Revolting Cocks
Encyclopedia
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
.
Their first release was "No Devotion" on Wax Trax records in 1985. The single was quickly followed by an album, Big Sexy Land
(1986), featuring a mix of Wax Trax-industrial, hard rock, and EBM
with dominating sampling and strong synthesized beats.
Losing Richard 23 due to creative differences, the group's remaining two members were augmented by a rapidly changing set of musicians centered on Chris Connelly (Fini Tribe, later solo work, Murder Inc.
, and Damage Manual), Paul Barker
(The Blackouts, Ministry
, later Pink Anvil
, U.S.S.A.
, and Flowering Blight), and Bill Rieflin (The Blackouts, Ministry, now playing for R.E.M.
and Robyn Hitchcock
), with around twenty others as irregular contributors or guest artists.
The following live album, You Goddamned Son of a Bitch
(1988), featured a return to Ministry-like industrial rock - the Big Sexy Land tracks embedded in shouting and noise. This trend continued on Beers, Steers, and Queers
(1990), layering sample over sample and pushing ever further into distortion. Linger Ficken' Good
(1993) was released by Sire records and is a tamer affair, most tracks returning to the less layered material. Included was a cover of Rod Stewart
's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
," also released as a single. A tour was planned but cancelled, and the band quietly came to an end.
In 2004, Jourgensen, with former Cock Phildo Owens (Skatenigs, Snow Black), revived the group and released iterations of Prune Tang to disappointing responses from fans. An album titled Purple Head was due in 2004, but was delayed until 2006 with a change in title, Cocked and Loaded
. "Caliente (Dark Entries)," a cover of sorts of "Dark Entries" by Bauhaus
, with vocalist Gibby Haynes
(Butthole Surfers
), was featured on the soundtrack to Saw II in 2005.
After assembling a touring line up to open for Ministry on the MasterBaTour of 2006, Jourgensen chose vocalist Josh Bradford (Stayte, Simple Shelter, V.H.S.), keyboardist Clayton Worbeck
(Stayte, Simple Shelter), and guitarist Sin Quirin
(Society 1
, later Ministry and ReVamp) as the new full time members for the Revolting Cocks, now simply being called "RevCo". The group recorded Sex-O Olympic-O
, which was originally set to be released in October 2008, but was delayed until the following February, and was officially released on March 3, 2009. Sex-O Olympic-O was followed up by Got Cock?
, released on April 13, 2010.
In celebration of Wax Trax! Records, the "Wax Trax! Records Retrospectacle: 33 1/3 Year Anniversary" was held from April 15 to 17, 2011 at Metro Chicago
in Chicago, Illinois. As a part of the lineup, Chris Connelly, Paul Barker and Luc Van Acker performed Revolting Cocks songs with various guests. For their performance on the 17th, Richard 23 joined them on stage to sing lead vocals on "No Devotion".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
–Belgian industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
band and sometime supergroup
SuperGroup
SuperGroup is a 2006 reality show on VH1 that follows five well-known hard rock and heavy metal musicians over a 12-day period where they live together in a Las Vegas mansion in order to create, plan and perform a live show together...
that began as a musical side-project for Richard 23 of Front 242
Front 242
Front 242 is a pioneering Belgian electronic music group that came into prominence during the 1980s. They are known for being the premier pioneer of electronic body music and as a major influence on the electronic and industrial music genres.-Formation:...
, Luc Van Acker
Luc Van Acker
Luc van Acker is a musician from Tienen, Belgium. He began writing and releasing solo material in 1982, and worked with a few other bands and with Anna Domino over the next few years. Then in 1985, he met Richard 23 of Front 242 at the DNA Club in Brussels, Belgium, and thereby became a founding...
, and Al Jourgensen
Al Jourgensen
Alain David Jourgensen , is a Cuban-American musician best known as the founder and frontman of the industrial metal band Ministry. He is sometimes credited as Alain Jourgensen, Alien Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa , Dog, Alien Dog Star and Buck Satan...
of 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...
.
