With drummer Stephen George, Ministry debuted with the Wax Trax! single Cold Life, which -- typical of their early output -- was in the synthpop dance style of new wavers like the Human League and Thompson Twins. The album With Sympathy, on the major label Arista in 1983, followed a similar musical direction -- one that Jourgensen was dissatisfied with. He returned to Wax Trax! and recorded several singles while rethinking the band's style and forming his notorious side project, the Revolting Cocks.
In 1986, with Jourgensen the only official member of Ministry, the Adrian Sherwood-produced Twitch was released by Sire Records. While not as aggressive as the group's later material, it took definite steps in that direction with a more industrial / ebm sound.
Following a 1987 single with Skinny Puppy's Kevin Ogilvie (aka Nivek Ogre) as PTP, Jourgensen once again revamped Ministry, with former Blackouts bassist Paul Barker officially joining the lineup to complement Jourgensen's rediscovery of the guitar. Fellow ex-Blackouts William Rieflin (drums) and Mike Scaccia (guitar), as well as vocalist Chris Connelly, were heavily showcased as collaborators for the first of several times on 1988's The Land of Rape and Honey. With Jourgensen and Barker credited as Hypo Luxa and Hermes Pan, respectively, this album proved to be Ministry's stylistic breakthrough, a taut, explosive fusion of heavy metal, industrial dance beats, samples and punk aggression.
1989's The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste built on its predecessor's artistic success, and In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up was recorded on its supporting tour, introducing collaborators like drummer Martin Atkins (ex-Public Image Ltd., later of Pigface), guitarist William Tucker, and Jello Biafra). Jourgensen embarked on a flurry of side projects, including the Revolting Cocks (with Barker, Barker's brother Roland, Front 242 members Luc Van Acker and Richard 23, and many more), 1000 Homo DJs (with Biafra, Rieflin, and Trent Reznor), Acid Horse (with Cabaret Voltaire), Pailhead (with Ian MacKaye), and Lard (with Biafra, Barker and Rieflin).
In late 1991, Ministry issued the single Jesus Built My Hotrod, a driving rocker featuring manic nonsense vocals by co-writer Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers; its exposure on MTV helped build anticipation for the following year's full-length Psalm 69 (subtitled The Way to Succeed & the Way to Suck Eggs, although the only title that appears on the album consists of a few Greek letters and symbols). The record reached the Top 30 and went platinum, producing two further MTV hits, N.W.O. and Just One Fix. Ministry consolidated its following with a spot on the second Lollapalooza tour that summer, joined by guitarist Louis Svitek. However, drug and legal problems sidelined the band in the wake of its newfound popularity, resulting in the clouded Filth Pig being released in 1995, too late to capitalize on their prior success.
More problems with drugs and arrests followed, and Jourgensen returned to some of his side projects, recording a new album with Lard, among others. In 1999, the single Bad Blood was featured prominently in the sci-fi blockbuster The Matrix, setting the stage for the release of Dark Side of the Spoon (the title a reference to the band's heroin problems) later that summer.
Guitarist William Tucker committed suicide in May 1999.
The band was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 for "Bad Blood," but they lost to Black Sabbath, and were dropped from Warner Bros. around the same time. They were also added to the Ozzfest tour but were kicked off before it began because of a management change. To compound their sorrows, Ipecac Records announced three live albums to be released, with material from the Psalm 69 tour being the main focus, but when Warner Bros. caught wind of the project they stamped it out, despite the CDs already being ready for printing.
In 2001, the band filmed a scene for Steven Spielberg's A.I. and released the song from the film on a greatest-hits album, appropriately titled Greatest Fits. The group signed to Sanctuary Records later in the year. They released the Sphinctour album and DVD in the spring of 2002 to satisfy fans who were disappointed by the Ipecac situation. The next spring, Animositisomina was released, advertised as a return to the Psalm 69 style of songwriting, and featuring a cover of Magazine's The Light Pours Out of Me.
Barker left the Ministry camp in 2003. He stated that the trigger was his father dying while the band was wrapping up a summer tour in Europe, and also stated in early 2004 that his family life was his main focus at that particular time. Jourgensen continued Ministry with Mike Scaccia and various other musicians.
Houses of the Molé followed in June 2004. It was the first part in a trilogy of "anti-Bush" albums (Rio Grande Blood in 2006 and The Last Sucker in 2007).
