Museum Monday: Extremities Rehearsals, Reflections, + More

MUSEUM MONDAY: May 12th, 2025

In marathons, pacers help runners manage their speed, prevent burnout, and stay mentally focused. They act as both a psychological anchor and a physical benchmark. In cycling,  pace-setters pull their teammates forward, shielding them from wind and setting a sustainable rhythm. That’s exactly what has been happening this last week as Pigface DM bassist, Greta Brinkman, flew in from Germany and suggested a couple of rehearsals to get things (me?) on track.

The Extremities project has already been a blessing in so many ways, spurring conversations between creators, causing a deeper examination of parts and musical interconnections, fostered a respect and a greater love of this important time period in the bands history. How luxurious? How daunting? A healthy state of mind I think – to be so concerned about the performance and legacy that we are fully in this 6 months before the doors open on Nov 28th. I feel like my friends are pushing me, shielding me from the wind. None of us want to ‘get through this’ – it needs to be triumphant. I can’t be satisfied with just completing the songs without mistakes, I need, in the Killing Joke tradition, to laugh in the face of it and spit in the air. Greta, Orville, Steven and Leyla killed it; it was nice to see Condo and Bobby Tallamine, too.

To spend some time examining Raven’s bass, and, my goodness, Geordie’s guitar, and even Albini’s engineering on the early demos. Just listening, thinking and letting the music take me back – little things. I found my London bus and tube pass – the slogging rehearsals followed by 90 to 120 minutes of cross London commutes spurred the construction of the floating rehearsal space at the invisible loft at 2024 S Wabash, Chicago. After London, it was magnificent to be soaking in a hot bath ten minutes after the end of a long rehearsal day. So much grew out of that spot – SWANS rehearsals and pre-production, Lard, Murder Inc, SPASM, Pigface and Lab Report – but back to London. We were white hot back then, working very hard. I’m not sure if this is still a path that bands take – working together, being well prepared, putting in the time. Taking the songs out on the road, testing the response – not in a Hollywood audience survey way – but in an alchemic mad scientist experiment way, checking the push and the dark modulations of the mosh pit. I guess, the Extremities project then has demanded that level of serious intensity – and that feels totally correct. 

Coupled with all of this activity has been a wave of activity at the Museum, too – visitors unanimously looking forwards to returning before they’ve even left, smiles, meaningful connections to each other and the music and the vibe of industrial Chicago – setting the tone for what will be an amazing summer. All of this musical work and connection has changed the museums meaning a bit for me: when I look at the Killing Joke area now I’m not just looking at the past – I’m thinking about the future.

Ultra VIPs for Extremities in November are sold out, but you can join the wait list HERE. Regular VIPs are still available HERE (GA ticket, merch coupons, + more), or Regular General Admission is available directly from Reggie’s HERE. Please bear in mind the venue only holds 400!

There’s LOTS going on – more auctions to help support the museum – grab a custom drum track while I’m hot! More museum events, a special event with producer Michael Kolar, a Founders meet Founders event, and museum week coming up, too! 

Come visit