Pigface is an American industrial rock supergroup formed in 1990 by Martin Atkins and William Rieflin.

History

Pigface was formed from Ministry's ''

The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste ''The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste'' is the fourth studio album by American industrial metal band Ministry, released on November 14, 1989 by Sire Records. The music took a more hardcore, aggressively guitar-driven direction, with Jourgensen ...

'' tour, 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. 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! Wax Trax! Records is an American independent record label based in Chicago. It began as a record shop in Denver, Colorado, opened by life partners Jim Nash and Dannie Flesher, who sold the store in 1978 and moved to Chicago. In November of that ...

. 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 left Pigface after the first tour, leaving Atkins as the sole founder of the group. With hundreds of musical collaborators to record and perform with Pigface, it has ensured that each album, tour, and 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. The Pigface album, '' 6'', a collection of songs already recorded over the span of the previous five years, was released soon after the announcement was made. Unlike with the previous releases, there was no tour to support the album. After a seven-year hiatus, Pigface returned for two Chicago performances in November 2016. The first was a rehearsal show held at Reggie's on November 24. On November 25, the band performed at House of Blues: Chicago. Both shows saw the band performing with several first-time members as well as the return of members like Lesley Rankine, En Esch, Mary Byker, Curse Mackey, Dirk Flannigan and Fallon Bowman. Several offshoot bands of Pigface, all smaller sized all-star groups featuring Martin Atkins as a common member, have released albums during the time Pigface was active. These bands include Murder, Inc.,

The Damage Manual The Damage Manual was an industrial supergroup formed in 2000. It featured Martin Atkins on drums and loops, Chris Connelly on vocals, Geordie Walker on guitar and Jah Wobble on bass. A second lineup saw Steven Seibold of the band Hate Dept. ...

, Ritalin, Martin Atkins And The Chicago Industrial League, Spasm, and The Love Interest. In March 2019, Atkins announced that Pigface would tour again for the first time in fourteen years with thirteen dates scheduled for the East coast and Midwest in November 2019. On February 12, 2020, a larger, national tour was announced to be taking place throughout May, June and July of that year. However, on April 2, 2020, Atkins made the announcement that, as a result of the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...

, the tour had been canceled. Rieflin died on March 24, 2020 from cancer at the age of 59.

Members and collaborators

The following is a partial list of musicians who have contributed to Pigface at some point in the band's history, whether it be appearing live as a band member, performing on an album, or contributing a remix of a Pigface song, along with some of the bands and acts they have been associated with before, during, or after their involvement with Pigface. * Martin Atkins (

Public Image Ltd Public Image Ltd (abbreviated and stylized as PiL) are an English post-punk band (and incorporated limited company) formed by singer John Lydon (previously known as the singer of Sex Pistols), guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and ...

, Ministry, Killing Joke, Brian Brain, Murder, Inc., Rx) * William Rieflin (Ministry, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM, R.E.M., King Crimson) * Trent Reznor ( Nine Inch Nails, How to Destroy Angels) *

Paul Barker Paul Gordon Barker (born February 8, 1959), also referred to as Hermes Pan, is the former bass guitarist, producer and engineer of the industrial metal band Ministry from 1986 to 2003. Prior to Ministry, Barker provided bass for the Seattle po ...

(Ministry, Lead into Gold, Revolting Cocks) * Chris Connelly (Ministry, Murder, Inc.,

, Revolting Cocks) * En Esch (KMFDM, Slick Idiot) * Nivek Ogre ( Skinny Puppy, ohGr, Rx) * Matthew Schultz ( Lab Report, Lard) * William Tucker ( Regressive Aid, Ministry, Revolting Cocks, KMFDM) * David Yow ( The Jesus Lizard, Scratch Acid) * Steve Albini ( Big Black, Rapeman, Shellac) *John Wills (

Loop Loop or LOOP may refer to: Brands and enterprises * Loop (mobile), a Bulgarian virtual network operator and co-founder of Loop Live * Loop, clothing, a company founded by Carlos Vasquez in the 1990s and worn by Digable Planets * Loop Mobile, ...

, The Hair and Skin Trading Company) * Danny Carey (

Tool A tool is an object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many animals use simple tools, only human beings, whose use of stone tools dates ba ...

