Howdy from Invisible Records HQ:
To say that we've been busy is an understatement! In this update:
Pigface – The Beijing Tapes: Part 1
Consider this release a postcard from Beijing.
Track listing:
1. Mercenary (Zeromancer mix)
2. Mercenary (Zeromancer mix) video
3. Mercenary video (version 2.0)
4. Mercenary (stripped down instrumental)
5. Mercenary (dub mix)
6. Bonus
Check out a preview of the Mercenary video!
I stayed up way too late one night fascinated by Chinese TV commercials. The graphics, combined with the colors and the overall flow was so distinctly different from what we're used to and the fact that I couldn't understand the language made it all the more cool. I unpacked my camera and started to shoot – making my only edits with the remote control. There are great sections of what looks like a Chinese police show: lots of guns being pointed, long looks at the camera, and nefarious criminal types engaged in undoubtedly underworld activities. Then, having nothing to do with anything, are shots of the Chinese space program, perfectly in sync with the soaring guitar line of the song.
The music is a track from the new Pigface album called "Mercenary" which started with Tristan and Patrick from Blue Eyed Fools and was then handed over to Alex and Kim from Zeromancer. This song is their mix of the track.
I took a bunch of material from the new album to Beijing and did another mix of "Mercenary" on a beautiful 74 channel SSL console at A-String Sound. I think it is the only operational SSL in China right now. If the technical specs don't mean anything to you, it's just enough said that this is the console that I grew up on in the early days of PiL and Killing Joke. In fact, a smaller version of that console was at the now defunct Chicago Trax, home to early Ministry and Pigface. If that doesn't help frame it for you then just think of the experience like patting a horse you used to know – ok?
The China connection with this new Pigface album feels great. Xi from Snapline is singing on 66711. It's being mixed right now. We're working on tracks here and super talented Pigface alumni Steven Seibold is putting the finishing touches to some tracks in his studio. There are more exciting Pigface announcements coming soon…….but in case you haven't seen it – here's the list of contributors so far…………….
Krztof, En Esch, Levi, Curse Mackey, Lee Fraser, Hanin Elias, Jim Marcus, Van Christie, Razi Panic, Chris Connelly, Louis Svitek, B. Brills, Martin Bowes, Laurie Reade, Brian Green, Tamar and Steve from The Countdown, The Enigma, Kim and Alex from Zeromancer, and Anders Odden.
I talked a lot and thought a lot about the impact that the Killing Joke show had on me Tuesday night. It made me want to play my drums. In amongst all this other stuff – label owner, teacher, film maker, and all the rest, I remind myself that the beginning of all this was drumming and it feels like it's time for me to inflict more damage to my hands, elbows, knees, drums, and soundmen. It's been too long since the last album, too long since the last tour. Stay tuned….
Killing Joke
Sometimes you can find buckets full of reasons why not to do something. And my god, I certainly had a few buckets worth of reasons not to go to the Killing Joke Tuesday night in Chicago. A bucket load of kids at home, a bucket full of jet lag from China, buckets full of other things to do, and a bucket full of emotions ( good and bad) about the band, the music, the people, and the memories.
But, nothing except a bucket full of good came out of my trip to the show Tuesday. The band was tight. Paul Ferguson was rock solid and hammered all of the songs in the set (which was made up of mostly early material). I hadn't seen Youth play bass since Hammersmith in 1981; he was terrific. Geordie was, well…..Geordie. I still don't fully get how he makes that noise so effortlessly when three other guitarists and a computer work station would be struggling to come close. The swagger, the smirk, and the ease just underline his unique vibe. And, as many times as I found reasons in the past to slag on Jaz, he was leaner than I think I have ever seen him, on form, and hitting all the notes he needed to hit. The show was a triumphant statement of what this band is and was, and what music can be. It captured the unique chemistry that I was fortunate enough to be part of.
I sang along with most of the songs. I don't know if Jaz dedicated "Love Like Blood" to Raven, but the words of the chorus punched me in the throat as I thought about absent friends.
I hadn't spoken with Jaz since leaving the band over 10 years ago…. Dressing rooms after a show, (especially the last show of a world tour) can be difficult places for difficult relationships to find peace and reconnections. I was welcomed and made to feel, for a little while, like a part of this very cool, twisted family, happy to celebrate its ups and downs in an atmosphere where past mistakes, outbursts, indiscretions, or even flat out fights are accommodated and passed over with a raised eyebrow, a smile, or simply, thankfully just hanging out.
Where a hole had existed inside of me for a while (too important to ignore, maybe too difficult to confront head-on) there's now just a bucket full of something else sloshing around. I don't know what it was – the music, Raven's passing, or maybe that we're all getting older and don't know if we're going to see each other soon or again. But, I feel better, more resolved, prouder of my work as a small part of the family of Killing Joke, and looking forward to the next time. THANK YOU, Jaz, Geordie, Youth, and Big Paul.
Upcoming Appearances
Tuesday, October 21: Exclusive Invitation to Live Taping of MusiciansStudio
Martin will be the featured guest on MusicansStudio, an hour long television program hosted by Adrienne Hughes. Its mission is to produce an educational television series featuring interviews with emerging and prominent musicians and music managers who discuss their artistic and business careers. Episodes are broadcast on WYCC Channel 20, as well as cable and DVD. (Think Actor's Studio, but for musicians).
After the interview portion there will be time for Q&A as well as a mini Tour:Smart presentation. We've scored a limited number of seats to the private taping. Email musicians.studio@gmail.com to get on the list.
Details:
Tuesday, October 21, 6:30pm
Music Center Concert Hall
1014 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL
Friday, October 24: Keep Success Pure Music Seminar Series Presented by Pradagi Foundation and Malcom X College
The seminar series is designed to give Chicago musicians, music consumers, and aspiring industry professionals a time and place to explore the many issues that affect those working in the music business in today's ever-changing marketplace.
Details:
Friday, October 24 at 6:00pm
Malcolm X College's Bruce K. Hayden Theater
1900 W. Van Buren, Chicago, IL
http://keepsuccesspure.eventbrite.com/ to register
Thursday, October 30: Music Industry Workshop Guest Lecture
Martin will be presenting a mini-Tour:Smart seminar for Music Industry Worskhop students.
Details:
This is a private event
Saturday, November 8: Tour:Smart Seminar
When the economy is crumbling at your very feet, going on the road seems harder than ever. Join us at Invisible Records Headquarters for a day long, intense seminar. Martin Atkins, (Tour:Smart, Pigface, PiL…you know the rest) will conduct a hands-on, thought provoking, action oriented seminar. In 6 hours you will:
- Realize you're completely fucked
- Learn what you can do to not be fucked
- Work through case studies
- Cry, laugh, and cry again
- Leave with a action plan and ideas that you can use immediately
- Get a copy of Tour:Smart and the accompanying DVD (included in your registration fee)
Details:
Saturday November 8, 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Invisible Records HQ
3319 S. Lituanica Ave., Chicago, IL 60608
Early bird registration (open until October 24): $50 and includes book, DVD, and lunch
Regular registration (after October 24): $99 after October 24
REGISTER NOW! LIMITED SEATING!
More Great Reviews
And, finally another great review of 16 Days in China, Look Directly into the Sun, and China Dub Soundsystem from the National Post. Read it here.