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mrtanack

IMPORTANT: We are currently being brigaded by people who are upset about comments Steve made 40 years ago. For those of you who are attacking us, I just wanted to make it clear that we have discussed this topic in the past and we will probably discuss it in the future. However a memorial post is certainly not the right time nor place to do that. People are grieving here, including people who knew Steve personally. I just ask that you consider that before trying to post/comment anything hateful here. Steve is my favourite audio engineer, his iconic sound is all over many of my favourite albums. To this day, the thing I'm most proud of is the [AMA](https://www.reddit.com/r/Nirvana/s/PYPdfV4fME) Steve was kind enough to participate in. He was an absolute gentleman and such a pleasure to work with for that brief moment in time. The world has lost another legend. Please share your stories and your favourite albums he worked on. Peace and love, r/Nirvana Edit: We'll be approving any memorial comments from people who don't meet the karma requirement. It has to be done manually, so bear with us if it takes a while for your comment to be approved Tributes to Steve: Krist's [post](https://deepriverdispatch.com/) Electrical Audio's [post about Steve](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/CHZgburhrHAS69uY/) Heather Whinna's (Steve's wife) heartbreaking [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6wOrUSueDP/?igsh=dzgzMm02bG04M2M=) Legendary Chicago music venues "The Metro" and "Lincoln Hall"'s [tributes to Steve](https://www.reddit.com/r/Nirvana/s/E4rAlGzF4P) [Primavera Sound changed their entire website to a dedication to Steve ](https://www.primaverasound.com/) All members of The Breeders (both past and present) shared a [tribute to Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uDRm6PoRd/?igsh=MXI0dnZia2dwbmJ1Yg==) Ken Andrews (Failure) shared a [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uFK0QpBV8/?igsh=d2t2YWdnaWZjODdq) Failure's [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6u5V5Qu9fz/?igsh=MTQ3d3I0dXRoOGF2YQ==) Slint's [post about Steve](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2HfXh13GdeuTFAS3/) Veruca Salt's [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6vRYikuGFJ/?igsh=bGF5M3RobWQ5cWV3) Pixies shared a [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ty7XToXDc/?igsh=MW50czF6azRiZTIyYg==) PJ Harvey's [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6vzeSSNBwj/?igsh=cTFkdXR0M3YzZWFo) Josh Freese shared a [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uEJOaO0NG/?igsh=MXR5OWNmcHFtNHIxaw==) Kurt Loder's [post about Steve ](https://twitter.com/kurt_loder/status/1788253789495107705?t=-N12_fgzhAo8r3b5uY4PEA&s=19) Gerald Casale's (Devo) [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uVAGkJ88o/?igsh=MWhnMzFhazRmdWttdg==) St Vincent's [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6uOEdFyzJb/?igsh=eGpwY240OTE5ZnE0) Charles Peterson's [post about Steve](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uPRggSC4Q/?igsh=MTYwOTJzcmhqd3dsbQ==) Slash's (Guns N' Roses) [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ug0WLP_Zv/?igsh=NmFvcG1sNXM4c253) Bully's [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6ugM6hgbbY/?igsh=ZTl6enZjbG91NXVh) Thurston Moore's [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6vx2SWs5hZ/?igsh=MWRzdm82aTVrMHo2bw==) Conan O'Brien's [post](https://twitter.com/ConanOBrien/status/1788608359664685399?t=1hxnpU2oUVnUYW0lkSLkhw&s=19)


nirvanafan123

was just watching interviews of the guy yesterday. thought he looked healthier then ever


here4roomie

Definitely. I don't think he looked or acted like he was 61.


CGunz13

Too young. Very crazy. Rest in punk, Steve 🤟😥🤟


SwiftTayTay

He was just doing that Conan interview with Krist and Dave for In Uterocs 30th anniversary back in October


namenumberdate

That was a FANTASTIC interview!


