It looks like Ministry are working on a new album. The band said the following about that:
“Until further notice…we’ll be quarantined in the studio making a new record. 👽”
Category Archives: Ministry
Bill Rieflin (Ex-Ministry, Etc.) Passes Away
Bill Rieflin has sadly passed away at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer. Rieflin played drums for Ministry from 1986–1994 and also performed with numerous other bands including: R.E.M., King Crimson, Lard, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM, Pigface, Swans and more.
Ministry issued the following statement:
“Today we lost a wonderful artist, tremendous human being and an integral part of Ministry’s developments and success…
Safe travels my brother on the way to your next universal gig.
R.I.P. Bill Rieflin
#MinistryBand #WeAreMinistry #Ministry #Revco #RevoltingCocks #Lard #1000HomoDJs #LeadIntoGold #KMFDM #Swans #NineInchNails #REM #KingCrimson #Drummer #BillRieflin #RestInPeace”
R.E.M.‘s Michael Stipe also commented:
“Bill Rieflin (1960-2020)
It is with heavy hearts we acknowledge the death of our dear friend and consummate drummer, Bill.
Bill sent me this picture last week of him and Lenny Kaye earlier this month when the Patti Smith Group were in town and they got to hang out. He was elated to see such great friends and gather at his favorite weird Chinese-American diner.
A forever memory is decades old, when I first met Bill at a late night Policeman’s bar in Seattle, sat at a greasy table drinking scotch, and we listened to ‘Birdland’ off the jukebox in reverent silence and awe. His attentiveness to that song then and there indicated a lot to me about what it would be to work with Bill— which commenced to create some magical and beautiful collaborations and life long friendships.
And so to Bill now, he is among all the fine points of the stars and we are looking up with love— and with our own reverence for his beauty, his humor, his relentless curiosity and of course his incredible musical ear, his time here with us so precious and golden. —Michael“
KMFDM briefly commented as well:
“RIP Bill Rieflin, my dear dear friend and partner in crime of 30+ years.”
Ministry Guitarist Sin Quirin Accused Of Having Sex With Underage Girls
Billboard have shared a new investigative report from Spin with some disturbing allegations against Ministry’s Sinhue “Sin” Quirin. The guitarist has been accused of having sex with two underage girls in the early 2000s.
One accuser, named Kelly Longoria, says she met Quirin in San Antonio, TX during a Dope show in 2002 when he was performing in Society 1. She was only 15 at the time, while Quirin was 33. Longoria says that he lied about his age, saying he was 28, and that he knew she was underage. They reportedly exchanged contact info and later went on to start a sexual relationship. Eventually, Longoria’s friends and family informed the police.
The other accuser, who was identified as “Brooke,” is an entertainment industry worker who says that she met Quirin in Portland, OR during a Society 1 show in 2005. She was barley 16 at the time, but he ended up initiating a sexual relationship with her. While Brooke’s mother was out of town, the members of Society 1 stayed at her house and Quirin had sex with her after the band were informed that her and her friends were minors.
Quirin has denied the allegations through his attorney, but it’s worth noting that there is more evidence to support their claims. Lacey Sculls, who dated Quirin in 2010 while they were touring with Lords of Acid, said she ended up breaking up with him after she found out about him having sex with Longoria while she was underage. She even provided Spin with emails from Quirin and social media comments from Society 1 frontman Matt Zane in which they allegedly admitted to sexual misconduct. Sculls also went on record with the San Antonio, TX police to help support Longoria‘s accusations.
On top of this, another woman named Beth George claimed that Quirin previously hired her as a social media consultant and that she noticed that he was receiving alarming messages from underage girls. She also claimed that she was fired after confronting him about it. However, Quirin‘s attorney claimed that the guitarist never hired George.
