Steve Albini
American musician and audio engineer (1962–2024) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Steve Albini?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Steven Frank Albini (/ælˈbiːni/; July 22, 1962 – May 7, 2024) was an American musician and audio engineer who was a member of the influential post-hardcore and noise rock bands Big Black (1981–1987), Rapeman (1987–1989) and Shellac (1992–2024). He was the founder, owner, and principal engineer of the Chicago recording studio Electrical Audio. He recorded thousands of records, collaborating with such acts as Nirvana, Pixies, the Breeders, PJ Harvey, the Jesus Lizard and Page and Plant.
Steve Albini | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Steven Frank Albini[lower-alpha 1] |
Born | (1962-07-22)July 22, 1962 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
Origin | Missoula, Montana, U.S. |
Died | May 7, 2024(2024-05-07) (aged 61) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupations |
|
Instruments |
|
Years active | 1981–2024 |
Labels | Touch and Go |
Formerly of |
Albini was born in Pasadena, California, and raised in Missoula, Montana. After discovering the Ramones as a teenager, he played in a number of punk bands. He earned a degree in journalism at Northwestern University, Illinois, and he wrote for local zines before moving to Chicago, where he immersed himself in the punk scene. He formed Big Black in 1981, with whom he released two albums and four EPs. Following the dissolution of Big Black in 1987, Albini opened Electrical Audio and focused on engineering. In 1988 he formed the controversially named band Rapeman with David Wm. Sims and Rey Washam, releasing one album and one EP. He formed Shellac with Bob Weston and Todd Trainer in 1992, with whom he released several albums, including At Action Park (1994) and 1000 Hurts (2000).
Noted for his outspoken and blunt opinions, Albini was critical of local punk scenes and the music industry, which he saw as exploitative. He refused to take royalties on albums he worked on, operating on a fee-only basis. Albini died of a heart attack on May 7, 2024.