History
The group was founded by Richard 23 and Luc Van Acker with Al Jourgensen as their producer. According to Jourgensen, the band got their name after a fight in a Chicago bar in 1983. Jourgensen, Richard 23 and Luc Van Acker celebrated the formation of the new band with a few drinks. The evening then ended up in a brawl, with bar stools being thrown through the establishment's windows. As he was throwing the trio out, the owner, a man Jourgensen recalls was named Dess, shouted, "I'm calling the police! You guys are a bunch of revolting cocks! " The trio subsequently decided to use the name for their band.Their first release was "No Devotion" on Wax Trax records in 1985. The single was quickly followed by an album, Big Sexy Land
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:...
(1986), featuring a mix of Wax Trax-industrial, hard rock, and EBM
Electronic body music
Electronic body music or industrial dance is a music genre that combines elements of industrial music and electronic dance music...
with dominating sampling and strong synthesized beats.
Losing Richard 23 due to creative differences, the group's remaining two members were augmented by a rapidly changing set of musicians centered on Chris Connelly (Fini Tribe, later solo work, Murder Inc.
Murder, Inc. (band)
Murder, Inc. was a short-lived industrial metal supergroup formed in 1991, featuring members of Killing Joke and vocalist Chris Connelly. Murder, Inc. consisted of Connelly; Killing Joke members Geordie Walker, Paul Raven, and Martin Atkins; former Killing Joke drummer "Big Paul" Ferguson; and...
, and Damage Manual), Paul Barker
Paul Barker
Paul 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...
(The Blackouts, 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...
, later Pink Anvil
Pink Anvil
Pink Anvil was a duo consisting of former members of the group Ministry - Paul Barker and Max Brody.The pair formed during a time of personal turmoil in Ministry, which due to drug abuse and record label disagreements nearly ended the group...
, U.S.S.A.
U.S.S.A.
U.S.S.A. are a rock music group formed by bassist/programmer/producer Paul Barker and guitarist/composer Duane Denison...
, and Flowering Blight), and Bill Rieflin (The Blackouts, Ministry, now playing for R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
and Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Hitchcock
Robyn Rowan Hitchcock is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. While primarily a vocalist and guitarist, he also plays harmonica, piano and bass guitar....
), with around twenty others as irregular contributors or guest artists.
The following live album, You Goddamned Son of a Bitch
You Goddamned Son of a Bitch - Live
Live! You Goddamned Son of a Bitch is a concert album and video by the Revolting Cocks, consisting of live material recorded at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago, on September 4, 1987...
(1988), featured a return to Ministry-like industrial rock - the Big Sexy Land tracks embedded in shouting and noise. This trend continued on Beers, Steers, and Queers
Beers, Steers, and Queers
-Additional information:The album opens with a telephone conversation between two southerners discussing an upcoming local appearance by the Revolting Cocks. They are unfamiliar with the band and interpret the name as belonging to a male strip show....
(1990), layering sample over sample and pushing ever further into distortion. Linger Ficken' Good
Linger Ficken' Good
-Singles:Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? # "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"# "Sergio Guitar"# "Wrong Sexy Mix"Crackin' Up # "Crackin' Up "# "Crackin' Up "# "Gila Copter "-Revolting Cocks:...
(1993) was released by Sire records and is a tamer affair, most tracks returning to the less layered material. Included was a cover of Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
's "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?
"Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" is a 1978 hit song for Rod Stewart. It was written by Stewart and Carmine Appice, and produced by Tom Dowd."Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?" spent one week at the top of the British charts in December 1978 and four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, starting 10 February 1979...
," also released as a single. A tour was planned but cancelled, and the band quietly came to an end.
In 2004, Jourgensen, with former Cock Phildo Owens (Skatenigs, Snow Black), revived the group and released iterations of Prune Tang to disappointing responses from fans. An album titled Purple Head was due in 2004, but was delayed until 2006 with a change in title, Cocked and Loaded
Cocked and Loaded
-Retail:-Revolting Cocks:*Alien Jourgensen - lead guitar , guitar , bass , keyboards , chorus guitar , chorus bass , percussion , background vocals , slide guitar , vocals , drums , drum programming , programming , fiddle , production, mixing*Gibby Haynes - vocals , background...
. "Caliente (Dark Entries)," a cover of sorts of "Dark Entries" by Bauhaus
Bauhaus (band)
Bauhaus was an English rock band formed in Northampton in 1978. The group consisted of Peter Murphy , Daniel Ash , Kevin Haskins and David J . The band was originally Bauhaus 1919 before they dropped the numerical portion within a year of formation...
