Steve Albini speaks

July 5, 2007 4:39 PM

Related to this post from long ago:Engineer Steve Albini plays poker. On a poker playing forum he's started answering all sorts of questions with his Ask ask a music scene micro celebrity . He talks at length about the records he's worked on, bands he's dealt with, and his opinion on whether Kurt Cobain was a genius.
posted by josher71 (91 comments total)

I think this is a bluff.
posted by churl at 4:52 PM on July 5, 2007

Neat. I'd forgotten he'd worked on PJ Harvey's Rid of Me. The sound of every instrument on that album is really amazing.
posted by bardic at 4:58 PM on July 5, 2007

I disagree somewhat on his assessment of Kurt Cobain as a genius:

If you think of the other bajillion-sellers of the Nineties, not very many of them have survived as significant influences today. I think there's a reason beyond luck for that to be the case.

And that would be his suicide. Nothing propels music into "immortality status" quite like...mortality.

If you look at comparable bands of the time (Pearl Jam, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, just to name a few), I think it's justifiable to say their progress has neither outpaced nor would have outpaced (if still going) these bands in terms of stature.
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:07 PM on July 5, 2007

Also, The Doors, Beatles, Hendrix, Marley, Elliott Smith, etc. are all overrated alone because of the mythology surrounding death. Just had to get that out there.
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:10 PM on July 5, 2007

Vinyl or Digital?
Neither. I go straight for the vagina. You find them on women.

Brilliant. Thanks so much for posting this.
posted by kyleg at 5:15 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

bardic is correct: Rid of Me is superb.
posted by chuckdarwin at 5:18 PM on July 5, 2007

The Beatles? Seriously, the Beatles? You do realize that they were crazy, out of this world HUGE before Lennon was assassinated, which was many years after the band broke up.

I also totally disagree with you on your take on Cobain, Marley, Smith, etc. You know, the lead singer of Blind Melon OD'ed and you don't see that band iconified in the same way. Also, I think Michael Hutchence was a genius but his weird suicide death did nothing to explode his waning popularity.

I've been so disappointed/angry/frustrated in every one of these deaths (Cobain, Hutchence, Smith esp.). On that point we might agree...
posted by mcstayinskool at 5:23 PM on July 5, 2007

Very good website for the studio, especially the pics of the actual studios and living spaces. Looks like a cool place to hang out and record some tunes.
posted by jmccw at 5:27 PM on July 5, 2007

Mach3avelli,
Yeah, seriously, you're really going to have to explain how they fit into your theory, considering that they were practically worshiped as gods in the 60s, decades before any of them died.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:34 PM on July 5, 2007

Er, they being the Beatles.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:34 PM on July 5, 2007

I forgot to mention Sublime.

And Tupac. He sold records at a ratio of 15:1 post and pre-death.

And yes, The Beatles. Imagine if all four were still around on a 40th anniversary tour. *shiver*
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:34 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Pavement Saw
posted by homunculus at 5:35 PM on July 5, 2007

I was just listening to Big Black's "Songs About Fucking" today...

Steve Albini uses and endorses heroin!
posted by SweetJesus at 5:36 PM on July 5, 2007

Mach3avelli,
Wait, now I'm confused. Your initial point seemed to be that Nirvana gained their current status because of Cobain's suicide, and then you listed the Beatles and other bands as being overrated because of death-related fame. But in your last post you seem to be saying the exact opposite, that Tupac's death had little effect on his career, and that the Beatles would be even more famous without death? What are you trying to say? Is this a joke that's just going over my head?
posted by Sangermaine at 5:37 PM on July 5, 2007

This is really cool. There's a good chapter on Steve Albini and his band Big Black in Our Band Could Be Your Life. Fascinating character.
posted by Kattullus at 5:37 PM on July 5, 2007

And yes, The Beatles. Imagine if all four were still around on a 40th anniversary tour. *shiver*

You mean like the failed touring act The Rolling Stones have become? Or were you thinking of the way that Bob Dylan doesn't really have the chops anymore? Or how Van Morrison is snoresville live?