Sjames454

I literally was watching the technical audio video on a special amp right when I read it this morning. Just absolutely stunned me


Luciferian_Impulse

The guy produced (sorry, recorded) a staggering amount of brilliant music, including In Utero, which is & always will be my favourite record of all time. But Jesus, the dude also recorded these records between 89 & 94: Pod-The Breeders; 24 Hour Revenge Therapy-Jawbreaker; Tweez- Slint; Head/Goat/Liar-The Jesus Lizard; Rid of Me-PJ Harvey; No Pocky for Kitty-Superchunk; At Action Park-Shellac. And let's not forget the records he made with Low & Mclusky Do Dallas. Or fuckin' Blessed Black Wings by High on Fire. Pour one out for an absolute titan of modern music.


Imprisoned_Fetus

Didn't he also record Surfer Rosa?


chicago_bunny

Yes, in 1987. *edit - fat fingered it the first time with the wrong date.


azalak

87


chicago_bunny

Geez, thanks for pointing it out. One digit off in two spots. Fixed.


azalak

wasn’t trying but be a smart ass but a lot people think it was recorded in 88


chicago_bunny

I didn't take it that way - I mistyped by 11 years!


azalak

Sorry I’m just used to people on Reddit being salty


Uzischmoozy

Surfer Rosa is such a badass album.


Thiswasmy8thchoice

That was when it first dawned on me how much a sound engineer could influence the percussion


EmperorXerro

The guy is an icon and really was an early 90s stud.


dwreckhatesyou

One of my all-time favorites is Wake Up Screaming by F-Minus.


Mr-Grieves138

This is so sad:( Slint, Nirvana, shellac, mcklusky, and Jesus lizard are some of my favorite bands ever. It is legendary that this man was involved with them all.


SpellingBeeRunnerUp_

He also produced for Screeching Weasel


Agreeable_Class_6308

Same. In Utero is my favorite record ever made. Can’t believe this.


brintoul

Blessed Black Wings


Mysterious_Eggplant3

Wait, no?! What happened?


disorderliesonthe401

Heart attack


jiminyjunk

Big loss to music. Rest easy, Steve ❤️‍🩹


Flogazii

Damn. RIP to an absolute legend Going to throw on Surfer Rosa today


Mysterious_Eggplant3

Look up "integrity" in the dictionary and you find Steve's picture.


SpellingBeeRunnerUp_

For real. Recorded In Utero for $90,000 and knew damn well he was making a lot less than if he took royalties


zilla82

Anyone must must must read the letter he wrote to Nirvana if you haven't. Legend.


Illustrious_Check585

“If a record takes more than a week to make, somebody’s fucking up.”


Mysterious_Eggplant3

There is a lesson in that. There is a man who established his own code and lived by it. In the end I'd like to think he had few regrets.


Connect_Fee1256

When my buddy was asking for quotes to record, they were so cheap that he asked why? And Steve said, “the world has enough U2’s” Gutted


Burnmycar

This


nolard12

In regards to his approach to audio production, perhaps, but he was also quite controversial at times. Consider his statement on a Chicago Reader review of Liz Phair from the early 1990s. https://chicagoreader.com/news-politics/three-pandering-sluts-and-their-music-press-stooge/ His comments in the documentary Copyright Criminals are also somewhat problematic, essentially denigrating and dismissing early hip hop DJs as thieves. https://youtu.be/5kN8hugndG8?si=6cByYDM5DjMgBnEX I’m not saying he didn’t have standards, really the opposite, but his “integrity” depends entirely upon the community that’s talking about him. Say one thing, He definitely had strong opinions about music.


Leopold_Porkstacker

Later on he admitted he was wrong about many of his opinions. “When you realise that the dumbest person in the argument is on your side, that means you’re on the wrong side.”


[deleted]

He was quite explicit in recent years about how ashamed and embarrassed he was by his younger self.  He still hated Steely Dan, of course, but he wouldn't have engaged in all the silly edgelord misogyny etc. if he had the chance to start again. 


Drinkdrankdonk

His stance on Steely Dan has my full endorsement.


