Ministry’s C U LaTour, purported to be the band’s farewell, wound up a three-night stand on the Sunset Strip with a powerful set of their industrial-infused metal. Founding member Al Jorgensen was backed by guitarists Tommy Victor and Sin Quirin, keyboardist John Bechdel, bassist Tony Campos, and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso.
The band was separated from the audience by sections of chain link fence, reminiscent of The Blues Brothers playing at Bob’s Country Bunker. Was it to keep the Ministry away the audience or vice versa? Jorgensen’s trademark antler-encrusted microphone stand got a hand when a roadie brought it out.
The main set covered Ministry’s anti-Bush album trilogy, which became such a big project because, as Jorgensen told Phoenix New Times, “I didn't think I was going to have to do three albums about this idiot, but we kept re-electing him, so I had to keep waving my fists in the air and shouting that this guy's got to be impeached or beheaded.” They opened with five songs from The Last Sucker, the band’s last album, then played four songs from the first album in the series Houses of the Mole, and concluded with four tracks from Rio Grande Blood.
The 13 songs lasted 75 minutes and the crowd was driven wild by the music’s intensity and the flashing visuals on the video screen. The mosh pit opened a wild area on what had been a packed floor. It got pretty intense and security had to bum-rush through the throng a number of times to escort people out of the club who crossed the line of passive-aggressive mosher into aggressive assaulter. Someone flashed Jorgensen a “Ministry Built My Hot Rod” t-shirt, but he stated that they weren’t going to play the song it referenced since Gibby (Haynes who sang lead on the number) wasn’t there.
Article comments
1 - David
I've been a fan since Twitch, and so there was no way I was going to miss these guys adios.. I have tickets to see them again in Houston. As far as the HOB show in Vegas goes all I can say is I hope they play a few more of their 'hits'. I mean, 20+ years of skull shattering genre creating monster songs and they end the show with some cover tunes? blah.
2 - El Bicho
David, it appears Al is delivering a final tour rather than a farewell, which may explain why he is focusing on his latest releases. I was surprised that he didn't offer up more favorites, but he's always done it his way.
3 - Lindsey
Maybe you can help me... Ive been looking for a t-shirt from their farewell concert... All I know is that it says "adios mother f*ckers on the back, I really want to get it as a christmas present! Thanks
4 - El Bicho
no idea, lindsey. good luck in your search