Nirvana & Recording IN UTERO: Steve Albini Discusses the Recording Process

In Utero, recorded by Steve Albini, is Nirvana's third & final studio record. Nirvana specifically chose Steve Albini as the producer they wanted to work with for In Utero, despite their record label's objections. This set the ground work for what would end up becoming a strenuous situation for Nirvana & in particular for Steve Albini. Despite this, Steve Albini managed to record what many consider to be Nirvana's greatest work. In this video, Steve Albini discusses what the recording process was like with Nirvana.
This is my second interview with Steve Albini, I originally interviewed him in December of 2017 for my documentary 'Rock is Dead?' - if you would like to see 'Rock is Dead?' the film is available on my KZbin channel.
ROCK IS DEAD? Full Film: • Rock is Dead? Full Fil...
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WHAT IS CLASSIC ROCK? - WORLDWIDE:
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[@trainspotter360]

I love hearing these stories from him and Endino. I've been a fan of Nirvana since 12 years old and I've never heard these stories before.

[@michagosawski1490]

The best sound engineer on earth. No one records drums better than Steve Albini! In Utero is just another - albeit one of my favourite - example.

[@djjj614]

Michael Beinhorn is right up there too. I wouldn’t say one is better than the other because it is all personal opinion, but they are both amazing.

[@michagosawski1490]

@@toad8840 Pixies' "Surfer Rosa" is my all-time favourite. Also try: The Breeders - "Pod", Jesus Lizard - "Head", "Goat" or "Liar", Shellac (Albini's own band) - "At Action Park". You don't even have to buy them on vinyl. They are all killer on CD. ;)

[@grahamjarman]

drums too loud

[@robwalsh9843]

I think if you want a raw and booming punk John Bonham-sort of sound, Albini is a great choice. I love his work, but there are other engineers I'd prefer for drums.

[@emptyfield5185]

@@michagosawski1490 AMERICAN DON

[@realsandwiches]

A great insight, many nuggets of untold info and stories you managed to get Steve to reveal. Your interviewing technique is brilliant, very professional. You obviously made Steve feel very relaxed and had built up a certain amount of trust with him to give up so new many new details, about the session. I really enjoy the interview, thank you and keep up the good work.

[@mikemcginn4232]

Wow, one of my favorite albums , so glad to know more about the process and that Steve Albini is such an intelligent dude and understood Kurt, & what that album was for him... You are killing it with these interviews, thank you 🙏

[@BlueHen123]

The key was the band itself. They paid Albini rather than letting the studio...so they had total control

[@Rompler_Rocco]

I KNEW IT!!! Despite what I read all these years, I've been CERTAIN the Marigold drums were recorded during the In Utero sessions!! Sweet vindication!!!

[@Cairo98_]

Nice.

[@DemonSlide]

I just want to point out that you are a great interviewer Daniel! You just let people speak their mind and you just sit back, listen and capture everything as you should. Kudos!

[@bcanfield1860]

Great interview. Actually liked that you didn’t edit out the Name Game part. Albini was so polite about it.

[@dangeroftime]

This video is a dream for me to watch, thank you SO MUCH. Also to answer some questions Steve couldn't: Kurt didn't want too many noise rock songs on the album so that's why I Hate Myself and Want to Die was left out (even though that was one of the original names for the album itself). As far as Sappy went, Albini has stated that even though it was a good song, he assumed it wore out its welcome on the band. Likely due to the fact it was written in 87 and the band had spent hours and hours trying to get the right sound. It was titled Verse Chorus Verse for a time, and that was also an early idea for an album title. It was given to the No Alternative compilation instead which released a month after In Utero.

[@scottudell7202]

I had also read somewhere that Kurt wanted Sappy to be absolutely perfect to him, and for some reason or another the version they cut at the In Utero sessions still wasn't "perfect". It's a shame, it's a great track (and so is the older version from 1990 to a lesser extent). It just for some odd reason wasn't good enough for Kurt.

[@kondrashovoleg]

Thanks!

[@Cairo98_]

@@scottudell7202 It be like that sometimes.

