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Ministry frontman comments on Grammy nomination


Al Jourgensen "I'm becoming the Susan Lucci or Martin Scorsese of metal," laughs Ministry's founder Al Jourgensen of his five Grammy nominations, but no wins - yet.

Jourgensen and Ministry just snagged a nomination in the Best Metal Performance category for the track "Under My Thumb" from their album "Cover Up," released April 1, 2008.

Indeed, the multi-platinum-selling Jourgensen, who put Ministry to bed this past fall with the band's "C U La TouR" global jaunt, was somewhat surprised by this Grammy nod. "I'm starting to feel like Michael Corleone in 'The Godfather,'" he mused. "'Every time I try and get out...they keep pulling me back in.'"

"Of all the mind-bending albums I have been a part of," said Fear Factory's Burton C. Bell, who contributed vocals to the track, "it took a version of a Rolling Stones song to get noticed. Who would have thought?"

"Under my Thumb" was produced by Jourgensen (as was the entire "Cover Up" album) who also provided pedal steel guitar, harmonica, programming, and background vocals on the track. "'Under My Thumb' was about my not understanding the dichotomies involved," says Jourgensen. "If you listen to the lyrics, it's the most misogynistic song ever made. I never understood that dichotomy so I always wanted to tackle it."

"Under My Thumb" also features Static X bassist Tony Campos and RevCo guitarist Sin Quirin, who quipped, "Being from The Revolting Cocks, I know stiff competition when I see it. I am still speechless nonetheless."

This is Ministry's fourth nomination in the Best Metal Performance category: 2000 for "Bad Blood" which was featured on the soundtrack for "The Matrix," 2005 for "The Great Satan" from "Rantology," and 2006 for "Lieslieslies" from "Rio Grande Blood." In addition, Ministry was nominated in 1993 for the track "N.W.O." from the band's Platinum-selling "Psalm 69."


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Tags:  Al JourgensenMinistryUnder my ThumbThe Revolting Cocks 

    December 04, 2008

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