Big Black

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Big Black; Artist Biography
Topic Started: Feb 1 2009, 07:34 PM (205 Views)
Ryth	Feb 1 2009, 07:34 PM Post #1
Every man is first and principally recommended to his own care Posts: 2,726 Group: Members Member #706 Joined: June 9, 2008 Gender: Male Name: Brennan Location: Maryland Last.fm: The_Sound	Former Members: Steve Albini (vocals and guitar, 1982-1987) Dave Riley (bass, 1984-1987) Santiago Durango (guitar, 1983-1987) Jeff Pezzati (bass, 1983-1984) Lyle Preslar (guitar, 1983) Roland TR-606 (drum machine, 1982-1987) Big Black (1982-1987) was a highly influential and equally abrasive noise rock band (then called "pigfuck" by critics like Robert Christgau) who also laid down the groundwork for other new genres that reached fruition later in the nineties. They most heavily influenced industrial rock, primarily due to Albini's shocking lyrics, caustic and angular guitars, and the face-pummeling drum machine provided by Albini's dear Roland TR-606 (which was credited on Big Black albums simply as "Roland"). Big Black was an underground collective of shock rockers who reveled in their own ferocious, reckless nihilism; creating intense, distorted tales of arson, racism, violence, bitterness, and sexual ecstasy (regardless of consent). When Big Black was put together in 1982 as a one-man band (two if you count Roland), Steve Albini had already made a name for himself with the controversial column "Tired of Ugly Fat?" in the local zine Matter and was also an inconsistent contributor to Forced Exposure. In an attempt to attract potential members, the Lungs EP (1982) was born. This debut was recorded on a 4-track recorder he got for a case of beer; it was played almost entirely by Steve and his drum machine, with some "sax beats" handled by his college buddy John Bohnen. The EP is most famous for coming with an assortment of random objects ranging from condoms to silverware. Lungs, however, is one of Steve Albini's only artistic regrets. Mostly because it's terrible, and doesn't indicate the greatness the band would later achieve. Regardless of the low quality of their debut, Big Black attracted members. This includes Lyle Preslar of Minor Threat, but he didn't stick around. The first two real additions to the crew was Jeff Pezzati and Santiago Durango (both of the band Naked Raygun) in 1983. Signing to Homestead Records, they recorded two more EPs by the names of Bulldozer (1983) and Racer X (1984), which were much more well-received than Lungs and showed the band finding their aggressive sound. These first three releases were later compiled on the record "The Hammer Party" in 1986. Afterwards, Pezzati left the band and Dave Riley took his place on bass (and would stay with the band until they broke up in 1987). Big Black only continued to get nastier and sicker with their first full-length Atomizer (1986), an unrelenting assault with it's razor sharp guitar and coiling bass while reliable ol' "Roland" continues to drill into your spinal cord. Atomizer was a harsh collection of twisted sarcasm and blunt social commentary. This is something most listeners didn't realize and simply thought the band was racist and sexist, so Albini simply responded by making his lyrics more offensive on their following work. In 1987, the band switched the Indie label Touch and Go Records and released their Headache EP (1987). The band didn't think much of this release, and warned their fans with a sticker on the cover saying, "Not as good as Atomizer, so don't get your hopes up, cheese!" Soon after, the band decided it was about time to call it quits. Durango in particular had plans to go to law school. The band recorded their last album in 1987, broke up, and released Songs About Fucking the same year. This album, unlike Headache, was seen as good Atomizer and is the Big Black album Albini is most pleased with, it had covers of Kraftwerk's "The Model" and Cheap Trick's "He's A Whore" and featured the typical lyricism that shocks and stuns as courtesy of Steve Albini's pen of bile ink, whether it is about South American killing techniques or how "slowly, without trying, everyone becomes what he despises most." Afterwards, Durango (now a lawyer) and Riley have released their own work but it is Steve Albini who truly keeps busy. While playing in his own groups, Rapeman and Shellac, he mostly works as a producer for bands including the Pixies, PJ Harvey, The Jesus Lizard, Slint, Nirvana, Joanna Newsom, and various others. Big Black had also seen a large amount of posthumous success after they disbanded, they even pulled a one-time reunion at Touch and Go Record's 25th anniversary in 2006. The line-up consisted of Steve Albini, Santiago Durango, and Jeff Pezzati.. No one is really sure what happened to "Roland." Though Big Black has come and gone, their signature orgy of guitar grind has continued to thrive in underground music. They are widely considered by fans and critics as one of the most brutally honest, sinisterly cynical, and shamelessly vile groups of their time, and perhaps even of all time. The band has been chronicled in the well-received book "Our Band Could Be Your Life" that follows underground culture and Q Magazine has recognized Songs About Fucking as the fifth loudest album of all time. There is no doubt that even though the band has parted ways, Big Black continues to loom over popular culture with a self-righteous sneer and an ever-ready middle finger. Sources: Wikipedia All Music Guide Rolling Stone
	Upcoming Reviews: Nigga Please by Ol' Dirty Bastard Conglomerate International by Frodus The Fucking Cunts Treat Us Like Pricks by Flux of Pink Indians Ascension by John Coltrane Rain Dogs by Tom Waits The Dance of the Moon and the Sun by Natural Snow Buildings Escape From Noise by Negativland


Morgan	Apr 11 2009, 10:13 AM Post #2
Dinkin' flicka. Posts: 1,950 Group: Staff Member #2 Joined: June 28, 2006 Gender: Male Name: Morgan Location: Sarasota, FL Last.fm: rockon1824	Congratulations, your article has been accepted! It will be added to the website within the next few days and 5 MT Points will be added to your account. Thank you for contributing to Music-Talk!
	Страшный суд скоро, все как свечи гореть будем.


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