Pailhead

Pailhead was a short-lived side project of the industrial metal band Ministry, which featured Ian MacKaye on vocals (formerly of The Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Skewbald/Grand Union, Embrace, and Fugazi and currently of The Evens). The band's sound was a dark combination of menacing industrial beats and hardcore punk, predating what Ministry would later do with Jello Biafra in Lard.

Considering MacKaye's inadvertent role in the establishment of the straight edge community and Al Jourgensen's legendary drug use, it was highly unexpected for them to collaborate.

Pailhead released the single "I Will Refuse" / "No Bunny" (released in both 7" and 12" formats) in 1987 and the 4-song EP Trait in 1988, both on the Wax Trax label. The CD edition of Trait also incorporates both sides of the "I Will Refuse" / "No Bunny" single. The drummer for "No Bunny" was Eric Spicer of Naked Raygun.

These tracks were later re-released on Ministry's odds-and-ends compilation Side Trax.

In popular culture

• Chris Connelly's first work with Al Jourgensen was to record vocals for the track that would later emerge as "I Will Refuse." Connelly released this version, which he called "Stick" and attributed to the Revolting Cocks, on his Initials C.C. album. In his memoirs, he says he was not offended when MacKaye rerecorded the vocals with new lyrics, saying "It was an honor to be erased by Ian."
• The song "I Will Refuse" was used in the Zero Skateboards video, Misled Youth.
• In The Game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX. Songs were also featured in the Streets on Fire skateboard video (Santa Cruz Skateboards). These songs included "Man Should Surrender", and "Don't Stand in Line".
• The song "I Will Refuse" was used in the premiere episode of Cold Case's fourth season, "Rampage".
• "I Will Refuse" was covered by Soulfly as a Bonus track for the Japanese edition of the album 3.
• Spinnerette did a cover of "I Will Refuse" that was released with their song "All Babes Are Wolves".

Discography

• 1987 - I Will Refuse b/w No Bunny
• 1988 - Trait