Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried

My Life as a Revolting Cock

By: Chris Connelly

Narrated by: Chris Connelly

When hardcore industrial rocker and Ministry supremo Al Jourgensen recruited Chris Connelly as a singer for the Revolting Cocks, the young Scottish lad could hardly have imagined the mayhem that was about to ensue.

As an integral part of Jourgensen's Mad Max-like mutant family of musicians, Connelly joined a drug-crazed travelling circus. Live shows were transformed into an ear-splitting redneck disco from hell, under the influence of a mind-boggling cocktail of every conceivable narcotic, with sleazy strippers and even reports of live cattle on stage.

As well as Jourgensen and all the Wax Trax! crew, the book features cameo appearances by Ogre of Skinny Puppy, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, Killing Joke, Jah Wobble, and Cabaret Voltaire.

Despite the unrelenting chaos, both Ministry and the Revolting Cocks have been immensely successful; Connelly appeared on two US gold albums (The Land of Rape and Honey and The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste) and worked as songwriter on the million-plus selling platinum album Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs.

Connelly's superbly written, funny, irreverent, and sometimes downright scary memoir is one of the finest portrayals of a man trapped in the eye of a post-punk industrial storm this side of Armageddon.

Chris Connelly was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and now lives in Chicago where he has pursued a successful solo career.

©2007, 2014 Christopher John Connelly (P)2014 Christopher John Connelly

One of my favorites!

I was so excited to see that one of my favorite artists in the Wax Trax / industrial music scene, one who was an important member of a few of my favorite bands, wrote a memoir. I still have a lubricated, ribbed Trojan condom he threw in the audience the first time I saw Pigface. This book is juicy, fun, and absolutely hilarious! It is even more so read aloud in the author's voice accompanied by many throaty laughs. This book was a joy, and I highly recommend it. it really made me a bit nostalgic for a few wonderful times and a few wonderful places.

Observations from Amidst the Storm

This book was a lot of fun. I picked up the book because I had been a fan of Ministry & the Revolting Cocks in the 1990s and was hoping for some behind the scenes/warts and all insight into the musicians and the scene. "Concrete, Bulletproof, Invisible and Fried" provided all this and more. Chris Connelly (who also does a great job narrating the book) is an engaging storyteller who peppers his tales with self-effacing humor. My interest in this book never flagged, and I listened to it much more quickly than I might have otherwise because I didn't want to put it down. Highly recommended for fans of 1990s industrial music.

A fantastic and fun listen

I loved that Chris read it himself. Great stories that overlap with my own journey as an industrial fan who lived in Chicago during Wax Trax’s heyday. Sidebar - Chris was working at Reckless Records (Chicago) just a few blocks from my house around ‘95 or so, and he was a genuinely nice person when I would buy music there.

Connelly is very very good at this

He really should write books more often. The book itself is highly entertaining and the narration is hilarious. This book also confirmed everything I always suspected about Ministry. Thanks for a great book Chris.

A quick listen vs a quick read!

I’ve seen this memoir go in and out of print numerous times, and I’ve always just missed grabbing a copy. I was thrilled to find it on audible.
As an aging hipster doofus, I find myself lazily wandering through the memories of the early 90’s Dallas music scene. Particularly it’s appreciation for industrial music. And I was thrilled to hear specific mention of the Revco and Ministry shows at Tommy’s/Industry and the Pigface show at Trees(I was an audience member looking around the floor for the pendant, although my memory has Ogre describing as a masturbating Jesus Christ, and the reward was bad coke and beer), that I attended.
The memoir was a jet speed(pun intended) fast journey through a very specific time and was filled with equally hilarious and horrifying tales. But told with wit and amazing memory. Not knowing the story of Chris’ GF’s passing, I was stunned and saddened. I genuinely hope there have been many, many sessions of therapy for Chris. Thanks for the memoir!
By the way, more memoirs should include the author laughing at their memories. It was a joyful addition.

stories of life on the road and in the studio

If you're a fan and/or musician (or just like listening to Scottish accents), you'll love it. This will give you a first hand look at what's involved with touring and recording in a rock band of Herculean excess, albeit from a safe and sanitary distance. Just when you think that's it, you also find out it's a story of humanity, love and friendship.

Probably only for fans

Chris narrates with wild humor. This book is fantastic. I will listen to it again

AMAZING

I am on my 5th or 6th listen. Mr. Connelly gets into the nitty gritty of the American industrial revolution.

More than a bio

This book is the closer we will get to an oral history of industrial rock in US. Beautifully delivered by Chris.

Pure entertainment with a heavy dash of nostalgia.

Connelly delivers a great performance reading through his memoir. The pace stays pretty good throughout taking you through the musical up and down down downs with a sordid adventure or two. Perfect for those that were there or wish they were.