, Green Jellö) *Pat Sprawl (Skinny Puppy, Dead Surf Kiss, Drown) * Flea ( Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fear) * Genesis P-Orridge ( Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle) * Dean Ween ( Ween, Moistboyz, Dean Ween Group) * Black Francis ( Pixies, Frank Black and the Catholics) * Joey Santiago (Pixies, The Martinis) * Michael Gira ( Swans, Angels of Light) * J.G. Thirlwell ( Foetus, Clint Ruin, Steroid Maximus) * Paul Raven (Killing Joke, Prong, Murder, Inc., Ministry, Godflesh) *

Youth Youth is the time of life when one is young. The word, youth, can also mean the time between childhood and adulthood ( maturity), but it can also refer to one's peak, in terms of health or the period of life known as being a young adult. Y ...

(Killing Joke, The Fireman) *

Paul Ferguson Matthew Paul Ferguson (born 31 March 1958) is an English rock drummer, best known for his work in the post-punk/industrial group Killing Joke and cult English punk band Pink Parts. Following a stint as the drummer with the London-based Matt Stag ...

(Killing Joke, Warrior Soul, Murder, Inc.) *Jared Louche ( Chemlab) * Alex Paterson ( The Orb) * Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard, Tomahawk) *

Lydia Lunch Lydia Lunch (born Lydia Anne Koch; June 2, 1959)Martin Charles Strong. ''The Great Indie Discography''. 2003, page 85 is an American singer, poet, writer, actress and self-empowerment speaker. Her career began during the 1970s New York City no ...

( Teenage Jesus and the Jerks) * Charles Levi ( My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) * Groovie Mann (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) * Buzz McCoy (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) *Kitty Killdare (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) *Laura Gomel (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) *Lacey Sculls (

Nocturne A nocturne is a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night. History The term ''nocturne'' (from French '' nocturne'' 'of the night') was first applied to musical pieces in the 18th century, when it indicated an ensemb ...

, Lords of Acid, Halo) *Michelle Walters Seibold (Voodou, My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult, Super Sport, Bomb Gang Girlz, Missy Hell) *Steven Seibold (

Hate Dept. Hate Dept. is an American industrial/ punk rock band, formed in 1991 by Steven Seibold. Seibold is a multi-instrumentalist who writes, records and releases Hate Dept. albums with minimal outside help. He formed Hate Dept. in 1991 in reaction to fi ...

, Damage Manual, Super Sport) *Duncan X (

Sheep On Drugs Sheep on Drugs are a British techno/ industrial music group, formed by Duncan X ( King Duncan) (vocals) and Lee Fraser (a.k.a. Dead Lee) (guitar/keyboards), and currently composed of Fraser and Johnny Borden (vocals/keyboards). Biography Dun ...

) *Lee Fraser (Sheep On Drugs) *Dave Wright (Not Breathing) *Amy Larson (Brits Out Of America) *Dana Cochrane (Brits Out Of America, Mickey Finn, Babes in Toyland) *DJ Jordan Fields * FM Einheit ( Einsturzende Neubauten) *

Caspar Brötzmann Caspar Brötzmann (born 13 December 1962) is a German guitarist, vocalist and bandleader. Brötzmann typically performs with the power trio lineup of Caspar Brötzmann Massaker (his early band), with guitar, bass guitar and drums. He uses rock ...

(Caspar Brötzmann Massaker) *Jennie Bellestar (

The Belle Stars The Belle Stars were an all female British pop/rock band. Formed in 1980, they are best known for their 1983 hit single " Sign of the Times". Career After The Bodysnatchers broke up, guitarists Stella Barker and Sarah-Jane Owen, saxophon ...

) *Sigtryggur "Siggi" Baldursson ( Sugarcubes) *

David Wm. Sims David William Sims (born September 17, 1963) is an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist of the bands Scratch Acid (with whom he initially played guitar), Rapeman, and The Jesus Lizard. He has also recorded or performed with Spark ...

(The Jesus Lizard,

Unfact David William Sims (born September 17, 1963) is an American musician, best known as the bass guitarist of the bands Scratch Acid (with whom he initially played guitar), Rapeman, and The Jesus Lizard. He has also recorded or performed with Spar ...

, Rapeman, Scratch Acid) *Michael Balch ( Front Line Assembly) *Joel Gausten ( The Undead, Electric Frankenstein, Squiggy)Atkins, p. 513 * Chris Randall (

Sister Machine Gun Sister Machine Gun is an American industrial rock band originally based in Chicago, Illinois. History The early years Sister Machine Gun was formed by Chris Randall and Guilherme Machado in New York City. They performed at New Jersey's Pipe ...

