Pailhead
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Al Jourgensen, Ian MacKaye |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music, industrial music |
Pailhead was a United States-based hardcore punk group and a brief side project initiated by Al Jourgensen of Ministry. The lineup featured Dischord Records founder and ex-Minor Threat lead singer Ian MacKaye on vocals. Their music merged industrial rhythms with hardcore punk elements, foreshadowing Ministry’s subsequent partnership with Jello Biafra in the side endeavor Lard.
Background
During his stay in London, Alain Jourgensen encountered Ian MacKaye, who had been active in Washington D.C.’s punk scene with bands like The Teen Idles, Minor Threat, and was on the verge of starting Fugazi. Concurrently, Jourgensen was evolving Ministry’s sound from the more mainstream style of With Sympathy towards the aggressive tone found in The Land of Rape and Honey. United by shared musical tastes and political views, they joined forces to blend industrial music with hardcore punk.
Pailhead issued the single "I Will Refuse" / "No Bunny" in 1987, followed by the four-track EP Trait in 1988, both released through Wax Trax! Records. The CD edition of Trait includes the single’s songs. Drummer Eric Spicer from Naked Raygun contributed to "No Bunny." These recordings were eventually featured on Ministry’s compilation album Side Trax.
On the Kreative Kontrol podcast, MacKaye mentioned that he never performed live with Pailhead.
In popular culture
- Prior to Pailhead, Chris Connelly collaborated with Jourgensen by recording vocals for the track that evolved into "I Will Refuse." Connelly later issued his rendition named "Stick," credited to the Revolting Cocks, on his album Initials C.C. He regarded MacKaye’s re-recording as a mark of respect.
- The song "I Will Refuse" was featured in the 1999 Zero Skateboards video Misled Youth as well as in the premiere episode of season four of Cold Case, titled "Rampage."
- Tracks such as "Man Should Surrender" and "Don't Stand in Line" appeared within the soundtrack of the video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX, alongside footage from the Streets on Fire skateboard video (Santa Cruz Skateboards).
- The band Soulfly recorded a cover of "I Will Refuse," included as a bonus track on the Japanese release of their album 3.
- Spinnerette issued a cover version of "I Will Refuse" paired with their track "All Babes Are Wolves."
Discography
- I Will Refuse b/w No Bunny 7" and 12" single (1987)
- Man Should Surrender b/w Anthem 7" single (1988)
- Don't Stand in Line b/w Ballad 7" single (1988)
- Trait 12" EP (including last two singles) and CD (featuring all three singles) (1988)
Members
- Ian MacKaye: lead vocals
- Al Jourgensen: guitar, backing vocals
- Paul Barker: bass guitar
- Bill Rieflin: drums
- Eric Spicer: drums