[@marsoblivi0n945]

If Kurt would have lived 2 more years. He would have been an amateur engineer and doing experimental recording & Along with working with the producers on the next album. I’m a musician and a engineer. Lots of people don’t realize the utero sessions were an awaking to him. He realized you could be experimental in the engineering side of things just as much as with instruments if not more. He fell in love with that idea because of this guy right here who showed him strange techniques that he didn’t know were possible.

[@invade81]

Interesting. I didn't know they re-recorded Sappy with the intention of including it on In Utero. It makes a lot of sense as to the production quality of the No Alternative comp version - now I know, it is quite clear.

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

This is amazing- thank you! One of my all time favourite albums so every bit of new information is much appreciated

[@rufonfire9015]

Thanks Daniel, I've learnt more new stuff about Nirvana in the last month than the last 20 years from your Albini interviews!

[@523Marc]

Every couple years I seem to fall down the Nirvana rabbit hole and discover new interesting things. Advancing media channels like this, and the age of the algorithmic smart phone help make that easier every time. Great interview and info in this one! Thanks!

[@dynjarren7523]

I agree that Dave is one of the great drummers of all time! And Jimmy Chamberlain! 👏🏻😎🎸

[@screamingtrees9619]

Just saw the smashing pumpkins for the first time this past weekend and Jimmy’s drumming blew me away.

[@hellbenderdesign]

"Hey, can you get rid of that rain-stick?" - Everybody should heed this wise request.

[@amotorcyclerider3230]

We could always imagine how Kurt would have said that. He is a Beautiful person! Damn those drugs and drug dealers.

[@redplague]

@@amotorcyclerider3230 Damn him you mean. They didn't force those drugs on him, he had a choice.

[@mihneazoican2479]

Yeah but unfortunately he lived in a time where it was way easier to cope with depression by going junkie instead of consulting a psychiatrist and taking actual medication

[@josholiver6366]

"Anything we can do about that heat?" -Leo DiCaprio, on flamethrowers

[@crackthefoundation_]

This is a lot of new information! I have so much respect for Albini, he is a great musician and engineer

[@austinhunt4260]

Outstanding opportunity to listen to Steve. Thank you Daniel!

[@Mineav]

Great stuff. Please keep them coming. It's important that these conversations, and the details spoken there-in, are recorded for history's sake if nothing else.

[@andrepereira744]

It can't get more real and honest than this,Steve is the man!! Thanks very much Daniel,awesome work!!

[@douglasdog1]

Thank you both! Love Steve’s honest tell it like it is interviews. Much the way his recordings sound.

[@sydneyhalliwell2513]

Definitely my favorite Nirvana album. This along with Incesticide

[@joshmartimez2235]

Thank you for doing this interview with Steve. Ever since hearing songs off this album in the late 90s i wanted to know how it was recorded.

[@JotaJohn]

Awesome interview Daniel! 🤟🙌🙏

[@jassobiejest5303]

it would be cool to see albini talk about recording process with don caballero one day.

[@bassacoustic1549]

Interviewer is really good. Excellent job with the questions and pacing.

[@scottpannell2286]

Superb work. I really wanted to hear these stories from the people that were there. Thanks

[@christikirk7265]

I stumbled across this channel last week. I subscribed before I even watched. I love it! Thanks for straight forward information on the music of my generation

[@sirmattyboy]

Its kind of wild to hear Albini go so in depth. I feel like he's been pretty reluctant to discuss the sessions like this. I imagine it's a bit annoying having everyone focus on only one project so much.

[@sunburststrats]

Steve is a LEGEND! thank you

[@EstebanRodriguez-lr6oo]

Thanks! It's awesome listen Albini tell all these details

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

In Utero was one of the most anticipated and most satisfying albums of the 1990s.

[@BongJabbar]

Shellac and Big Black are two of my fav bands

[@Cairo98_]

Great to hear the behind the scenes stuff of In Utero. "What's the name game?!" 😂

[@funghoul9124]

i kno.....and PATCH yderm he says.....yikes! stunad

[@LeviBulger]

Oh man I facepalmed at that part. Steve just looks at him like...are you kidding me bro?

