Steve Albini Remembered: Pixies, Cloud Nothings, and More React to Death of Legendary Rock Figure
“Ugh man, a heartbreaking loss of a legend. Love to his family and innumerable colleagues,” the actor and indie music fan Ejiah Wood shared. “Farewell, Steve Albini.”
The Polyvinyl X account shared, “An unfathomable loss, impossible to fully trace the profound impact he made on all of us, on the sound of music itself.”
Primavera Sound, where Albini and his bands performed regularly, posted, “We have lost a legend, a friend, a member of our family. What are we going to do without you, Steve?” The festival’s account added, “After having welcomed them at 15 editions of the festival, it is impossible for us to imagine a Primavera Sound without him, because no band explains us better than Shellac.”
“RIP to the legend Steve Albini,” the band Health wrote. “Hero to all of us.”
Robin Hatch, who’s toured with Porno for Pyros, Fucked Up, and more, posted: “Steve Albini greatest producer of alternative rock.. the original edgelord. Poker star par excelence & fan of various local vernaculars. Rip king.”
Fucked Up added, “you hated our band and made fun of us while we were recording at your studio but you stood for something honest and fair in music and tried to make it a better place in everything you did and there will never be another one like you.”
Experimental guitarist Bill MacKay wrote, “I so much enjoyed his trail-blazing bands & talent, and recording songs at his great studio. I admired his fierce fight for justice and fairness, and had one unforgettable & hilarious Ramen dinner together. He’ll never be forgotten.”
Nick Zanca, the Queens-based producer, composer, and writer known for his work as Mister Lies, also shared kind words for Albini. “his prolificacy, his musical fluidity, his prioritization of equity and staunch opposition to industry status quo are aspirational,” he wrote on X. “us producers should all aspire to the standard he set. time to lift weights to Big Black.”
“Love this man’s recording and all of his bands,” the Ataris posted of Albini. “Sonically his drum sound was one of a kind.” The band also said, “Thank you for your undeniable mark on music and recording.”
And Liturgy shared simply, “Extremely saddened to hear of Steve Albini’s death 💔.”
Tad Doyle, an early Albini collaborator with his band Tad, also kept his tribute brief: “RIP Steve Albini.”
Pixies said the same, “RIP Steve Albini.”