The death of John Lennon (and George Harrison) had nothing at all to do with the popularity of The Beatles and if record sales are any indication, they'd still be huge today if they'd reunited and toured.
posted by eyeballkid at 5:39 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Also, The Doors, Beatles, Hendrix, Marley, Elliott Smith, etc. are all overrated alone because of the mythology surrounding death.

the beatles' legendary status was firmly in place long before john lennon died

hendrix overrated? ... really? ... is that why guitar players played one way before they heard him and another afterwards?

bob marley ... oh, he only sold umpteen millions of records and served as the introduction to reggae for most people in the u s
posted by pyramid termite at 5:40 PM on July 5, 2007

On rereading, I think you are saying that they would have faded away and become jokes doing a 40th anniversary tour. I think maybe you don't know the history of the band. You do realize that the Beatles didn't break up because of a death, right? That they broke up in 1970, and Lennon wasn't killed until 1980? It wasn't like they were touring and regrouping since the 60s and Lennon's death put a stop to that.
posted by Sangermaine at 5:40 PM on July 5, 2007

I could have worded it better. Tupac sold 1 million albums copies before his death. He's sold 15 million since.
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:41 PM on July 5, 2007

Hey Steve, how come you use basically the same "sound" on nearly everyone you produce, whether or not it suits them? (Though, to be fair, it usually does sound pretty cool.)
posted by klangklangston at 5:41 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

I think it's safe to say Nirvana had a pretty powerful impact that was above and beyond what their brethren of the time had at the time. They helped clear out the waning leftovers from the late-80s, and knocked Michael Jackson out of the top Billboard spot.

(exercise for the Mach3avelli : explain Prince's career, void of mortal tragedy as it's been)

Whether or not they would've continued at that level of popularity for a really long time afterwards is pretty much anyone's guess - but for my money, I still get chills hearing "You Know You're Right" and being bummed all over again that I'll never hear what the resulting album after that song may have sounded like.

On-topic : thanx for posting this. It's an interesting read from someone who's got a lot of insight to offer beyond "I help make records."
posted by revmitcz at 5:44 PM on July 5, 2007

Must be real, he mentions Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.
posted by furtive at 5:44 PM on July 5, 2007

Hey Steve, how come you use basically the same "sound" on nearly everyone you produce, whether or not it suits them?

A worthy quip, if not pretty much a hipster-insider joke by now, but you could argue that he took some not so generally talented bands and made them sound a lot more kick-ass than they would have on their own. That's worth something, I think.

I like where someone asks him about how he decides whom he wants to work with -- actually, he doesn't. If a band wants to work with him, he will, unless it's their manager who gets in touch with him, in which case he usually says no.

I dunno. I think that's about as close to integrity as one can get in music these days.
posted by bardic at 5:45 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Jesus Christ. Do we really have to talk about the fucking Beatles?
posted by mr_roboto at 5:46 PM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

Ok, I'm getting assaulted from all sides, so let me try to catch it all by reframing my statements.

I think death is regarded as adding a certain element of mystique to an artist's work. I personally judge music on its own merits, to the basic core of what simply enters my ears/brain. That "death mystique" is meaningless to me, and so adds overvalue.

I'm not saying any of the music is bad, just overvalued (when I say overrated).

I'm 25. I know lots of people +/- 10 years of my age who are all into The Beatles. Their music is timeless, but I think Lennon's death contributed to the phenomenon it continues to be today.
posted by Mach3avelli at 5:50 PM on July 5, 2007

Enough with the derailing, please.
posted by Khalad at 5:54 PM on July 5, 2007

I hate the Beatles. There, I said it. And Bob Dylan means nothing to me.
posted by four panels at 5:56 PM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

Yup it's Albini:

Chicks listen to good music sometimes, too, you know.

