«How many kids would like to be whipped by Steve Albini’s guitar?». So wrote Kim Gordon in 1988. Now that whip is gone. Steve Albini (Pasadena, 22 July 1962 – Chicago, 8 May 2024), singer, guitarist, record producerdied at just 61 years old.
Albini He was the front man of fundamental bands such as Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac (the latter still in business). He was also the founder of the Electrical Audio company, which operates with two recording studios in Chicago and over the years has established itself as one of the most important realities of independent rock.
Guru of the American alternative scene, Albini’s productive “touch” presented such peculiar recurring characteristics (unusually low mixed vocals, bass predominant on the guitar, ambient drum pickupuse of natural reverberations captured by a multitude of vintage microphones) to be unmistakable, almost a trademark. He was behind Nirvana’s album «In Utero».. Regarding his relationship with Kurt Cobain he said: «I never tried to become his friend because I knew everyone around him was trying to sneak into his world like a parasite. I wanted him to know that he didn’t have to worry about this with me. I never pressured him to have a confidential relationship with him. But I saw him while he was working and I could see that he was extremely serious about his music, his passion was authentic.” There was also a curious episode in his career for which he was also criticized: the decision to dedicate a 45 rpm single with a sarcastic streak called «Il Duce» to Benito Mussolini.
