Steve Albini: Big Black FULL Interview

[@DanielSarkissian]

Rock is Dead? Full Film: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p37PfZmoipqZoNU What is Classic Rock? - Canada & USA: - KZbin bit.ly/2Kbji5C - iTunes apple.co/2KNOCD2 - Vimeo bit.ly/2Iv1ywd - XBOX bit.ly/2K8AF6Z - Google Play bit.ly/3cwDybU What is Classic Rock? - Worldwide: - Vimeo vimeo.com/ondemand/whatisclassicrock2 Cheers, Daniel

[@witchcraft7934]

I really appreciate this, man. If I had been shown this interview when I was 18 my head would have exploded. This is one of the coolest things ever to some people.

[@sword-and-shield]

Great job, most don't interview proper, talking on top of the guest constantly.

[@micahpaulsen3940]

You can tell how good an audio engineer he is by how clear his zoom call sounds

[@bombshellmedia]

He is good, but it's as simple as hooking a condenser into an audio interface and connecting that through your zoom instead of a laptop microphone. That and keeping it far enough away with a pop filter.

[@bjmarchives]

@@bombshellmedia sure but the comment was just trying to be funny.

[@tolpacourt]

@@bjmarchives I sure hope so but it's hard to be sure.

[@nuke97]

@@tolpacourt Either way it is funny and true cause he cares about the details. Plus the difference between the host's audio and his is night and day.

[@gabrielevion7055]

lmao

[@kimdixson3566]

Came here to pay respects ..rip Steve xx 2024

[@HessianHunter]

Steve Albini is allergic to hyperbole. Love this dude.

[@artrogue4150]

Big Black was the sound track of my 80s. rest in peace Steve.

[@prsprsfull]

Steve Albini, one of the greatest people ever. Period.

[@tolpacourt]

He single handedly cured my brain cancer.

[@pippocalippo2447]

A Genius producer

[@leamanc]

He is missed. Big time.

[@leamanc]

​@@pippocalippo2447He was, although he didn't like being called a producer. He preferred the more accurate "recording engineer."

[@leonardodm7184]

​@@leamanche was also a very nice guy

[@1funeral2many9]

Not enough credit goes to Santiago when people talk about big black I think, Albini had the unique sound but Santiago’s racecar guitar complimented the band so well

[@nickfanzo]

He’s a great guitarist, not in a typical sense, but truly gnarly player.

[@danlayton5186]

100%. He had a super-intense stage presence too. I am old/lucky enough to have seen Big Black live, and Santiago spent most of the set staring out into the crowd, rather than at his guitar - not so much looking AT you, more looking THROUGH you. It was strangely intimidating. The fact that they played at absolutely concussive volume only added to the experience.

[@danlayton5186]

@Will Morgan A few hundred maybe.

[@Francis-rs7zu]

@@danlayton5186 Yeah - I took my brother to his first show at CBGB's back in the mid 80's to see Big Black. Yeah - very intense performance. I'm wondering who he didn't like attending their shows? Skin head? - but I couldn't see them ever going to them, nor did I recall seeing any at that show.

[@danlayton5186]

@@Francis-rs7zu I saw them in Manchester, UK (I think at The Boardwalk) on their final tour - maybe a night or two either side of the Hammersmith Clarendon gig that ended up being filmed as the Pig Pile video. There was a mixture of people in the audience - punks, indie kids, a few metal heads, etc - but I seem to remember it being a decent atmosphere. Certainly nothing that felt like it would kick off at any point (although the crowd did pull Albini into the crowd at one point. Not in a violent way - more in a fit of overenthusiastic fervour). Was good.

[@design1of470]

I got into Big Black in my teens, Steve was already Steve Albini the guy who recorded In Utero. I spent a lot of nights driving around to Big Black, it's perfect night music. I got to see Shellac like 18 something years ago and it was awesome. Two guys kept yelling for "Prayer To God" and Steve never once addressed them lol

[@forevershampoo]

I love this guy because he’s a fucking legend but keeps it so real like he just seems like one of the homies

[@MURDER_WITH_A_V]

Booked his own damn shows. His band could be your life. Solid interview, bud. 🖤

[@DanielSarkissian]

Thanks man 👊🏻

[@METERMAN215]

​@@DanielSarkissianI hate when bands go aw I don't like the ppl who show up to my shows cause they don't follow my narrative fckin who cares just buddy his band sucked anyway lol

[@HeyLiem]

It's true, I too can duplicate the Kerosene sound after "set me on fire" with a similar rig as Albini describes, Fender Twin Reverb on max volume (and master volume on those brittle sounding 1970s twins), Fender Stratocaster, fuzz pedal! I once had to learn Kerosene by ear, to audition to join the band that a co-worker was in. I got that gig, 25 years ago. Glory Daze! Tip: The opening notes of Kerosene are a few string harmonics over the fifth and seventh frets, start sounding it out from there.