[@Cairo98_]

@@LeviBulger 🤣

[@Cairo98_]

@Joe McKenzie Deal with it. 😉

[@shaunw9270]

Never heard of it ! Must be an American thing?

[@kirkdecker6228]

Steve is one of the nicest guys I've ever met.

[@phalanger1]

Fascinating stuff. Thanks

[@TheChadPad]

Thank you so much for these. Really important what you're doing

[@adolfobrack7286]

Aweosome interview man! thank you very much

[@JohnnyBox1983]

I think it would've been nice to hear Krist's name mentioned and perhaps a bit about the process behind recording his bass parts and whether the band did any of the tracks together live.

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

Wow, super interesting interview here. This man is very intelligent also.

[@iceWaterProductions1]

Very interesting interview. I’ve read almost every book on Kurt and/or Nirvana and I learned some things that I don’t think is published anywhere. The fact of the Randall amp and the status of the Fender Quad Reverb. I wonder if that was the Randall Commander he used pre Nevermind. If this interview is longer than this please upload the rest. This was very enlightening. Thanks

[@universitydrivemusic]

FANTASTIC INTERVIEW!

[@agr0vattt]

Love these interviews fair play dude 🤟

[@regiirecords8829]

Good to see quality content like this finding traction on KZbin. 🤘😎

[@pabloconchetumare1753]

Really thank you for doing all this new material dude, is amazing. I only have one doubt, that is if Steve really recorded the drums of Very Ape in the kitchen as Wikipedia claims

[@SydBodeker]

Man rest peacefully Steve 🙏

[@adoralysfadoralysf4179]

Albini must feel proud that it’s considered by many to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Which it is.

[@PepisMusicmx]

Awesome anecdotes man. Great questions

[@dannyfauzi7940]

Thanks bro for the work u put in for the band that play the soundtrack of the lifes of young ppl of my generation.. i love your well verse of questions ..it really shows your depth of research .i wish all the best in producing more brilliant pieces of history

[@awesomekling]

This is some amazingly interesting stuff Daniel! Great job :)

[@mstemmelen]

awesome insight!

[@markmcnamara9107]

Cannon Falls in the house. I was 15 at the the time and they were spotted in town buying fishing licenses to go ice fishing on Lake Byllesby. My friends ended up recording there a couple years later. Long story short I smoked bud out of a bong Kurt used. A green ceramic piece. Good times

[@DrillForAbsentee]

It’s amazing how different the vocal tracking experience was with Steve Albini versus Butch Vig. Butch had Kurt do double tracking on a lot of the vocals, and Kurt really got burned out. Albini had him do mostly single track vocals, and they were done in basically one day

[@kondrashovoleg]

You should release uncut versions of your interviews. We want to see it all, not just the "important parts". I'm sure you talked for much much more

[@yusukeurameshi2204]

Yeah, i like to see it too

[@crazyjimheath]

awesome stuff . Love Steve's work

[@gianlucacupo533]

This is gold !

[@marsoblivi0n945]

If Kurt would have lived 2 more years. He would have been an amateur engineer and doing experimental recording & Along with working with the producers on the next album. I’m a musician and a engineer. Lots of people don’t realize the utero sessions were an awaking to him. He realized you could be experimental in the engineering side of things just as much as with instruments if not more. He fell in love with that idea because of this guy right here who showed him strange techniques that he didn’t know were possible.

[@RicArmstrong]

I would have liked to hear a Kurt Cobain and early Radiohead collaboration.

[@hunterdavis3003]

Interesting, cool observation

[@MultiTexMex]

I’m still in mourning that Kurt and Michael Stipe never got to collaborate. 😭

[@doristoner8741]

You dont have next weeks loto numbers as well whilst youre seeing factually forward

[@rihpsss1665]

He'd probably have an intense modular setup and a beard if he was alive

[@caivsivlivs]

more albini interview coming? yes sir

[@RustinChole]

Sappy wasn’t recorded in the in utero sessions. It was recorded surprisingly early on....I think there was a version of it in 89, the studio version is from no later than 1992.

