GOD GOD was a
jazzcore group that was part of the
grindcore and
industrial metal scenes.
Justin Broadrick, formerly of
Napalm Death and later of
Godflesh, eventually joined. This was the first of Martin's collaborations with Broadrick,
Techno Animal and
Ice being subsequent.
John Zorn also worked with this group.
Techno Animal An
industrial hip-hop and
ambient-music collaboration with
Justin Broadrick that also collaborated with
Dälek,
Vast Aire, and
Anti-Pop Consortium. In early 2017 Techno Animal reunited for a final gig in Berlin, and Martin and Broadrick announced plans to continue their Techno Animal collaboration under the name Zonal.
Ice Ice included Martin on vocals, saxophone, synthesizer, and turntables;
Justin Broadrick on guitar; David Cochrane on bass; and Lou Ciccotelli on drums. Its first album,
Under the Skin, was somewhat similar to the industrial metal of Broadrick's
Godflesh, but with a more experimentalist bent, notably via Martin's
free jazz-influenced saxophone. By
Bad Blood (In Bloom/
Reprise/
Warner Bros. Records), its second album, the band had absorbed a great deal of
hip-hop influence, and nearly all the songs featured contributions from guests well known in
underground hip hop, including El-P. However, the experimentalism continued, with singer
Blixa Bargeld of legendary industrial band
Einstürzende Neubauten appearing as well, often alongside the emcees. According to critic Ned Raggett, the experiments are not always successful, but he credits the band for expanding its sound.
Curse of the Golden Vampire Originally a collaboration between Techno Animal and
Alec Empire in an
industrial hip-hop vein. The second album, Mass Destruction, featured only Martin and Broadrick and moved into a more vicious
breakcore and
digital hardcore style with elements of
grindcore,
industrial hip-hop, and
noise/
power electronics.
The Bug The Bug's music is influenced by
dancehall,
noise,
grime, and
hip hop. More subtle influences include
dubstep and the
dubtronica and broken
techno of
Basic Channel and
Pole. The Bug's first album,
Tapping The Conversation, was released in 1997 on the seminal Wordsound label. The album was conceived as an alternative soundtrack to the 1974
Francis Ford Coppola film
The Conversation. In this incarnation, The Bug consisted of Kevin Martin and
DJ Vadim, and existed in more of a
downtempo and
trip hop vein. From 2001–2004 The Bug collaborated with UK reggae soundsystem veteran The Rootsman on a number of limited edition 7" singles, released on the Razor X label. These releases were characterised by their harsh, aggressive nature both musically and vocally (vocal artists including Jamaican MCs such as He-Man and Wayne Lonesome). The Bug's second album,
Pressure was released on
Rephlex Records in 2003. It included a number of more ambient,
dub-influenced tracks alongside the
ragga-tinged onslaughts. The Razor X singles were compiled on the
Killing Sound album (along with newer material) which was released by Rephlex in 2006. Bug projects have included collaborations with a number of singers and MCs including
Cutty Ranks,
Flowdan, Warrior Queen, Ras B and Miss Red. In 2005 he collaborated with
Mark Stewart and
Keith Levene and has released records on Rephlex,
Tigerbeat6 and Klien Records.
The Bug produced some radio sessions, including a clash with Soundmurderer on
John Peel and a 2006
Breezeblock session with 10 MCs. In 2006, The Bug launched a monthly London-based
reggae club night entitled BASH, in collaboration with
dubstep producer Loefah. 2008 saw the release of
London Zoo, the third full release from the project, on
Ninja Tune to critical acclaim. After a six-year hiatus, The Bug returned with their fourth effort
Angels & Devils, again to critical acclaim. In October 2016, The Bug brought their new project Sirens to London for a special performance.
Pressure A
dub project, with releases on the
Hyperdub label.
Black Chow Reggae-dub/
trip hop collaboration with Kiki Hitomi, now, under the
Jahtari record label (previous releases with
Hyperdub). Black Chow incorporates Lo-Fi elements into their music, which is typical of artists on the
Jahtari record label.
King Midas Sound King Midas Sound is a musical crossover project, composed of Martin, London/Trinidad poet
Roger Robinson and Japanese artist and singer Kiki Hitomi. Their first 12" release "(HDB014) Cool Out" and debut album
Waiting For You... are both released through
Kode9's
Hyperdub label. "Meltdown" also featured on the
5 Years Of Hyperdub CD release in 2009. Their 12", "Aroo," was released on Ninja Tune in 2013. Their second album,
Solitude, a drone ambient album with Robinson's spoken word performances, was released on
Valentine's Day of 2019 on Cosmo Rhythmatic.
Zonal In 2017 Martin and Broadrick reformed their Techno Animal project under the name Zonal, under which they'd released
The Quatermass Project in 2000. The pair hated the Techno Animal name and had intended to use Zonal for
The Brotherhood of the Bomb, but
Matador Records only offered to fund the album under what they considered the stronger Techno Animal brand. In 2017 through to 2019 Zonal performed older Techno Animal material and new Zonal music, and performed at
Roadburn and
Le Guess Who? with
Moor Mother. In early 2020 the group released their first album,
Wrecked, on
Relapse Records. Moor Mother was guest vocalist on six of the twelve tracks. Bob Cluness of
The Quietus called the album "a leviathan of desolate mood music" and a "joyously feel bad album whose grinding negativity and tidal heaviness provides a necessary form of catharsis."
Compilations He also compiled the
Macro Dub Infection (parts one and two),
Ambient 4: Isolationism and
Jazz Satellites CDs for the
Virgin Ambient series.
Kevin Richard Martin Under his real name Kevin Richard Martin, he released
Sirens (2019), as well as
Return to Solaris (2021). ==Influences==