Martin Atkins
Encyclopedia
Martin Clive Atkins is an English
drummer
and session musician
, best known for his work in post-punk
and industrial
groups including Public Image Ltd.
, Ministry
, Pigface
, and Killing Joke
. Atkins is also an honorary board member of the Chicago based nonprofit organization Rock For Kids
.
's post-Sex Pistols
band, Public Image Ltd.
. He joined in 1979, just in time to contribute to the song "Bad Baby," on the album Metal Box. Atkins' first live show with PiL was recorded and released as a live album Paris Au Printemps and his first year with the band included appearances on The John Peel Sessions for the BBC
, American Bandstand
and the BBC's live Old Grey Whistle Test
.
In 1980, Atkins left Public Image Ltd. to concentrate on his band Brian Brain with Pete Jones (who also played with Public Image Ltd. in 1982 and 1983) on bass (in 1983 replaced by original Go-Gos' bassist Margot Olavarria) and Bobby Surgeoner on guitar (later replaced by Olavarria's husband, Geoff Smyth). Brian Brain released six singles and one LP on Secret Records, and continued to release singles and LPs on Atkins' own Plaid Records throughout the 1980s. The band had had a minor indie chart
hit in 1980 with "They've Got Me In The Bottle" (#39), and club hits with the singles "Jive Jive" (1981) and "Funky Zoo" (1982).
Throughout the late 1980s, the 1990s and early 2000s, Atkins performed with many bands, including Nine Inch Nails
(appearing in the video for "Head Like A Hole
"), as well as Ministry
. The dual-drumming of Atkins and Bill Rieflin is captured on the live Ministry album/video In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up
. Atkins later joined Killing Joke
, performing on 1990's Extremities, Dirt, and Other Repressed Emotions. He also managed the band for that time, and designed their live show scenery and some merchandise.
Atkins formed his industrial
supergroup
, Pigface
, during a Ministry
tour in 1989–1990. Atkins also went on to form Murder, Inc.
, a new band featuring Geordie Walker, Paul Raven and Chris Connelly, in 1992. During this time, he played with the Revolting Cocks
and is credited alongside Chris Vrenna in Nine Inch Nails for performing extra drums on "Wish" and "Gave Up," tracks two and six of the Broken EP (as well as the aforementioned "Head Like A Hole").
In between creating albums and touring with Pigface he also began The Damage Manual
, which combined the drum and bass feel of early PiL bass player Jah Wobble
with Atkins' signature beats and production. Geordie Walker from Killing Joke
and Chris Connelly were also part of the project.
Atkins later produced and released a collaborative album with Skinny Puppy
's Nivek Ogre
, the latter's first project outside of Skinny Puppy, under the moniker Rx
. The resulting album was entitled Bedside Toxicology.
Atkins is currently teaching his fourth year at Columbia College
in Chicago where he instructs the course "The Business of Touring". He is also an active guest lecturer, speaking at such institutions as the University of Southern California, the Midi School in Beijing, China and Lebanon Valley College
in Annville, Pennsylvania. As announced via interview on the music website Soundsect.com, Atkins plans to take his lecturing further by eventually opening a school of his own.
Atkins has held a number of seminars at Tech Music Schools
(Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech) in London, with more planned for the future.
Atkins has written what he calls, "the first real book on touring". The book Tour:Smart, featured contributions from Henry Rollins
, Cynthia Plastercaster, The Enigma, the Suicide Girls, Zim Zum
(formerly of Marilyn Manson), Kevin Lyman
, Curse Mackey and various other managers, journalists, venues, agents, sponsors, and radio personalities. He is currently in the studio working on a new album with The Countdown, Pigface's sixth studio album, The Religion of Marketing retrospective gallery show, and various other projects.
Atkins was the feature of the documentary film, Free For All, that focused on Pigface's Free For All tour.
Atkins was on the tenth annual Independent Music Awards judging panel, and was also a judge for the seventh annual season of Independent Music Awards
to support independent artists.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and session musician
Session musician
Session musicians are instrumental and vocal performers, musicians, who are available to work with others at live performances or recording sessions. Usually such musicians are not permanent members of a musical ensemble and often do not achieve fame in their own right as soloists or bandleaders...
, best known for his work in post-punk
Post-punk
Post-punk is a rock music movement with its roots in the late 1970s, following on the heels of the initial punk rock explosion of the mid-1970s. The genre retains its roots in the punk movement but is more introverted, complex and experimental...
and industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
groups including Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
, Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
, Pigface
Pigface
Pigface is an industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.-History:Pigface was formed from Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour, which produced the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up live album and video. For the tour, Al Jourgensen brought...