Not straight ones in my experience, no they don't. You are either a lesbian, a dude, or you don't really like good music. This is a fact proven with science and charts.

Odd sense of humor, that guy.
posted by Kattullus at 5:57 PM on July 5, 2007

Chicks listen to good music sometimes, too, you know.

Not straight ones in my experience, no they don't. You are either a lesbian, a dude, or you don't really like good music. This is a fact proven with science and charts.

Oh, it's so true.

Not impossible, but there's definitely a trend.

To the point that I've taken "good taste in music" off as a requirement for potential girlfriends. I've had to settle so much on that one that I don't think of it as a reality anymore, kind of like a rational woman who's also spontaneous and exciting. Yeah.
posted by Mach3avelli at 6:04 PM on July 5, 2007

Mach3avelli writes Their music is timeless, but I think Lennon's death contributed to the phenomenon it continues to be today.

Wow. You're an idiot. The Beatles phenomenon was going well and strong long before John was killed. You make it sound as if they were some struggling bar band that was only appreciated when Ryko re-issued them or something.

So yeah, each to his own, but your ability to contribute anything substantive to a music debate has been demonstrated to pretty much not exist here. Thanks for playing.
posted by bardic at 6:04 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is a fantastic post and please let's not talk about the Beatles anymore. I just read the entire forum thread and there are dozens of gems for anyone who's listened to music in the last twenty years and has any interest in how it's made.
posted by escabeche at 6:07 PM on July 5, 2007

"please let's not talk about the Beatles anymore"

Agreed. I'm much more intrested in debating the role of Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones.
posted by 2sheets at 6:10 PM on July 5, 2007

Oh, and you're a misogynist too. Joy. Now go away.
posted by bardic at 6:13 PM on July 5, 2007

Agreed. I'm much more intrested in debating the role of Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones.

You mean how Mick had him killed?
posted by bardic at 6:14 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

I have a dream that someday Steve Albini will produce my album. That's all I have to say.

That, and Atomizer fucking rocks.
posted by lekvar at 6:17 PM on July 5, 2007

Oh, and you're a misogynist too. Joy. Now go away.

Nonsense. I'm a third-wave feminist.

And if you think John Lennon's death has had nothing to do with what the Beatles are today, you're sadly mistaken.
posted by Mach3avelli at 6:20 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

This is fantastic, thanks so much!
posted by cali at 6:21 PM on July 5, 2007

Fascinating read, thanks for the link. I had forgotten about how much I liked Jesus Lizard! Slightly misogynistic quips aside, I'm especially impressed by how well Mr. Albini expresses himself, and his willingness to go on the google record regarding his personal experiences with specific bands and some of the personalities he's worked with. Great stuff, I voraciously consumed the entire thread (twice!).
posted by stagewhisper at 6:22 PM on July 5, 2007

I think he just rekindled my love for a lot of bands, and reminded me of their common thread. Great post!
posted by furtive at 6:26 PM on July 5, 2007

I try to make myself as inexpensive as possible for the underground and independent bands that are my closest peers and regular clientele. For big label stuff that will require an open-ended schedule and a lot of bureaucratic nonsense to get paid, I get paid a lot more.

I've heard he'll work with anyone, if the price is right. (see: Razorblade Suitcase)
posted by four panels at 6:26 PM on July 5, 2007

Fascinating post. Thank you so much.

Mach3evelli, you're just wrong. Get over it and stop the derailing.

The Electical website is incredible. The equipment list (with pictures) has me drooling all over myself.
posted by puddles at 6:34 PM on July 5, 2007

Tupac sold 1 million albums copies before his death. He's sold 15 million since.

That's nothing. J.S. Bach sold zero records before his death, hundreds of millions since then.