) *

Louis Svitek Louis Svitek is an American musician and former guitarist for a number of bands including Zoetrope, M.O.D., Ministry, Pigface, Mind Funk, The Hollow steps, Project .44, and The Joy Thieves The Joy Thieves is a musical supergroup, consisting ...

(Zoetrope, Ministry, Lard, Mind Funk, M.O.D.,

Project .44 Project .44 is an industrial Rock band from Chicago, Illinois with members included in the group from both Ministry and My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult (often shortened to Thrill Kill Kult or TKK) is an ...

) * JS Clayden ( Pitchshifter) * Jello Biafra ( Dead Kennedys, Lard, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine) * Andrew Weiss (Regressive Aid,

Gone Gone may refer to: Grammar * Gone, the past participle of go (verb) ** Have gone or have been, contrasting verb forms in some contexts Arts, entertainment, and media Film * ''Gone'', a 2002 a thriller written, directed by and starring Tim Chey ...

, Rollins Band, Ween, Butthole Surfers, Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine) * Chris Haskett ( Rollins Band) * Chris Vrenna ( Tweaker, Nine Inch Nails,

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson, is an American rock musician. He came to prominence as the lead singer of the band which shares his name, of which he remains the only constant member since it ...

) *

Jim Marcus Die Warzau (originally Die Warzau Synfony) was an American industrial music band formed in 1987 by Jim Marcus and Van Christie. History In the late 80s, Jim Marcus and Van Christie were working individually as performance artists. Christie ...

( Die Warzau) *Van Christie (Die Warzau) * Hanin Elias ( Atari Teenage Riot) * Meg Lee Chin (Crunch, Teknofear) * Edsel Dope ( Dope) * Naoko Yamano ( Shonen Knife) * Atsuko Yamano (Shonen Knife) * Michie Nakatani (Shonen Knife) * Taime Downe ( Faster Pussycat, The Newlydeads) * Beefcake the Mighty (a.k.a. Michael Bishop) ( Gwar, Kepone, American Grizzly, Sarah White & The Pearls) * Slymenstra Hymen (a.k.a. Danielle Stampe) (Gwar, Girly Freak Show, Brothers Grim Sideshow) * Mick Harris ( Napalm Death, Scorn, Lull) * Fallon Bowman (Amphibious Assault,

Kittie Kittie is a Canadian Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in London, Ontario in 1996. All of their material has been released through independent record labels, which to date includes six studio albums, one video album, four extended plays ...

) * Keith Levene ( The Clash, The Flowers of Romance, Public Image Ltd) *Jason McNinch (

Lick Lick may refer to: * Licking, the action of passing the tongue over a surface Places * Lick (crater), a crater on the Moon named after James Lick * 1951 Lick, an asteroid named after James Lick * Lick Township, Jackson County, Ohio, United State ...

) *Alex Welz (Lick) *Krztoff (

Bile Bile (from Latin ''bilis''), or gall, is a dark-green-to-yellowish-brown fluid produced by the liver of most vertebrates that aids the digestion of lipids in the small intestine. In humans, bile is produced continuously by the liver (liver b ...

, Black From the Dead, Napalm) * Douglas McCarthy ( Nitzer Ebb) *Becky Wreck ( Lunachicks) *

Mary Byker Ian Garfield Hoxley, known by his stage name Mary Byker (a.k.a. Mary Mary) (born 20 December 1963), is an English singer, record producer and DJ known for his work as the lead singer of Gaye Bykers on Acid, Pop Will Eat Itself, Pigface and Apo ...

( Apollo 440, Gaye Bykers on Acid) * Noko (Apollo 440, Magazine, The Cure) *Andy McGuire (Dogzilla) *Martin King ( Test Dept) *Gus Ferguson (Test Dept) *Curse Mackey (Grim Faeries, Evil Mothers)Atkins, p. 159 *Christina Petro (My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult) *Robert "BobDog" Catlin ( S.A. Slayer, Juggernaut, Pseudo Buddha, Evil Mothers, Flesh Fetish) * Algis A. Kiyzs ( Swans) * Marc Heal ( Cubanate, C-Tec) * Jamie Duffy (

Acumen Nation Acumen Nation is an American industrial rock band from Chicago, Illinois. History Early career Formed in 1988 as Acumen by Jason Novak and Ethan Novak, the band released several cassette demos before self-releasing the CD demo '' Transmissions f ...

