Aural Aggravation

Luc van Acker has a substantial and noteworthy resumé. He may not be particularly widely known as an individual, but the bands he’s played with or been a core member of most certainly are – perhaps most notably as a founder member of Ministry offshoot Revolting Cocks, appearing on their first three (and almost undisputedly best) studio albums, Big Sexy Land, Beers, Steers, and Queers, and Linger Ficken’ Good, as well as contributing guitar to Jam Science, the album by Shriekback, the supergroup formed by members of XTC and Gang of Four – and not forgetting his being a member of Mussolini Headkick, who featured on the Wax Trax! roster in the late 80s and early 90s. As such, he’s been a face on the industrial scene for a while, but his background – starting out as a pop singer in his native Belgium way back in 1982 – and subsequent work – shows a true musical versatility.

John Wisniewski managed to get some time in to ask about all of this, and to ask what he’s got brewing.

JW for AA: What inspires you to create your music?

LvA: The challenge to create something valuable that people will listen to in 30 years. At this very moment I am inspired to make music with AI as it is a CO composer who has the complete music history at his fingertips… Very challenging!

Any favorite bands, Luc?

MKgee, Dijon, Isella, Spirit box rock my world today.

How did you come to be a member of Revolting Cocks, and collaborate with them?

Front 242 played a US tour with Ministry. Richard 23 and Al became friends and wanted to do a dance 12” for the clubs. It was going to be a one off (just a couple of days work in the studio). R23 and me hung out the same bar in Brussels. He asked me if I would go with him for company. So we called Al on the phone who knew about Shriekback and other band I hung around with and a week later I sat on  a plane to Chicago. Richard stayed 2 weeks and I stayed 3 months… We hooked up again in London and Brussels to finish BIG SEXY LAND.

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How did you meet Al Jourgensen of Ministry?

We met at the airport in Chicago with Jim and Danny of Wax Trax! We had the same Indy music taste so too crazy soulmates.

Tell us about working with Anno Domino.

I was asked to produce her debut album but was not able to do it as agendas did not match. But later we spent some days in the studio recording 4 tracks and found out we were a perfect match for songwriting. Very talented, if I may say so.

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What were your early days like? When did you become interested in music?

I was 6 years old and heard POPCORN… first electro music. Than Donna Summer I feel love… I always stayed on the programmed side of music and Bill Rieflin was not human his timing on drums was out of this world… Miss him big time.

You were originally a pop singer and songwriter. What attracted you to industrial music?

Originally I was totally underground and grew up on the subcultural side of the spectrum. Then I signed to EMI and wanted to be some mixture of Talking Heads meets Bowie.  But I missed the ambition to be a frontman… So I became a band member.

What were Revolting Cocks and Ministry live shows like?

Total insane mental ecstasy.  I loved every one of them and I did not hide it! Hahaha

(This is abundantly on the early RevCo live video, You Goddamned Son of a Bitch, a messy riot of barely controlled chaos – Ed)

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How was Wax Trax! Records started? What was the idea for what the label wanted to release?

It started with the release of some 45 singles by Divine and Eno illegally. Than Al joined and brought Front 242 and Ministry to the table. I think it was foremost the roster of odd bands and projects that once put together was something people would identify with…

What are you working on now, Luc?

I just finished tons of artwork for an exhibition, and I released 2 tracks of a new album. (It’s been a while and empty room) I am also working on a stories book.

Any future plans and projects for you?

Expo + Album+ Book + Tour