[@andyknowles772]

Eh? That was Santiago's rig, not Steve's. I'm fairly sure Steve played the intro.

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

This guy is real articulate

[@williamvincent6060]

Genuine =-D

[@jeffhannah6489]

Fantastic interview. My regret would be not listening to this sooner. RIP Steve.

[@jmp01a24]

RIP Steve. You shined like gold at times.

[@phnigra1313]

RIP Steve Albini 🖤

[@prokesuk]

He mentioned Tuxedomoon. His wiki page picture shows him in an MX80 t-shirt. I've also seen references to The Residents and Chrome. All four can be found on a compilation called Subterranean Modern. My guess is that Albini owns this album, though all four groups are readily available elsewhere. Wonderful record.

[@chaunceyloveshack]

thankyoufor this comment i just went down a gnarly rabbithole

[@waskerbasket9601]

Chrome a great band

[@snailcorepistolwhippits9488]

Songs About Fucking is one of my all time favorite albums. Really ahead of its time.

[@timdenham6857]

Steve is such a great human , so respectful he is towards others creative artistic freedom. Thank you . You are extremely knowledgeable, experienced and generous and real to share and you genuinely know who you are to be able to be respectful of others . Cheers

[@mototrainer1]

He’d hate this but he is a fucking legend of recorded music. Music would suck without the likes of Steve Albini. He is such an important person in music history.

[@mikefalcigno7691]

Many thanks to both Daniel and Steve for creating and sharing this amazing interview. Having been a rabid admirer of Steve since I was around 13 years old… hearing his thoughts in such an uninterrupted manner is a genuine joy on so many levels. 🤘🤘🤘

[@DanielSarkissian]

You’re welcome my friend! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@graemejbatyphoto]

Ahhh man I remember watching this around lockdown time. He was so wise and happy to share his wisdom. He was unique. This is an amazing document. Thank you Daniel for making these and asking questions that matter

[@datadude295]

Their guitarist with the glasses had such cool stage presence

[@andyc787]

Love Albini, always have done, always will do. Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac are right up there for me. He`s such an inteligent and talented Guy.

[@rgrant]

Thanks for this, been listening to lots of his interviews since his passing and this is great.

[@fffffffffff8402]

I like that steve used the term "simulacrum" in a standard conversation

[@first2letters]

😂😂😂

[@cowboyfromhelI]

I just knew him as a producer- engineer, rather. I will have to check out those bands

[@raimywinter2309]

Rip a true legand🌹

[@remingtongagnard4442]

Great video, sad I didnt see it before he passed. RIP legend

[@mushroomleg]

Great interview. Makes me want to do everything myself. Truly inspiring artist.

[@retarteddwarf2182]

Thx for posting this. I've seen a few discussions with Steve and his breakdown here is full of mubz insights as usual. So many low key lessons here.

[@DockingFreidmanRecords]

R.I.P the 🐐 Steve Albini 🎸

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

He recorded that album goat for Jesus lizard and it’s one of the best sounding albums ever ! I love all the bands he was in and you forget how meany great albums he recorded!!! One of a few times I feel comfortable calling someone a true musical genius/ legend 🐐

[@treytaylor7553]

Long live Steve Albini

[@mookie2637]

What an exceptional interview. He had so much insight; the discussion of electronica at the end especially.

[@wdamian]

Steve Albini is the man.

[@cardigansarecool]

Good job on this, I was hoping you’d ask Albini more about his own music, specifically Big Black. Again nice job. Got a subscriber

[@annak8313]

His brilliance abides.

[@TimothyCobleJr]

Thanks to steve and the interview

[@PaulOwens]

Good interview. Great questions and you let him answer without interruption.

[@ohoto3896]

Thanks for being my grandmother Danny nice interview

[@tyronewarren6662]

*Always a ‘joy’ & never a chore with Albini!* *Tremendous!* 💯👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@TheSleepingonit]

It would be a honor meeting him

[@alecchase2176]

I was half expecting Steve's mic to sound like shit, then I remembered what he does all day, lol

[@kevinmyles6369]

Got a lot in common with Steve than I'm aware of. This guy's really underground diy esthetics on many levels that work best even now more than ever in 2020's insane economic recession... Top notch interview 👍👍 would have loved more info about Big Black's. and Rapeman's writing music process xx

[@atiostefony3760]

Years wating for him to talk about this Thanks!

[@ratdisco]

Fantastic explanation of the DIY touring method at 19:40

[@williamvincent6060]

ALBINI FOR PRESIDENT!!!

[@fogpumas]

I’ve been a fan of Steve’s for so long that I notice his prescription has changed. We’re all getting older, I guess. Mine has too.

