Martin Clive Atkins (born 3 August 1959) is an English drummer, best known for his work in post-punk and industrial groups including Public Image Ltd, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface, and Killing Joke. He also works as a consultant, has written multiple books on the music industry, and is the music industry studies coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Atkins is the owner and operator of the Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music in Chicago, is an honorary board member of the Chicago-based nonprofit organization Rock For Kids, and is a fellow of In Place of War.

Early life

Atkins was born in Coventry, England. 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 formed The Damage Manual with Jah Wobble, Walker, and Connelly. 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.

Between 2000 and 2002 he released four albums as Opium Jukebox featuring instrumental cover tunes done in a Bhangra style.

2006–present

In October 2006, Atkins visited Beijing to discover the emerging Chinese music scene. During his stay, Atkins recorded and signed a handful of Chinese bands to Invisible Records and recorded material for a new Pigface album.

Atkins has taught at Columbia College in Chicago where he instructed 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 and Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. Atkins has since become an instructor at the Madison Media Institute in Madison, Wisconsin. Atkins has announced plans to take his lecturing further by eventually opening a school of his own.

In 2020, Martin joined the band Nadjia for a re-recording of their 90s music on the album '7 Ends 13'. A sample of Martin had actually been used in the original recording, but Martin stepped in this time to do it himself.

In 2021, Martin opened Chicago's "Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music" documenting the history of the two movements with over 3000 items and ephemera. Displays include handwritten lyrics by Trent Reznor for Pigface, Martin's drum set, vintage rarities from Skinny Puppy, and a myriad of other rare items from the history of Industrial music.

In 2022, Martin was also inducted by Brian Eno as a fellow of In Place of War, a global organization that uses creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change.

Discography

;with Public Image Ltd

  • 1979: Metal Box ("Bad Baby" only)
  • 1980: Paris au Printemps (live)
  • 1981: The Flowers of Romance
  • 1983: Live in Tokyo (live)
  • 1984: This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get

;with Brian Brain

  • 1987: Time Flies When You're Having Toast

;with Ministry

  • 1990: In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up (live)

;with Killing Joke

  • 1990: Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions

;with Pigface

  • 1991: Gub
  • 1992: Fook
  • 1994: Notes From Thee Underground
  • 1997: A New High in Low
  • 2003: Easy Listening...
  • 2009: 6

;with Nine Inch Nails

  • 1992: Broken (EP)

;with Swans

  • 1995: The Great Annihilator ("My Buried Child" only)

; with Rx

  • 1998: Bedside Toxicology

;with Nadjia

  • 2020: 7 Ends 13 (Select Songs)

References

Bibliography

Further reading:

  • Martin Atkins on Bigcartel Store
  • Official Gallery Page