Murder, Inc. (band)

Last updated

Murder, Inc.
Murder, Inc band photograph.jpeg
Murder, Inc. circa 1991; clockwise from the far left: Walker, Ferguson, Connelly, Bechdel, Raven, Atkins
Background information
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres
Years active1991–1992
Labels
Past members

Murder, Inc. was an American industrial music supergroup formed in 1991, featuring vocalist Chris Connelly, Killing Joke members Geordie Walker, Paul Raven, "Big Paul" Ferguson, John Bechdel, and former Public Image Ltd drummer Martin Atkins.

Contents

Formation

Martin Atkins joined Killing Joke as their drummer and later their manager in 1990. [2] The band recorded the 1990 album Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions after which they parted ways with singer Jaz Coleman. [3] Keeping the line-up of Killing Joke (minus Coleman) together, Atkins formed Murder, Inc., recruiting Chris Connelly (who had worked with Ministry amongst others) to replace Coleman and former Killing Joke member Paul Ferguson as a second drummer. [4]

The band released their debut EP, Corpuscle, which featured tracks remixed by J. G. Thirlwell, in 1991 followed by their eponymous album in 1992. [5] The album was recorded by Steve Albini who had already worked with Atkins on the Pigface album Gub and with Connelly on his album Whiplash Boychild . [6] The band played five live dates before disbanding later in 1992, due to "internal squabbles". [7]

In 1998 Connelly, Atkins, and Walker reconvened and formed another industrial supergroup with Jah Wobble called The Damage Manual. [8]

Personnel

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing Joke</span> English post-punk band

Killing Joke are an English rock band formed in Cheltenham, England, in 1979 by Jaz Coleman, Paul Ferguson (drums), Geordie Walker (guitar) and Youth (bass).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Atkins</span> English musician

Martin Clive Atkins is an English drummer, best known for his work in post-punk and industrial groups including Public Image Ltd, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails, Pigface, and Killing Joke. He also works as a consultant, has written multiple books on the music industry, and is the music industry studies coordinator at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. Atkins is the owner and operator of the Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music in Chicago, is an honorary board member of the Chicago-based nonprofit organization Rock For Kids, and a fellow of In Place of War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pigface</span> American industrial rock supergroup

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

The Damage Manual is an English industrial supergroup formed in London 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. replacing both Walker and Wobble after their departure.

<i>Killing Joke</i> (1980 album) 1980 studio album by Killing Joke

Killing Joke is the debut studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in October 1980 by E.G. via Polydor Records. It debuted at number 41 on the UK Albums Chart on 25 October 1980 and later peaked at number 39.

Paul Vincent Raven was an English bassist best known for his work in the post-punk group Killing Joke. He later played in the industrial music bands Prong, Ministry, and Zilch.

<i>Night Time</i> (album) 1985 studio album by Killing Joke

Night Time is the fifth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in February 1985 by E.G. through Polydor Records and produced by Chris Kimsey.

<i>Killing Joke</i> (2003 album) 2003 studio album by Killing Joke

Killing Joke is the eleventh studio album by English rock band Killing Joke, released on 28 July 2003 through Zuma Recordings. It was their first album in seven years, following Democracy in 1996, and their second self-titled album, following their debut in 1980. The album was produced by Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill and features Nirvana drummer and Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, a long-time Killing Joke fan, on drums. It peaked at number 43 in the UK Albums Chart.

<i>Fire Dances</i> 1983 studio album by Killing Joke

Fire Dances is the fourth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released on 15 July 1983 by E.G. via Polydor Records. It was the band's first album to feature new bass player Paul Raven, recorded at Basing Street Studios in London between February and March 1983. According to Paul Ferguson the band's drug use contributed to the original mix of the album being "tinny".

<i>Brighter Than a Thousand Suns</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Killing Joke

Brighter Than a Thousand Suns is the sixth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in November 1986 by E.G. Records. It was their first album to be distributed through Virgin Records. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 54 on 22 November 1986, staying for one week. It was produced by Chris Kimsey, who had produced the band's 1985 album, Night Time.