[@xagvsx1521]

This is great. Thanks for sharing. Great interview

[@KeithGigliotti]

Glad to see someone is helping us with our Albini fix.

[@patrickkoenigsfeld1253]

Instant sub when I found this video. Amazing. Thank you so very much.

[@markbundy1694]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. I’ve watched other Albini interviews, Top Notch!!!

[@idiedtrying]

This was fucking GREAT.

[@pippocalippo2447]

Great noise trio, the Big Black!

[@synthesis12]

Great video, his take on analog production vs. today's tech and its affect on certain genres is interesting.

[@johnqpublic2718]

Tremendous! And on my birthday! Thanks Daniel, your continued hard work is appreciated!

[@DanielSarkissian]

Happy birthday Luke & thanks a lot man!

[@johnqpublic2718]

Your follow-up question to the kangaroo story is Pro-Level interviewing.

[@DanielSarkissian]

Haha, had to know what happened

[@ileiad]

This is such a pleasant video to listen to. Especially because of the tie-ins.

[@dereksendrak]

How do u get in touch with theses legends and get these GREAT interviews!! Keep up the fantastic work my man!!🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@aidsdespencer]

R.I.P. Steve.

[@tishainess9339]

😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️ SA is so fuckin rad. Great artist and cool human being.I had this friend who had just the best musical taste he introduced me to so much amazing music ❤❤❤ I was 15 when I first heard Big Black (I’m 47 now) and fucking loved them instantly. This video is great man thanks 🤓👍

[@pawel8365]

What a great interview!

[@metaphoria3]

1:30 so well put

[@tortillaman2491]

Awesome interview.

[@rurlyok]

amazing interview! thanks for doing this!

[@Andranik05]

Great interview, Daniel.

[@DanielSarkissian]

Thanks Jason! Are you Armenian?

[@fl7210]

Great interview

[@606808909]

160 likes.........everyone asleep?. But really thank you for this amazing chat @Daniel. BIG BLACK FOR LIFE!

[@jerseymusicman3332]

Zero dislikes though. At least there’s that. Usually there’s some jerks who need to express their displeasure with everything. Those guys aren’t here.

[@adriaticvenetians]

great .. thanks so much for this daniel your interviews are gems

[@martyne8409]

First band I ever saw live when they toured the uk 86 ish Newport leisure centre 2nd gig butthole surfers also leisure centre .brilliant

[@crackthefoundation_]

Ended too soon! Really enjoyed this particularly the second half, thanks Chapters would help you get more views I think

[@RobertMunro-wb6jb]

There are a few exceptions to what Steve is talking about in dance music ! Drexciya’ autechre ‘ boc etc these bands make very unique music and stand out from most of the other artists from that genre!!!!

[@inlifeout]

thank you!!

[@fezenstein]

no mention of rapeman? such a great record.. and a perfect transition from Big Black to Shellac.

[@spicy_lemon_waves7682]

probably the name mate

[@mookie2637]

@@spicy_lemon_waves7682 Yeah, I wonder if that was one of his regrets. I remember here in the UK John Peel playing the songs and quietly remarking that the name was going to be a problem. I saw them at Leeds Polytechnic in 1989, supported by Band of Susans and some bunch of wankers called Nirvana.

[@umagralha]

​@@mookie2637it was, he spoke about it on a few occasions

[@13g33l-w1b]

I don't think Steve would have cared about the name as he wasn't a self righteous boring millennial or zoomer 😂 damn people have become more thin skinned than my grandma ever was nowadays... it's punk rock for Christ's sake. It was supposed to offend the squares. The controversial aspects were what brought us in ad kids. By the way I agree. That album is the shit.

[@fezenstein]

@13g33l-w1b i think he cared about the name when places didn't want to book them. I think thats what i remember hearing. that record though.. oof. just soo much power. it was everything that big black was - with just more. shellac has finesse and subtly the others were a rusted blunt instrument.

[@tigersteffi]

I’m not shocked that Steve’s sound on the interview is impeccable. Can anyone identify the mic he’s using?

[@missionaryimpossible]

i mean... hes a sound engineer after all lol

[@djefferson5669]

Looks like a Neumann U87

[@bradchatterton2576]

Yeah...and the pro interviewer guy's environment sounds like crap. LOL

[@drdelewded]

@@djefferson5669 I think its a U67, if you look at the mic list for Electrical Audio, there's no U87s listed but there is U67s and they look pretty much the same

[@drdelewded]

@@bradchatterton2576 Pro interviewer isn't a recording engineer. Ive had to mix narration sent to me by interviewers that recorded their voice overs on their iPhones in reflective bathrooms before.

[@davo312]

Chicago legend

[@HornedBee]

finally, fuck yeah! Thanks!!