Also, calling the Foo Fighters "comparable" to Nirvana is just silly. By comparison they were noticeably lacking in genius.
posted by sfenders at 6:45 PM on July 5, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

Does Steve Albini know why so many artists' output suffers when they start self-producing their albums? (I'm thinking of Todd Rundgren and Tori Amos)
posted by unmake at 6:51 PM on July 5, 2007

cobain: massive chump. at least corgan can play the fucking guitar.
posted by quonsar at 6:53 PM on July 5, 2007 [2 favorites has favorites]

jmccw: thanks SO MUCH for posting the link to Albini's studio. I am absolutely, completely in awe. Damn. Those mother******s have not one, not two, but THREE Veleno guitars. OMFG! That literally made my eyes bleed. Holy Shit. Unreal. I am quivering. I need air.
posted by dbiedny at 7:11 PM on July 5, 2007

Here's the link to the picture with those Velenos.
posted by dbiedny at 7:13 PM on July 5, 2007

danielson famile. danielson famile danielson famile.
posted by unknowncommand at 7:19 PM on July 5, 2007

A few thoughts:

Steve Albini will always be a sort of hero to me because he understood how overrated Ben Folds was so early on. Also because he gave me the phrase "100 g's and 3 points", which I like to drop in conversations at work.

Thanks for posting this.

Also: it would be inconceivable to an 8-years-younger version of myself that I would say this, but it's true - the Beatles are overrated. They were a great band, but my favorite cranky MeFite once pointed out to me that their iconic status is largely a result of a media that will not stop selling them as Best. Band. Ever. Look through the hype, folks.
posted by rocketman at 7:31 PM on July 5, 2007

Great post. Thanks.

For those who don't want to plow through the whole thing, here's a summery:

The Jesus Lizard were perfect.
Urge Overkill were terrible.
A lot of other bands were somewhere in between.
posted by googly at 7:33 PM on July 5, 2007

And: producers don't make great records, great bands make great records.
posted by escabeche at 7:51 PM on July 5, 2007

The Urge Overkill shit is hilarious.

The Jesus Lizard was perfect. For one album, anyway, and live.
posted by hackly_fracture at 7:58 PM on July 5, 2007

His production on the new Weedeater album, God Luck and Good Speed, is so fucking top notch it makes my balls tingle with delight.
posted by The Straightener at 7:58 PM on July 5, 2007

Does Steve Albini know why so many artists' output suffers when they start self-producing their albums? (I'm thinking of Todd Rundgren and Tori Amos)

Seems like it'd be the same issue as that of the Lucas Phallacy. Which is to say - when you're the highest and/or only authority for your own work, no one's going to step in and say "uhh... no. you can't/shouldn't do that".

Sometimes, management gets in your way and ruins your otherwise good ideas. Sometimes, you need a sane voice to stop you from doing something really stupid.

I remember an interview with Chris Cornell where he said he preferred his work with Soundgarden, TotD, Audioslave to his solo work because "..other people will tell you when an idea is terrible. If it's just you - then you have no idea".
posted by revmitcz at 8:03 PM on July 5, 2007

dude's funny as hell:

Pro tools or logic? explain plz.


I don't use computers to make records. I use tape machines, like nature intended. I use computers for correspondence, arguments, poker and porn.
posted by hackly_fracture at 8:21 PM on July 5, 2007

Finally he disses someone other than Urge Overkill:

(Side question: Were the Butthole Surfers hands-down the craziest band of that era, as the book seems to imply? If they weren't, who was?)


If you weren't there to see it, you might not believe it, but there were a lot of really effed-up bands in the 1980s, and the Buttholes weren't even particularly weird in context. Mudhead, Pile of Cows, Sloppage, the Thrown-Ups and the whole Bay Area scenes surrounding SRL and the Idiot... Now that was some weird right there.

The Butthole Surfers were easily the most selfish, childish little pricks in that scene, but not the weirdest.