[@SinewRending]

*Actually, there was. The version was called "Verse Chorus Verse," and it was released as a bonus track on the No Alternative compilation.*

[@ridehead8771]

Name game was a massive hit in the late 80's I remember every one in my class used to sing it in 1989, I'm blown away the interview never heard of it lol

[@CrentDub]

Great work, Daniel! Keep it up!

[@xxoxia]

It's hilarious -- the story about needing to do something percussive while recording -- because I was literally just sitting here, thinking the same exact thing -- that I am going to need to play a guitar while I track a particular song I'm going to be recording, to make my vocal performance better.

[@matthewfeduzi4751]

Great stuff. Awesome

[@ramonaHQ]

The interviewer not knowing “The Name Game” made me feel really old. 😢

[@ministerofdarkness]

Great interview! Would like to learn more about Steve’s time working with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant.

[@OGGOAT23]

Very interesting information

[@ministerofdarkness]

Great interview Daniel! Would like to learn more about Steve’s time working with Jimmy Page & Robert Plant.

[@phnigra111]

ministerofdarkness there’s an interview on KZbin where he goes into detail about that experience

[@ericportillo8277]

marigold's also on grohl's album pocketwatch/late which is awesome

[@jerseymusicman3332]

Great interview

[@OtaconNachos]

I like In Utero, I like Nirvana, I like Steve Albini and it's great to get info on this record and its session, but holy shit I can't help shake off the feeling Steve Albini is tired of talking about it. He's obviously very polite and personable, but I just can't help he's been questioned to death about it.

[@FadingFires]

I didn’t personally get that impression, but that might be due to the fact that I’m used to Steve voicing his disdain of a given subject matter in a very unambiguous manner, even after he had “chilled out” from his younger days. If Steve doesn’t want to do something, or has an opinion of it, he makes all of it known. He’s just become more tactful about it over the years.

[@joshuajatijohan4779]

Bless you Daniel for this documantary with Steve Albini, thank you. Does anybody here know how many room mics that Albini used for In Utero, and where he placed them in that room while recording?

[@FadingFires]

Steve interacts with users on the discussion forum over at electricalaudio.com. It’s probably been asked there before, and if it hasn’t Steve doesn’t seem to mind discussing his recording techniques when asked.

[@jozzfernandez]

ask Albini why the last weedeater record sounds so tame compared to the one he did with them before. Love the vids...!!!

[@gustavbertilsson9896]

Great content!

[@davidguizlo6157]

I totally agree with his drum recording technique

[@krisfrederick5001]

You should have asked him what the hell Kurt said at the beginning of Radio Friendly. Damn, thought you were going to reference Moist Vagina, it has always been a mysterious song to me...Great work as always my friend.

[@itsliketryingtofitapowerst1860]

He says "Whats your name? Do you like me?"

[@krisfrederick5001]

@@itsliketryingtofitapowerst1860 Really?

[@krisfrederick5001]

@@itsliketryingtofitapowerst1860 It's so clear now after all of these years, that has to be a Fugazi reference.

[@itsliketryingtofitapowerst1860]

@@krisfrederick5001 didnt nirvanna cover one of their songs live?

[@krisfrederick5001]

@@itsliketryingtofitapowerst1860 Hmm....I wouldn't be surprised but I haven't heard a recording. Since we're both fans, check out my first crappy video on here and let me know what you think?

[@RicArmstrong]

4:38 Whats with the photoshopped picture? Pause it and look at their hands and feet.

[@retlaw190]

Not to mention It looks like they threw Eddie Vedder in there next to Kurt. Does not look like Pat

[@RicArmstrong]

@@retlaw190 Lol you're right. That does look like Eddie Vedder 😅

[@pabloconchetumare1753]

@@retlaw190 Pat was not in the In Utero recording, he was a touring guitarist, meaning he was only for live performances plus they met him after In Utero was recorded

[@tmp1k]

Was Pat there for the recording?

