Chicago punk sound‎ architect Iain Burgess passes away

February 12, 2010 3:54 PM

Producer/engineer Iain Burgess played a vital role in defining the Chicago punk sound in the 80's with his work with Naked Raygun, Big Black, and the Effigies. Burgess passed away on Thursday from a pulmonary embolism, a complication of the pancreatic and liver cancers he'd recently been diagnosed with. Although British, he is best known for his years in Chicago, where he helped create a distinctive large sound with a live-centered recording style and served as a mentor to Steve Albini. He also worked with Didjits, Ministry, Mega City Four, the Cows, Pegboy, Shellac, Jawbox and many others.
posted by Slack-a-gogo (36 comments total)

A large sound indeed.


.
posted by scratch at 3:56 PM on February 12, 2010

Damn. My libido's low!
posted by OmieWise at 4:01 PM on February 12, 2010 [1 favorite]

.
posted by FrauMaschine at 4:01 PM on February 12, 2010

Very sad. SO many good bands he worked with...

.
posted by Skygazer at 4:03 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 4:05 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:12 PM on February 12, 2010

I remember reading a review of one of those Chicago band albums somewhere that described the sound as 'like driving a tank into World War 3.' God I loved that sound.

.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 4:14 PM on February 12, 2010

.

Every other Homestead/Touch and Go record I bought in the 1980s had Iain at the boards. Very sad to see him go. Racer-X still sounds massive and magnificent.
posted by porn in the woods at 4:14 PM on February 12, 2010

grateful for the post - "Hey Judester", "Cunning Stunts" and "Soldier's Requiem" were big formative faves of mine. his work had a distinct character to it - at least we can celebrate the documents of it
posted by electricsandwich138 at 4:16 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by Tiresias at 4:18 PM on February 12, 2010

very sorry to hear the news - thanks for a great post.
posted by scody at 4:28 PM on February 12, 2010

.

The recording on those Naked Raygun records is great. I mean, the Big Black stuff is a whole 'nother thing, a complete reconstruction of the aesthetic, but without the Naked Raygun stuff it would have been unpossible. Too few things recorded and released there at that time, too few.
posted by mwhybark at 4:36 PM on February 12, 2010

For some background on the scene, check out YOU WEREN'T THERE THE HISTORY OF CHICAGO PUNK 1977-1984
posted by wcfields at 4:50 PM on February 12, 2010 [2 favorites]

It's not an exaggeration to say he helped create a sound, as distinct a sound as Motown's. And while working with music that meant a lot to millions of people.

His absence will be felt.
posted by ardgedee at 5:03 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by glycolized at 5:10 PM on February 12, 2010

He produced so many important albums for me - namely Throb Throb, All Rise, Hey Judester, Hornet Pinata, Atomizer, and Racer X. But I didn't associate the one man to that sound until a few years later. And now I'm reminded that he also worked with two of my favorite underrated Midwest bands - Breaking Circus and Get Smart.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 5:20 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by Max Power at 5:30 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by joe lisboa at 5:40 PM on February 12, 2010

Damn he got a big gnarled guitar sound on some great records. Those who admire the bands he worked with should not miss Mega City Four who's own leader, Wiz, passed away ridiculously prematurely as well.

Also Allmusic's list of his productions.
posted by jeffen at 5:43 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by lukemeister at 6:37 PM on February 12, 2010

. for Atomizer and Tranzophobia

ye gods Atomizer is a hell of a sound
posted by unSane at 6:54 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by St. Sorryass at 8:00 PM on February 12, 2010

.
posted by radiosilents at 8:25 PM on February 12, 2010

I got to see Naked Raygun back in 1987 when I was in high school. It was definitely a defining moment in my life.

.
posted by Sailormom at 8:33 PM on February 12, 2010

Aw, dammit.

.
posted by davejay at 8:55 PM on February 12, 2010

What did he work on with Ministry? Google fails me, because it's all full of news of his death, and they all have the same line linking him to lots of bands including Ministry.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 9:54 PM on February 12, 2010

Joakim Ziegler: What did he work on with Ministry?

I think he only worked on a few of the early singles as producer. I know he did "Cold Life" and I'm pretty sure he worked on "I'm Falling" as well.
posted by Slack-a-gogo at 10:00 PM on February 12, 2010

Slack-a-gogo: Oh, thanks, not my favourite stuff of theirs, but still.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 10:04 PM on February 12, 2010

The Didjits, The Cows, Pegboy, Jawbox ... jesus, that's like half of my record collection.

Poster Children, Uzeda ...

.
posted by intermod at 10:16 PM on February 12, 2010

Big fuckin .

Nothing on Earth sounds like 'Passing Complexion.' Miles of Throb Throb, All Rise and Atomizer were stretched across tape decks for just about every moment of high school camaraderie for me and my pals.
posted by drowsy at 10:47 PM on February 12, 2010

♪
posted by Smart Dalek at 12:35 AM on February 13, 2010

.
posted by gcbv at 1:27 AM on February 13, 2010

Aww, that sucks.
posted by klangklangston at 9:49 AM on February 13, 2010

Tribute from Steve Albini [via]
posted by porn in the woods at 2:51 PM on February 14, 2010

Sound Opinions, 2/21 stream and download.

Show opens with a couple-minute obit.
posted by mwhybark at 10:16 PM on February 21, 2010

Wow, what a shame. Iain was a real good guy, one of those people that sticks with you and influences your entire life. I feel honored to have worked with him all those years ago.
posted by circa68 at 7:44 AM on February 23, 2010