1000 Homo DJs
Encyclopedia
1000 Homo DJs was a side project of industrial music
band Ministry
. It is best known for its cover
of Black Sabbath's
"Supernaut." The project was released through industrial label Wax Trax! Records
.
1000 Homo DJs began as a side project to release outtakes from Ministry's
The Land of Rape and Honey
.
. However, the identities of most members are fairly certain.
Trent Reznor's
possible contribution to "Supernaut" (see below) is uncredited.
However, according to the Wax Trax! box set Blackbox
released in 1994, Jourgensen and Nash were in the label's office listening to an unauthorized remix of the Revolting Cocks
' single "We Shall Cleanse the World
". Nash comforted Jourgensen's disapproval of the remix's existence by assuring him that it would only ever be heard by "a thousand homo DJ's."
contribution to 1000 Homo DJs' records has been debated. What is certain is that Reznor recorded the original vocals for "Supernaut." This performance was not officially used because Reznor's label TVT Records
refused to allow his appearance on the release. Reznor's version would ultimately be released as "Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)" by TVT four years later on the retrospective Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
after TVT's purchase of Wax Trax!.
Jourgensen's immediate response to TVT's ultimatum is uncertain. An oft-repeated story tells that instead of recording new vocals, Jourgensen merely ran Reznor's performance through a distortion effect to mask its identity. According to this story, every WaxTrax! recording of "Supernaut" contains Reznor's vocals. However, a dissenting group claims this is an urban legend
, and that Jourgensen did record new vocals for the EP—albeit in a similar style to Reznor's initial performance.
Statements made by both Reznor and Jourgensen seem to confirm the latter view. In a 1992 Prodigy
post regarding "Supernaut," Reznor said,
, which contains the recording of "Supernaut" that later appeared on Black Box. Jourgensen made a similar statement in a 2003 interview. When asked whose vocals appear on "Supernaut," Jourgensen replied,
versions, respectively. This corroborates that only the Trent Reznor Vocal Version contains Reznor's performance, and Jourgensen in fact sings on most versions of the song.
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Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
band Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
. It is best known for its cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Black Sabbath's
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
"Supernaut." The project was released through industrial label Wax Trax! Records
Wax Trax! Records
Wax Trax! Records was an independent record label in the United States. Wax Trax! began as a record shop in Denver, Colorado opened by Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher. They sold the store in 1978 and, in November of that year, opened a new one under the same name at 2449 North Lincoln Avenue in...
.
1000 Homo DJs began as a side project to release outtakes from Ministry's
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
The Land of Rape and Honey
The Land of Rape and Honey
The Land of Rape and Honey is the third studio album by industrial metal band Ministry, released in 1988 on Sire Records. The image on the cover appears to be an electronically processed version of a photo of a burned corpse in the Leipzig-Thekla sub-camp of Buchenwald...
.
Members
The members of 1000 Homo DJs are identified by pseudonyms in the CD liner notesLiner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
. However, the identities of most members are fairly certain.
- Buck Satan: Al Jourgensen
- Officer Agro: speculated to be Jeff WardJeff Ward (musician)Jeff Ward was a drummer for various rock bands including Hammeron, Nine Inch Nails, Revolting Cocks, Ministry, Lard, and Low Pop Suicide....
, but possibly Paul BarkerPaul BarkerPaul Barker , also referred to as Hermes Pan, is the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer with the industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2004...
or Martin AtkinsMartin AtkinsMartin Clive Atkins is an English drummer and session musician, best known for his work in post-punk and industrial groups including Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Pigface, and Killing Joke... - Ike Krull: Mike ScacciaMike ScacciaMichael "Mike" Scaccia is an American musician, best known as the lead guitarist for the metal bands Ministry, Rigor Mortis, and The Revolting Cocks.- Professional life :...
- The Temple of Drool Choir: Mike O'Connell, Wes KiddWes KiddWes Kidd was a founding member of Rights of the Accused and Triple Fast Action, the latter signing to Capitol Records and Deep Elm Records. He grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and attended Glenbard West High School. After Triple Fast Action disbanded in 1998, he went on to produce several albums...
, Brian St. ClairBrian St. ClairBrian St. Clair was born May 24, 1968. At the age of one, Brian's family moved from Bellwood, IL to Fullerton, California where he went to Rolling Hills Elementary School. In 1980 his family moved to Glen Ellyn, Illinois where he would meet long time friend Wes Kidd...
, Herb Rosen, Joe Kelly, Jerry Rodgers - Wee Willie Reefer: William RieflinWilliam RieflinWilliam "Bill" Rieflin is an American musician.In the past, Reiflin has worked with many notable groups in the industrial rock, experimental metal and related genres, including Ministry, the Revolting Cocks, Lard, KMFDM, Pigface, Swans, Chris Connelly, Nine Inch Nails, R.E.M., and many others...
- Viva Nova: likely Pamela Manning (stage name Viva Nova), but often claimed to be Patty Jourgensen
- Count Ringworm: Jello BiafraJello BiafraJello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
Trent Reznor's
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
possible contribution to "Supernaut" (see below) is uncredited.
