Ministry kingpin Al Jourgensen just published his memoirs Ministry: The Lost Gospels According To Al Jourgensen. To say it's a super-entertaining read (you'd expect nothing less from Uncle Al) would be a major understatement. One kernel of awesomeness from the book: Jourgensen reveals (page 53, if you're interested) that back in the day when he lived in Boston he had a relationship with Aimee Mann before she formed 'Til Tuesday. As he tells it, Mann was living with another man who she was having an on and off relationship with. According to Jourgensen, he and Mann hooked up for awhile, but eventually she broke it off. The two stayed in touch and some years later she told Jourgensen 'Til Tuesday's hit song "Voices Carry" was about him. Al writes:
"Voices Carry" was about me, which is really flattering even though it's kind of about a fucked up relationship. But I guess maybe that's what we had.
Who knew?
UPDATE: MTV Hive published an interview with Jourgensen today and interviewer Eric Spitznagel (who is impressively knowledgeable about Wax Trax!, Ministry, and the Revolting Cocks), brought up the "Voices Carry" issue. Jourgensen re-affirmed the song is about him, but also he claims he's never heard the song! Check out the awesome interview over at MTV Hive.
If you're a Ministry fan and haven't checked out Jourgensen's book yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. One of the best chapters is on the With Sympathy era. Jourgensen talked about being broke and dumpster diving while on tour as the opener for acts including the Police, Depeche Mode, Madness, Culture Club, and A Flock of Seagulls (he also claims most of the headline acts wouldn't talk to him). As he's stated many times over the years, he was interested in making his own blend of music (dark edgy electronic), which wasn't what was in line with what Arista's Clive Davis wanted. He claimed Davis lured him into Arista by telling him he could be "the next Joy Division" but then Arista wanted something completely different. After he decided to leave the label, he sued to get out of the contract and Davis tried to get him to stay - Davis even went so far as to get the Thompson Twins to call him up to try to talk some sense into him! Ah yes, good times.
Anyway, it's a great book and definitely a must-read for any Ministry fan.
"Voices Carry" was about me, which is really flattering even though it's kind of about a fucked up relationship. But I guess maybe that's what we had.
Who knew?
UPDATE: MTV Hive published an interview with Jourgensen today and interviewer Eric Spitznagel (who is impressively knowledgeable about Wax Trax!, Ministry, and the Revolting Cocks), brought up the "Voices Carry" issue. Jourgensen re-affirmed the song is about him, but also he claims he's never heard the song! Check out the awesome interview over at MTV Hive.
If you're a Ministry fan and haven't checked out Jourgensen's book yet, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. One of the best chapters is on the With Sympathy era. Jourgensen talked about being broke and dumpster diving while on tour as the opener for acts including the Police, Depeche Mode, Madness, Culture Club, and A Flock of Seagulls (he also claims most of the headline acts wouldn't talk to him). As he's stated many times over the years, he was interested in making his own blend of music (dark edgy electronic), which wasn't what was in line with what Arista's Clive Davis wanted. He claimed Davis lured him into Arista by telling him he could be "the next Joy Division" but then Arista wanted something completely different. After he decided to leave the label, he sued to get out of the contract and Davis tried to get him to stay - Davis even went so far as to get the Thompson Twins to call him up to try to talk some sense into him! Ah yes, good times.
Anyway, it's a great book and definitely a must-read for any Ministry fan.