In September 2005 Ministry celebrated their 25th anniversary with Rantology. Jourgensen remixed such hits as Jesus Built My Hotrod and N.W.O. for the set, which also included live material, rarities, and the new track The Great Satan. An extensive tour with the newly reformed Revolting Cocks followed.
In 2007, after nearly three decades, nearly a dozen studio albums, and four Grammy nominations, Ministry announced that the album The Last Sucker would be its last. The album completed an uber-critical trilogy aimed at exposing the foils, failures and fabrications of the George W. Bush administration. Ministry embarked on its "final" world tour in the spring of 2008 – the “C U LaTour.”
Jourgenson then concentrated on running his label, 13th Planet Records. Three post-break-up Ministry albums were released: The Last Dubber, a remix album of The Last Sucker; Cover Up, a compilation of new and old cover versions by Ministry; and Adios, a live album documenting the "C U LaTour".
On August 7, 2011, it was announced that Ministry was reforming and would play at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2012. The reunion lineup featured Jourgensen on vocals, Scaccia and Tommy Victor both on guitar, Aaron Rossi on drums, John Bechdel on keyboards and Tony Campos on bass.
Jourgensen told Metal Hammer in August 2011 that Ministry had been working on a new album called Relapse. "Bush is gone, so it's time for something new," he said. "I think this is actually gonna wind up being the fastest and heaviest record I've ever done."
Ministry announced on their website that they entered the studio on September 1, 2011 with engineer Sammy D'Ambruoso to begin recording their new album. On December 23, 2011, Ministry released "99%", the first single from Relapse. The album was released on March 23, 2012.
On December 23, 2012, guitarist Mike Scaccia died following an on-stage heart attack, while playing with his other band, Rigor Mortis.
In an interview with Noisey in March 2013, Jourgensen announced that Ministry would break up again, explaining that he does not want to carry on without Scaccia. "Mikey was my best friend in the world and there's no Ministry without him", he said. "But I know the music we recorded together during the last weeks of his life had to be released to honor him. So after his funeral, I locked myself in my studio and turned the songs we had recorded into the best and last Ministry record anyone will ever hear. I can't do it without Mikey and I don't want to. So yes, this will be Ministry's last album."
The album, titled From Beer to Eternity, was released on September 6, 2013. Jourgensen has stated that Ministry plans to tour in support of From Beer to Eternity, but will not record any more albums.
Current Members:
Al Jourgensen – vocals, keyboards, synths, guitar, bass, drums, and various others (1981–present)
John Bechdel – keyboards (2006–2008, 2011–present)
Sin Quirin – guitars, bass (2007–2008, 2012–present)
Aaron Rossi – drums (2007–2008, 2011–present)
Casey Orr – bass, keyboards (2012–present)
Former Members:
John Davis – keyboards (1981–1982)
Stephen George – drums (1981–1985)
Robert Roberts – keyboards (1981–1984)
Marty Sorenson – bass (1981–1982)
Shay Jones – vocals (1982–1983)
Brad Hallen – bass (1983–1985)
John Soroka – keyboards/collaboration (1984–1986)
Paul Barker – bass, keyboards, programming, vocals (1986–2003)
Bill Rieflin – drums, keyboards, programming, guitar (1986–1995)
Chris Connelly – vocals, keyboards & various songwriting credits (1987–1993)
Nivek Ogre – vocals, guitar, keyboards (1988–1990)
Mike Scaccia – guitars, bass (1989–1995, 2003–2006, 2011–2012)
Howie Beno – programming, editing (1990–1993)
Michael Balch – keyboards, programming (1991–1992)
Louis Svitek – guitar (1992–1999, 2003)
Duane Buford – keyboards (1995–1999)
Zlatko Hukic – electronics, guitar (1995–1999)
Rey Washam – drums, percussion, programming (1995–1999, 2003)
Max Brody – drums, percussion, programming, saxophone (1999–2004)
Mark Baker – drums (2004–2005)
John Monte – bass (2004)
Paul Raven – bass, keyboards, guitar, drums (2005–2007)
Tommy Victor – guitars, bass (2005–2008, 2011–2012)
Tony Campos – bass (2007–2008, 2011–2012)
Discography (Studio albums):
1983 - With Sympathy
1986 - Twitch
1988 - The Land of Rape and Honey
1989 - The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste
1992 - ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ (Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs)
1996 - Filth Pig
1999 - Dark Side of the Spoon
2003 - Animositisomina
2004 - Houses of the Molé
2006 - Rio Grande Blood
2007 - The Last Sucker
2012 - Relapse
2013 - From Beer to Eternity
2018 - AmeriKKKant
2021 - Moral Hygiene
2024 - HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES
Rehab
Ministry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know know
I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
You tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go
I'd rather be at home with Ray
I ain't got seventy days
That I can't learn from Mr Hathaway
I didn't get a lot in class
But I know it don't come in a shot glass
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know know
I don't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
You tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go
The man said why you think you here?
