{"title":"Big Black","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Big Black\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBig Black formed in Evanston, Illinois in 1981 around Steve Albini, then a journalism student at Northwestern University. The classic lineup featured Albini on vocals and guitar, Santiago Durango on guitar, and Dave Riley on bass, with a Roland TR-606 drum machine credited as Roland providing percussion (early releases used different drum machines). The band intentionally dissolved in 1987 after the release of Songs About Fucking. Albini went on to play in Rapeman and Shellac, and built a parallel career as one of the most important rock recording engineers of the late 20th century. Albini died in May 2024.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBig Black's sound combined noise rock, post-hardcore, and industrial influences with the band's signature drum machine, heavily processed guitar tones, and Albini's caustic vocal delivery and provocatively confrontational lyrical content. Their recordings were notable for their distinctive metallic, treble-emphasizing sonic palette, an aesthetic Albini would continue developing through his engineering career.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLungs EP (1982, Ruthless)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBulldozer EP (1983, Ruthless\/Fever)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRacer-X EP (1984, Homestead)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAtomizer (1986, Homestead)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHeadache EP (1987, Touch and Go)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSongs About Fucking (1987, Touch and Go)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Homestead and Touch and Go pressings of the Big Black catalog are among the most sought-after items in 1980s American underground rock collecting. Multiple reissue campaigns have been released by Touch and Go, including remastered editions of both studio albums.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Big Black typically start with Atomizer (1986) or Songs About Fucking (1987). \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/industrial-noise-vinyl-records\"\u003eIndustrial\/Noise\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/punk-new-wave-vinyl-records\"\u003ePunk \u0026amp; New Wave\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"big-black-headache-vinyl-remastered","title":"Headache LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eWarning! Not as good as Atomizer, so don't get your hopes up, cheese!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540744679607,"sku":"210000025044","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1090578.jpg?v=1781154101"},{"product_id":"big-black-atomizer-vinyl","title":"Atomizer LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter countless rock and neo-industrial outfits attempted to one-up each other's levels of extremity over the years, Atomizer holds up extremely well.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540814803127,"sku":"210000025055","price":25.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/61m2phddvwl-sl1200.jpg?v=1781154359"},{"product_id":"big-black-songs-about-fucking-vinyl","title":"Songs About Fucking LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eBig Black led the alternative music revolution of \"Industrial\" from Chicago in the 1980s. The band's 1987 \"Songs About F*cking\" hits hard with gritty rock 'n' roll.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540814835895,"sku":"210000052943","price":25.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/626348.jpg?v=1781154360"},{"product_id":"big-black-he-s-a-whore-vinyl","title":"He's a Whore 7\"","description":"\u003cp\u003eGet ready to dive into the raw energy of Big Black with the \"He's a Whore\" 7\" single. This explosive punk offering features the iconic title track alongside a striking rendition of \"The Model,\" showcasing the band's unique edge. Released by Touch and Go Records, this reissue is essential for both collectors and new fans alike, preserving the gritty essence of the late '80s punk scene.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785736564919,"sku":"210000059992","price":9.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1700302.jpg?v=1783045767"},{"product_id":"big-black-racer-x-vinyl","title":"Racer-X LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eRemastered by Steve Albini and Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering. Big Black was started by Steve Albini in 1982 while he was living in Evanston, Illinois, and attending Northwestern University. After recruiting Jeff Pezzati (Naked Raygun) to help out on bass and Santiago Durango (Naked Raygun)on guitar, together with live drummer Pat Byrne, they recorded the Bulldozer EP in 1983. By 1984, the band did some touring and signed a deal with Homestead Records. They recorded one more time with Pezzati on bass, which resulted in their Homestead debut the Racer-X EP.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860465234103,"sku":"210000046468","price":19.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/91e0yxfrijl-sx425.jpg?v=1783653904"},{"product_id":"big-black-pig-pile-vinyl","title":"Pig Pile LP","description":"\u003cp\u003ePigpile is a live album by the American musical group Big Black. It is a recording from July 24, 1987 during the post-hardcore band's final European tour, released in 1992.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48860465463479,"sku":"210000025050","price":20.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/pig.jpg?v=1783653903"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/big-black.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}