Pigface

Pigface
Members of Pigface in 1991 in Palo Alto, California; left to right: Chris Connelly, Nivek Ogre, Martin Atkins
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres	Industrial rock
Years active	1990–present
Labels	Invisible
Associated acts	Public Image Ltd., Ministry, Killing Joke, Nine Inch Nails, Skinny Puppy, King Crimson
Members	See "Members"

Pigface is an industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.^[1]

History

Pigface was formed from Ministry's The Mind is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour,^[2] which produced the In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up live album and video. For the tour, Al Jourgensen brought Atkins, Nivek Ogre and Chris Connelly. Also on the tour was Rieflin, regular Ministry drummer at the time. While Atkins enjoyed the dynamic of playing with a second drummer, he felt that the lineup was capable of doing much more than being, what he has frequently called, "a Ministry cover band." Once the tour was over, Atkins and Rieflin decided to continue working together and recruited several of their tourmates from The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste tour. Pigface was born with the intention of keeping a revolving-door style collaboration with many experimentally-minded musicians, many of whom, especially early on, had recorded for the influential industrial music record label Wax Trax!.

Trent Reznor was also an early partner, before Nine Inch Nails became a household name. "Suck", co-written and sung by Reznor, was something of an underground hit, and Reznor later re-recorded the song for the Broken EP.

Rieflin eventually left Pigface, leaving Atkins in charge. The hundreds of musical collaborators to record and perform with Pigface have ensured that each album, and each song, is unique. However, this practice has led to some negative criticism due to a perceived lack of continuity.

In 2009, Full Effect Records, a Detroit-based label, announced the signing of Pigface.^[3] The Pigface album, 6, followed shortly after.

Live shows

Pigface concerts are characterized by high-energy performances. It is not unusual to see upwards of ten musicians on stage at any given time during a show. In addition, members of the audience have occasionally been invited on stage during the encore.

Members

The following is a partial list of musicians who have been Pigface members at one time in the band's history as well as some of the bands and acts they have been associated with before and after their time with Pigface.^[4]