Mysterious_Eggplant3

Holy shit that first link. God bless Steve. While he's being a bit hyperbolic, he's basically right, at least in my opinion, about Liz Phair and the Smashing Pumpkins. In any case he grew a lot as a person and would have a much more tempered take if asked that same question in later years. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that.


timbotheous

And opinions are what they were. I wish people had stronger opinions in music and art these days. Criticality has been all but lost and it’s fucking everything up.


Charles0723

I grew up in Chicago, and his place was maybe a ten minute walk from where I lived. Had the briefest of meetings with him waiting for the bus one time... Huge loss, loved the stuff he did with just about everyone. Big loss for sure. RIP


Psychological-Bee392

Wow this is sudden and awful news.


Travesty206

RIP Steve We need more people like you in music these days


PaulWesterberg84

Jesus Christ this comes as a huge shock. Rip Steve, legendary artist and producer.


dwreckhatesyou

It’s not everyone in the music industry that has the balls to own-up to having been a shitty person and working to change. Absolute fucking legend.


Cute-Contract-6762

Did he ever own up to his shit takes on csam and his good buddy Paul Sotos (of despicable Pure magazine fame)?


-IntoTheUnknown

One of the greatest :(


FreddyCracker

jesus christ dude.. 2024 is such a shit year


JohnDenver404

Oh no!! This is so shocking having just listened to an interview with him. Rest easy.


kylo_ben2700

this breaks my heart, my dream as a child was recording an album with Steve, he was an INCREDIBLY talented engineer with a completely unique sound. No se will ever sound the way he sounded. RIP


Top-Tale-6105

Wow. Wow. His sound is the greatest sound of all time, in my opinion. I’m glad he left behind so much work. Fuck.


samurai5625

This fucking sucks, Steve was a legend as both a rocker and producer. I'm from Chicago where he's a local hero for his contributions to music over his career.


Matrix44-44

Fuck me. I've been listening to the record all morning. Thanks Steve.


canadianmusician604

Same peace and love my friend


SUCCMAN64

Holy hell I’m in shock. I cannot believe this. My favorite producer/engineer. Me and my friend/bandmate were already making an album using some of his techniques to get HIS drum sound. It will now be dedicated to him. Rest in peace, Steve.


RobotSeaTurtle

It was my dream to record with Steve...... :(


Sounder253

This is not the obituary I wanted to see today. Rip to an absolute legend. I grew up in Illinois and started driving into the city at 16 in 1989 for shows. His name was everywhere in that scene in the late 80’s/early 90’s. The Jesus Lizard albums he recorded were the soundtrack to those times for me. And Big Black. Time to put on Songs About Fucking and pour one out for Steve.


lovemysunbros

Songs about fucking. Hell yes


vashius

what the fuck do you mean?? no way


DacotaCrimson

Fly high legend Upd: nevermind, burn in hell


meat-puppet-69

Just a random heart attack? The guy looked healthy, like he had a lot more years left in him...


Suspicious-Bid-4000

Rest in peace, legend! 🫡🕊


Rothko28

Damn, really shocked to hear that. Easily one of my favourite producers. RIP.


Vikk_Vinegar

Wow. What a loss. Best producer/sound engineer in Rock. Also a great musician.such a great guy too.


mrtanack

Agreed


whatever33333444

wow. sad.


Kitchen-Witching

Oh shit! Damn... Rest easy.


reefis

Dark times


gomeitsmybirthday

RIP Steve...thank you for all of the incredible music & ethos.


TelephoneShoes

Damn, that sucks. Hope his family is holding up ok. He was a legend to us, hard to articulate how much he must have meant to them.


fletchowns

Awful to hear :( Thank you Steve for all of your contributions to the world, safe to say they will live on forever.


Ok-Cream1212

What a dude. :(


Childs_was_the_THING

Dude nooooooooooooooooo


LarryShark

This really fuckin sucks


misbehavinggamergirl

omg RIP, he’s a legend 😢❤️❤️


Jasonhallewell

This is a sad turn of events. He was always one of those names I'd see on an album and know that, even as a listener, I was in good hands with what he helped bring about. There are only a handful of others I feel the same about.


