November 2026 • Volume 53, Number 01 • www. illinoisentertainer. com
Photo by Derick Smith
U
MINISTRY ncle Al is retiring. Ministry’ s final album, Hate To Go( Take Out Or Delivery), released on Oct. 30 through Cleopatra Records, is Ministry’ s swan song that lays to rest an incredible 45-year career that is responsible for shaping an entire genre of music. Led by the charismatic Al Jourgensen, Chicago-born Ministry has been a beloved musical institution in these parts for decades. Jourgensen initially thought the band would end after the 2007 The Last Sucker tour, when he suffered a serious stomach ulcer.“ I was bleeding out of every orifice, and I didn’ t know why,” Jourgensen explains during a recent Zoom interview.“ I couldn’ t get a straight answer, and I didn’ t think I was going to live. So, The Last Sucker, the last tour, was strictly for health reasons. I’ d lost a third of my blood; I’ d been bleeding for months. It still took me a few years to do another Ministry album after that. So I thought I was done for health reasons.”
Everyone from Judas Priest to Scorpions to Ozzy Osbourne to Mötley Crüe has declared farewell tours, only to return a couple of years later. Even Slayer has returned to the stage recently after declaring they were through in 2019. However, Jourgensen insists that this is the final album and tour of Ministry’ s long career. Kelley Simm’ s spoke to Uncle Al.
06 HELLO MY NAME IS MARTIN
With an elegant, multi-faceted sound and themes swinging grandly between sweet, sharp, witty, romantic and melancholy, Gene gathered a devoted cult of British rock fans between the mid-90s and early 2000s. Led by Martin Rossiter’ s poetic lyricism and sweeping melodies, with guitarist Steve Mason, bassist Kevin Miles, and drummer Matt James. Gene shed early comparisons to the Smiths en route to crafting a unique musical universe that drew as much fromAmerican soul and pop music as influential UK bands like the Faces and the Jam.. The group is now readying its first North American shows in 22 years. The tour stops at Chicago’ s Bottom Lounge on November 16. IE’ s Jeff Elbel spoke to Mr. Rossiter.
PAGE 20: MINISTRY
CinemaScopes
November film preview.
Spins
The Beatles, Mike D, Paul Heaton and more.
Media
MBC’ s Late Show with Steven Colbert Exhibit.
Calendar
1600 shows and 4000 bands, it’ s IE’ s live music calendar.
Record Store Day Black Friday
Our annual RSD Black Friday section serves up complete listings, local stores and more.
Studiophile
Studio and rehearsal space news.
Classifieds
Music services, musicians and more.
12 14 19 24 32 39 39
4
Publisher John Vernon
Contributing Editors Curt Baran Tom Lanham Lori Vernon
Design Team Notion Pool Dragon Design Teknigram Graphics
Calendar Editor Aubrey Vernon
Classified Advertising David Gedge
Founder Kenneth L. Voss
Publisher Emeritis
|
|
Publisher
David Roberts
|
4 |
illinoisentertainer. com |
John Vernon april 2019 |
|
|
Contributing Editors |
|
|
Curt Baran |
|
T
L h illinoisentertainer. com november 2026
|
Advertising Sales Scott Assmann Mike Engel
Advertising Director John Vernon
Website Direction Notion Pool
Senior Columnists
Contributors:
A Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein, Jaime de ' Medici, Andy Derer, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm, Steve Forstneger ein,
Michael Gallucci, Michael C. Harris, Max Herman, Tom Lanham, Aubrey Vernon Carter Moss, Michael Obrecki, Greg Olma Arsenio Orteza, Rodney Pawlak, Steven Kikoen Bruce Pilato, Matthew Pollock, Jason Scales, Kelley Simms, Ed Spinelli, Riley Vernon, Tim Shockley, James Turano
Rosalind Cummings-Yeates |
|
- Sweet Home
Rick Kaempfer- Media
|
SUBSCRIPTIONS: $ 35 per year( first class).
Material for insertion must reach our office by the First Of The Month preceding publication.
|
Kelley Simms- Caught In A Mosh |
We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited |
manuscripts or photographs. |
David C. Eldredge |
- East Coast |
Follow us online at: |
facebook. com / ieentertainer |
|
Advertising Sales
Scott Assmann
Mike Engel
|
instagram: illinoisentertainermagazine
Contributors twitter. com: / ie _ entertainer
Andy Argyrakis, Guy Arnston, Penelope Biver, Patrick Conlan, Deena Dasein,
|
Ad |
ti i |
Di |
t |
Jaime de ' Medici, Andy Derer, Jeff Elbel Terrence Flamm Steve Forstneger |
Address All Correspondence to:
Illinois Entertainer
4223 W. Lake St., Suite 201
Chicago, IL 60624( 630) 618-2177- email us at:
Editorial: ed @ illinoisentertainer. com
Advertising: service @ illinoisentertainer. com koen Th es, by
202
N The ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER is published monthly wit by Roberts Publishing, Inc, All materials copyright
In 2026 2024 by Roberts Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Roberts Publishing, Inc. Current and back issues of the IE are $ 10.00 postpaid.
Address All Correspondence to:
Illinois Entertainer
4223 W. Lake St., Suite 201 Chicago, IL 60624
( 630) 618-2177