• Martin Atkins (Public Image Ltd, Ministry, Killing Joke, Brian Brain, Murder, Inc.)^[1]
• William Rieflin (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM, R.E.M., King Crimson)^[1]
• Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails, How to Destroy Angels)^[1][5][6]
• Danny Carey (Tool, Green Jello)^[7]
• En Esch (KMFDM, Slick Idiot)^[8]
• Nivek Ogre (Skinny Puppy, ohGr)^[1]
• cEvin Key (Skinny Puppy, The Tear Garden, Doubting Thomas)^[6]
• Paul Barker (Ministry, Lead into Gold, Revolting Cocks)^[1]
• Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fear)^[6][9]
• Chris Connelly (Ministry, Murder, Inc., Damage Manual, Revolting Cocks)^[1][6]
• Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle)^[1]
• Dean Ween (Ween, Moistboyz)^[10]
• David Yow (The Jesus Lizard, Scratch Acid)^[6][11]
• Black Francis (Pixies, Frank Black and the Catholics)
• Joey Santiago (Pixies, The Martinis)^[12]
• Steve Albini (Big Black, Rapeman, Shellac)^[6]
• Michael Gira (Swans, Angels of Light)^[1]
• J.G. Thirlwell (Foetus, Clint Ruin, Steroid Maximus)
• Paul Raven (Killing Joke, Prong, Murder, Inc., Ministry, Godflesh)^[13]
• Youth (aka Martin Glover) (Killing Joke, The Fireman)
• Paul Ferguson (Killing Joke, Warrior Soul, Murder, Inc.)^[14]
• Jared Louche (Chemlab)^[8]
• Alex Paterson (The Orb)
• Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk)^[6]
• William Tucker (Regressive Aid, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM)
• Lydia Lunch^[6]
• Charles Levi (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)^[8]
• Groovie Mann (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)^[15]
• Buzz McCoy (aka Marston Daley) (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)^[16]
• Kitty Killdare (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)^[15]
• Laura Gomel (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult)^[17]
• Michelle Walters (Voodou, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Super Sport, Bomb Gang Girlz)
• Steven Seibold (Hate Dept., Damage Manual, Super Sport)
• Duncan X (Sheep On Drugs)^[18]
• Lee Fraser (Sheep On Drugs)^[19]
• FM Einheit (Einsturzende Neubauten)
• Jennie Bellestar (The Belle Stars)^[20]
• Wayne Static (Static-X)
• Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson (Sugarcubes)
• David Wm. Sims (The Jesus Lizard, Unfact, Rapeman, Scratch Acid)
• Michael Balch (Front Line Assembly)
• Joel Gausten (The Undead)^[21]
• Chris Randall (Sister Machine Gun)^[8]
• Louis Svitek (Ministry, Mind Funk, M.O.D.)^[22]
• JS Clayden (Pitchshifter)^[23]
• Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys, Lard, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine)^[6]
• Andrew Weiss (Regressive Aid, Gone, Rollins Band, Ween, Butthole Surfers, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine)^[6]
• Chris Haskett (Rollins Band)^[6]
• Chris Vrenna (Tweaker, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson)^[24]
• Jim Marcus (Die Warzau)
• Van Christie (Die Warzau)^[19]
• Hanin Elias (Atari Teenage Riot)
• Meg Lee Chin (Crunch, Teknofear)^[8][25]
• Edsel Dope (Dope)^[26]
• Naoko Yamano (Shonen Knife)^[6]
• Atsuko Yamano (Shonen Knife)^[6]
• Michie Nakatani (Shonen Knife)^[27]
• Taime Downe (Faster Pussycat, The Newlydeads)^[28]
• Michael Bishop (aka "Beefcake the Mighty") (Gwar, Kepone, American Grizzly, Sarah White & The Pearls)
• "Slymenstra Hymen" (aka Danielle Stampe) (Gwar, Girly Freak Show, Brothers Grim Sideshow)
• Mick Harris (Napalm Death, Scorn, Lull)
• Fallon Bowman (Amphibious Assault, Kittie)^[8]
• Jason McNinch (Lick)^[29]
• Alex Welz (Lick)^[30]
• Krztoff (aka Chris Liggio) (Bile, Black From the Dead, Napalm)^[31]
• Douglas McCarthy (Nitzer Ebb)
• Becky Wreck (Lunachicks)^[32]
• Mary Byker (Apollo 440, Gaye Bykers on Acid)^[1]
• Noko (aka Norman Fisher-Jones) (Apollo 440, The Cure)^[19]
• Martin King (Test Dept)^[33]
• Gus Ferguson (Test Dept)^[34]
• Curse Mackey (Grim Faeries, Evil Mothers)^[35]
• BobDog (aka Robert Catlin) (Evil Mothers, Flesh Fetish)^[30]
• Algis A. Kiyzs (Swans)^[36]
• Marc Heal (Cubanate, C-Tec)^[30]
• Jamie Duffy (Acumen Nation, DJ? Acucrack)
• Marydee Reynolds (Chainsuck)
• Jeff Ward (Low Pop Suicide, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Lard, Nine Inch Nails, 1000 Homo DJs)
• Mark Spybey (Dead Voices on Air)
• Lesley Rankine (Ruby, Silverfish)^[1]
• Andrew "Fuzz" Duprey (Silverfish)^[37]
• DJ Lumis (Bazerk)
• Dirk Flannigan (77 Luscious Babes)
• JP Centera (Darkgroove)
• Matthew Schultz (Lab Report)
• Hope Nicholls (Sugarsmack, Fetchin Bones)
• Lacey Conner (Nocturne, Lords of Acid)
• The Enigma (Human Marvels, Jim Rose Circus, Brothers Grim Sideshow, Show Devils)^[38]
• Barbara Hunter (aka Barb Ruchhoft) (Roundhead, The Afghan Whigs)^[39]
• Sally Timms (The Mekons)^[40]
• Mark Walk (Ruby, Skinny Puppy, ohGr)^[29]
• James Teitelbaum (Evil Clowns)^[41]
• Flour (aka Peter Conway) (Rifle Sport, Breaking Circus, Flour)^[42]
• Lee Popa (Slammin' Watusis)^[42]
• Obioma Little^[43]
• Sean Joyce (Revolting Cocks)^[37]
• Kim Ljung (Zeromancer, Seigmen)^[19]
• Alex Møklebust (Zeromancer)^[19]
• Martin Bowes (Attrition)^[19]
• Laurie Reade (Attrition, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, High Blue Star)^[19]
• Anders Odden (Magenta, Apoptygma Berzerk, Cadaver, Celtic Frost, Satyricon)^[19]
• Raziel Panic (You Shriek)^[19]
• Anna Wildsmith (Sow)^[44]
• Cynthia Plaster Caster^[45]
• Joe Trump (Elliott Sharp's Carbon, Brian Brain)^[46]
• Mike Dillon (Les Claypool's Fancy Band, Ani DiFranco, Critters Buggin)^[46]
• Fiona Kilpatrick (Dragster)
• Penn Jillette (Penn & Teller)