OK, my question as a non-Bay-Area-ite: does the SRL/Idiot thing mean Caroliner Rainbow and company, or who?
posted by hackly_fracture at 8:31 PM on July 5, 2007

Awesome.
posted by fungible at 9:11 PM on July 5, 2007

Heh, I did not know he worked with Palace ____. Neat!
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 9:28 PM on July 5, 2007

hackly_fracture:
I think SRL was an industrial sort of thing, the Thrown-Ups were just messy crazy stuff and the rest I don't know about. Caroliner/Thinking Fellers/Sun City Girls I'm more familiar with, but that's the late 80s/early 90s. I saw Caroliner once in a very small bar, it was a wonderfully crazy show.

I once had the chance to talk to Albini while we were at his studio. He was watching video of a 9-ball tournament and went on to explain the history of billiards in Chicago and how it used to be a working class pursuit with billiard halls that took up five floors. That was nice. His misogyny didn't come out in the conversation. He certainly presents himself as such, well, more like a xenophobe, but I get the feeling that he has the sense of humor of a 14-year-old boy trying to piss people off. Having that side as well, I can understand it a bit. Maybe he just does it to piss off his wife?

As far as women who have bad musical taste, apparently you don't meet the right women. They can smell that sort of thing on you, you know.
posted by sleepy pete at 9:32 PM on July 5, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

that cmyr guy on that site is a dick.
posted by cmyr at 9:36 PM on July 5, 2007

A guy I know interned at Electrical and was gracious enough to give me a tour. The only computer in the actual studios (at least the only one that I saw) was an old (looked like 486 era) desktop box. I think he said they use it to control fader automations on the mixing board and nothing else. Awesome.
posted by hypocritical ross at 10:01 PM on July 5, 2007

As far as women who have bad musical taste, apparently you don't meet the right women. They can smell that sort of thing on you, you know.

I could try attending more shows (I manage a band, ferchristssake), but then I'd have to make concessions in the looks and hygiene department. Yes, I'm well out of line. But seriously, every girl I end up meeting with good taste in music smokes like a chimney and doesn't exercise. Both are dealbreakers.
posted by Mach3avelli at 10:07 PM on July 5, 2007

Calling the Butthole Surfers selfish, childish little pricks I think speaks to the fact that Paul Leary is more in demand as a producer these days than Albini. And Supersonic Storybook by Urge Overkill is an excellent album.
posted by Sailormom at 10:16 PM on July 5, 2007

Downloading and the culture of free music have affected the income of record labels, but the street-level music scene (as defined by bands, entrepreneurial independent record labels, studios like mine, etc.) is doing great. Bands have an easier time than ever getting their music out into the world, and bands don't even need a label to have an international following. It's actually a great time to be in a band.

I'm loving this. Thanks for posting.

And you guys having a nerdfight about fucking Kurt Cobain, knock it off fer Christ's sake!
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 10:22 PM on July 5, 2007

M.C. -

Let the kids have at it. 'Tis always fun to watch...
posted by Samizdata at 11:58 PM on July 5, 2007

I remember seeing The Jesus Lizard at Gumby's in the early 90s. They were astonishingly tight. Their singer had stage fright, though, and stayed backstage drinking until the last second. I've never seen anyone go onstage so drunk and still perform. He could SING, but he could barely stand, or even focus on where the mic stand was.

The rest of the band drank water, and played an absolutely explosive set, but I kind of felt bad for the singer. It must be hard being that afraid of the stage...
posted by chuckdarwin at 2:07 AM on July 6, 2007

And if you think John Lennon's death has had nothing to do with what the Beatles are today, you're sadly mistaken.

2/4 dead? Then, you're right. Otherwise, I was going weigh in heavily on your musings, but there's nothing I could say to assail your credibility that you haven't already said yourself.

Q: Who were the worst musicians? Any guys that could barely play their instruments?
A: Forgot to answer your actual question. Urge Overkill.

There you go. Albini outs his homeboys.