, 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 A ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapp ...

, Silverfish) *Andrew "Fuzz" Duprey (Silverfish) *DJ Lumis (Bazerk) * Matt Walker ( Filter,

The Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins (also referred to as simply Smashing Pumpkins) are an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Formed in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chambe ...

, Morrissey) *Dirk Flanigan (77 Luscious Babes) *JP Centera (Darkgroove) *Eric Pounder (Lab Report, Pounder, Spasm) *

Hope Nicholls Hope Nicholls (born January 1960) is an American singer-songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock bands Fetchin Bones, Sugarsmack and Snagglepuss. She also briefly toured with Martin Atkins' b ...

(

Sugarsmack ''Sugarsmack'' were an American alternative rock band based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, formed by Hope Nicholls Hope Nicholls (born January 1960) is an American singer-songwriter from Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the l ...

, Fetchin Bones) * The Enigma (Human Marvels,

Jim Rose Circus The Jim Rose Circus is a modern-day version of a circus sideshow. It was founded in Seattle in 1991 by Jim Rose and his wife BeBe Aschard Rose. The sideshow came to prominence to an American audience as a second stage show at the 1992 Lollapaloo ...

, Brothers Grim Sideshow, Show Devils) * Leila Bela *Barbara Hunter (Roundhead, The Afghan Whigs) * Sally Timms ( The Mekons) * Mark Walk (Ruby, Skinny Puppy, ohGr) *James Teitelbaum (Evil Clowns) *

Flour Flour is a powder made by grinding raw grains, roots, beans, nuts, or seeds. Flours are used to make many different foods. Cereal flour, particularly wheat flour, is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many c ...

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Rifle Sport Rifle Sport was an American post punk band active in the 1980s and 1990s, from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The band took its name from an arcade in downtown Minneapolis which was open in the 1940s to 1960s. An unrelated art gallery, Rifle Sport Galle ...

, Breaking Circus, Flour) *Lee Popa (

Slammin' Watusis Slammin' Watusis was an American punk rock and heavy metal group. They signed a record deal with CBS Records in 1987, which resulted in two albums, a self-titled debut album in 1988 and '' Kings of Noise'' in 1989. Both albums were released ...

) *Obioma Little *Sean Joyce (Revolting Cocks) * Kim Ljung ( Zeromancer, Seigmen) *Alex Møklebust (Zeromancer) *Dan Heide (Zeromancer, Ljungblut, Red 7, X-Pleasure) *Martin Bowes ( Attrition) *Laurie Reade (Attrition, Black Tape for a Blue Girl, High Blue Star) *

Anders Odden Anders Odden (born 20 December 1972) is a Norwegian musician. He is the co-founder and guitarist of the Norwegian death metal band Cadaver (1988–1993; 1999–present), and is the bass player for Norwegian black metal band Satyricon (2009–pre ...

( Magenta, Apoptygma Berzerk, Cadaver, Celtic Frost, Satyricon) *Raziel Panic (

You Shriek You Shriek is an American band founded in 1990 by Raziel Panic. Their sound includes influences from 1980s 4AD, New Romantic, goth and industrial. They are associated with underground club scenes catering to fans of darkwave, futurepop, and EB ...

) *Anna Wildsmith ( Sow) *Kirsten Reynolds (Project Dark) * Cynthia Plaster Caster *Joe Trump ( Elliott Sharp's Carbon, Brian Brain) * Mike Dillon ( Les Claypool's Fancy Band, Ani DiFranco,

Critters Buggin Critters Buggin is a Seattle, Washington-based instrumental group which performs in a jazz, rock and African-influenced, eclectic style. The band is composed of Matt Chamberlain (drums, percussion, piano, programming, synths, loops, samples an ...

) *David Suycott ( Machines of Loving Grace) * John Bergin (Trust Obey) *Judd Gruenbaum (Dry Cell) *Jason Miller (

Godhead Godhead (from Middle English ''godhede'', "godhood", and unrelated to the modern word "head"), may refer to: * Deity * Divinity * Conceptions of God * In Abrahamic religions ** Godhead in Judaism, the unknowable aspect of God, which lies beyo ...

