Read Full Bio ↴1000 Homo DJs was one of many Ministry side projects from the 1980's.
The projects first release was a single in 1988 of two Ministry outtakes from the Land of Rape and Honey album, entitled "Apathy" b/w "Better Ways". The name supposedly came from WaxTrax! co-founder/co-owner Jim Nash. When he heard the songs, he said "No one's gonna play this, it's gonna take a thousand homo DJs to play this for anyone to buy it."
"Apathy" was followed up by another single in 1990 featuring a cover of Black Sabbath's "Supernaut". The cover featured Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor on vocals and Rigor Mortis ' and Ministry touring member Mike Scaccia on lead guitar. The B-side featured a track called Hey Asshole, written by Al Jourgensen and drummer Jeff Ward. The track features a droning bass line and a constant chant of "Hey! Asshole!" (with Jello Biafra, amongst others), while Ward does an impersonation of a cop.
The "Supernaut" single was eventually issued on CD with the entire "Apathy" single as a bonus, while all four songs were later re-issued on the 2004 Ministry compilation "Side Trax" with the bands other short lived side projects.
The members of 1000 Homo DJs are identified by pseudonyms in the "Supernaut" CD liner notes. The identities of most members are fairly certain.
* Buck Satan: Al Jourgensen
* Officer Agro: Jeff Ward
* Ike Krull: Trent Reznor
* The Temple of Drool Choir: Mike O'Connell, Wes Kidd, Brian St. Clair, Herb Rosen, Joe Kelly, Jerry Rodgers
* Wee Willie Reefer: William Rieflin
* Viva Nova: likely Pamela Manning (stage name Viva Nova)
* Count Ringworm: Jello Biafra
Trent Reznor's contribution to "Supernaut" (see below) is uncredited.
The nature of Trent Reznor's contribution to 1000 Homo DJs' record has been debated. What is certain is that Reznor recorded the original vocals for "Supernaut." This performance was not officially used because Reznor's label TVT Records refused to allow his appearance on the release.[6] Reznor's version would ultimately be released as "Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)" by TVT four years later on the retrospective Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years after TVT's purchase of Wax Trax!.
Jourgensen's immediate response to TVT's ultimatum is uncertain. An oft-repeated story tells that instead of recording new vocals, Jourgensen merely ran Reznor's performance through a distortion effect to mask its identity.[7][8] According to this story, every WaxTrax! recording of "Supernaut" contains Reznor's vocals. However, a dissenting group claims this is an urban legend, and that Jourgensen did record new vocals for the EP—albeit in a similar style to Reznor's initial performance.
Statements made by both Reznor and Jourgensen seem to confirm the latter view. In a 1992 Prodigy post regarding "Supernaut," Reznor said,
finally told Al to redo it without me. The version that Wax Trax put out is Al, the version on the NIN (bootleg, i might add) single is me.[9]
Reznor refers to the two-track Suck bootleg, which contains the recording of "Supernaut" that later appeared on Black Box. Jourgensen made a similar statement in a 2003 interview. When asked whose vocals appear on "Supernaut," Jourgensen replied,
That would be me on the original, on WaxTrax! The later version released on TVT was Trent Reznor... then the remixed version had my vocals on it.[10]
referring to the WaxTrax! EP, Black Box, and Greatest Fits versions, respectively. This corroborates that only the Trent Reznor Vocal Version contains Reznor's performance, and Jourgensen in fact sings on most versions of the song.
Released February 11, 2022 A rare treat for fans of the studio side project from Ministry's Al Jourgensen & Paul Barker - 1000 Homo DJs (via Bandcamp
Includes both the Al and Trent vocal takes of the title track, a killer cover of the Black Sabbath classic, plus an exclusive never before released remix along with the rest of the tracks from the 1990 EP plus the 1988 self-titled 12" single
Apathy
1000 Homo DJs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Demonstrations and violence, but it's still the same to me
Economic sanctions, it's the same
Tried dragging their names through mud, but it's still the same to me
It's the same (4 times)
Down here in the ?condemnations?, it's the same
What about the world's reaction, it's the same
The only problem is too many factions, and it's still the same to me
It's the same (4 times)
Where the hell is the population?
