Angie, Al, Gail and Nikki Wear Cowboy Hats!
I would like to wish a Happy Birthday (and Happy Columbus Day) to my pal Al Jourgensen and also to the late great John Lennon, both of whom must be honored and feted for their signifcant contributions to modern music. Jesus Built My Hot Rod, indeed.
Gail and Birthday Boy Al Jourgensen in 2003
Ministry brain trust Al Jougensen was born on this day, October 9th in 1958.
Former Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic has complained that there are more working music journalists that there are working musicians. Although I’m a music journalist, I have to admit that the fucker is right. These days, it’s hard for even talented writers to stand out, but Gail Worley has done just that and so much more. What is the special something, the magic, the gift that sets Gail apart? Just ask Ministry’s Al Jourgensen, former Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith, former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin or any of the thousands of the artists that Gail has interviewed (or rather, who have “encountered” Gail), many of whom have now become friendly with our fearless scribe. But here’s the thing: each of these artists will give you a different answer! That Gail evokes so many different responses is exactly her charm. Not only is Gail a gifted writer, but I have never met a journalist as passionate about music as she is. A dying breed, Gail Worley is a treasure.
Gail and Paul in NYC (2003)
As anyone involved in the arts knows, interviews are a drag/necessity. Why should you explain your art? Even if the interviewer thinks they know you, they don’t. So fuck off. Now consider hours of interviews over days, if on a press junket, or over months squeezed into tight schedules, if on tour. How many ways can you say the same thing? Get me a drink. There are a few interviewers I like talking with. Gail Worley is one of them. She knows how to get the interview to transform into interesting conversation — no mean feat considering the nature of interviews is to talk about yourself and whatever it is you’ve done… pretty boring stuff if you’re already working out the next challenge! She knows your history, has a pretty good grip on the effect of your work, and seems to have angles on why you create that even you haven’t thought of — all of which makes talking about your sorry ass easier. One last comment about Gail, who, by the way, has already slayed everyone — SHE IS INTERVIEWING THE ALICE COOPER BAND! They, with Sly and the Family Stone, were the most important American rock bands in the early ’70s!