, with vocalist Gibby Haynes
Gibby Haynes
Gibson Jerome "Gibby" Haynes is an American musician, radio personality, and painter, and the lead singer of the group Butthole Surfers.-Early life and career:...
(Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers
Butthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
), was featured on the soundtrack to Saw II in 2005.
After assembling a touring line up to open for Ministry on the MasterBaTour of 2006, Jourgensen chose vocalist Josh Bradford (Stayte, Simple Shelter, V.H.S.), keyboardist Clayton Worbeck
Clayton Worbeck
Clayton Worbeck is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer and remixer. He is the guitarist/programmer for Stayte and has remixed tracks for Filter, Ministry, IAMX, Revolting Cocks, Prong and others.-Stayte:...
(Stayte, Simple Shelter), and guitarist Sin Quirin
Sin Quirin
Sin Quirin is a guitar player from LA. He was a member of Ministry and is featured throughout the 2007 Ministry album The Last Sucker.In addition to his role in Ministry and co-writing credits for RevCo’s Sex-O Olympic-O and Got Cock?, Sin Quirin has worked with DJ Hardware on the...
(Society 1
Society 1
Society 1 is an industrial metal band formed in the 1990s in Los Angeles, California by lead singer Matt Zane. They have released four studio albums, a live album, a compilation album, and a spoken word poetry album by vocalist Matt Zane...
, later Ministry and ReVamp) as the new full time members for the Revolting Cocks, now simply being called "RevCo". The group recorded Sex-O Olympic-O
Sex-O Olympic-O
-RevCo:*Alien Jourgensen - production, drum programming, guitars , horn arrangements, keyboards , harmonica , programming, background vocals *Josh Bradford - vocals, background vocals*Sin Quirin - guitars , bass , keyboards...
, which was originally set to be released in October 2008, but was delayed until the following February, and was officially released on March 3, 2009. Sex-O Olympic-O was followed up by Got Cock?
Got Cock?
-RevCo:*Al Jourgensen - keyboards, programming, background vocals, production*Josh Bradford - vocals*Sin Quirin - guitars, bass, keyboards*Clayton Worbeck - programming, audio remix -Additional personnel:*Sammy DAmbruoso - drum programming...
, released on April 13, 2010.
In celebration of Wax Trax! Records, the "Wax Trax! Records Retrospectacle: 33 1/3 Year Anniversary" was held from April 15 to 17, 2011 at Metro Chicago
Metro Chicago
This page is about the concert hall; for the metro region surrounding Chicago, see Chicago metropolitan area.Metro is a concert hall at 3730 N. Clark Street in Chicago, Illinois that plays host to a variety of local, regional and national emerging bands and musicians. The Metro was first opened in...
in Chicago, Illinois. As a part of the lineup, Chris Connelly, Paul Barker and Luc Van Acker performed Revolting Cocks songs with various guests. For their performance on the 17th, Richard 23 joined them on stage to sing lead vocals on "No Devotion".
Members
- Richard 23 - vocals, programming (1985–1986)
- Luc Van AckerLuc Van AckerLuc van Acker is a musician from Tienen, Belgium. He began writing and releasing solo material in 1982, and worked with a few other bands and with Anna Domino over the next few years. Then in 1985, he met Richard 23 of Front 242 at the DNA Club in Brussels, Belgium, and thereby became a founding...
- vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards (1985–1991, 2006) - Al JourgensenAl JourgensenAlain David Jourgensen , is a Cuban-American musician best known as the founder and frontman of the industrial metal band Ministry. He is sometimes credited as Alain Jourgensen, Alien Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa , Dog, Alien Dog Star and Buck Satan...
- productionRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, programmingProgramming (music)Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
, and various instruments (1985–1993, 2004–2010) - Bill Rieflin - drums, keyboards, programming (1986–1993)
- 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...