Discography

Studio albums

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

References

1. Buckley, Peter (2003). The Rough Guide Rock: The Definitive Guide to More than 1200 Artists and Bands (3rd Edition). Rough Guides. pp. 870–871. ISBN 1-84353-105-4.
2. Prato, Greg; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Pigface Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
3. Pigface return with '6'
4. Atkins, Martin (2007-10-05). "Official MySpace Page: Pigface".
5. Huxley, Martin (1997). Nine Inch Nails. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 62. ISBN 0-312-15612-X.
6. "Pigface Biography". Billboard. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
7. "Martin Atkins: Great Wall Of Sound". Drum! Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
8. "Pigface - Easy Listening". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
9. "Flea". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
10. "The Best Of Pigface: Preaching To The Perverted". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
11. "David Yow". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
12. "Joey Santiago". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
13. Cooper, Ryan. "Interview: Paul Raven Of Ministry". Retrieved August 22, 2010.
14. "Paul Ferguson". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
15. "Who To Blame For What You've Been Listening To". post.queensu.ca. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
16. "Pigface – Welcome To Mexico...Asshole". Discogs.com. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
17. "Laura Gomel". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
18. "Pigface - A New High In Low". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
19. "Pigface – 6". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
20. "Jennie Matthias Discography". jenniematthias.webs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
21. Atkins, p. 513
22. "Louis Svitek". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
23. "Former PITCHSHIFTER Frontman To Tour With PIGFACE". blabbermouth.net. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
24. "Chris Vrenna". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
25. "Meg Lee Chin". Last.fm. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
26. "Edsel Dope". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
27. "NoNaMe :: Pigface - Notes From Thee Underground". nnm.ru/. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
28. "Taime Downe". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
29. "Pigface - Notes From Thee Underground". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
30. "Pigface - A New High In Low". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
31. "Chris Liggio (2)". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
32. "Beck Wreck". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
33. "Martin King". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
34. "Gus Ferguson". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
35. Atkins, p. 159
36. "Algis A. Kiyzs". Discogs.com. Retrieved August 23, 2010.
37. "Pigface - Fook". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
38. "THE ENIGMA IS A HARD THING TO FIGURE OUT". prickmag.net. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
39. "CityBeat Music Stage at Taste of Cincinnati". wcpo.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
40. "Pigface". radcyberzine.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
41. "Aloha, Pigface". chicagoreader.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
42. "Pigface – The Best Of Pigface (Preaching To The Perverted)". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
43. "Pigface – A New High In Low". Discogs.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
44. "SOW returns after 12 years of silence with new album, 'Dog'". side-line.com. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
45. "Pigface – Feels Like Heaven". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
46. "Pigface – The Best Of Pigface (Preaching To The Perverted)". Discogs.com. Retrieved May 10, 2011.

• Atkins, Martin (2007). Tour:Smart: And Break the Band. Soluble LLC. ISBN 0-9797313-0-5.

External links

• Various Pigface Articles