Albini pissed me off a long time ago when he called the Pixies "Blandly entertaining college rock", but when I got over my initial infatuation with them, I had to admit he was right. Albini continues to be one of the most honest, least ingratiating voices in rock 'n' roll. These posts were actually a pleasure to read, as much as I detest forums like that generally, they were pure gold. Great find, josher71.

Oh, and Big Black rules.
posted by psmealey at 2:41 AM on July 6, 2007

The best bit about this is that Steve Albini isn't hanging out in the boring El Diabolo's forum, or the vile Other Other Topics, but hangs out at the much more puerile but often anarchically funny BBV4Life.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:44 AM on July 6, 2007

This is the greatest thread in 2+2 history, not close.

Brandi Hawbaker vs. Captain Tom Frankin and Newhizzle was the best ever thread in 2+2 history.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:59 AM on July 6, 2007

Wilson's in the cab of his pick up truck
with his 8-track playing REALLY FUCKING LOUD.
posted by asok at 6:31 AM on July 6, 2007

Calling the Butthole Surfers selfish, childish little pricks I think speaks to the fact that Paul Leary is more in demand as a producer these days than Albini.

My guess is that it's related more to the fact that the Butthole Surfers sued Touch and Go records and won.
posted by drezdn at 7:01 AM on July 6, 2007

Steve Albini ruined the Wedding Present's 'Seamonsters'. I know what he was going for but it just sounds fucked up. I'd love to hear how it might have sounded if someone else had produced it, but we'll never know.
posted by Flashman at 7:21 AM on July 6, 2007

Although, and it hurts me to say it, the new Shellac album blows. Actually the last three have. Critics call it minimalism; I call it lazy. Whatever happened to writing music, instead of repeating the same 2 notes over and over for 10 minutes?

But for the guy who made Rapeman's "Two Nuns and a Pack Mule" I'm willing to cut him some slack in his old age. Dowhutteveryawant, Steve.
posted by fungible at 7:28 AM on July 6, 2007

He had some misfires to be sure, but when I think about him, there's not a single of my favorite records from the past 20 years (well, other than those recorded by Jack Endino and Alan Moulder) that I wished could have been recorded by him.

As much as I loved the songs on Nevermind, I hate hate hate the hair metal production values that Butch Vig and others employed on it. If they had gone with the stark, razor-edged drum driven sound Albini had developed for In Utero, it would probably be my favorite of all time.
posted by psmealey at 7:28 AM on July 6, 2007

there's not a single... that I DIDN'T WISH

fargin' double negatives
posted by psmealey at 7:32 AM on July 6, 2007

chuckdarwin: I saw Jesus Lizard a couple of times, once in a largish room in a dorm and Mike Yow dropped his pants and would contort his arms and, ahem, other parts into what looked to be very painful shapes. I'm pretty sure he was drunk, but it didn't matter because he was putting on a great show (of sorts). I saw them later open for Helmet in a huge auditorium (?) and although he didn't do any of the balloon animal tricks with his penis, it was a great show. The band each time was freaking amazing. And Flashman, I couldn't agree more, that album sounds absolutely horrible. Too much in the way of middle-ranged guitars and not enough of anything else, including vocals--I still can't understand half of them.
posted by sleepy pete at 8:29 AM on July 6, 2007 [1 favorite has favorites]

sleepypete,

Thanks, dude! Now that you've mentioned the industrial thing, I realize that SRL is actually Survival Research Laboratories, which, in a geek, proto-robot-wars kinda way, is way weirder than the B. Surfers (whom I love).
posted by hackly_fracture at 8:42 AM on July 6, 2007

Steve Albini ruined the Wedding Present's 'Seamonsters'.

Ooh. We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. Aside from being full of great songs, I think it sounds great, too.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:53 AM on July 6, 2007

On the derail of weird-ass Jesus Lizard—

The only time I ever saw them was when they were on the Lolapalooza tour, as one of the first acts on the main stage. By then, alternative had exploded and the "cool" kids were there along with the usual gang of idiots (I can't front, having first gotten into that music right around then anyway). But the front row of the pavillion was all teenage girls who were crowding right up to the edge of the stage. David Yow whipped out his dick and proceeded to jerk off into the crowd, including real or simulated ejaculation (it was impossible to tell from the lawn seats). All of the sudden, those girls were all shrieking and running out of the pavillion as fast as they could.

