Music in the late 1980’s has a very interesting history, particularly rock music. While the mainstream was celebrating excess and decadence, the underground was about to turn the world on its head. Sure the party was glamorous and full of fun to the enth degree, there was just something more about the grittier side of the street.
The underground scene was full of great bands and artists that made huge impacts and inspired so many. So much so that two iconic forces of nature from this era would have a chance encounter and make a few songs that, one not only become a blueprint for other projects of this kind. And two, the collaboration between two different artists from different genres, making a record that has gone on to become an unsung masterpiece.
Let’s travel back to 1987 in London, England where Ministry’s Al Jourgensen was currently living. While there he met Ian MacKaye of Minor Threat and Embrace. This was just before Ian formed Fugazi. Al was working on new ideas and was moving away from the new wave sound of Ministry’s previous albums, With Sympathy and Twitch. The two would form a bond both musically and politically and would form a project that combined industrial music and hardcore punk. The end result was Pailhead.
What Pailhead was able to do by combining these two genres is still explored today. The way the cerebral vocals and lyrics of Ian MacKaye permeate against the backdrop of the industrial soundscapes. This record is as heavy as it is deep and dark. One of the most intriguing aspects of Pailhead is the poetic commentary on societal issues and landscapes. As much as it meant something back in 1987, the themes discussed here still are represented today.
Pailhead was a blueprint for so many other collaborative projects of this ilk like Nailbomb, Pigface and Lard. The song “I Will Refuse” has gone on to become a bit of a song placement gem. You’ve heard it over the years on skate videos and TV. The combination of Ian and Al is something that should be celebrated.
Pailhead- Trait:
