You are so accomplished in the studio - do you still enjoy touring or is it a necessity to sell records?
I REALLY ENJOY BEATING THE HOLY CRAP OUT OF MY DRUMS, KICKING THEM OFF THE STAGE, SPITTING IN THE AIR AND LOSING MYSELF IN THE BLOODY MADNESS OF IT. AND MEETING LOTS OF COOL PEOPLE AND TALKING TO THEM IN AND AROUND THE VENUE DURING THE DAY.
Does "industrial" music have a future?
Well, industrial used to be very experimental, then it became rock bands with samplers (and maybe an oil drum). To me now - industrial is just one sub-genre of all music = I use sitars, DUB, analog, digital etc to create the things I want to hear and vibrate me - why limit your palette of colours to like three crayons?? ALSO most of industrial just got swallowed into all music POP etc. didn't it?
Butch Vig called me to talk for ours about how we triggered stuff on the Ministry tour before Garbage started
Where is it going?
Who knows?
Who will lead it?
Not Ministry.
What are the differences and similarities between "real" drumming vs. digital drums, samples, etc?
I use some triggers to generate ultra lows from the kick simply because its required to not sound LAME. NOW I'm also using samples and triggers to recreate the feelings/vibes of some of the songs that have the tremendously over-limited sound that I get in my studio. SLAMMING!
ALSO, I think that there is a consistancy with triggered sounds that means that an o.k. drummer can maintain consistant sound levels (and then a better overall mix outfront?) because the sound guy doesn't have to keep all the levels way down waiting for the insane over enthusiastic POP every 20 seconds or so. BUT, there really is no substitute for an energetic, on it drummer - after all of the flap about drum machines - it just really enhanced the value of good drumming.
You've been part of wild "scenes" in Chicago, London, etc. What and when is your favorite scene? Why?
London '77 - thats when all of the seeds of true independant music were sown. The 'system' back then was well established, rarely questioned and formidable. There have been many many revolutions since then - but that was the one. Chicago definitely felt like an after shock of that.
What is the best band you've ever been in? Why?
Public Image Ltd - just because its so long ago that i dont remember all of the shit! But really - in 79/80/81 we were the most dangerous band on the planet weren't we? it felt REALLY great. I seem to have hit a few good bands at really great times - the NiN head like a hole video shoot was fun, Killing Joke opening up for the Pixies in Europe was amazing and I loved to create new songs with them AND play the tribal drumming songs from the earlier albums......Ministry 89 tour AMAZING or what! and captured on film and tape........
Article comments
1 - Luis Beltrami
como hago para contactarme con Martin Atkins, a un mail
Gracias
2 - Eric Olsen
unfortunately, no hablo
3 - Mac Diva
Do you know he can reach Martin Atkins? His mailing address, preferably.
4 - Douglas Mays
Wow, glad someone pulled up this article. I like Martin Atkins. My old band I managed (X-15) opened for PIL in Seattle and Portland. Then in 1986 he had a band called BRIAN BRAIN (Anyone remember the "Fun With Music" E.P.? Great stuff) which I promoted a couple of times in Santa Fe, NM.
Anyway, seeing this article pulled up gave me great memories and had to bring up Brian Brain.
peaceloveguidance
5 - Eric Olsen
just go through his label, Underground Inc, in Chicago
6 - Mac Diva
Luis, solamente pase por su etiqueta, Inc subterráneo, en Chicago. Bien?
7 - DM
Martin Atkins is simply the greatest drummer on the planet.
Check out EXTREMETIES, from the 1990 album of the same name. AWESOME.
Also, Martin speaks in the interview about 'Digital Drums, Samples, etc.'
Well check out INSIDE THE TERMITE MOUND from the same album.
8 - Leo Wieger
For all the Martin Atkins fans out there, from the early to mid 80's I was the lighting director for a club called City Gardens in Trenton, NJ. PIL was touring at the time when I met Martin, Johnny keep calling him Brian Brain, it turns out Martin had a band based in New Brunswick, NJ. called Brian Brain, Dance/Funk music. He had a nice little tune called Funky Zoo, and a pretty good set list.