Depths of the Museum
MUSEUM MONDAY:
Some depth to today’s post and the feelings that accompany it. These thoughts aren’t fully formed but deep, meaningful, growing and solid. A few weeks ago, I’d been contemplating the need to perform the ‘cash register fire ceremony’ at the Extremities event at Reggie’s – or more accurately in the alley across the street from Reggie’s. The response surprised me – 80 people in a circle (in the bitter cold) beginning what could be a new tradition, then hugging as we remembered our fallen bandmates Raven and Geordie and co-conspirators Mont Sherar and Steve Albini. It felt like walking into the pain, (celebrating it and them) was an emotionally fueling (no pun intended) act. Perfectly fitting with our Killing Joke connections.
Over the last few weeks I’ve also remarked about how important it feels to me that I’m still playing my drum kit at the Museum – that the beats are reverberating around the wall and artifacts, maybe shaking some items off the shelves. We even rehearsed for the Extremities project there – so, to have Justin Pearson, Tara Busch, Dirk Flanigan, Randy Blythe, Orville Kline, William Washington, Leyla Royale all there making noise being documented by photographers Bobby Tallamine, Derrick Smith, Becky DiGiglio, Jodi Sargent and Randy, himself, and with Jason Pettigrew in attendance felt like another level of what a Museum can be: not static or sterile but living, breathing and evolving. The cash register now sits in the Museum, the numbers on the buttons melted down the front.
So, this weekend was another level of special. Saturday, we opened up to a surprising response to free tickets and lots of Chicago locals visiting for the first time. Sunday we had a wonderful couple, Austin & Jay, who had asked if they could be married at the Museum. We’ve always done this onstage with Pigface, so I was surprised this idea hadn’t cropped up before. The profoundly moving ceremony reminded me of the history we are still making in the building, the importance of these ceremonies and rituals as we all try to navigate whatever the future is. Surrounded by items of resonance to their lives and in the shadow of the cash register – the space was bathed in a new energy and in turn gave that energy to the couple and attendees.
The pictures are amazing, but not mine to share, I’m happy to show you the set up though, using my much travelled and much abused drum riser as a small stage. And, in the Pigface tradition of allowing the happy couple an hour or so in the rear lounge of the tour bus to consummate their vows, we gifted the couple an overnight stay in the apartment upstairs.
The Museum feels different today, more alive, more special and meaningful for sure. Is it possible for it to feel more of a reverent space and less at the same time? At one point in the ceremony, the guests banged on pieces of metal, they were able to incorporate one of Test Department’s instruments from their 1997 tour into that glorious noise.
At the risk of dragging us all into a ditch, I’m going to end this by asking and reminding you all that a vote for the museum in the Chicago Reader Poll would be a wonderfully fueling thing for us – and at no cost! not much we can say that about these days – it would be very much appreciated as we approach the beginning of our 5th year!!
Be as nice as you can to as many people as you can, and so much joy to Jay & Austin as they embark on this journey.
Martin Atkins
Chicago ILLANNOYS
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