Tag: steve albini

The late Steve Albini is getting a street named in his honor in Chicago, Illinois, his longtime home. Thanks to an ordinance passed by Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, the 2600-2700 block of West Belmont Avenue in Avondale, between North Rockwell Avenue and North California Avenue, will officially be declared “Steve Albini Way.” This stretch is where his legendary recording studio Electrical Audio, which Albini and staff members helped build by laying bricks during the construction process, stands.

Though he was born in Pasadena, California, and raised in Missoula, Montana, Albini has been deeply embedded in Chicago’s music scene ever since he moved there to attend Northwestern University. He lived in the city ever since, remaining in Chicago from his college years on through to his sudden death.

The producer, musician, and cultural icon died of a heart attack on May 7 at the age of 61. Albini fronted several revered rock bands, including Shellac and Big Black, and was an undisputed legend of the recording studio, though he vocalized that he preferred the term “engineer” to “producer.” Albini recorded Nirvana’s In Utero, Pixies’ Surfer Rosa, PJ Harvey’s Rid of Me, and countless other classic albums over several decades. His last album with Shellac was To All Trains, which the band was preparing to release and tour behind in late May before he died.

In addition to his ridiculously long resume when it comes to writing and recording music, Albini was respected for his steadfast morals and status as an outspoken critic of exploitative music industry practices. He was also a remarkable poker player with not one, but two World Series of Poker gold bracelets.

Read “Steve Albini Did the Work” and “Steve Albini’s 10 Best Records.”

“Ugh man, a heartbreaking loss of a legend. Love to his family and innumerable colleagues,” the actor and indie music fan Ejiah Wood shared. “Farewell, Steve Albini.”

The Polyvinyl X account shared, “An unfathomable loss, impossible to fully trace the profound impact he made on all of us, on the sound of music itself.”

Primavera Sound, where Albini and his bands performed regularly, posted, “We have lost a legend, a friend, a member of our family. What are we going to do without you, Steve?” The festival’s account added, “After having welcomed them at 15 editions of the festival, it is impossible for us to imagine a Primavera Sound without him, because no band explains us better than Shellac.”

“RIP to the legend Steve Albini,” the band Health wrote. “Hero to all of us.”

Robin Hatch, who’s toured with Porno for Pyros, Fucked Up, and more, posted: “Steve Albini greatest producer of alternative rock.. the original edgelord. Poker star par excelence & fan of various local vernaculars. Rip king.”

Fucked Up added, “you hated our band and made fun of us while we were recording at your studio but you stood for something honest and fair in music and tried to make it a better place in everything you did and there will never be another one like you.”

Experimental guitarist Bill MacKay wrote, “I so much enjoyed his trail-blazing bands & talent, and recording songs at his great studio. I admired his fierce fight for justice and fairness, and had one unforgettable & hilarious Ramen dinner together. He’ll never be forgotten.”

Nick Zanca, the Queens-based producer, composer, and writer known for his work as Mister Lies, also shared kind words for Albini. “his prolificacy, his musical fluidity, his prioritization of equity and staunch opposition to industry status quo are aspirational,” he wrote on X. “us producers should all aspire to the standard he set. time to lift weights to Big Black.”

“Love this man’s recording and all of his bands,” the Ataris posted of Albini. “Sonically his drum sound was one of a kind.” The band also said, “Thank you for your undeniable mark on music and recording.”

And Liturgy shared simply, “Extremely saddened to hear of Steve Albini’s death 💔.”

Tad Doyle, an early Albini collaborator with his band Tad, also kept his tribute brief: “RIP Steve Albini.”

Pixies said the same, “RIP Steve Albini.”