A 2018 documentary showcasing the rise of Wax Trax! will premiere at a few select shows hosted across the US by Vans and the organizers of national Record Store Day The documentary entitled: Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! will be accompanied by performances by industrial pioneers Ministry and darkwave artist Cold Cave.

This documentary will be released on Record Store Day, along with its soundtrack, which will feature tracks from Wax Trax! era artists such as KMFDM, Front 242, Laibach, Chris Connelly, The Young Gods, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult. A link for trailer for the documentary has already been released, and can be found below:

Founded by Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher in 1978, Wax Trax! made a name for itself throughout the 80s and 90s for featuring numerous industrial, punk and new wave bands. Artists such as Ministry, who started as a synthpop group, began their careers with the label. and were influential on the DIY scene that was gaining traction in the 80s.

“The story of Wax Trax! is a perfect example of the incredible importance and influence that independent record stores have not only on the music scene by selling records, but also on our culture by helping people find a home where they can express themselves through music,” said Carrie Colliton, co-founder of Record Store Day in a press release. “There’s no better day than Record Store Day to release this album with Vans, an iconic brand in the world of indie record stores.”

Eventually Wax Trax! became the pre-eminent face of industrial music, as artists such as My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Young Gods and KMFDM released their music through the label. Many of these acts spanned from international countries outside the US such as the UK and Germany.

“Wax Trax! is a story of artistic freedom, creativity and social acceptance of sub-culture through music,” said Brooke Burt, Senior Manager for Lifestyle Brand Marketing for Vans. “We are proud to partner with Record Store Day to release an album and celebrate a story that pays homage to the ongoing influence of independent record stores and pushes the boundaries of music genres.”

There will be a Q-and-A hosted on February 28 at 7 PM ET on SiriusXM’s Volume channel, regarding the Record Store Day list launch. Panelists include Paul Barker (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Pigface), Chris Connelly (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM), documentary director Julia Nash, Rick Wojcik (Dusty Groove Records owner), and Record Store Day’s Carrie Colton. Barker will not be playing with Ministry however, Connely may possibly play with the group.

Ministry will be playing only 80s and 90s tracks throughout this limited 6 show tour, with their set-lists not going passed anything after 1992’s Psalm 69. This early era of Ministry will likely include their acclaimed album The Land of Rape and Honey, and Twitch, which saw the band developing from a synth-pop sound to industrial.

Ministry has been touring recently, wrapping up a couple of shows this passed December with guest appearances from Dave Navarro and Chris Connely. Venues for the upcoming shows have not been announced, however free tickets will be distributed via independent record stores.

Vans Presents: Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records Experience Events
4/13: Chicago
4/15: Brooklyn
4/17: Toronto
4/19: Austin
4/22: San Francisco
4/23: Los Angeles

Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat