Steve Albini, the legendary musician, producer, and writer, lived by his fiercely stubborn code of punk DIY ethics. His impact reverberated through the music world, from his bands Big Black and Shellac to his razor-sharp production work on classics by Nirvana, PJ Harvey, and the Pixies. Albini’s savage sense of humor and love for big-ass, vicious noise defined his career.
In a 1986 manifesto in the fanzine Forced Exposure, Albini declared, “I like noise. I like big-ass vicious noise that makes my head spin.” He embodied that noise, creating brutal guitar sounds that resonated with countless fans. Songs like “Kerosene” from Big Black became anthems for lonely adolescents seeking catharsis.
Albini’s legacy extended beyond music. He refused industry norms, setting up his own gear onstage and rejecting points for producing Nirvana’s In Utero. At his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago, he wore work overalls, never compromising his principles. His onstage jokes were equally unapologetic: “What’s orange and looks good on a hippie? Fire.”