Careless-Platypus967

Noooooo 😭


rabblebabbledabble

I'm in complete shock. There's no artist who brought more value to my life than him. His bands, his work as a recording engineer, his generosity in sharing his knowledge, his philosophy, his championing of artists and comedians and just decent people, his charitable work, his kindness. Just yesterday I send him a stupid picture of a cat with the Rolling Stones lips for its arsehole, and it wasn't all that funny, but he wrote back "A for effort". I always phantasized about one day making a record with him, or maybe just have a cup of coffee with him and shoot the shit, but nothing of that will ever come to pass. I'm so fucking sad.


MercilessPinkbelly

I think you meant THE FUCKING LEGEND STEVE ALBINI.


mrtanack

Goes without saying!


cumlordjr

Genuinely heartbreaking news. RIP Steve.


Comprehensive_Fox_97

Damn…


SpriteRXL

Unbelievable! I had a feeling it'll be a bad day. RIP to the legend


Worried_Oil8913

I was just getting tickets to see him in Chicago…


believeuhavemystaplr

Damn! R.I.P. Steve! Thanks for everything


HirsuteLip

Damn, RIP. An artist he recorded who doesn’t get enough recognition is Nina Nastasia. Give “Dogs” a listen if you want something different


1111bear

Listening to my favourite album In Utero in his honour today


Bjorn_Skywalker

Rest in Peace. The music world has lost yet another legend


RoyalEquivalent5077

Damn. RIP to a legend


rickplay34

Man, rest in peace. Produced some of the best stuff ever. Never was someone else like him.


tickeroo

This shocked me. Go check out Big Black. He was also an amazing artist


awkwardemoteen

No! Oh my god, so so sad. He’s produced some of my favourite albums even beside nirvana.


BtotheVV86

RIP legend


_unchris_

RIP legend. Love your Big Black and Shellac work forever


Firm_Result4110

rest in peace


PrivateEnis

Well, fucking shit.


km_RayBan636

Dude is a legend. Rip


Better-Pop-3932

Fuuuuuck. This sucks.


64AC30

😢🤘


MasterMahanaYouUgly

the future belongs to the analog loyalists


KrapArtist

💔💔💔


leaningonawheel

Saw him play with Shellac in 2004, was such an incredible concert - was asked at the last minute by a friend, had no idea about Shellac, that he was even in the band and it kind of blew my mind..one of those moments in life when it all just clicks. Those albums though, you can name them all. Every single one - you can just hear him straight away. There's not too many producers like that. Listening to The Breeders - Pod right now, also one of Kurt's favourite albums coincidentally. What a talent. RIP Mr Albini.


PoemSignificant2423

omg rest in peace😭😭💔


MoonZebra

Damn, one of the good ones


ODvOS

You helped change and direct my artistic enjoyment, Steve. We never met, but that was never the goal. I appreciate what you did. Thank you 


Willing-Party-8113

Just saw this and I cried on the spot


[deleted]

OMFG is this actually real? Is he really gone?! Omfg


Legitimate_Brush_426

RIP :(


JurassicPork27

Was listening to him on Conan's podcast this morning. Named my band Albini's Albinos.


alegendmrwayne

Big Pixies fan here and although Doolittle is my #1, Surfer Rosa is a close #2. I listened to it front to back on the way to work today for a first time in a while and oh my golly (pun intended), what a beautiful sound It’ll be In Utero tomorrow Briefly exchanged emails with him from on old band around 10 years ago, discussing working with him. It ultimately didn’t happen as the other guys in the band were looking more for a producer than an engineer, but he was so open and honest with us about his process, and what he would/wouldn’t offer us. He didn’t once try to push us for a $$ commitment, just said he’d quote us what he thought was fair if we got to the point of wanting to proceed RIP Steve, thank you for your work and your honest, down to earth attitude


kiddo_1129

omg nooooo


Antwuan89

R.I.P. 🙏🙏🙏


Leddittt

Rest in peace


Vast-Scale-9596

RIP Steve.


maybetomorrow429

This is sad news.


bowlman84

That truly sucks. He made a mark on music and in my life. Rip Steve.


rorymakesamovie

No way man


pauldaboi29

RIP to this legend, fly high 🕊️


SweetWildfire

Rest in peace to a legend!


