TOMMY VICTOR

25 years of chaos and rock'n'roll

He may be already considereed as a living legend. But regardless of bombastic introductions without any doubts Tommy Victor is one of the most interesting individuals on US heavy rock scene. Involved in such influential and respected acts like: PRONG, MINISTRY and DANZIG he's resposible for delivering of quality noise and the one who stands behind the such a classic and powerful albums like “Cleansing”, “Rio Grande Blood” and “Prove You Wrong”. As a vocalist, guitarist, composer and producer he has many times proved that he deserves the respect which he gained. This year Tommy finishes his journey with Al Jourgensen under MINISTRY's flag with “Adios... Puta Madres” live album. Do we need a better opportunity to have a chance to talk to Tommy? I don't think so. So enjoy this – I hope interesting, although Tommy seemed to be not too talkative this time – interview and prepare for what future has in store. 'Cause it seems that we may expect some really nice surprises.

-Let's go back to MINISTRY's farewell tour. You've played your last show in Dublin on 19th of July 2008. How would you describe the feelings that accompanied you during that evening? Did you celebrate that evening in any special way?
I broke out my kilt for the last show in Dublin .I lifted it up for Al backstage.. I have said it before: I was unhappy about the band ending. There was a lot of work and sacrifice put in during the years I spent with MINISTRY. You like to do things with some sort of investment involved. It's only natural. The fanbase was growing, things were going well. Why pull the plug?

- What in your opinion was the main factor which forced Al to say good bye (or rather adios ;)). Was it a routine - though in last few years he released new album every year - and lack of passion, tiredness – for example of long touring or maybe he came to the point when he felt that the mission was complete.
I think Al has become more content with himself and his private life. We have hung out together a lot in the past few years so we are on a bit of a hiatus from one another. He doesn't have to go up onstage to get ego gratification as much as he felt in the past. He didn’t want to fake it.Al has a lot of faith in Obama. What is he going to attack now?

-"Adios.. Put Madres" features performances from MINISTRY's final tour "C U LaTouR". During that tour you've visited 75 cities around the world. Do you remember any particular concert which turned out to be really special for you? Was it maybe Toulouse and tear gas accident ;)? By the way why didn't you decide to put one entire show on tape instead of having recordings from different countries?
Al picked the most memorable shows. I'm not familiar with what was selected. For me Sophia was the best show. I really enjoyed going to Eastern Europe. The audiences were a lot more responsive there.

- Did you film any shows during the tour? Are there any plans to release a DVD from that tour that will follow the live CD?
I believe there is. I'm not sure.

-You're good Al's friend so please lift the veil of secrecy and tell us if there's something left in MINISTRY's closet? I mean is there a chance that some yet unreleased stuff will be published in the near future?
I sincerely don't know. All I know is that we will be writing together again in the future. Possibly for a new project, and maybe a few songs on the next PRONG record.

- There are 13 classic tunes on the CD I guess it was hard to choose a setlist for such a special tour. Are there any songs that you think that definitely should be included on such a record but for some reasons it was impossible to put them on "Adios..."? I still can't understand that there's no single track from "Psalm 69"...
I wasn't involved in the selections. There's your veil of secrecy for you.

-In last few years MINISTRY was very strongly involved in anti-Bush campaign. The situation has changed there's no W. but it's really tough time for America. People put a lot of faith and hope in Obama. But the change that he's talkin' 'bout is not easy. The problems that he has to solve are almost unprecedented in America's history? Do you think that there's a chance that US will soon recover from the crisis?
Yeah I think there will be some sort of turn around. But generally, I'm more cynical than Al. I think they, politicians, are all crooks.

-When talkin' bout politics and economy. What is your opinion on government's bailout for financial institutions like AIG. Some say that it's unfair that banks get money from the state and their bosses get paid with multimillion bonuses while ordinary people lose their houses...
Yeah its a joke. It's criminal.

-You've played in three great bands: PRONG, MINISTY and DANZIG. How did the MINISTRY experience differ from the other two bands. Btw. which one and why was the most exhausting and most challenging?
PRONG is always the toughest, because we are still struggling and haven't had the success that the other situations have. And its hard because I have to "sing" play leads and all the guitars and write most of the stuff.

PRONG

-It's been quite some time since "Power of the Damager" was released. What do you feel when you take a look back at those recordings. Would you like to change anything on that album or you're still fully satisfied with it?
Yeah there’s stuff I would have changed. Like the sequencing. I think I trusted the engineers too much on the record. I wanted to get it done and didn't spend enough time on the details.

-Did you already started the writing of new songs. How would you describe the progress of creating process and difference between the new stuff and "POTD"?
The writing process is basically the same. I review riffs that I have recorded between tours and whenever then try to make arrangements and do a basic programming to accompany it for Aaaron Rossi. If inspired I write and sing a lyric and see how that goes. Monte Pittman submitted a few songs for me to work on as well. Aaron so far has been more involved with ideas and arrangements.

-There are plans to release an album with remixes from "Power...". I know that Al was searching for remixers. Can you tell us who will torture your songs ;) and when it will be released? Btw why did you decide to do it. Some people see such releases only as a easy way to get some extra money...
My main reason for agreeing to the release is to create more interest in the studio record. I feel it was overlooked . Its being released the beginning of May. Rob Caggiano, J.S. Clayden, AK 1200 are some of the people involved.

-PRONG's history started at famous CBGB in New York. The venue was closed in 2006. How do you remember the time that you've spent at that club? Would you call it "The Wonder Years" ;)?
It was great! I learned so much there. I was exposed to so much. That's were I grew up. Things have changed so much. I feel as though the stuff I learned there is meaningless and misunderstood in today’s music environment, however. There was no internet, no digital technology, cell phones, nothing back then. It was all socializing, self pressed records and live music.