Episode 109: Martin Atkins (PiL, Killing Joke, Pigface)

#martinatkins #killingjoke #postpunk into: 00:00 interview: 06:29 Killing Joke and intangible energy: 10:11 Managing Killing Joke: 13:57 Auditions: 21:44 Working with big personalities: 25:35 Trent Reznor and early NIN: 30:11 Andy Rourke in Killing Joke: 33:41 Steve Albini: 39:40 Carving out a space in the underground: 45:28 The importance of physical music: 51:13 Music: 56:16 Having been a member of iconic post-punk and industrial bands like PiL, Killing Joke and Pigface, while also playing for NIN and Ministry (just to mention a few notable names), it wouldn't be hyperbole to call Martin Atkins a living legend of underground music... so let's do that. This November 28th and 29th will see Reggies, Chicago host 'Martin Atkins Presents: Killing Joke's Extremities' where the drummer and a stellar cast from the musical underground (including Randy Blythe, Justin Pearson and Mark Gemini Thwaite) will perform 'Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions', the album Atkins made while a member of the band and one of Killing Joke's most brutal and eviscerating albums. Some weeks ago I interviewed Atkins via email for New Noise Magazine to get his insights on the event and his time in Killing Joke (https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/interview-martin-atkins-presents-killing-jokes-extremities/) This episode of Whatever Comes Next is my second opportunity to talk with Atkins and the first in real time. And oh, what a music nerd's delight it was. Having opened The Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music in 2021 and being no stranger to guided tours and speaking events, Atkins is a treasure trove of stories and insights. Given such an opportunity to chat with the man you just have to decide which roads you want to go down. Our conversation took in the forthcoming event, what it's like managing bands, early years working with Trent Reznor, the story of Andy Rourke of The Smiths' brief time in Killing Joke, working with Steve Albini, as well as some fascinating insights from Atkins regarding touring and the music business. Thank you to Justin Pearson and Rebecca Mendenhall for making this interview possible. Closing track: "Point Blank" Pigface (Invisible 1990 / Cleopatra 2023) For all things Martin Atkins and The Museum of Post Punk & Industrial Music: https://martinatkins.com/ Tickets for Martin Atkins Presents: Extremities (including livestream): https://www.reggieslive.com/showtag/two-nights-of-extremities/ Support the show and get bonus content at ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠: https://www.patreon.com/WhateverComesNext Check out my latest album ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Real Silence on Drama Recorder⁠⁠: https://dramarecorder.bandcamp.com/album/real-silence Podcast artwork and logo: https://www.garjk.com/ Intro music: "Detachment" by Tom Osman

Added 13 Sept 2026