[@TsetsiStoyanova]

He must have been a literature major

[@prwapps]

Good stuff. I'd be interested to hear about Rapeman too.

[@pippocalippo2447]

And Shellac Action Park

[@Shackleton71]

My man Steve is in my list of five fantasy dinner guests. Dude punctured sonic reality and way to break up!

[@satanslovechild6458]

Plus vehicle upkeep

[@linthizzy6620]

Steve, can you please give a eulogy to John Kezdy and talk a bit about the influence the Effigies had on bands to come?

[@chaz32]

that plectrum lore is so cool, his tremolo picking is something else

[@emoedison]

Man, post-punk singers ALWAYS underestimate the importance of their bass players -- at least publicly. Dave did a lot more for Big Black than "add a lot" and would not have been replaceable, as the pretty lame reunion gig showed.

[@SinewRending]

The sound that Jeff Pezzati had on *Bulldozer* was very unique in its texture and sound. I liked Dave Riley's playing on the later records. They both brought something to the band.

[@troygaspard6732]

DYI was his mantra.

[@btac6481]

back in the day we only had cassette tapes, and being a teen on a skateboard it was what we could steal from walmart or dub from friends. i would listen to hammer party half the day. i even plagiarized some lyrics for english class assignment lol. mrs houchens prolly thought i was a lunatic.

[@anthonystevens7594]

I thought this was about Big Black?

[@Malegys]

The best bassists are guitarists that made the switch.

[@camarotrash]

Steve does not give himself enough credit for the heinous guitar sound he created. I for one would be happy as a fucking clam to obtain an Intersound IVP and recreate the sounds of Big Black under his guidance. I low-key do this for Nirvana, but I have the same obsession with Big Black.

[@Romany1111]

Good interview, but the crazy zoom-panning of the still photos is stupid and disorienting.

[@joelkeane3160]

That question people ask, what 3 people would you choose to have dinner with? Fuck the 3, I’ll take Steve by himself.

[@nickfanzo]

Big black rules. Who has the key?

[@bigdad72]

I do!

[@alf5617]

But did he order the code red?

[@funko3119]

What’s his twitter account?

[@miesjel6529]

I would so much like to know more about steve's band Rapeman, it seens he's never asked about that period

[@ryanopticonryanopticon8539]

Big Mac.

[@jrepp11]

Steve is not suffering fools.

[@erdnasiul87]

"Sorry Kangoroo dude" - Steve Albini

[@egattignolo]

lots of ads

[@tishainess9339]

Also, btw, I am a firm believer in DIY. I go as far as I can with that shit… like I have a sewing machine, but haven’t graduated to a loom yet 😂 I say localize fuck big industry we can do this shit ourselves why be dependent on some dicks who are as disengaged from the people they are “serving” or “representing” as they can be…

[@glenparey9382]

I'm friends with gorbza the said there's are just good dudes they recorded his tape chaep they toyed with his luxury piano 🎹 and partyed together true story

[@RayleneSteves]

Damn, never knew that Jordon was fake news!

[@sword-and-shield]

The greatest thing was when Seattle broke and crushed all the bs being created through the eighties mainstream.

[@lockyp204]

But then attracted all the exact people Albini is talking about. And to be honest, I think he is referencing Cobain when talked about people being at his shows that don’t get it. As it was one of Cobain’ biggest struggles.

[@sword-and-shield]

@@lockyp204 Well you can't crush the cheesy art scene without replacing it with something better, so how can you NOT attract the exact others. Cobain's mind set, or any artists mind set of their art in a manner of "fans getting it" is a fools errand. In fact Nirvana's music was perfect in that it left a fan open to their own personal interpretation of the song. Its why you tell the interviewer F U when they want the songs meaning explained...why ruin the song's meaning for someone else. When I played gigs all we cared about was jacking up the crowd, "getting it" was up to them, some will some wont, as it is with all art.

[@lockyp204]

@@sword-and-shield LOL there is nothing cheesey about Big Black or Shellac. I do agree with what you say, but I’m just stating what is known in regards to Cobain. But I’m not sure “jacking up the crowd,” was ever the focus in any of those guys bands. Albini’ bands are borderline confrontational.

[@sword-and-shield]

@@lockyp204 Never said EVERYTHING that came out of the eighties was cheese, so I guess your laughing at yourself. I said The Scene was cheese, and will also add the approach and mind set of the music industry at the time as well. No doubt Cobain caused many of his own problems, and yeah it was known. Jacking up the crowd, and its mention, was OUR approach. It wasn't said to suggest some universal way, or that those guys bands had too, but to suggest, that "fans getting it" doesn't have to be the approach.

[@stevenhenry5267]

Seattle was a symptom,not a cause.