Ministry, the pioneering industrial-rock band launched in Chicago in 1981 by Al Jourgensen, comes home this month as part of its farewell C U LaTouR. After a European jaunt, Jourgensen plans to devote himself to producing records and running his label, 13th Planet, from his home near El Paso, Texas, where he moved in 1995.

“The stars aligned,” Jourgensen says. “The last three albums we’ve done have been very political, against President Bush. He’s leaving office; I’m turning 50; [calling it quits now] seemed right.”

The band’s two-hour Chicago show will cover material from eighties and nineties classics to songs from Ministry’s new all-covers album, Cover Up. “We wanted to leave the kids with a party album that had nothing political about it,” Jourgensen says. “Remember us: We’re a rock band. We actually have fun, too. We’ll all just party one last time. It really feels like a celebration lap.” May 8-10 at 8. $41.50-$43.50. House of Blues, 329 N Dearborn. 312-923-2000.

Photography: Ash Newell