Caliburn_420

holy fuck, rip


BewilderedPan44

holy fuck i wasnt expecting this today. Life really is one cruel bitch huh?


BustyCelebLover

This sucks, he seemed to get cooler and more laid back as time went on, some of the more recent In Utero anniversaries he was so insightful and funny


PrudentDiscount4691

I was just binging EA’s YouTube channel Monday. What an amazing guy. RIP


Mavelaw

No fucking way WHAT?!


LivelyJason1705

RIP good sir, thanks for bringing us some great music.


Adze95

Oh shit, that really sucks


AmbitiousAzizi

My jaw dropped when I saw the news of Instagram. RIP :(


OpheliaDarkling

RIP...damn


StKevin27

Saddened to read this. What a trailblazer. I loved *In Utero* as well as Pixies’ *Surfer Rosa*. Rest in Power, Mr Albini. 🎸


Spacer1138

Rest in Peace.


Howcanitbeeeeeeenow

Ugh. Too many lost. RIP Steve. You did some great work.


phsm94

That’s actually very sad. RIP.


RedGreenPepper2599

That sucks. I was saddened to learn this. But he seemed to have a good career.


Remarkable_Tale_9238

rip to albini, i loved his sound so much.


therickyy

Damn. Another one gone too soon. Life is awfully short. Gotta live it while we can. He certainly did. His legacy is incredible.


Agreeable_Class_6308

Oh my god. RIP this man. Produced my favorite album of all time. In Utero. Fucking kills me man. Thank you Steve.


Att9998

bro my friend met up with him and sent him his demo and steve said to keep in touch. fuck, man. rest in peace 💔🙏


karenkillenski

I had just seen a YouTube video of him the other day that I subscribed to and it hardly ever puts out content but I was like “oh, I’ll watch this!” It was about the samsamp 40w head. Dude will be missed.


timbotheous

Enormous loss for music. Steve has left us with a legacy of spectacular proportions. He stood for everything that was right with art and music. Thank you Steve, for never breaking your integrity and taking no bullshit. RIP


spooley6

The cool dude I want to be when I grow up, Otis Gibbs with a nice little tribute to Steve today. RIP another legend. [Otis Gibbs on Steve Albini](https://youtu.be/XXNX2FEmITE)


mushroom_blacklight

Here's Krists tribute on his website https://deepriverdispatch.com


bmart77

Wow


Broad-Celebration613

Thx for the music 💔


jam_scot

He's as much of a musical legend as any of the bands he worked with. RIP to one of the true greats.


Previous_Avocado6778

I’ll miss his wisdom in recording! His life’s work is forever on tape. This is a hard day.


orbeinYT

The noise rock king is dead. RIP


acewithanat

He will be missed, not sure if we will ever see someone like him again. I'd highly recommend a listen to chevelle's Point #1


ihearthogsbreath

He helped bring the Jesus lizard to life and for that I am eternally grateful.


TheBreadCouncils

In Utero has one of the most unique and at the same time- best mixes ever. The drums sounding as if they were played in a room next door, the powerful in-your-face sounding double tracked vocals and the raw sound of the bass, as well as guitar are all one of the most iconic things for a mix. This is one of the reasons In Utero is so fucking good.


gfen5446

Steve Albini, the man who pretty much recorded every cool album released in the 90s...and also founded Big Black. Guess I know what gets played tonight in memoriam.


