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Steve Albini Answering Questions

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  • white_teawhite_tea 3,262 Posts
    That's weird.

    "Any questions?"

    I love this one Nina Nastasia album he recorded, of course a bunch of other ones too, but he sites her as one of his favorite singers.
  • GenePontecorvoGenePontecorvo 5,612 Posts
    Can't read this from work, but let me just say, I have been dying to find out Albini's thoughts on playing Suited Gaps in LP during NLHE tourney play. Never thought I'd get the chance to find out.
  • JimBeamJimBeam Seattle. 2,012 Posts
    i posted the link when someone emailed it to me, but this is a good read.
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    Do you think bands that are severely derivative, like most garage rock bands, are inferior to bands like Jesus Lizard who sound totally unique?


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    Yes. In other news, I think Ice is cold, fire is hot and the sun will probably come up tomorrow.
  • white_teawhite_tea 3,262 Posts
    This is an interesting development, Albini on getting Chopped and Screwed:

    What do you think of the chopping and screwing mixes of hip hop music?


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    I have heard the DJ Skrew version of Big Moe's City of Syrup, and that record is extraordinary and f'd up. Almost everything else I've heard like that has been lame and typical, so I think that's the one good one right there.


    Quote:
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    Does this type of remix have any future in rock?


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    Oddly enough, some bands ask for specific Skrew-isms (super-low speed vocal takes, brutal disruptive edits) and they seldom work very well. Similar to when the 808 bass drum sample was all the rage, and usually just sounded stupid and tacked-on.
  • JimBeamJimBeam Seattle. 2,012 Posts


    Quote:
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    Pro tools or logic? explain plz.


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    I don't use computers to make records. I use tape machines, like nature intended. I use computers for correspondence, arguments, poker and porn.
    there's also this gem:

    There is a sort of clinical distance I have to maintain as an engineer that precludes forming an opinion about the music I'm working on. If I'm getting wrapped up in the music like a fan, then I'm not paying proper attention to the technical side, the way the equipment is behaving, etc.

    I've used this analogy before, but I like it, so I'll use it again: While the recording is underway, I'm like a gynecologist, and it would be inappropriate for me to be getting turned-on by the vagina I'm working on at the moment. I need to have a different relationship with the vagina.
  • onetetonetet 1,754 Posts
    Has he ever explained why he made those shitty comments about the Pixies circa Surfer Rosa (something along the lines of "the Pixies were sub-par college rock, and always will be")? I know he's since recanted and thinks their records are great, but I've never heard him explain why he said that shit to begin with.
  • JimBeamJimBeam Seattle. 2,012 Posts
    Steve Albini has a side career of saying entertaining, flippant shit.
  • onetetonetet 1,754 Posts
    Steve Albini has a side career of saying entertaining, flippant shit.

    Yeah... I recently read him say that he regretted those remarks and never meant them. But there's got to be a story behind them, unless it was just some simple Big Black vs. Pixies jealousy as far as critical acclaim goes.
  • SnagglepusSnagglepus 1,756 Posts
    Steve Albini has a side career of saying entertaining, flippant shit.

    Yeah... I recently read him say that he regretted those remarks and never meant them. But there's got to be a story behind them, unless it was just some simple Big Black vs. Pixies jealousy as far as critical acclaim goes.

    It's been a while since I've read about this, but I remember his comments being more about how the members of the Pixies came across in the studio ... unprofessional, not having clear ideas about how they wanted the record to sound, wishy washy, etc etc (ya know .. typical young rock band).
  • dreas_heardrumsdreas_heardrums 686 Posts
    i'm not surprised to see this. i've almost gone to one of his home games...apparently they're pretty big (like 40-50 people sometimes) and definitely some aggressive players with fat bankrolls.

    i'll have to do it sometime, but it's been a minute since i've been to the casino, and my usual home game is purely for socializing entertainment.
  • dreas_heardrumsdreas_heardrums 686 Posts


    Quote:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pro tools or logic? explain plz.


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    I don't use computers to make records. I use tape machines, like nature intended. I use computers for correspondence, arguments, poker and porn.
    there's also this gem:


    There is a sort of clinical distance I have to maintain as an engineer that precludes forming an opinion about the music I'm working on. If I'm getting wrapped up in the music like a fan, then I'm not paying proper attention to the technical side, the way the equipment is behaving, etc.

    I've used this analogy before, but I like it, so I'll use it again: While the recording is underway, I'm like a gynecologist, and it would be inappropriate for me to be getting turned-on by the vagina I'm working on at the moment. I need to have a different relationship with the vagina.

  • mylatencymylatency 10,475 Posts
    This is an interesting development, Albini on getting Chopped and Screwed:

    What do you think of the chopping and screwing mixes of hip hop music?


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    I have heard the DJ Skrew version of Big Moe's City of Syrup, and that record is extraordinary and f'd up. Almost everything else I've heard like that has been lame and typical, so I think that's the one good one right there.


    Quote:
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Does this type of remix have any future in rock?


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Oddly enough, some bands ask for specific Skrew-isms (super-low speed vocal takes, brutal disruptive edits) and they seldom work very well. Similar to when the 808 bass drum sample was all the rage, and usually just sounded stupid and tacked-on.




    ^^^^THAT'S THAT RAEL TALK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • edith headedith head 5,106 Posts


    truly. i've had two dreams with albini in them within the last 3 months (nothing perverted or scary). i think because of looking forward to the first shellac album in 7 years. one dream he wanted to have movie night at my house and i realized my receiver played in mono and i lost the remote to change it back to stereo and i was really embarassed. the other dream was when i walked into a diner in millbrae and he was behind the counter pretending not to be albini. so i tried to bait him by asking how he felt about travis bean guitars.

    btw, the "any questions" thing is a staple at shellac shows. him and bob weston would say that in between songs and the audience would ask stuff like "where's the best place to get a hamburger in chicago". they're pretty fun live despite treading rough tinnitus waters. that's pretty much a given though
  • SPlDEYSPlDEY Vegas 3,375 Posts
    Steve Albini has a side career of saying entertaining, flippant shit.

    His honesty and sarcasm is pretty refreshing.

    - spidey
  • jaymackjaymack 5,199 Posts
    i realized my receiver played in mono and i lost the remote to change it back to stereo and i was really embarassed

    hahhaha!!
    dreams are crazy.
  • DjArcadianDjArcadian 3,632 Posts
    Steve Albini has a side career of saying entertaining, flippant shit.

    His honesty and sarcasm is pretty refreshing.

    - spidey
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