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i've done so far on my channel so go check it out. now i have a question for you guys have you
ever regretted something in your life but later realized you wouldn't be where you are without it
well that can definitely be said for the industrial band ministry and their leader
al al jourgensen when it came to the band's debut album 1983's with sympathy. Today
we'll talk about why al jourgensen disowned the group's first album
Released in 1983 With Sympathy seems like an anomaly in the career of ministry a band who
would later go on to pioneer industrial metal in the late 80s and early 90s. Ministry formed
two years prior in 1981 in the city of chicago and the band was led by fraument al al jourgensen who
throughout the band's career has had a revolving cast of members. Early in their career the band
signed to clive davis label arista records and davis promised to make ministry the next joy
division. It was a misleading statement according to al jourgensen as the band's debut record with
the label with sympathy was not the album the front man had in mind as the band's sound was very
slick synth pop. What's interesting is that in a 2017 interview with rolling stone al jourgensen
claimed that in 1983 he'd already written some of the group's harsher industrial songs that
appeared on their late 80s releases but the label had no interest in releasing the material, so he
was at the mercy of arista. In fact jorgensen was pretty representative of what labels frequently do
with artists and he would tell quietus during an interview that he didn't write any of the
songs or lyrics on the album. The label chose who worked on the album without his permission
and they chose his outfits and made him cut his hair. In addition to that arista also told him
who was going to manage his career. He would recall to the publication i was literally a
product of the old school star making machine. It was revolting disgusting and it traumatized me for
years he'd remember. There have been though some doubts about whether al jourgensen is sincere and
honest about his displeasure with ministry's first album. Robert Roberts who played in an
early lineup of ministry spoke on prongs.org and had his own version of events telling the
fansite 'i understand that al in retrospect has said that he was very unhappy with with sympathy
and that arista made him do it i don't think that was entirely true. Now what is true is that i
don't think With Sympathy really captured the band correctly at least it really didn't sound like
we did live. That i'll admit. But to say someone twisted his arm i don't know he certainly seemed
to be into it at the time more so than anyone else in fact he'd say. Another important thing
to consider is that if you look at the music al jourgensen wrote prior to with sympathy
and some of the concert set list around this time then you'd hear that new wave sound. Most
notably the band's 1981 debut single i'm falling, which was put out on a different record label
Along with other songs that have surfaced in recent years including overkill and same old
madness. And al jourgensen would also claim that he didn't want a tour behind the record but the
label forced him to ministry would end up getting some prime touring spots opening for the police
culture club and depeche mode and the single i wanted to tell her would peek at number 13 on
the billboard dance charts while work for love would peak at number 20. At the end of the day
the album sold around 100 000 copies and peaked at number 97 on the album charts. Ministry would only
put out one record for arista as following with sympathy's release, al jourgensen sued the label
and was released from his contract and would end up signing with wax tracks record in 1984,
the same label he put out the bands for single on. After almost 40 years jorgensen
appears to found some good in the album as he would tell rolling stone recently
"it took me years to like stop loading that album or distancing myself from it it is what it is i'm
glad that i did the record because then i realized music is not always cracked up to be" he'd say.
In a separate interview with quietus he would reveal but in retrospect because of that record
i wouldn't be who i am today i think without that record i wouldn't be as much of a maniac. So I'm
thankful for it now. i finally come full circle. It still doesn't mean i'm going to listen to that
drivel but i'm going to appreciate the overview of what it's done for me as a person in my career.
So that does it for today's video guys thanks for watching be sure to like button and
subscribe and we'll see you again tomorrow on rock and roll true stories. Take care.