seemed as though he was only trying so hard to be a “rock star”, that he became the way he ended up. He did a pop album, in which he’s ashamed of. So he feels so obligated to play the tough, rugged, rock guy who drinks and does a bunch of drugs until finally going too far and developing some serious problems out of that. But it just seems like Al’s macho gimmick just kept digging him bigger and more wider holes as he went along.
I found the pigface stuff a little funny though, especially the killing joke stuff. Geordie seems like a coked-out douche now, heh. But the pigface tour summary is pretty harsh, not to much of pointing fingers or anything like that, but pointing out every single fact that “no one cared because the music sucked”.
The detail in the book is very precise, and down to every single point and detail possible. But a lot of it seems just…surreal. Al’s a walking, talking cartoon character is portrayed correctly. But throughout the book, it’s just “poor chris”. He’s either inflicted by someone or thing, or dragged into something that’s just going to turn out absolutely bad, or he’s just shafted altogether: “LORAH TOUR”.
I plan on re-reading the book as well. I was so excited to read it that a lot of it didn’t sink in. As for the representation of Al, I think it all comes full circle. When Al invited Chris to work on the last Cocks album (which Chris declined) to me this was a sort of olive branch. It sounds to me like Al would gladly bring Chris back.
Which brings me to my next thought. Chiris, yourself, Bill and Paul should get together and record an album in the vein of the Cocks to coincide with the final cocks release. The three of you could probably crank out some interesting output, and you all seem to be on good terms which would make for one hell of an album.
I know Angie was around this time period. Chris do you remember her as a groupie or anything worth sharing. She’s a big part of Al’s life now.
There’s a part in the book where Chris is awakened by the sounds of a woman reciting poetry in the back of the bus. My first thought was ‘that must be Angie’, though I don’t remember if she was ever identified. I’m pretty sure it was during the Mind tour (unable to check since I’m at work).
Thanks for all your kind words! I did not really want to appear as if I were above everything, I think that because I WAS an outsider walking into an already crazy situation, and that I was from another culture altogether, I never felt completely at home…-no matter-you have all said really, really nice things, and I am so happy you enjoyed my efforts!!!
I doubt Chris, Paul, and Bill would do a pseudo-Cocks album. Paul still likes the heavy stuff, but Chris - well, I don’t even know how you’d describe his current music. I imagine hearing it at a smoky jazz club somewhere. Bill’s in REM now, so 'nuff said. Of course, I could be way off base. Mr. Connelly can certainly speak for himself.
As for Chris’s outsider angle - well, yeah, I guess it never occurred to me that he was really thrust into quite a bizarre situation, which would have a lot to do with why the narrative feels more like he’s just an observer sometimes. Makes me wonder what Luc Van Acker’s book would be like.
Chris, yourself, Bill and Paul should get together and record an album in the vein of the Cocks to coincide with the final cocks release. The three of you could probably crank out some interesting output, and you all seem to be on good terms which would make for one hell of an album.
As for the representation of Al, I think it all comes full circle. When Al invited Chris to work on the last Cocks album (which Chris declined) to me this was a sort of olive branch. It sounds to me like Al would gladly bring Chris back.
Well, on Chris’s own site he said that he spoke to Al on the phone after Raven died. I don’t think the two are bitter enemies or anything. I just get the vibe that Chris isn’t interested in revisiting that part of his life musically.
That said, if Al asked him to do a studio version of “Chickenshit” for the “Cover It Up” compilation, I’d root for him to say “yes”.