The Bug

Biography

Kevin Richard Martin, best known by his recording alias The Bug, is an English musician and producer whose career spans over three decades. Born in Weymouth, England, Martin moved to London around 1990, immersing himself in the city’s vibrant and experimental music scene. His early years saw him exploring avant-garde jazz, noise rock, and industrial hip hop through bands like GOD and Techno Animal, often collaborating with Justin Broadrick. Martin’s relentless drive to push boundaries led him to absorb influences from dub, reggae, dancehall, and the emerging sounds of jungle and dubstep, which became foundational to his later work.

The Bug project emerged in the late 1990s, initially as a vehicle for Martin’s fascination with Jamaican music and its intersection with British underground culture. The Bug’s sound is characterized by heavy bass, aggressive rhythms, and a fusion of dancehall, dubstep, and industrial textures. Notable releases like 'Pressure' (2003), 'London Zoo' (2008), and 'Angels & Devils' (2014) received critical acclaim for their innovative approach and powerful collaborations with vocalists from the UK and Jamaica. Martin’s other major project, King Midas Sound, further showcased his versatility, blending dub with melancholic songwriting alongside poet Roger Robinson and singer Kiki Hitomi.

Martin’s legacy is marked by his role as a curator and collaborator, constantly evolving his sonic palette and championing underground sounds. His work as The Bug has influenced a generation of producers and artists in electronic, dub, and experimental music, earning him a reputation as a master of genre fusion and a provocateur in the world of sound.

Fun Facts

• Kevin Martin originally studied saxophone and played the instrument in his early bands, including GOD.
• The Bug’s live shows are renowned for their intense volume and physical bass, often described as a visceral experience.
• Martin has lived in Berlin for several years, drawn by the city’s reputation as an artists’ enclave and its vibrant electronic music scene.
• The Bug once hosted a monthly club night called BASH in London, focusing on reggae and dubstep, which helped bridge scenes and foster collaborations.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• King Tubby - Pioneering dub producer whose studio techniques inspired Martin's approach to sound manipulation. (General influence on The Bug's dub aesthetics) [Childhood, formative years]
• Lee Perry - Legendary reggae and dub producer, whose experimental style influenced Martin's sonic explorations. (General influence on The Bug's production) [Childhood, formative years]
• Adrian Sherwood - British dub producer, inspired Martin’s appreciation for studio experimentation. (General influence on The Bug's music) [Formative years]
• John Peel - BBC Radio 1 DJ, exposed Martin to punk, dub, and experimental music. (Radio broadcasts) [Youth]

Key Collaborators

• Justin Broadrick - Frequent collaborator in bands GOD, Techno Animal, Ice, and Curse of the Golden Vampire. (GOD, Techno Animal, Ice, Curse of the Golden Vampire) [1990s–present]
• Roger Robinson - Vocalist and poet in King Midas Sound, co-wrote and performed on multiple albums. (King Midas Sound) [2007–present]
• Kiki Hitomi - Singer and visual artist in King Midas Sound. (King Midas Sound) [2007–present]
• DJ Vadim - Early collaborator in The Bug’s downtempo/trip hop phase. (Tapping the Conversation) [Late 1990s]
• The Rootsman - Collaborated on Razor X singles, linked Martin to Jamaican vocalists. (Razor X singles) [2001–2004]
• Loefah - Co-hosted BASH, a London reggae/dubstep club night. (BASH club night) [2006]
• Dylan Carlson - Collaborated on The Bug vs Earth project. (The Bug vs Earth) [2017–present]
• Miss Red - Recent collaborator and vocalist on The Bug tracks. (Various singles and live performances) [2010s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Burial - Cited The Bug as an influence in blending dubstep and experimental sounds. (Untrue, Burial) [2000s–present]
• Flowdan - Grime MC who has worked with The Bug and adopted his bass-heavy production style. (Collaborations on London Zoo and other singles) [2008–present]
• Kode9 - Dubstep producer influenced by The Bug’s fusion of dub and electronic music. (Hyperdub label releases) [2000s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Video Killed The Radio Star (The Age Of Plastic)
2. Video Killed The Radio Star (The Age Of Plastic)
3. Video Killed The Radio Star - Single Version (Video Killed The Radio Star / Kid Dynamo)
4. Video Killed The Radio Star
5. Video Killed The Radio Star
6. Video Killed The Radio Star (Video Killed The Radio Star)
7. The Plastic Age (The Age Of Plastic)
8. Elstree (The Age Of Plastic)
9. The Plastic Age (The Age Of Plastic)
10. Clean, Clean (The Age Of Plastic)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia