Lying dormant for the better part of 23 years, Berlin Atonal returned in 2013 to rather high expectations. Once a much revered festival locally, it presented a curious array of seminal and transgressive artists over its eight year run at Kreuzberg’s legendary SO36. Atonal’s importance is undisputed; paramount for the Berlin alternative art and music scene of the time; a true Zeitgeist of an era. Likewise, Atonal Records had around three dozen releases to date. It featured the likes of French avant-jazz collective Art Zoyd and multi instrumentalists Elliot Sharp and Thierry Zaboitzeff. More specifically, there were two compilations of Berlin Atonal, both released in 1984 and presenting what was to be the new project for ex Throbbing Gristle members Genesis P-Orridge and Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson as Psychic TV, New York multidisciplinary artist Z’ev and local punk outfit La Loora. Their guitarist, Achim Mennicken would later go on to form The Boom Operators and Latz and collaborate with Raymond Watts and J.G. Thirlwell on the PIG project. Sadly, he passed away early last year.
Modern Love stalwart Miles Whittaker will release Faint Hearted, his debut solo album next month.