Steve Albini Remembered: Pixies, Cloud Nothings, and More React to Death of Legendary Rock Figure

Figures in the music world and beyond are reacting to the death of Steve Albini. Michael Azerrad, the author of the 1993 biography Come as You Are: The Story of Nirvana, wrote on X of the In Utero producer and engineer, “He had a brilliant mind, was a great artist and underwent the most remarkable and inspiring personal transformation.”

Albini produced Cloud Nothings’ beloved 2012 album, Attack on Memory, and the Cleveland rock band’s Dylan Baldi paid tribute to the musician on X. “steve touched countless lives and changed mine and many others for the better,” he wrote. “a genuine, singular, principled person. spent the last 40 years helping people make art. there’s no reason for him to be gone and the world is less interesting without him. just a really sad day.”

“grateful to have seen steve albini play, to have my taste in music shaped by the incredible records he performed & engineered, & for his thoughts on recording and its business, which changed my worldview,” Speedy Ortiz and Sad13’s Sadie Dupuis shared on X. “getting to meet him & check out electrical was a top 10 moment for me. RIP.”

Lee Spielman worked with Albini on the self-titled debut from his hardcore band, Trash Talk. “RIP Steve Albini,” Spielman posted on X. “The Trash Talk S/T LP was a very raw time for us as a band. You welcomed us in with open arms for that session. I’ll never forget that week. 👑ðŸ”Å .”

Drew Daniel, of the Soft Pink Truth and Matmos, posted: “I’m saddened to learn of the death of Steve Albini. Like so many, I loved his firebreathing Big Black records as a teenager. I met him briefly at Jason Noble’s memorial service and found him to be a kind and thoughtful person. My thoughts go out to his friends and family.”

Starchild & the New Romantic’s Bryndon Cook also posted a memory of Albini on X: “i once snuck into First Avenue to borrow a keyboard stand, only to stumble on a Shellac soundcheck. Watched Albini, Bob Weston & Todd Trainer rip it. Last year we got to do a bunch of Primavera Fest shows w them & spend some time. Sending love and prayers to Albini Fam & Friends.”

Jon Wurster, the comedian and longtime Superchunk and Mountain Goats drummer, also posted a good Albini story: “Steve was such a good, caring, and funny guy. I will always treasure the night in ‘99 when he took me to Second City to see a show. I walked into the Electrical kitchen at the agreed upon departure time and he looked at my head, smiled and said, ‘Your hair is peak Mellencamp.’ ❤️.”