I said I got no idea
I'm gonna, gonna lose my baby
So I always keep a bottle near
He said I just think you're depressed
Yes me, baby, and the rest
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know know
I don't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
You tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go
I don't ever want to drink again
I just, ooh I just need a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
And have everyone think I've gone mad
And it's not just my pride
It's just til these tears have dried
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know know
I ain't got the time
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
You tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go
Read more at http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858847420/#xt6zmOXrJVR66jWm.99
The lyrics of Ministry's song "Rehab" tell a story of a person who is being urged to seek help for their addiction but is resisting the idea of going to rehab. The singer acknowledges that they have had struggles with substance abuse, as evidenced by the line "Yes, I've been black," which is a reference to the term "blackout drunk" and implies that the singer has experienced memory loss due to excessive drinking. However, the singer insists that they do not have the time or the desire to go to rehab, despite the concerns of others.
The singer expresses a preference for staying home with someone named Ray, rather than going to rehab. They also suggest that they do not need professional help to overcome their addiction, declaring that there is nothing they cannot learn from singer Donny Hathaway. The line "I didn't get a lot in class, but I know it don't come in a shot glass" suggests that the singer is aware that drinking will not solve their problems.
Later in the song, the singer reveals that they are drinking to deal with the pain of losing a loved one. They admit that they are depressed and have been using alcohol as a coping mechanism, but still resist the idea of going to rehab. Ultimately, the singer decides to give up alcohol on their own and ask for help from friends rather than checking into rehab.
Line by Line Meaning
They tried to make me go to rehab but I said no, no, no
I was offered the option of going to rehab, but I declined it firmly and repeatedly
Yes I've been black but when I come back you'll know, know know
I've been through some difficult times in the past, but once I recover, my strength will be clear to all
I ain't got the time
I'm busy and can't afford to take time to go to rehab
And if my daddy thinks I'm fine
My father believes that I'm okay despite my struggles
You tried to make me go to rehab but I won't go, go, go
Even though others are insisting on me going to rehab, I have decided not to go
I'd rather be at home with Ray
I'd rather be at home with my loved one, Ray
I ain't got seventy days
I don't have the time to spend in rehab for the full 70-day program
Cos there's nothing, nothing you can't teach me
I believe that there's nothing I can't learn from others without going to rehab
That I can't learn from Mr Hathaway
I believe that I can learn everything I need to from listening to music by Mr Hathaway
I didn't get a lot in class
I didn't learn much in school
But I know it don't come in a shot glass
I know that what I need to learn can't be found in a bottle of alcohol
The man said why you think you here?
Someone asked me why I was at the rehab facility
I said I got no idea
I responded that I didn't really know
I'm gonna, gonna lose my baby
I feel like I'm going to lose my significant other
So I always keep a bottle near
I rely on alcohol to cope with the fear of losing my partner
He said I just think you're depressed
Someone at the rehab facility suggested that I'm suffering from depression
Yes me, baby, and the rest
I admitted that I'm not the only one who's struggling with mental health issues
I don't ever want to drink again
I've decided that I never want to drink alcohol again
I just, ooh I just need a friend
I simply need someone to be there for me as a friend
I'm not gonna spend ten weeks
I'm not willing to dedicate ten weeks of my time to a rehab program
And have everyone think I've gone mad
I don't want people to think that I've lost my mind during rehab
And it's not just my pride
My decision not to go to rehab is not solely due to my ego
It's just til these tears have dried
I simply need time to heal and recover from my emotional pain
Contributed by Anna J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.