ATTRITION Interview 28/06/23
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences
I started ATTRITION in 1980… influenced by punk, post punk and later industrial electronics… we
create a range of music from upbeat industrial to dark ambient neo classical soundscapes… and
many places in between
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
From musical influences, from art, but mostly from people and the world around me… there have
been a lot over the last 43 years!
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
The most well known ATTRITION song is definitely “A Girl called harmony”… released in 1991 on
Projekt records (USA) and Contempo (Italy)…definitely our most “gothic” song…
My own personal favourite varies depending on my mood… but I’ll name a couple… “Fate is
Smiling (1985) and Two Gods (2004)
You can find all of these on our last “best of collection..”
https://attritionuk.bandcamp.com/album/in-dark-dreams-1980-2015
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2023
We started off 2023 playing shows in the UK, in Manchester, Glasgow, Coventry etc… and then we
played the Wave Gotik Treffen in Germany in May (The world’s biggest gothic festival…our third
time there)… next we play more UK shows and then are plying more European shows and
festivals and finally will be over to the USA and Mexico again at the end of the year, as our new
album “The Black Maria” is released…
MM: What can we expect from ATTRITION live
ATTRITION have been through a lot of guest musicians over the years but last year the original
80’s line people got back in touch and I reformed that line up… starting off playing shows and we
will start writing towards a new album soon too… we recorded a live rehearsal in my studio, The
Cage, in February, and have released a limited edition CD of that performance… have a listen to it
on our official bandcamp site…
https://attritionuk.bandcamp.com/album/live-in-the-cage-07022023
MM: What do you like best and worst about touring
I love the travel… seeing new places, meeting new people… we have played on 5 continents now
spread over the years…from Hawaii to Siberia, from Tokyo to Transylvania…all over Europe and
North and South America… the shows are the most important part… that hour when everything
else fades away…
The worst thing… the exhaustion… the fast food… and missing my family at times…
Its all worth it in the end.
MM: WhaTs the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own) and why
I saw the Sex Pistols in 1977 and that concert made me want to make music…. But perhaps the
most memorable was when I saw Siouxsie and the Banshees in 1978, supported by a young
Human league, in Coventry… I’d not seen anything like that… the beginnings of Gothic and
Industrial music, spawned from punk…
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with
So many things over the years… I am still blown away that I know at least 2 girls called Harmony…
named by their parents after my song… best reviews ever!!!
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
Another difficult one and it will change a lot with time…. Today I will say…
Roxy Music – For your pleasure
Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have people watching
you?
I do…on December 8 th 1980, at the Belgrade theatre studio here in Coventry… we were bottom of
the bill of 6… an anarcho-punk band if you like, before we picked up electronic instruments… I was
scared! …I still get a little nervous before shows… but I think that’s the way it should be!
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
I had The Stranglers, The Clash and The Jam on my wall in 1977… maybe more… I wish I still had
them… they weren’t so easy to find back then!
MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other person
More punk rock than metal, but John Rotten/ Lydon was always a catalyst for me!
MM - Whats the most important thing to the band right now?
Its always the next song…the next show… nothing else matters…
MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
We rarely do covers…but have done a handful over the years…. Songs I’ve loved…
The Adverts “Gary Gilmore’s eyes” (a collaboration with their original singer TV Smith, The Dead
Kennedys “Kill the poor”, John Foxx “Underpass”… its been a long time since we’ve done one…
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
I make music for myself primarily… I do appreciate it if people listen… as I listen to other bands…
but I would never expect anyone to buy it… (although a lot have)
Final Words for your fans and our readers
Thanks for the interview! I hope to hear from some of you, or see you at shows… and in the
meantime do check out our various media sites…
Martin Bowes. Coventry, England. June 2023
www.attrition.co.uk
www.facebook.com/ATTRITIONMUSIC
http://attritionuk.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/user/attrition
www.instagram.com/attrition_uk
https://twitter.com/attritionuk
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5yAtVvdaWrTxW4GPC18643
www.thecagestudios.co.uk
audio production and mastering