<i>Outside the Gate</i> 1988 studio album by Killing Joke

Outside the Gate is the seventh studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in June 1988 by E.G. via Virgin Records worldwide. It was a significant stylistic departure for the band, with complex synthesised arrangements and less prominent guitar. Tensions within the band surfaced during pre-production. Drummer Paul Ferguson was dismissed at the beginning of the sessions and replaced by a studio musician while bassist Paul Raven took part to the recording but ultimately asked his name to be withdrawn from the credits for major disagreement over artistic content. The lead single was "America".

<i>The Courtauld Talks</i> 1989 live album by Killing Joke

The Courtauld Talks is a live album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in 1989 by Invisible Records. It is different from the group's other releases in that it is essentially a spoken-word album.

<i>Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions</i> 1990 studio album by Killing Joke

Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions is the eighth studio album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in November 1990 by Noise Records. After the commercial failure of their previous album Outside the Gate in 1988, singer Jaz Coleman and guitarist Geordie Walker were the last remaining members of the group. In December 1988, they recruited new musicians to perform a one-off concert in Porchester and premiered new songs, including early versions of "Extremities" and "The Beautiful Dead". The band didn't have any support of a record company anymore: Virgin had fired them and their label E.G. sued them. Coleman stated that it was a very stressful period of time for him and Walker. The new material was more intense, the band performed it live during a US tour in 1989. Extremities, Dirt and Various Repressed Emotions was recorded in 1990 for a German independent label: bassist Paul Raven was called back before entering into the studio. Drummer Martin Atkins, formerly of Public Image Ltd and Ministry, had joined the band in 1988 and co-composed the songs with Coleman and Walker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordie Walker</span> British guitarist (1958–2023)

Kevin Walker, known professionally as Geordie Walker, was an English rock musician, songwriter and producer. He was best known as the guitarist of post-punk group Killing Joke. He joined the band in March 1979; his first recording was released in December of that year. Their debut self-titled album came out in October 1980. Walker recorded 15 studio albums with Killing Joke and also took part in various side-projects. His unorthodox style of electric guitar playing was widely acclaimed.

<i>Laugh? I Nearly Bought One!</i> 1992 compilation album by Killing Joke

Laugh? I Nearly Bought One! is the first major compilation album by English post-punk band Killing Joke, released in September 1992 by Caroline Records in the U.S. and in October by Virgin Records in the U.K. and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Ferguson</span> English drummer

Matthew Paul Ferguson 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 Stagger Band in 1978, Ferguson became a founding member of Killing Joke and served as their drummer from 1979 to 1987. He was known as Big Paul Ferguson during this period. Ferguson is known for his tribal drum style.

<i>Ha</i> (Killing Joke album) 1982 live album by Killing Joke

"Ha" or "Ha": Killing Joke Live is the first commercially distributed live recording by English post-punk band Killing Joke. It was recorded at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on 9 and 10 August 1982 by producer Conny Plank, and released on 4 November by E.G. Records. Rob O'Connor did the artwork for the album.

<i>Turn to Red</i> 1979 EP by Killing Joke

Turn to Red is an EP and the debut release by English post-punk band Killing Joke. It was released as a 10-inch EP on 26 October 1979 by Malicious Damage and re-released as a 12-inch EP on 14 December by Island Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire Song</span> Song by Killing Joke

Empire Song is a song by English post-punk band Killing Joke. It was released in 1982 by E.G. Records as the first single from their third studio album, Revelations.

<i>Murder, Inc.</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Murder, Inc.

Murder, Inc. is the only studio album by the industrial rock supergroup Murder, Inc., featuring members of Killing Joke and Revolting Cocks. Originally released on Invisible Records in 1992, it was subsequently reworked and reissued in 1993, with contributions from JG Thirlwell. The album was recorded by Steve Albini.

References

  1. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Murder Inc". AllMusic . Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  2. Harris, Melissa (August 9, 2013). "Drummer in music business education spotlight". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  3. "Martin Atkins Biography on Billboard". Billboard . Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  4. Harris, Chris (October 21, 2007). "Ministry/ Killing Joke Bassist Paul Raven Dead at 46". MTV. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  5. "Chris Connelly discography". chrisconnelly.com. October 21, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  6. "Steve Albini Credits on AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  7. Connelly, Chris (2008). Concret, Bulletproof, Invisible + Fried: My Life as a Revolting Cock. London (UK): SAF Publishing. p. 198. ISBN   978-0-946719-95-2.
  8. "Damage Manual overview at AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved May 8, 2015.