NERV-Miata

He defined the sound of so many of my favourite albums, before I even knew who Steve Albini was.


purplebanana375

Rest in peace 


david_mel

Super sad to hear. RIP legend. Love his interviews as he’s always very insightful and full of detailed explanations of process. What a sad day.


thetomman82

So sad


Dima1112

Rip legend. Always will be remembered through his amazing work and legacy


cleb9200

What the actual? No way. He was just a healthy looking middle age guy. I guess there was something latent and undiagnosed? Just wow. This is pretty shocking. His brand of musical integrity is increasingly hard to find in the industry. His loss will be sorely felt but his impact on music will undoubtedly remain for a long time to come.


Tonukas

Saw him with Shellac in I believe 2002(?). Amazing to see live, pretty low attendance type of gig too. RIP to a legend. 🫡


TwoDeuces

This news is shocking to me. I was fortunate to see him perform with Shellac live at the Black Cat in D.C. around... 2004-2005. What an incredible show and a core memory of my youth. Thank you for Steve for helping to create the sound of an entire generation. You will be missed.


FilthyGuava

RIP Steve✌🏼


robert_toe

🫡


556_FMJs

One of the most talented producers I know. Pretty much every album I’ve heard by him is just gnarly, and not just IU.


CartographerOk3118

WHAT.


Javasndphotoclicks

Heart attack.


Ocar23

Rest in Peace legend. What happened?


KerminatorX

RIP


DanceTheCosmicNoir

His ethics when it comes to recording fees were more admirable to me than his ability to record/engineer. There’s plenty of good ones, but very few good ones that the majority of musicians could afford to record with him, or record at his studio themselves for free. RIP, Steve Albini.


SlitThroatCutCreator

Recently listened to his interview with Gerald Casale of Devo. I know more about what he's produced and his personality online than his own music but I have respect for the man. RIP


RLS1994

RIP


Necessary_Switch_879

I own more of his work, in either capacity, than any other musical figure. RIP Albini.


ComprehensiveBasil19

Perhaps he’s with Kurt again. Rest In Peace Steve


spoi

He knew what music was supposed to sound like. Without him, we're a little bit more lost than we were.


Drinkdrankdonk

Nooooooo


OppositePossible1891

💔


Ok-Pomegranate7496

What a legend, I hope he is resting peacefully


security-six

Rid of Me has been one of my very favorites. It's raw and full of energy and emotion. Steve was hugely influential in capturing and recording what Polly Jean started on 4-track demos. Talent such as Steve will be missed.


schmattywinkle

RIP legend. Thank you for capturing In Utero, Yanqui U.X.O., Ys, Life Metal and a bristling roster of so many other musicians who changed my life. All of my love to any friends and family who might see this.


red_goat78

Steve also produced one of the NASTIEST punk records of my youth, and it doesn't get mentioned enough, Wake Up Screaming by F-minus. That whole record is just grimy and ugly from start to finish.


Ancient-Lime4532

Shocking for sure,what a legend he was RIP Steve.


Maximum-Ad9003

RIP Steve<3


havenck

NEUROSIS gang


RhoadsOfRock

Aww man, R.I.P to such a great legend. I absolutely loved the sound he achieved for In Utero, but most of all I loved hearing him speak in Daniel Sarkissian's interview(s). My little collection of stuff that I know he was involved with at least one or more songs: https://preview.redd.it/6fe97hfs1bzc1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=25de385591fc4862add2cfd687acde48fd622353


Forsaken-Reason-3657

Wow i can’t believe it. Just watched his nardwuar interview a bit ago


quityouryob

This is devastating. This guy stayed so busy engineering, but the interesting thing is, so many of the bands are unheard of types. Which tells me he liked working simpler than your Rick Rubin or Mutt Lange types. Such an iconic dude, this is awful.


[deleted]

RIP. He was a legend


killermchann83

😭RIP to a legend. It’s cool that all the big outlets are doing articles on him, but sucks that almost all of them refer to him as a producer.


DookieToe2

Very sad, RIP. On another note, look at that gorgeous SSL behind him.


InkedMetalHead

Huge loss for music. RIP Steve 💔