, and Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
. Atkins is also an honorary board member of the Chicago based nonprofit organization Rock For Kids
Rock For Kids
Rock For Kids is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Honorary board members include Martin Atkins of Invisible Records, Andrew Bird, Jon Langford, Johnny Marr of Modest Mouse and the Smiths, Nan Warshaw co-owner of Bloodshot Records and Joe Shanahan owner of Metro...
.
1979-1981
Atkins' first major exposure as a drummer was with John LydonJohn Lydon
John Joseph Lydon , also known by the former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a singer-songwriter and television presenter, best known as the lead singer of punk rock band the Sex Pistols from 1975 until 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s...
's post-Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
band, Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd.
Public Image Ltd are an English post-punk band formed by vocalist John Lydon , guitarist Keith Levene and bassist Jah Wobble, with frequent subsequent personnel changes. Lydon is the sole constant member of the band....
. He joined in 1979, just in time to contribute to the song "Bad Baby," on the album Metal Box. Atkins' first live show with PiL was recorded and released as a live album Paris Au Printemps and his first year with the band included appearances on The John Peel Sessions for the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
and the BBC's live Old Grey Whistle Test
Old Grey Whistle Test
The Old Grey Whistle Test was an influential BBC2 television music show that ran from 1971 to 1987. It took over the BBC2 late night slot from "Disco Two", which had been running since January 1970, while continuing to feature non-chart music. It was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers...
.
In 1980, Atkins left Public Image Ltd. to concentrate on his band Brian Brain with Pete Jones (who also played with Public Image Ltd. in 1982 and 1983) on bass (in 1983 replaced by original Go-Gos' bassist Margot Olavarria) and Bobby Surgeoner on guitar (later replaced by Olavarria's husband, Geoff Smyth). Brian Brain released six singles and one LP on Secret Records, and continued to release singles and LPs on Atkins' own Plaid Records throughout the 1980s. The band had had a minor indie chart
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Chart or Indie Chart is a chart of the best-selling independent record releases in the UK.- History :In the wake of punk, small record labels began to spring up, as an outlet for artists that were unwilling to sign contracts with major record companies, or were not considered...
hit in 1980 with "They've Got Me In The Bottle" (#39), and club hits with the singles "Jive Jive" (1981) and "Funky Zoo" (1982).
1981-1985
Atkins rejoined Public Image Ltd. in 1981 to contribute to Flowers of Romance and, later, produced and co-wrote the album This is What You Want......This Is What You Get. Atkins eventually left PiL for the last time in 1985.1985-2005
After leaving Public Image Ltd., Atkins revived his Brian Brain project and recorded an EP at Planet Sound Studios in New York for his own, short-lived label Plaid Records, which was released in July 1985.Throughout the late 1980s, the 1990s and early 2000s, Atkins performed with many bands, including Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
(appearing in the video for "Head Like A Hole
Head Like a Hole
"Head Like a Hole" is a song by the American industrial rock project Nine Inch Nails. A song influenced by industrial metal group Ministry, it was released as the second single from the group's debut album Pretty Hate Machine...
"), as well as Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
. The dual-drumming of Atkins and Bill Rieflin is captured on the live Ministry album/video In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up
In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up
-Video:A companion home video of the concert also exists, featuring the same tracks as the audio except it is bookended by two "bonus" songs. The beginning of the concert starts with a very textured dual drum jam than segues into "Breathe". After playing Stigmata, Jello Biafra comes on stage and...
. Atkins later joined Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
, performing on 1990's Extremities, Dirt, and Other Repressed Emotions. He also managed the band for that time, and designed their live show scenery and some merchandise.
Atkins formed his industrial
Industrial music
Industrial music is a style of experimental music that draws on transgressive and provocative themes. The term was coined in the mid-1970s with the founding of Industrial Records by the band Throbbing Gristle, and the creation of the slogan "industrial music for industrial people". In general, the...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
, Pigface
Pigface
Pigface is an industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.-History:Pigface was formed from Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour, which produced the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up live album and video. For the tour, Al Jourgensen brought...
, during a Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
tour in 1989–1990. Atkins also went on to form Murder, Inc.
Murder, Inc. (band)
Murder, Inc. was a short-lived industrial metal supergroup formed in 1991, featuring members of Killing Joke and vocalist Chris Connelly. Murder, Inc. consisted of Connelly; Killing Joke members Geordie Walker, Paul Raven, and Martin Atkins; former Killing Joke drummer "Big Paul" Ferguson; and...
, a new band featuring Geordie Walker, Paul Raven and Chris Connelly, in 1992. During this time, he played with the Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks, also known as RevCo, is an American–Belgian industrial rock band and sometime supergroup that began as a musical side-project for Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc Van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.-History:...
and is credited alongside Chris Vrenna in Nine Inch Nails for performing extra drums on "Wish" and "Gave Up," tracks two and six of the Broken EP (as well as the aforementioned "Head Like A Hole").
