Martin Atkins

Martin Atkins is an English drummer, producer, entrepreneur, and educator recognized for his influence on the post-punk and industrial music scenes. Atkins is known for his work with groups including Public Image Ltd, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface, and Killing Joke. His early career included joining John Lydon's post-Sex Pistols band, Public Image Ltd, where he contributed to the song "Bad Baby" on the album "Metal Box." His first live performance with the band was recorded and released as the live album "Paris au Printemps." During his tenure with Public Image Ltd, Atkins appeared on The John Peel Sessions for BBC, American Bandstand, and BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test.

Atkins contributed to the studio albums "The Flowers of Romance" and "This Is What You Want… This Is What You Get" before departing the group. He went on to perform with bands such as Nine Inch Nails, appearing in the video for "Head Like a Hole," and Ministry, with his dual-drumming featured on the live album and video "In Case You Didn't Feel Like Showing Up." Atkins earned a Grammy Award for his work with Nine Inch Nails on "Wish." He also formed the industrial supergroup Pigface during a Ministry tour, a collective recognized among the top supergroups by Revolver Magazine.

Transitioning to the business side of the music industry, Atkins founded Invisible Records and Mattress Factory Studios. Invisible Records released more than 350 albums and secured placements in television and film, including Miami Vice, Showtime's Queer as Folk, and Robert Altman's The Company. Atkins later established Chicago's Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music, which documents the history of these genres with more than 3,000 items, including handwritten lyrics by Trent Reznor for Pigface, Atkins' drum set, and vintage rarities from Skinny Puppy.

Atkins is the author of three books: "Tour:Smart," "Welcome To The Music Business...You're F*cked!" and "Band:Smart," which serve as resources for emerging artists. He has spoken at industry conferences and universities, including SXSW, Warped Tour, CMJ, New Music Seminar, NAMM, USC, Drexel, Virginia Commonwealth University, Full Sail, and the Chicago Cultural Center. Atkins was inducted as a fellow of In Place of War by Brian Eno at a ceremony in London, alongside Peter Gabriel and Igor Cavalera. In Place of War is a global organization that uses creativity as a tool for positive change in areas affected by conflict.

Atkins teaches at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where he serves as Music Business Program Coordinator, leading courses on touring, entrepreneurship, artist and event management, and online marketing. He has been selected as a speaker at SXSW, where he addresses topics such as touring strategies and building sustainable careers in the music industry. Atkins continues to bridge the worlds of post-punk and industrial music with music business education, contributing to the evolution of the music industry.