I am loving up on some Big Black / Steve Albini action tonight. Don't know what it is about really smart, nerdy looking dudes with something to say that make me go cray cray crazy.
If you are uneducated in Big Black-ness, here's the rundown: Big Black was formed in 1981 by Steve Albini. It all started with Steve and a Roland TR-606, which he used to create the drumbeats for what was to become the very first Big Black ep. (Albini respectively provided bass, guitar, and vocals). Jeff Pezzati and Santiago Durango of the band Naked Raygun were later recruited to play bass and guitar, and Pat Byrne of Urge Overkill was brought on to accompany the aforementioned drum machine. The band released two studio albums (Atomizer, and Songs About Fucking), and a bunch of e.ps and other stuff. Their last album, ‘Songs About Fucking’ was their most successful- possibly due in part to the fact that it was released after their untimely break up, but most likely because it is epically amazing.
Big Black parted ways in 1987 due to...well, probably a number of reasons (creative differences-et al). But what I like best about Big Black was their sophisticated and intelligent approach to punk, while still maintaining the brash, abrasive, 'in-your-fucking-face' attitude that goes along with the genre. They were confrontational, but not immature. ALSO…I dig guys with glasses.
BELOW: Standard Big Black live footage -and...
My favourite song of theirs- 'Bad Houses' off their first studio album, 'Atomizer.'
Ya that track is great. I also very much enjoy their cover of Wire's 'Heartbeat.' Story goes that Graham Lewis and Bruce Gilbert joined BB onstage during their last tour to perform said song. Steve must've been thrilled. I know I would've been.
I am loving up on some Big Black / Steve Albini action tonight. Don't know what it is about really smart, nerdy looking dudes with something to say that make me go cray cray crazy.
If you are uneducated in Big Black-ness, here's the rundown: Big Black was formed in 1981 by Steve Albini. It all started with Steve and a Roland TR-606, which he used to create the drumbeats for what was to become the very first Big Black ep. (Albini respectively provided bass, guitar, and vocals). Jeff Pezzati and Santiago Durango of the band Naked Raygun were later recruited to play bass and guitar, and Pat Byrne of Urge Overkill was brought on to accompany the aforementioned drum machine. The band released two studio albums (Atomizer, and Songs About Fucking), and a bunch of e.ps and other stuff. Their last album, ‘Songs About Fucking’ was their most successful- possibly due in part to the fact that it was released after their untimely break up, but most likely because it is epically amazing.
Big Black parted ways in 1987 due to...well, probably a number of reasons (creative differences-et al). But what I like best about Big Black was their sophisticated and intelligent approach to punk, while still maintaining the brash, abrasive, 'in-your-fucking-face' attitude that goes along with the genre. They were confrontational, but not immature. ALSO…I dig guys with glasses.
BELOW: Standard Big Black live footage -and...
My favourite song of theirs- 'Bad Houses' off their first studio album, 'Atomizer.'
oddly enough, my favorite BB track is their cover of kraftwerk's The Model.
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Ya that track is great. I also very much enjoy their cover of Wire's 'Heartbeat.' Story goes that Graham Lewis and Bruce Gilbert joined BB onstage during their last tour to perform said song. Steve must've been thrilled. I know I would've been.
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