The punk community around the world is mourning the loss of Steve Albini, one of its iconic figures. This is especially true for Chicago, where he helped shape the punk scene, and where his Electrical Audio recording studio is located. Staff members at Albini’s Electrical Audio confirmed to Pitchfork that Steve Albini suffered a fatal heart attack late Tuesday night, May 7, 2024
Albini’s death also comes on the heels of the announcement that Shellac, one of Albini’s bands would be opening for OFF! at that band’s farewell shows in New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago in July. Shellac is also scheduled to release its first new album in a decade, To All Trains, next week.
Steve Albini was born on July 22, 1962, in Pasadena, CA. While Nirvana’s In Utero and The Pixies’ Surfa Rosa are among the most famous of the classic albums he recorded, he also worked with such musicians and bands as PJ Harvey, Jesus Lizard, Breeders, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Helmet, Low, Dirty Three, Slint, and Brainiac.
As a musician, Albini founded Big Black in the early 1980’s. Naked Raygun’s Jeff Pezzati and Santiago Durango were members of the band. Pezzati left the band, replaced by Dave Riley before Big Black’s two most seminal albums Songs About Fucking and Atomizer.
Albini, Bob Weston, and Todd Trainor founded Shellac in the early 1990’s. The aforementioned To All Trains will be the band’s sixth studio album upon its release, and Shellac was scheduled to join Off! on its farewell tour, sharing the bill with Fucked Up and Surfbot as well.
Albini was also, at times, a controversial figure, especially in years past. In more recent years, he expressed regret over some of those things.
Outside of music, Steve Albini had another noted talent: championship poker player. Albini won two World Series of Poker bracelets.
All of us Dying Scene send our deepest condolences to Steve Albini’s family, friends and fans. Stay tuned for more Dying Scene coverage of Steve Albini’s life and legacy in the near future.