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EXPLAINED: Big black | Rare Historical Photos

“He used little gear, took a low fee, and let the band and their music do the talking - and if he could do it all in one take, so much the better”: The genius of 'anti-producer' Steve Albini

This month in our Pioneers series, we explore the influence of an engineer whose uncompromising approach helped to shape the sound of albums from Nirvana, Pixies and PJ Harvey

MusicRadar

Steve Albini obituary

Frontman for ‘noise rock’ bands Big Black and Shellac acclaimed for his production of albums by Nirvana, Pixies and PJ Harvey

The Guardian - UK

“He was always right, even when he was wrong.” Thurston Moore and PJ Harvey share memories of their friend Steve Albini

Thurston Moore and PJ Harvey add to the wealth of tributes saluting the life and legacy of the late Steve Albini

Louder

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From Big Black’s noise to Joanna Newsom’s hush: 10 of Steve Albini’s greatest recordings

Whether as an artist or working behind the mixing desk, from major-label megastars to drone-metal auteurs, here’s a selection of the late musician’s greatest work

The Guardian - UK

Shellac frontman and legendary alt. rock engineer Steve Albini dead at 61

Shellac vocalist/guitarist Steve Albini, who engineered classic albums by Nirvana, PJ Harvey, Pixies and more, has died at his Chicago recording studio

Metal Hammer

“Musician, studio engineer and the mastermind behind some of rock's greatest albums”: Steve Albini, punk guitar icon and producer for Nirvana, Pixies, dies at 61

Guitarist and frontman for hard-edged alt-rock titans Big Black and Shellac, Albini was also a famed producer, most famously manning the boards for Nirvana's In Utero

Guitar World

Post your questions for Steve Albini

The Guardian regrets to inform readers that shortly after this request was published it was announced that Steve Albini has died.As his band Shellac release their first album since 2014, the celebrated US producer and musician will take on your questions

The Guardian - UK

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Fleetwood Mac decided to go their own ways. How do bands know when to quit, and shouldn’t more do so?

After the death of Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks has called time. There is an art to timing it right – just look at the Beatles, says music writer Michael Hann

The Guardian - UK

The evolution of Steve Albini: ‘If the dumbest person is on your side, you’re on the wrong side’

The long read: Steve Albini was long synonymous with the indie underground, playing in revered bands and recording albums by the Pixies, PJ Harvey and Nirvana. He also often seemed determined to offend as many people as possible. What led him to reassess his past?

The Guardian - UK

“He overdosed and was saved by an adrenalin shot”: How Urge Overkill went from being Steve Albini’s pet project to year-long parties and accidentally re-enacting that famous scene from Pulp Fiction

Urge Overkill were just “a scrappy punk rock band that played too fast”: How did they up touring with Nirvana and jet-setting with Chrissie Hynde?

Louder

Kurt Cobain showed up to Nirvana's In Utero sessions with a chunk of the guitar Steve Albini smashed at Big Black's final show

Steve Albini reveals that Nirvana's Kurt Cobain owned a special memento from Big Black's farewell performance in Seattle

Metal Hammer

Steve Albini recalls the secrecy around the Nirvana In Utero sessions: "I had to do everything I could to keep it under wraps to make sure that we didn’t get overrun by fans and the added nonsense"

He also reveals a young Cobain had kept a piece of the guitar he saw Albini smash onstage at Big Black's farewell gig in 1987

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