Comments on: Steve Albini speaks

Steve Albini speaks

josher71 — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:39:08 -0800

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.

By: churl

churl — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:52:49 -0800

I think this is a bluff.

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 16:58:13 -0800

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.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:07:24 -0800

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.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:10:56 -0800

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.

By: kyleg

kyleg — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:15:01 -0800

Vinyl or Digital? Neither. I go straight for the vagina. You find them on women. Brilliant. Thanks so much for posting this.

By: chuckdarwin

chuckdarwin — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:18:54 -0800

bardic is correct: Rid of Me is superb.

By: mcstayinskool

mcstayinskool — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:23:49 -0800

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...

By: jmccw

jmccw — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:27:29 -0800

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.

By: Sangermaine

Sangermaine — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:34:06 -0800

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.

By: Sangermaine

Sangermaine — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:34:22 -0800

Er, they being the Beatles.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:34:51 -0800

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*

By: homunculus

homunculus — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:35:23 -0800

Pavement Saw

By: SweetJesus

SweetJesus — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:36:04 -0800

I was just listening to Big Black's "Songs About Fucking" today... Steve Albini uses and endorses heroin!

By: Sangermaine

Sangermaine — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:37:38 -0800

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?

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:37:47 -0800

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.

By: eyeballkid

eyeballkid — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:39:23 -0800

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.

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:40:06 -0800

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

By: Sangermaine

Sangermaine — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:40:46 -0800

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.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:41:20 -0800

I could have worded it better. Tupac sold 1 million albums copies before his death. He's sold 15 million since.

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:41:24 -0800

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.)

By: revmitcz

revmitcz — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:44:24 -0800

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."

By: furtive

furtive — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:44:28 -0800

Must be real, he mentions Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet.

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:45:43 -0800

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.

By: mr_roboto

mr_roboto — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:46:46 -0800

Jesus Christ. Do we really have to talk about the fucking Beatles?

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:50:18 -0800

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.

By: Khalad

Khalad — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:54:59 -0800

Enough with the derailing, please.

By: four panels

four panels — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:56:03 -0800

I hate the Beatles. There, I said it. And Bob Dylan means nothing to me.

By: Kattullus

Kattullus — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 17:57:31 -0800

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.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:04:38 -0800

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.

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:04:51 -0800

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.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:07:53 -0800

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.

By: 2sheets

2sheets — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:10:01 -0800

"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.

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:13:14 -0800

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

By: bardic

bardic — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:14:06 -0800

Agreed. I'm much more intrested in debating the role of Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones. You mean how Mick had him killed?

By: lekvar

lekvar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:17:34 -0800

I have a dream that someday Steve Albini will produce my album. That's all I have to say. That, and Atomizer fucking rocks.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:20:55 -0800

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.

By: cali

cali — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:21:46 -0800

This is fantastic, thanks so much!

By: stagewhisper

stagewhisper — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:22:44 -0800

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!).

By: furtive

furtive — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:26:34 -0800

I think he just rekindled my love for a lot of bands, and reminded me of their common thread. Great post!

By: four panels

four panels — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:26:59 -0800

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)

By: puddles

puddles — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:34:11 -0800

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.

By: sfenders

sfenders — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:45:41 -0800

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.

By: unmake

unmake — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:51:43 -0800

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)

By: quonsar

quonsar — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:53:23 -0800

cobain: massive chump. at least corgan can play the fucking guitar.

By: dbiedny

dbiedny — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:11:12 -0800

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.

By: dbiedny

dbiedny — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:13:37 -0800

Here's the link to the picture with those Velenos.

By: unknowncommand

unknowncommand — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:19:39 -0800

danielson famile. danielson famile danielson famile.

By: rocketman

rocketman — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:31:32 -0800

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.

By: googly

googly — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:33:22 -0800

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.

By: escabeche

escabeche — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:51:01 -0800

And: producers don't make great records, great bands make great records.

By: hackly_fracture

hackly_fracture — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:58:12 -0800

The Urge Overkill shit is hilarious. The Jesus Lizard was perfect. For one album, anyway, and live.

By: The Straightener

The Straightener — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:58:49 -0800

His production on the new Weedeater album, God Luck and Good Speed, is so fucking top notch it makes my balls tingle with delight.

By: revmitcz

revmitcz — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:03:45 -0800

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".

By: hackly_fracture

hackly_fracture — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:21:28 -0800

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.

By: hackly_fracture

hackly_fracture — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 20:31:40 -0800

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?

By: fungible

fungible — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:11:20 -0800

Awesome.

By: Alvy Ampersand

Alvy Ampersand — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:28:01 -0800

Heh, I did not know he worked with Palace ____. Neat!

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:32:32 -0800

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.

By: cmyr

cmyr — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 21:36:07 -0800

that cmyr guy on that site is a dick.

By: hypocritical ross

hypocritical ross — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:01:54 -0800

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.

By: Mach3avelli

Mach3avelli — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:07:58 -0800

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.

By: Sailormom

Sailormom — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:16:40 -0800

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.

By: M.C. Lo-Carb!

M.C. Lo-Carb! — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 22:22:25 -0800

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!

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:58:21 -0800

M.C. - Let the kids have at it. 'Tis always fun to watch...

By: chuckdarwin

chuckdarwin — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:07:44 -0800

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...

By: psmealey

psmealey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:41:51 -0800

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.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:44:12 -0800

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.

By: PeterMcDermott

PeterMcDermott — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 03:59:34 -0800

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.

By: asok

asok — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 06:31:38 -0800

Wilson's in the cab of his pick up truck with his 8-track playing REALLY FUCKING LOUD.

By: drezdn

drezdn — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:01:35 -0800

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.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:21:26 -0800

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.

By: fungible

fungible — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:28:09 -0800

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.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:28:41 -0800

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.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:32:31 -0800

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

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:29:23 -0800

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.

By: hackly_fracture

hackly_fracture — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:42:23 -0800

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).

By: The Card Cheat

The Card Cheat — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 08:53:43 -0800

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.

By: klangklangston

klangklangston — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:45:08 -0800

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.

By: psmealey

psmealey — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:53:56 -0800

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.

By: sleepy pete

sleepy pete — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:58:13 -0800

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.

By: stinkycheese

stinkycheese — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:25:00 -0800

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?

By: stinkycheese

stinkycheese — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:25:56 -0800

Duh, it was that Electric Audio thread. Nevermind.

By: malocchio

malocchio — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:50:59 -0800

I had no idea that he had worked on so many Whitehouse albums.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:39:44 -0800

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.

By: The Card Cheat

The Card Cheat — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:46:48 -0800

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.

By: Flashman

Flashman — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:54:20 -0800

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

By: cgfoz

cgfoz — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:47:29 -0800

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.

By: chuckdarwin

chuckdarwin — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 16:04:26 -0800

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.

By: googly

googly — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 07:22:04 -0800

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.

By: DenOfSizer

DenOfSizer — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 08:43:54 -0800

I am totally having flashbacks pretty hard here now.

By: saguaro

saguaro — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 09:17:42 -0800

This is awesome.