The sound he got out of a kick drum!! At Action Park!! The sound of Time +Mass+Force. It was a work of genius, I was young and unlike many around me I thought Shellac was the best band in the world! The first time I heard them I went and sold half my records. Not because they aren't good but the engineering bar had been raised so significantly by the one album. The sound went through you. Thankyou Steve Albini. The world needs more switched on geniuses like you and after meeting you I know you were also a really good person.R.I.P.
1 year ago | 3
I was fortunate to catch him live a couple of times with the excellent Shellac. Also loved Big Black but they flamed out before I got the chance to see them. And of course he left his indelible imprint and influence on the music of so many great bands and albums. A legend, a truly reluctant star. R.I.P., Steve, and thanks for bringing so much integrity to what can be such a callow industry. Gone far too soon.
1 year ago (edited) | 1
I lived in Chicago in the 2000s, and I got to meet him briefly while he was recording a friend's band in a big old garage in Chicago (it was huge, had tall ceilings and an old industrial vibe. It's now a church sanctuary). It felt awkward walking into a recording session whenever I had to get, or put away, my bike, but they knew the place would have people coming and going; it was part of the vibe. We had a little bike repair shop off to the side of the garage, so I made a point one night during the sessions to do some much needed maintenance on my bike. It was really cool to see and hear him work with people I knew. I took that session as inspiration for any project I was involved in, music or non-music. He was just a real person who lived by his principles.
1 year ago | 1
Ray Washam played drums in one of his projects! The album was called 2 nuns and a pack mule. Some of my favorite rock drumming on that album. Such a loss of a very original musician and engineer.
1 year ago | 0
I'm absolutely gutted by his passing, it came as a complete shock. His honest and no nonsense approach surpassed any genre - and it's for that reason I've seen so many tributes from seemingly disparate sources. When I'm mixing music, particularly the drums, I use his sound as a goal. I loved all his music, particularly Shellac with the great Todd Trainer on drums. RIP and much respect Steve. Also... Rick, you were in a punk band?!
1 year ago (edited) | 1
Sad news. Loved his intelligence and integrity and his refusal to be institutionalized. A great speaker, refreshingly honest and a wealth of experience, that he was happy to share. Also a great musician and songwriter, with amazing groove and original sounds, in some incredibly influential bands. Always striving. A life well spent, and to be very proud of. You'll be missed.
1 year ago | 0
rickdior
Steve Albini, one of my engineering/producing/music making heroes passed away today at the age of 61.
He worked with some of the most influential bands of the 80's including Nirvana and the Pixies and other bands of that time that defined the 80's and 90's grunge/punk sound.
I played in a punk band in NYC in the 80's and would always listen to his productions.
I also always enjoyed reading interviews and articles he wrote including this one ...The Problem with Music www.thebaffler.com/salvos/the-problem-with--music
Its harsh but true and should be recommended reading for all fledgling audio engineers.
He was the rare engineer/musician/producer who really knew how to do all of those things very well, a dying breed these days.
1 year ago | [YT] | 105