- bass, keyboards, programming (1987–1993) - Chris Connelly - vocals, programming (1987–1993)
- Phildo Owen - vocals, programming (1989–1991, 2004–2006)
- Josh Bradford - vocals (2006–2010)
- Sin QuirinSin QuirinSin Quirin is a guitar player from LA. He was a member of Ministry and is featured throughout the 2007 Ministry album The Last Sucker.In addition to his role in Ministry and co-writing credits for RevCo’s Sex-O Olympic-O and Got Cock?, Sin Quirin has worked with DJ Hardware on the...
- guitars, bass, keyboards (2006–2010) - Clayton WorbeckClayton WorbeckClayton Worbeck is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer and remixer. He is the guitarist/programmer for Stayte and has remixed tracks for Filter, Ministry, IAMX, Revolting Cocks, Prong and others.-Stayte:...
- keyboards, bass (2006–2010)
Live line-ups
| (1987) |
|
|---|---|
| (1988) |
|
| (1990) |
|
| (1991) |
|
| MasterBaTour (2006) |
|
| LubricaTour (2009) |
|
| Wax Trax Retrospectacle (April 15-17, 2011) |
|
Albums
- Big Sexy LandBig Sexy LandBig 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:...
(1985) - You Goddamned Son of a Bitch - LiveYou Goddamned Son of a Bitch - LiveLive! You Goddamned Son of a Bitch is a concert album and video by the Revolting Cocks, consisting of live material recorded at the Cabaret Metro in Chicago, on September 4, 1987...
(1988) - Beers, Steers, and QueersBeers, Steers, and Queers-Additional information:The album opens with a telephone conversation between two southerners discussing an upcoming local appearance by the Revolting Cocks. They are unfamiliar with the band and interpret the name as belonging to a male strip show....
(1990) - Linger Ficken' GoodLinger Ficken' Good-Singles:Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? # "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"# "Sergio Guitar"# "Wrong Sexy Mix"Crackin' Up # "Crackin' Up "# "Crackin' Up "# "Gila Copter "-Revolting Cocks:...
(1993) - Cocked and LoadedCocked and Loaded-Retail:-Revolting Cocks:*Alien Jourgensen - lead guitar , guitar , bass , keyboards , chorus guitar , chorus bass , percussion , background vocals , slide guitar , vocals , drums , drum programming , programming , fiddle , production, mixing*Gibby Haynes - vocals , background...
(2006) - Cocktail MixxxCocktail Mixxx-Personnel:*See original album credits to Cocked and Loaded*Clayton Worbeck - remixing *Luc Van Acker - remixing *Phildo Owens - remixing *Josh Bradford - vocals...
(2007) - Sex-O Olympic-OSex-O Olympic-O-RevCo:*Alien Jourgensen - production, drum programming, guitars , horn arrangements, keyboards , harmonica , programming, background vocals *Josh Bradford - vocals, background vocals*Sin Quirin - guitars , bass , keyboards...
(2009) - Sex-O Mixxx-O (2009)
- Got Cock?Got Cock?-RevCo:*Al Jourgensen - keyboards, programming, background vocals, production*Josh Bradford - vocals*Sin Quirin - guitars, bass, keyboards*Clayton Worbeck - programming, audio remix -Additional personnel:*Sammy DAmbruoso - drum programming...
(2010) - Got Mixxx (2011)
Singles
- No Devotion (1985)
- "No Devotion"
- "Attack Ships..."
- "...On Fire"
- You Often Forget (1986) (UK IndieUK Indie ChartThe UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
#13)
- "You Often Forget (Benign Side)"
- "You Often Forget (Malignant Side)"
- Stainless Steel Providers (1989)
- "Stainless Steel Providers"
- "At the Top"
- "T.V. Mind [Remix]" (CD only)
- (Let's Get) Physical (1989)
- "(Let's Get) Physical"
- "(Let's Talk) Physical"
- Beers, Steers, and Queers (The Remixes) (1991)
- "Beers, Steers & Queers [Drop Your Britches Mix]" / "Beers, Steers & Queers [Take 'Em Right Off Mix]"
- "Stainless Steel Providers [Live]"
- "Public Image [Live]"
- Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? (1993)
- "Da Ya Think I'm Sexy?"
- "Sergio Guitar"
- "Wrong Sexy Mix"
- Crackin' Up (1994)
- "Crackin' Up (Video Edit)"
- "Crackin' Up (Amyl Nitrate Mix)"
- "Gila Copter (Version 2)"