Steve Albini, the frontman of Big Black and Shellac, as well as the renowned engineer for Nirvana, has passed away at the age of 61.
Steve Albini, a prominent figure in indie-rock as the frontman of Big Black and Shellac, and renowned recording engineer for artists like Nirvana and PJ Harvey, has passed away at 61. The news was confirmed by Taylor Hales, a colleague at Albini's Chicago studio, Electrical Audio, citing a heart attack as the cause of death.
Albini gained recognition in the early 1980s with Big Black, a Chicago-based trio known for their aggressive guitar-driven rock accompanied by a drum machine. Notably, he was outspoken in his criticism of those he perceived as prioritizing money and fame over artistic integrity. Albini rejected the title of "producer," preferring a simple "Recorded by Steve Albini" credit, and declined royalties for his work on recordings.
His unconventional approach, coupled with his influential work on the Pixies' seminal 1988 album "Surfer Rosa," won over Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Cobain insisted on Albini for the production of their second major label album, 1993's "In Utero," despite the label's desire for a commercial success akin to "Nevermind." While "In Utero" retained Albini's signature intensity, it diverged from the radio-friendly formula the label had hoped for. Concurrently, Albini recorded PJ Harvey's second album, "Rid of Me," mirroring the raw and aggressive sonic style.
Albini's repertoire extended to diverse acts such as the Breeders, Slint, Helmet, the Jesus Lizard, Jon Spencer, the Dirty Three, and even former Led Zeppelin members Jimmy Page and Robert Plant on their 1998 album "Walking Into Clarksdale." Notably, Albini's minimalist, stripped-down production style added a raw edge to the latter's album, a departure from their more elaborate recordings.
In the early 1990s, Albini formed the band Shellac, which over the years released five studio albums. The band was gearing up for a tour later this year in support of their sixth full-length album, "To All Trains," marking their return after a decade-long hiatus. The album is slated for release next week.
Albini was not only the founder, owner, and principal engineer at Electrical Audio, a recording studio complex in Chicago, but he also maintained his principled approach to production work. He continued to take on production gigs for a flat fee, rejecting royalty payments to stand in solidarity with indie artists.
Born on July 22, 1962, in Pasadena, Calif., Albini's family moved frequently before settling in Missoula, Montana. It was there that Albini discovered the Ramones as a teenager. Later, while studying journalism in Illinois, he immersed himself in Chicago’s vibrant punk-rock scene, a community he remained a part of throughout his life.
Albini began recording as Big Black in 1981, playing almost all the instruments on the group’s debut release, the "Lungs" EP in 1982. With a lineup that solidified around Albini, guitarist Santiago Durango, and bassist Jeff Pezzati, Big Black quickly gained popularity and became active on the burgeoning U.S. indie-rock scene. Although Albini and the band were sometimes perceived as iconoclastic and judgmental, their music profoundly influenced left-leaning hard rock for decades to come.
Despite their often overlooked sense of humor, evidenced by albums like "Songs About Fucking" and comically themed singles, some of Albini's early projects, notably the band Rapeman, bore names he later regretted. He acknowledged his past ignorance and privilege, expressing regret for offensive remarks and actions.
In the midst of his success with Nirvana and PJ Harvey, Albini formed Shellac with bassist Bob Weston and drummer Todd Trainer. The band remained active throughout the 1990s and 2000s, recording and touring extensively. In his later years, Albini settled into life in Chicago, continuing his production work, touring and releasing albums with Shellac, and achieving success as a professional poker player. In 2018, he won a World Series of Poker gold bracelet, and four years later, he secured a second victory, nearly doubling his previous jackpot.
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