[@pabloconchetumare1753]

@@tmp1k no

[@jerseymusicman3332]

I will try to utilize “the name game” beat in a different way. He’s correct, it’s underutilized and it’s an awesome beat.

[@emanuelesavoca8477]

Great videos, does anyone know whether nirvana and bands alike tracked all in one room or played their parts separately to some sort of guide?

[@bluemcdaniel99]

Steve is DA GOAT.

[@user-zn8uo67pd]

Very cool that you got to talk to him, he was a real one, rest in peace steve albini

[@5urg3x]

Really...I never heard the guitar! I'll have to listen more closely that's amazing.

[@dc8643]

I think you can hear it best during the quiet parts on Pennyroyal Tea

[@agdgdgwngo]

Steve Albini gets cold called, twice.

[@kondrashovoleg]

Absolute madlads

[@frasersimpson442]

It's evan dando.

[@skipper6528]

I could listen to this shit all day long

[@AnodyneHipsterInfluencer]

Pretty good Sarkissian. Although I wish you would've pressed Albini for some descriptors of the "aesthetic inspirations" Kurt had which he mentioned. I'm a tough crowd though.

[@SergheiPopescu]

The bullshit name that they booked the studio sessions under was The Simon Ritchie Bluegrass Ensemble 😁

[@korsunhoox]

2:57 I wouldn’t say this rhythm (from Scentless...) is/was underutilized. Among others, Bonham applied it in „Bonzo”, and this is where Grohl ripped it from, most probably ...

[@underworldent4817]

my favourite nirvana .

[@ChrisCaaa]

5:59 Steve wearing the most replayed t-shirt

[@nocityartsfilm6455]

How great is it he doesnt even know the song titles to a classic album he produced...what an incredible age for music.

[@purple_dragon4895]

anybody know where i can contact steve for an autograph i love his work and would love and autograph from him

[@itaintmebabe714]

So it wasn't a Fender twin reverb on the album

[@terrorbirds9835]

Steve Albeanie

[@medioprecio837]

Much better than reading the bio books

[@russelldcrow3147]

🤘

[@NovaxLova]

I liked the interview but I hated the amount of adds, KZbin really sucks nowadays, I feel it’s disrespectful of worthwhile content.

[@chinmeysway]

so what t shirt is he wearing?? looks maybe familiar...

[@ThaGreenOnez]

I’ve had this question about the recording of Milk It. Maybe someone can answer this. I think it’s the second time on the chorus to Milk It where Kurt kinda laughs while singing “test meat!” What was he laughing at?

[@FadingFires]

Kurt’s lyrical choices were not always meant to be of a serious nature, and he may have very well been recalling something humorous while singing that particular line. He tries to suppress his laughter while transitioning from Aero Zeppelin into Beeswax while in the studio too, and it’s not hard to imagine why he might start cracking up a bit considering the lyrical content of Beeswax.

[@dynjarren7523]

Do you know what Albinis input was as the Producer? He pressed Record! That’s it! He’s known for not adding anything to the recordings. He’s basically just a recordist. And for that he charges a $150,000 flat fee. Brilliant! To his credit, he is no nonsense and straight forward so Kurt probably liked that about him and he’s not an ass kisser.

[@innovativeprogramschool7979]

Wrong. He also engineers and arranges mic placement.

[@djefferson5669]

You should have asked Steve about Dave and Krist doing whippets at some point during the session.

[@girolamo5637]

HEY DANIEL! GREAT WORK!! SEE IF YOU CAN INTERVIEW BUTCH VIG??!!BEST

[@justinkline1294]

Dude I can't watch and listen to this guy mispronounce "Pachyderm". Albini straight corrects him. Must be super frustrating.

[@justinkline1294]

@@gogol293 Funny. Good one.

[@petercook360]

"The Name Game" by Shirley Ellis, yo!

[@squareversesine]

these are some supremely dumb or under-prepared questions, much of this info has been out there for a long time even for the casual fan. that and not knowing just general production etiquette and practices. do some research if you're going to do interviews and listen to the person you're interviewing.