All quiet for regeneration
What ever happened to the human race?
Can't you see the enemy here is you?
It's you (5 times)
In the Tory or the Labour camps, well it's the same
Republican or Democrat, but it's still the same to me
Go to Lenin or Marx, it doesn't matter
Starve the people while the rich get fatter
Can't you see they got us where they want us?
Can't you see the enemy here is you?
It's you (many times)
The lyrics of the song 'Apathy' by 1000 Homo DJs talk about the futility of trying to bring about change through violence, economic sanctions, and other means. The song talks about how no matter what people do, the system remains the same, and those in power continue to control and manipulate the population for their own benefit. The lyrics suggest that the enemy is not some external force but the people themselves who have allowed those in power to take advantage of them.
The song talks about how people have tried various means to effect change, from demonstrations and assassinations to dragging the names of those in power through the mud, but nothing seems to work. Even the world's reaction seems to be the same, with too many factions unable to unite for a common cause. The lyrics suggest that the people have become apathetic and have given up on trying to bring about change.
The song also talks about how the population seems to have disappeared, with no one actively working towards regeneration. The lyrics suggest that the human race has lost its way and has become the enemy, allowing those in power to continue to exploit them.
Line by Line Meaning
We tried assassinations, it's the same
Despite attempting assassinations, the situation remains unchanged
Demonstrations and violence, but it's still the same to me
Even after violent demonstrations, the outcome is still unchanged
Economic sanctions, it's the same
The imposition of economic sanctions has yielded no different result
Tried dragging their names through mud, but it's still the same to me
Despite tarnishing their reputation, no significant change has occurred
It's the same (4 times)
The situation remains unchanged
Down here in the ?condemnations?, it's the same
Even in a place of condemnation, the outcome is unchanged
Protected by the laws they make, well it's still the same to me
The powerful are protected by the laws they create, resulting in no change
What about the world's reaction, it's the same
The global response has had no effect on the situation
The only problem is too many factions, and it's still the same to me
The only issue is the abundance of groups involved, despite no change occurring
Where the hell is the population?
Questioning the whereabouts of the general public
All quiet for regeneration
Everything is silently waiting for rebirth or regrowth
What ever happened to the human race?
Asking about the fate of humanity
Can't you see the enemy here is you?
The true antagonist is oneself
It's you (5 times)
The root of the issue is oneself
In the Tory or the Labour camps, well it's the same
Regardless of political affiliation, no significant changes have been made
Republican or Democrat, but it's still the same to me
Even between two parties, the outcome has not varied
Go to Lenin or Marx, it doesn't matter
Referencing two political philosophers, but neither will change the situation
Starve the people while the rich get fatter
The wealthy continue to prosper while others suffer
Can't you see they got us where they want us?
Being coerced into a situation that benefits those in power
Can't you see the enemy here is you?
The individual is the sole reason for the current state of events
It's you (many times)
The individual plays the biggest role in the circumstances
Contributed by Kennedy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joe Wiggins
Reznor used to wear an old sleeveless 1000 Homo DJs t-shirt everywhere in 1990. It was before his involvement in the band. I think it's cool he got to collaborate with Jourgensen later.
Big Richard Macgee
I never considered any of Al Jorgensens projects punk rock. But he did help spur the industrial revolution.
Nacht Schreck
I've always considered this stuff Punk with Samplers.
Michael Yzerman
Love this mini album
Matthew Samboy
One of the greatest surprises in my life...
D Saints
this song makes more sense now than ever!!!
Tritefinder General
It just keeps being all the more relevant as the years pass.
Tritefinder General
Hard to imagine the 22 dislikes ... a score of people that were like ... wait a minute I’m not the enemy!? Or is it maybe just the harmonica? 🤔
Mr. Nice Guy
I'm 48, we had the best music when we were young.
Brian R
You can hear the prenatal scream of 90's alt-industrial being birthed if you listen close enough...