35 YEARS OF PIGFACE’S GUB
From Martin:
I’ve had a few careers, I guess. You could call PiL and Killing Joke (either or both?) from 1979 to 1991 as a decent go of it, and DAMN I’m really proud of that work, but a second path with multiple avenues began with my brief but important time with Ministry. That tour was a watershed moment, pulling me out of 80’s post punk and head first down the slippery concrete stairs into industrial. I didn’t know what it was really, but I knew I liked it. It excited me and frightened me a bit… it was fast, and there were those drugs that I’d seen destroy others, but I knew I needed to be in Chicago. Previous vibes had posted signs to the Midwest, kind of wild really to NOT know exactly the what, but to know exactly the “why,” I guess?
Killing Joke introduced me to Ministry (well to Patty Jourgenson then Al) whose word, ‘etched in stone’ (bwahaha) asked me to tour in 1990. In the middle of that tour, Bill Reiflin and I started Pigface. Somewhere there’s a cassette from Florida where we started to make beats at soundcheck – FFS. The DAY the tour ended we went into Chicago Trax Recording on Halstead on a spec deal, knowing we couldn’t pay for the studio, let alone flights for Ogre, Esch etc. to come back to Chicago (I have that deal memo at the Museum – thank you Reid Hyams!). We made a risky-as-fuck experimental album. I insisted in flying in my friend to sing on a track that became Suck. Esch sang about jumping out of a third floor window, Albini reveled in the experimentation with us, enabled and created it. Yow? Connelly? Barker? Schulz? What label wouldn’t want this? Well, it turns out Wax Trax did not. No one! I slightly couldn’t believe it. Are you fucking kidding me right now?
I think because of the Albini / Yow thread, Corey Rusk at Touch & Go asked for a meeting. OK. But, sat me down to tell me he didn’t want to release it either. WTF maaaan. Are you serious.
Then, in one of those moments, Corey suggested he could manufacture and distribute it on my label Invisible. I didn’t think he was serious. I was concerned that Bill would think I hadn’t tried to get a ‘real’ deal. That, this, all of this was life changing for many of us really. The album did well – we blew it all touring with way too many people, but that was really the beginning of the label that started in 1988. GUB was in 1991.
We did something special there. Asked a question: what if we said fuck it and made something more experimental than strategic? What could we do with the platform we already had, and how much could we risk?
What a wonderful experiment in trust and risk and love – lots of love.
Pigface is 35 this year – thank you
miss you Bill, William, Paul
Martin Atkins
Chicago ILLANNOYS
PPIM PRESENTS: DAVID J
in conversation with Martin Atkins
SECOND SEATING ADDED!
Our Friday June 12 7:00pm (6:30pm doors) seating with David J in conversation with Martin Atkins has sold out! We’ve added a second, later seating at 9:30pm (9:00pm doors).
We’re looking forward to sharing this with event you!
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ADDITIONAL MENTIONS FROM MARTIN:
Chicago Ableton Workshop
Wed June 10, 7PM-11PM
Wednesday, June 10 Martin will be joining Orville Kline at Spybar for an Ableton workshop. You’ll be given the opportunity to lean new production techniques, acquire some DIY tips, song feedback, and giveaways – plus, the whole thing is free! We hope to see you there!
100 Club London, Celebrating 50th Punk Fest Anniversary
Fri and Sat September 18 + 19
The 100 Club of Soho London is celebrating 50 years since the original 100 Club Punk Festival with 1976: Celebrating 50 Years of Punk at the 100 Club – a 2-night celebration September 18 and 19. Night 1 will feature X Generation X, Stinky Toys (first appearance since 1977), and Terry Chimes (founding drummer of The Clash). Night 2 will include appearances from John McKay’s Reactor (exclusive banshees set), TV Smith & the Bored Teenagers (special Adverts 1977 set), and Marco Pirroni!
The following is a short background from the event organizers:
In 1976, a small Soho basement became the epicentre of a cultural earthquake. The 100 Club Punk Festival didn’t just showcase bands—it sparked a movement that reshaped music forever. Fifty years later, we return to the very same room where it began. On Friday 18th and Saturday 19th September, we host two extraordinary nights at the 100 Club celebrating the birth of punk—featuring artists who helped define the era, alongside very special guests who were there at the beginning.
Find tickets for Night One HERE and Night Two HERE!
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AUCTIONS LIVE THROUGH SUNDAY
ENDING 5/24 2PM-10PM
It’s been a long while since we had an auction – maybe 6 months? There are some really great collectibles in this one – over 90 items! Of course, I am going to mention my custom drum track – I record those on the main floor of the Museum with my PiL/Killing Joke/Ministry/NiN/Pigface kit – can you feel the vibes? The last batch took a while but I’m now at the Museum for the summer, so they will happen pretty quickly, and it feels like such a great way to keep the Museum fueled and my chops happening !
Here’s a quick FAQ in case you had a question:
Q: Can we credit “Drums: Martin Atkins”
A: yes you can
Q: We actually need drums on three songs – but you are only auctioning one?
A: Sometimes we can arrange to record multiple racks at the same rate.
Q: How does this work ?
A: You send a stereo track or a multi track session – along with instructions about what you are, broadly, looking for. I will attempt to deliver that. If i hear something completely different off-time playing across your track – I will still do that along with what you said you wanted.
Q: Can you send pics from the session
A: Yes
Q: How long does delivery take ?
A: I am in Chicago for the summer and we are all set up, so I would say realistic delivery is three weeks
Great events are happening too! We had such an amazing time of stories, listening and knowledge bouncing off the walls this past weekend – lets have more of those!
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UPCOMING EVENTS
In June, we’ll be hosting a variety of events, including annual Private Founders Meet Founders events, in person and later virtual, to provide our national and international Founders with options! Industry Mondays will begin in June, where other industry professionals who can’t make it out on the weekend can catch a discounted tour on a day off – we gotcha!
We’re excited to announce Friday June 12, we will be welcoming David J of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets for a special chat with Martin at the Museum! Oh – and don’t forget to bring your Punk Dad out the following weekend for Father’s Day!!
July, August, and September are jam-packed with tours, celebrations of My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Lollapalooza, Ministry, Riot Fest, NiN Broken, and then finally Cold Waves! Our annual Cold Waves Weekend (mis)Guided Tours and Brunch are LIVE!
Don’t forget there are often weekend (mis)Guided Tours with Martin, and if you’re looking to stay in town, check out the AirBnB!
There’s a lot going on around our 5th Anniversary and, we’re sure, more to come! You can find all upcoming event details below!
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