One of the most notable names in the universe of independent rock, Steve Albini died yesterday at the age of 61 at his home in Chicago, victim of a heart attack.
Despite being a musician and leader of the bands Big Black, Rapeman and now Shellac, Albini became an alternative music icon as a producer (or audio engineer, as he liked to call himself) from 1985 until his death, working with hundreds of artists. Highlights include his work as producer of the instigating albums Surfer Rosa (1988) by Pixies and Rid of Me (1993) by Pj Harvey. Yes, and In Utero (1993) by Nirvana.
His extensive list of artists he has worked with includes The Jesus Lizard, The Breeders, The Wedding Present, Low, mclusky, Electrelane, Cloud Nothings, Ty Segall, among others.
Albini maintained Electrical Audio in Chicago, the recording studio where Foo Fighters recorded one of the tracks on Sonic Highways, an album that had each of its tracks recorded in legendary American studios, each in a different city.
Shellac, the current Steve Albini band, has an album scheduled to be released on the 17th. Entitled To All Trains, this work is the sixth studio album by the band formed in 1992.