In between creating albums and touring with Pigface he also began The Damage Manual
The Damage Manual
The Damage Manual is an industrial supergroup that originally formed in 2000. It featured Martin Atkins on drums and loops, Chris Connelly on vocals, Geordie Walker on guitar and Jah Wobble on bass.-History:...
, which combined the drum and bass feel of early PiL bass player Jah Wobble
Jah Wobble
Jah Wobble is an English bass guitarist, singer, poet and composer. He became known to a wider audience as the original bass player in Public Image Ltd in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but left the band after two albums...
with Atkins' signature beats and production. Geordie Walker from Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
and Chris Connelly were also part of the project.
Atkins later produced and released a collaborative album with Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy is a Canadian industrial musical group, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The group is widely considered to be the founders of the electro-industrial genre....
's Nivek Ogre
Nivek Ogre
Nivek Ogre is a Canadian musician, performance artist and actor best known as a founding member of the industrial band Skinny Puppy. Since that band featured another Kevin and was produced by another Ogilvie Nivek Ogre (born Kevin Graham Ogilvie December 5, 1962) is a Canadian musician,...
, the latter's first project outside of Skinny Puppy, under the moniker Rx
Rx (band)
℞ or Rx was a one-off side project by Skinny Puppy band member Nivek Ogre, in collaboration with Invisible Records founder Martin Atkins. The project was originally called Ritalin, but the name was changed for legal reasons....
. The resulting album was entitled Bedside Toxicology.
2006 and onward
In October 2006, Atkins visited Beijing, China in order to discover the emerging Chinese music scene. During his stay, Atkins recorded and signed a handful of Chinese bands to Invisible and recorded material for a new Pigface album.Atkins is currently teaching his fourth year at Columbia College
Columbia College Chicago
Columbia College Chicago is one of the largest art colleges in the United States with nearly 12,000 students pursuing degrees within 120 undergraduate and graduate programs...
in Chicago where he instructs the course "The Business of Touring". He is also an active guest lecturer, speaking at such institutions as the University of Southern California, the Midi School in Beijing, China and Lebanon Valley College
Lebanon Valley College
Lebanon Valley College is a small, liberal arts higher education institution situated in the heart of Annville in Lebanon County, east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.-History:...
in Annville, Pennsylvania. As announced via interview on the music website Soundsect.com, Atkins plans to take his lecturing further by eventually opening a school of his own.
Atkins has held a number of seminars at Tech Music Schools
Tech Music Schools
Tech Music School is a contemporary music school that trains musicians for the music industry in the following disciplines: drums, vocals, guitar, bass guitar and music business...
(Drumtech, Vocaltech, Guitar-X and Keyboardtech) in London, with more planned for the future.
Atkins has written what he calls, "the first real book on touring". The book Tour:Smart, featured contributions from Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins
Henry Rollins is an American singer-songwriter, spoken word artist, writer, comedian, publisher, actor, and radio DJ....
, Cynthia Plastercaster, The Enigma, the Suicide Girls, Zim Zum
Zim Zum
Timothy Michael Linton more commonly known as Zim Zum, is an American rock musician/songwriter and former guitarist for Life, Sex & Death and Marilyn Manson...
(formerly of Marilyn Manson), Kevin Lyman
Kevin Lyman
Kevin Lyman is creator of a touring music and extreme sports festival called the Warped Tour, the Taste of Chaos, and the Mayhem tours. He also is a partner at SideOneDummy Records. He owns 4FINI which annually produces the above-mentioned tours as well as produced past tours such as the Down From...
, Curse Mackey and various other managers, journalists, venues, agents, sponsors, and radio personalities. He is currently in the studio working on a new album with The Countdown, Pigface's sixth studio album, The Religion of Marketing retrospective gallery show, and various other projects.
Atkins was the feature of the documentary film, Free For All, that focused on Pigface's Free For All tour.
Atkins was on the tenth annual Independent Music Awards judging panel, and was also a judge for the seventh annual season of Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards
The Independent Music Awards is an international program that honors top-ranked independent artists and releases in more than 50 Album, Song, Music Video and Design categories....
to support independent artists.
External links
- Official Myspace page
- Official Tour:Smart page
- Official Gallery Page
- Martin Atkins Blog
- Soundsect Interview
- The Second SupperThe Second SupperThe Second Supper is a web site and newspaper published in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The newspaper is published weekly from its headquarters in Downtown La Crosse....
Review of the Tour:Smart presentation plus Q&A with Martin Atkins, and review of the book