That was when I first liked the Jesus Lizard.
posted by klangklangston at 9:45 AM on July 6, 2007

It warms my heart to see all the Lizard love here. They are still in my all-time pantheon. Rockists will have you believe that they are blatant rip-offs of Nick Cave's the Birthday Party. There are similarities, I guess, but I don't buy it.

Then, I'm guilty of the same bs when I call out the Paper Chase for ripping off the Jesus Lizard. Ah, well.

"Slave Ship", "Seasick" and "Pastoral" are some of the finest tunes ever written, IMO.
posted by psmealey at 9:53 AM on July 6, 2007

Man, I called him Mike Yow, sorry. I think I grew up with a Mike Yow. It's David Yow (nice story klangklangston--it seems most of those Touch and Go dudes are along those lines). I'll go smack myself with a cat-o-7"-records now.
posted by sleepy pete at 9:58 AM on July 6, 2007

My deja vu here is intense. Obviously the linked thread is current, but I could swear I've read another ask-me-questions one by Albini, and I thought it was linked on Mefi. Anyone?
posted by stinkycheese at 11:25 AM on July 6, 2007

Duh, it was that Electric Audio thread. Nevermind.
posted by stinkycheese at 11:25 AM on July 6, 2007

I had no idea that he had worked on so many Whitehouse albums.
posted by malocchio at 11:50 AM on July 6, 2007

Steve Albini ruined the Wedding Present's 'Seamonsters'.

Ooh. We're gonna have to agree to disagree on that one. Aside from being full of great songs, I think it sounds great, too.

I agree, I still think it's a masterpiece because the music and songwriting is so strong, and the way the songs flow into one another make it seem like a continuous conversation/confession/rant... but I've had the UK original on tape, the US version on tape and now on CD, and it just sounds hollow and tinny, way too quiet.... and the vocals only play in one stereo channel (!)(discovered this when half of my car speakers crapped out). Anyway, the wikipage I linked mentioned a remastered version, maybe that solves these issues.
My theory is, David Gedge apparently being a bit of an arrogant dickhead, Albini didn't like Gedge trying to boss him around and just said, meh, ok I'll just make your record sound as shitty as possible.
posted by Flashman at 1:39 PM on July 6, 2007

Quiet? Seamonsters? Tinny, maybe, but that's a loud fuckin' album. The part where the guitars come in towards the end of "Dalliance" is...loud. At least on my old CD copy of the album.
posted by The Card Cheat at 1:46 PM on July 6, 2007

I meant, when I put it on, I have to crank it up to make it sound normal...I didn't mean it sounded like The Trinity Sessions
posted by Flashman at 1:54 PM on July 6, 2007

Great post, ten time more interesting than the average inane interview you read in magazines

My favourite quote:
-Pro tools or logic? explain plz.
-I don't use computers to make records. I use tape machines, like nature intended. I use computers for correspondence, arguments, poker and porn.
posted by cgfoz at 2:47 PM on July 6, 2007

All this talk of onstage nudity and masturbation reminds me of the time I saw GG Allin (also at Gumby's). What a freak show.

I was the only person there who would rather have seen Hasil Adkins do his set.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:04 PM on July 6, 2007

All this talk of The Jesus Lizard makes me wish that the late, lamented Scratch Acid had made just a couple more albums. At least their reunion tour was (poorly) caught on video.
posted by googly at 7:22 AM on July 7, 2007

I am totally having flashbacks pretty hard here now.
posted by DenOfSizer at 8:43 AM on July 7, 2007

This is awesome.
posted by saguaro at 9:17 AM on July 30, 2007