Ministry have yet to officially comment, but frontman Al Jourgensen did have his attorney issue a statement:
“Mr. Jourgenson (sic) is unaware of any of potential nefarious activity by any member of Ministry during their respective tenure(s) with the band including but not limited to Mr. Sin Quirin.”
You can find more details about the situation via Billboard.
Ministry Announce Summer Tour With KMFDM & Front Line Assembly
Ministry have announced a summer tour with KMFDM and Front Line Assembly. Al Jourgensen commented:
“‘The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste‘ just turned 30. Who knew we’d still be around to see this day. But since we are alive and kicking, we figured we’d hop in the way-back machine and recreate the infamous original tour with KMFDM, and add in Front Line Assembly as well. Don’t miss it this time because we’ll be in wheelchairs for sure in another 30 years. May the fence be with you!”
Tour Dates:
07/01 Seattle, WA – The Showbox Sodo
07/02 Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
07/03 Missoula, MT – Wilma Theatre
07/05 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
07/07 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
07/09 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
07/10 Detroit, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
07/11 Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre
07/12 Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre
07/13 Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
07/15 Boston, MA – House of Blues
07/16 Huntington, NY – The Paramount
07/17 Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont
07/18 Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall
07/19 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
07/21 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
07/22 Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
07/24 Houston, TX – House of Blues
07/25 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live!
07/26 San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
07/28 Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
07/29 Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
07/30 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
07/31 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
08/01 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Ministry Share New Acoustic Version Of “(Everyday Is) Halloween” Feat. Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction)
Ministry have shared a video for their new acoustic version of “(Everyday Is) Halloween” featuring Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction). This track will be available as a bonus 7″ with the deluxe edition of the band’s new book, “Ministry: Prescripture,” which will be released on December 6. More details on that can be found HERE. In other news, frontman Al Jourgensen and author Aaron Tanner will also be signing copies of the book at Asrai Gardens West Loop in Chicago, IL on December 13.
Ministry Visual History Book “Ministry: Prescripture” To Be Released In December
A new limited edition Ministry visual history book, titled “Ministry: Prescripture,” will be released on December 6. The book was put together by author Aaron Tanner and it will feature over 200 pages of rare/unseen photos, artwork, and more. Pre-orders can be found HERE.
Much of the content was taken from Al Jourgensen’s personal collection. Current and former members of the band and visual artists Brian Shanley and Paul Elledge also contributed. Furthermore, Jello Biafra wrote the introduction and quotes from members of Smashing Pumpkins, ZZ Top, Cheap Trick, N.W.A., Ramones, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Megadeth, AFI, Slayer, Jane’s Addiction, Rammstein, The Flaming Lips, Devo, Butthole Surfers, Static-X, Anthrax, White Zombie, Death Grips, Bauhaus, Killing Joke, High On Fire, GWAR, Einstürzende Neubauten, and Revolting Cocks will also be included.
The deluxe version will also come with a bonus 7″ featuring an acoustic version of “(Every Day Is) Halloween.” Jane’s Addiction’s Dave Navarro guested on that particular track.
You can read more about the book over at Rolling Stone.
Navarro commented:
“There have always been bands full of angst, rage, anger, drama, and theatrics. It was Ministry who first came along at the dawn of the industrial movement, who combined these things so seamlessly, that the audience was about to have its first immersive experience. Not only were the shows a visceral experience, but lyrically, Al was preaching the truth on top of the finely crafted sound of this new musical tonality of aggression and machinery.
Loud and aggressive, yes, but also painstakingly put together as a symphonic experience. Al is the real deal. Who we see and hear on stage is who he is; it’s his truth that resonates with so many. Truths that make the disenfranchised feel included and truths that make the common man wish to be among the disenfranchised.”
Ministry Announce November Headlining Dates
Ministry have announced some headlining shows around their tour with Slayer. Here’s the dates:
11/01 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall
11/13 Flint, MI – Machine Shop
11/19 Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
11/23 Garden City, ID – Revolution Center (feat. Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals)