Origin of name
In a 2004 interview, Jourgensen explained that when he played demos (presumably those which became Apathy) for Wax Trax! co-owner Jim Nash, Nash replied, "No one's gonna buy this. It'll take one thousand homo DJs to play this for one person to buy it."However, according to the Wax Trax! box set Blackbox
Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years is a box set album compiling songs released on Wax Trax! Records between 1980 and 1993. Black Box commemorates Wax Trax!'s output as an independent record label prior to its purchase by TVT Records...
released in 1994, Jourgensen and Nash were in the label's office listening to an unauthorized remix of the Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks, also known as RevCo, is an American–Belgian industrial rock band and sometime supergroup that began as a musical side-project for Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc Van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.-History:...
' single "We Shall Cleanse the World
Big Sexy Land
Big Sexy Land is a studio album by Revolting Cocks released in 1986. Big Sexy Land is the band's first major release. At that time Revolting Cocks were Luc Van Acker, Richard 23 and Alain Jourgensen.-Releases:...
". Nash comforted Jourgensen's disapproval of the remix's existence by assuring him that it would only ever be heard by "a thousand homo DJ's."
Trent Reznor's involvement
The nature of Trent Reznor'sTrent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
contribution to 1000 Homo DJs' records has been debated. What is certain is that Reznor recorded the original vocals for "Supernaut." This performance was not officially used because Reznor's label TVT Records
TVT Records
TVT Records was an independent US record label founded by Steve Gottlieb. Over the course of its 25 year history the label released some 25 Gold, Platinum and Multi-platinum releases. Its roster included Nine Inch Nails, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Underworld, The KLF, Sevendust, Brian Jonestown Massacre and...
refused to allow his appearance on the release. Reznor's version would ultimately be released as "Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)" by TVT four years later on the retrospective Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years
Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years is a box set album compiling songs released on Wax Trax! Records between 1980 and 1993. Black Box commemorates Wax Trax!'s output as an independent record label prior to its purchase by TVT Records...
after TVT's purchase of Wax Trax!.
Jourgensen's immediate response to TVT's ultimatum is uncertain. An oft-repeated story tells that instead of recording new vocals, Jourgensen merely ran Reznor's performance through a distortion effect to mask its identity. According to this story, every WaxTrax! recording of "Supernaut" contains Reznor's vocals. However, a dissenting group claims this is an urban legend
Urban legend
An urban legend, urban myth, urban tale, or contemporary legend, is a form of modern folklore consisting of stories that may or may not have been believed by their tellers to be true...
, and that Jourgensen did record new vocals for the EP—albeit in a similar style to Reznor's initial performance.
Statements made by both Reznor and Jourgensen seem to confirm the latter view. In a 1992 Prodigy
Prodigy (ISP)
Prodigy Communications Corporation was an online service that offered its subscribers access to a broad range of networked services, including news, weather, shopping, bulletin boards, games, polls, expert columns, banking, stocks, travel, and a variety of other features.Initially subscribers...
post regarding "Supernaut," Reznor said,
[I] finally told Al to redo it without me. The version that Wax Trax put out is Al, the version on the NIN [bootleg] single is me.Reznor refers to the two-track Suck bootleg
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
, which contains the recording of "Supernaut" that later appeared on Black Box. Jourgensen made a similar statement in a 2003 interview. When asked whose vocals appear on "Supernaut," Jourgensen replied,
That would be me on the original, on WaxTrax! The later version released on TVT was Trent Reznor... then the remixed version had my vocals on it.referring to the WaxTrax! EP, Black Box, and Greatest Fits
Greatest Fits
Greatest Fits is a greatest hits album by the industrial band Ministry. The album was released on June 19, 2001, on Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:# "What About Us?" – 5:52...
versions, respectively. This corroborates that only the Trent Reznor Vocal Version contains Reznor's performance, and Jourgensen in fact sings on most versions of the song.
Releases
- Apathy (1988, 12" single12-inch singleThe 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
) - Supernaut (1990, 12" single, CD EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
).- "Supernaut" (Black SabbathBlack SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
cover) – 6:42 - "Hey Asshole" – 8:09
- "Apathy" – 4:36
- "Better Ways" – 5:23
- "Supernaut" (Black Sabbath
Compilation appearances
- V/A - Black Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 YearsBlack Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 YearsBlack Box - Wax Trax! Records: The First 13 Years is a box set album compiling songs released on Wax Trax! Records between 1980 and 1993. Black Box commemorates Wax Trax!'s output as an independent record label prior to its purchase by TVT Records...
(1994).- Contains "Supernaut (Trent Reznor Vocal Version)"
- V/A - Nativity in Black: Tribute to Black SabbathNativity in BlackNativity in Black is the name of two Black Sabbath tribute albums that came out in the 1990s and 2000s. The albums were recorded with various heavy metal bands paying tribute to Black Sabbath for their influence on the heavy metal genre of rock music....
(1994)." - MinistryMinistry (band)Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
- Greatest FitsGreatest FitsGreatest Fits is a greatest hits album by the industrial band Ministry. The album was released on June 19, 2001, on Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:# "What About Us?" – 5:52...
(2001).- Contains remix of "Supernaut."
- Ministry - Side TraxSide Trax-1000 Homo DJs:-PTP:-Acid Horse:...
(2004). - Ministry & Co-Conspirators Cover UpCover Up (Ministry album)Cover Up is an album of cover versions by Ministry & Co-Conspirators released on April 1, 2008. The album includes previously released covers "Roadhouse Blues", "Lay Lady Lay" and "Supernaut". Cover Up was supposedly Ministry's final release before their three year break up from 2008 to 2011...
(2008)- Contains remix of "Supernaut"
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