) *Mike Miller (Godhead) * Julian Beeston ( Nitzer Ebb, Cubanate) * Günter Schulz (KMFDM) *Fiona Kilpatrick (Dragster) * Penn Jillette ( Penn & Teller) * Justin Broadrick (Godflesh,

Jesu Jesu may refer to: *Jesus (c. 4 BC – c. AD 30/33), Jewish religious leader and central figure of Christianity **Jesu (name), vocative and poetic form of Jesus' name Music * Jesu (band), a British experimental band formed by Justin Broadrick ** ...

, Napalm Death) *Tamar Berk (Sweet Heat, The Countdown) *Steven Denekas (The Countdown, Submarine Races) *Tristan Rudat (Blue Eyed Fools) *Patrick Ryan (Blue Eyed Fools) *Jeff Scheel ( Gravity Kills) *Greta Brinkman ( Moby, Debbie Harry, Druglord) * Gaelynn Lea *Leyla I. Royale *Andrew "Ndru" Virus (Doomsday Virus) * Larry Thrasher *Bradley Bills (Chant) *Orville Kline (Porn And Chicken) * Randy Blythe ( Lamb of God) *Ali Jafri (Saintfield, Signs of the Unseen, Ariel, The Gotham City Drugstore) *Bruce Lamont ( Yakuza, Brain Tentacles) *

Justin Pearson Justin Pearson (born August 20, 1975) is a vocalist and bassist known for his music career, playing in a number of San Diego-based noise rock, punk and grindcore bands, as well as his record label Three One G Records. Starting off in the punk ...

(

The Locust The Locust was an American hardcore punk band from San Diego, California, known for their mix of grindcore aggression and new wave experimentation. The band has been noted for their use of insect costumes when performing live. History Prio ...

, Dead Cross, Retox) * Add-2 *Leanne Murray (The Beer Nuts) *Roger Ebner (Yeti Rain, Snarling Adjective Convention, Ebner Kopecky Walkner Blake, EbnerHunt & Friends) *Jesse Hunt (62Latitude, EbnerHunt & Friends,

Cyanotic Cyanosis is the change of body tissue color to a bluish-purple hue as a result of having decreased amounts of oxygen bound to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells of the capillary bed. Body tissues that show cyanosis are usually in locations w ...

, & Conformco) * Joe Letz (

Combichrist Combichrist is an American aggrotech / industrial metal band formed in 2003 by Norwegian vocalist Andy LaPlegua, who also founded the bands Icon of Coil, Panzer AG, Scandinavian Cock and Scandy. Combichrist was formed in Atlanta, Georgia and is ...

) *Phil Owen (

Skatenigs The Skatenigs are a punk industrial metal band from San Marcos, Texas, Texas which formed in the late 1980s. History The Skatenigs' lead singer, Phil "Phildo" Owen, previously performed on the album ''Beers, Steers, and Queers'' by the Revolting ...

) *Betty X *Jimi LaMort ( Malhavoc) *Chris Harris (Project .44, Conformco) *Mike Reidy (W.O.R.M.) *Mike Alonso ( Flogging Molly) *Rona Rougeheart (Sine, Dead Love Club) *Ania Tarnowska (

I Ya Toyah Ania Tarnowska, known professionally as I Ya Toyah, is a Chicago, USA musician, singer, composer, producer, performer, and the founder/CEO of Femme Fatale Records label. Her music incorporates elements of multiple genres including industrial, elect ...

)

Discography

Studio albums

* '' Gub'' (1991) * '' Fook'' (1992) * ''

Notes From Thee Underground ''Notes from Thee Underground'' is a 1994 album by Pigface. The following album '' Feels Like Heaven'' is a remix EP of this one. Releases *Invisible/Devotion CDDVN 29 - CD Track listing The song "Chikasaw" later appeared in a different ver ...

'' (1994) * ''

A New High in Low ''A New High in Low'' is a double-disc album released by Pigface on August 26, 1997, featuring the work of Martin Atkins, Genesis P-Orridge, Dave Wright, and Meg Lee Chin. Track listing Disc 1 Disc 2 Personnel * Martin Atkins - drums, voc ...

'' (1997) * '' Easy Listening...'' (2003) * '' 6'' (2009)

References

Bibliography

External links

Various Pigface Articles
{{Authority control Rock music groups from Illinois Killing Joke Musical groups established in 1990 Musical groups reestablished in 2016 Musical groups reestablished in 2019 Musical groups from Chicago Rock music supergroups American industrial rock musical groups Underground, Inc. artists