So how did you get involved with Ministry?

It started with the Revolting Cocks (RevCo) and my old band had the same booking agent as Ministry, his name is John Finberg. He initially introduced me to Al Jourgensen (lead singer of Ministry) about 2003 or 2004, and when it came time to put the new RevCo lineup for December 2005 I got a call from Al and Angie (Al’s wife) and they said, “hey would you be interested in playing the guitar?” And so that’s how I got involved with RevCo and then eventually Ministry. The Ministry thing happened after the RevCo tour, when Ministry went to Europe Al had asked if I would be interested in writing new material for The Last Sucker. So while they were in Europe I was writing these riffs for the new album and thank god they ended up on the new record. So that’s how I got involved with Ministry. And while I was in the studio doing this when he asked me to officially join the band, so that was 2006. 

it wasn’t that long ago that I was listening to Land of Rape and Honey and shit in my car thinking “these guys are awesome.” Now I’m in the band. It’s definitely surreal.

What bands have you performed with before?

I was in Society 1 from 1999-2006 and before that it was just local bands in LA that I was doing shit with. I’m still with RevCo.



What was it like to start out with Ministry?

Awesome. Unbelievable. I mean, they’re one of those bands that definitely shaped my writing style, my playing style. Now to actually be in the band, you know I recorded songs for the record. It’s an unbelievable experience for me, I still pinch myself everyday man. It’s still weird to look up and see Al laughing, smiling or whatever. Man, it wasn’t that long ago that I was listening to Land of Rape and Honey and shit in my car thinking “these guys are awesome.” Now I’m in the band. It’s definitely surreal.



What about jumping on to the final album of the trilogy?

Again, another killer experience. Initially when he asked if I wanted to write for the album, he said he wanted to make it heavier than Rio Grande Blood. So I mean I definitely kept that in mind, but then I started thinking if this is going to be the last Ministry album I didn’t think that we should go out with just another speed metal record. So I went back to Land of Rape and Honey, Psalm 69, to those albums and if you notice on the songs that I co-wrote on the record, they have more of that vibe and that style.  A little slower, groovier with a repeated riff and stuff like that. A lot of the fans, I mean thank God, had gotten it. They’re like, “this album could have come out after Psalm,” which is a big compliment for me. So it was definitely a killer experience in the studio and he’s also awesome to work with in the studio. He gave me a lot freedom but at the same time steered me in the right direction. 

it’s almost like an arena-sized show jammed into these smaller venues. Because the visuals are unbelievable, the fence (on stage) is a throw back to the old days.

So what’s the story about this being the last Ministry album?

He (Al) is done, it’s over, he wants to drink wine and produce albums. I mean, he just feels he’s done and had said everything he wants to with Ministry. He just wants to be in the studio, he loves being in the studio, that’s his thing. You know, he’s got his record label now (13^th Planet), he’s going to be busy. He’s probably going to be busier now. He just doesn’t want to go on tour and do that whole circus anymore. He wants to leave that for nuts like us.



So what are some of your favorite tracks on The Last Sucker?

Let’s Go is probably my favorite. Second favorite is probably I’d have to say is Life is Good and then I really like No Glory. Those are probably my favorite tracks right now. 

Which ones did you write?

I wrote Let’s Go and Life is Good, I also wrote Death and Destruction and The Dick Song.



What are your plans after finishing with Ministry?

Sleeping (laughs). Well the Ministry tour ends in Europe mid-July so I’ll probably take a month off to just relax. And then the new Revolting Cocks album comes out September. Then shortly after we’ll start rehearsals with RevCo and then have a tour with RevCo. So there will be a Revolting Cocks tour if not the end of this year then the end of next year.



Can you tell us about Ministry’s cover album called Cover Up that came out April 1st?

Everybody either loves it or they hate it. It’s funny when we were doing The Last Sucker everybody was like, “why are you guys always political?” or “why does it always have to be about Bush?” So then we put out Cover Up, everybody’s like “what is this? There’s not meaning behind this?” You’re right, there is no meaning, it’s a rock and roll album with songs that we all liked growing up and listening to and shit like that and we just went in and had a blast doing it. We had friends come by and jam with us, no big meaning behind it other than just have a good time in the studio. We’re not trying to reinvent anything here, we just wanted to have a good time and blow off some steam and that’s what we did. That’s really all that record is.



What should fans expect on this tour?

Craziness, it’s almost like an arena-sized show jammed into these smaller venues. Because the visuals are unbelievable, the fence (on stage) is a throw back to the old days. The set list I think is brutal. Everything as a whole, when you’re looking at it, it looks like we should be on tour with KISS or some shit, it’s crazy. We’re really going all out and pulling all stops on this. They should expect to see a really fucking awesome rock show.



What are you most excited about with this tour?

Meeting some the Deviant Nation girls (laughs). No, just saying hi to all our fans, I love performing, that’s the ultimate high for me. When I’m up on stage and I look out in the crowd and see kids singing back the lyrics, that’s a huge compliment. That’s what I most look forward to, meeting the fans…and the girls.

“Hey, I don’t think that kids mom realizes that she just bought him a blowjob kit.”

Do you have any advice for readers for picking up ladies?

I’ll tell you a funny story. When I was in El Paso, Texas recording the last album a friend of mine was with me and we went to Guitar Center. As we’re walking out we see a family and the teenage kid is walking with a bass and amp. We were about to get in my car and my friend looks to me and says “Hey, I don’t think that kids mom realizes that she just bought him a blowjob kit.” I’m like, “you know, you’re absolutely right. I don’t think she realizes that.” He goes, “dude that kid has no idea that he’s going to be picking up chicks left and right because of that blowjob kit that his mom just purchased.” So that would be my advice, if you want to pick up chicks definitely pick up an instrument and join a band.



What message in The Last Sucker do you like the most?

Well there’s the definite big fuck you to the government and establishment. Other than that I hope that everybody enjoys it and everybody gets that big middle finger that Ministry’s known for.



Is there anything that you want to say to readers who might be unfamiliar with Ministry?

Pick up old Ministry albums, also the new albums, but go way back and see how we’ve changed and transformed. Definitely get familiar with the band that really started a movement, in my opinion, that are the pioneers in the industrial scene. I don’t know if the younger fans really know where it’s started. This is the band that started it. Definitely go back and check out some of the old Ministry albums. 

Pick up old Ministry albums, also the new albums, but go way back and see how we’ve changed and transformed. Definitely get familiar with the band that really started a movement, in my opinion, that are the pioneers in the industrial scene.

Is there anything you want to add?

A big thank you to all our fans everywhere, to all the Pissants out there. Those guys are cool they bring me chocolate chip cookies, which they know I love, to all our shows. Just a big thank you to all our fans, without them we wouldn’t be here. And to all the pretty Deviant Nation ladies out there that I hope come out to some shows.



You can purchase Last Sucker at any record store. Revolting Cocks will be releasing an album  in September. For more information: http://www.ministrymusic.org/