Steve Albini was an American musician, audio engineer, and music journalist, whose many recording projects have exerted an important influence on independent music since the 1980s. Most of his projects from 1997 onwards were recorded at the Electrical Audio studios in Chicago. Albini is occasionally credited as a record producer, though he disliked the term to describe his work, preferring the term "recording engineer" when credited, and refused to take royalties from bands recording in his studio, as he felt it would be unethical to do so.
As a musician, Albini fronted the bands Big Black, Rapeman, and Shellac on guitar and vocals. He also played on other projects from time to time, notably as a bass guitarist in the touring incarnation of Pete Conway's solo project Flour whose records he also engineered.
The list is in chronological order by date of release, but is incomplete.
As a musician Just Ducky, 1979–1980 (Missoula) +YearReleaseLabelNote1987Don't Worry Bowta Theng MisterCheese Cannon RecordsVarious Artists compilation, "To and Fro"2022Without Warning: Early Montana Punk, Postpunk, New Wave & Hardcore 1979-1991Lost Sounds MontanaVarious Artists compilation, "New Metro Stomp" and "Dog Food", recorded live at the Star Garage, Missoula, Montana, April 1980
Big Black, 1982–87 +YearReleaseLabelFormatNotes1982LungsRuthless12"Reissued by Touch and Go in 1992 and 20121983BulldozerRuthless12"Reissued by Touch and Go in 1993 and 20121985Racer-XHomestead12", cassetteReissued by Touch and Go in 1992 and 20131985"Rema Rema"Forced Exposure7"1985The Hammer PartyHomesteadLP, cassette, CDReissued by Touch and Go in 19921985"Il Duce" / "Big Money"Homestead7"Reissued by Touch and Go in 19921986AtomizerHomesteadLP, cassetteReissued by Touch and Go in 20151987Sound of ImpactBlast FirstLP1987HeadacheTouch and Go12", cassetteReissued in 20181987"Heartbeat"Touch and Go7"1987"He's a Whore" / "The Model"Touch and Go7"1987Songs About FuckingTouch and GoLP, cassette, CDReissued in 2004 and 20181988The Rich Man's Eight Track TapeHomesteadCDReissued by Touch and Go in 20151992PigpileTouch and GoVHS, CDRecorded live in 1987
Rapeman, 1987–89 +YearReleaseLabelFormatNote1988"Hated Chinee" / "Marmoset"Touch and Go7"1988BuddTouch and Go12", cassetteLive (first three tracks), reissued in 20071988Two Nuns and a Pack MuleTouch and GoLP, cassette, CD1989"Inki's Butt Crack" / "Song Number One"Sub Pop7"Singles Club release
Shellac, 1992–2024 + Year ReleaseLabelFormatNote 1993 The Rude Gesture: A Pictorial HistoryTouch and Go7"1993UranusTouch and Go7"1994The Bird Is the Most Popular FingerDrag City7"1994At Action ParkTouch and GoLP, cassette, CD1994Live at TokyoNUX OrganizationCDJapan-exclusive live album1995"Billiardspielerlied" / "Mantel"Überschall7"1997Split with MuleTouch and Go7"1997The Futuristn/aLPPrivate release, given out to friends and family1998TerraformTouch and GoLP, CD20001000 HurtsTouch and GoLP, CD2001Split with CaesarBarbaraal7"2002All Tomorrow's Parties 2.0: Shellac CuratedATP RecordingsCDCompilation curated by Shellac2007Excellent Italian GreyhoundTouch and GoLP, CD2014Dude IncredibleTouch and GoLP, CD2019The End of RadioTouch and GoLP, CDIncludes recordings of their Peel Sessions in 1994 and 20042024To All TrainsTouch and GoLP, CD
Other Pray I Don't Kill You Faggot by Run Nigger Run (Steve Albini and Nash Kato of Urge Overkill) on Tellus, The Audio Cassette Magazine #10 - All Guitars! (compilation album, 1985) Nutty About Lemurs by Steve Albini (solo) on Guitarrorists (compilation album, 1991) Music from Girl on the Third Floor (with Alison Chesley and Tim Midyett) on Touch and Go (soundtrack album, 2020)
Credits on other artists' releases 1980s
1984 ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditVarious ArtistsThe Middle of AmericaLPH.I.D. Productionsvocals, guitar, writer (tracks 13 and 14)
1985 +ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditBreaking CircusThe Very Long FuseLPHomesteadArtwork
1986 +ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditsUrge OverkillStrange, I...LPRuthlessProducer, credited as The Li'l WeedDark ArtsA Long Way From BrigadoonLPRuthlessArtworkNaked RaygunAll RiseLP, CDHomesteadArtworkVarious ArtistsGod's Favorite DogLP, cassetteTouch and GoPerformer (tracks 6 and 7)
1987 ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditsVarious ArtistsHog Butcher For The WorldLPMad Queenguitar (track 7)Various ArtistsHappiness Is Dry PantsLPChemical Inbalancevocals, guitar (track 2)Various ArtistsHead Over Ears (A Debris Compilation)LPPlay Hardwriter (track 6)Various ArtistsThe Wailing Ultimate! The Homestead Records CompilationLP, CD, cassetteHomesteadguitar, vocals (track 6)
1988 ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditPixiesSurfer RosaLP, CD, cassette4ADProducer, engineerHead of DavidDustbowlLP, CDBlast FirstProducer, credited as Steven AlbiniSavage PencilAngel Dust (Music for Movie Bikers)LPBlast FirstLiner notesGoreWrede- The Cruel PeaceLP, CDMegadiscProducerVarious ArtistsThe End of Music (As We Know It)LP, CD, cassetteROIR/DanceteriaLiner notesPussy Galore/Black SnakesSplit7"Supernatural OrganizationProducerBitch MagnetStar BootyLPRoman CandleProducerFlourFlourLPTouch and GoEngineerThe MembranesKiss Ass... Godhead!LP, CD, cassetteHomesteadRecording engineerVarious ArtistsMondostereoLPTinnitus/Away From The PulsebeatEngineer, producer (track 13)
1989 ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditTarHandsomeLPAmphetamine ReptileEngineer (tracks 2, 3, 5, and 6)WreckWreckEPPlay It Again SamProducerThe Jesus LizardPureEPTouch and GoProducerTad"Wood Goblins" b/w "Cooking with Gas" plus "Daisy"12" singleGlitterhouseRecording engineer (tracks 1 and 2)The Wedding PresentBizarroLP, CD, cassetteRCAEngineer, re-recording of one song for single releaseUtGrillerLP, CDBlast FirstEngineerPoster ChildrenFlower PlowerLP, CD, cassetteLimited PotentialProducer, four songsSixteen Tons4 Songs 16 Tons7"No BlowEngineer, credited as S. AlbiniBoss HogDrinkin', Lechin' & Lyin'EPAmphetamine ReptileRecording engineerPussy GaloreDial 'M' for MotherfuckerLP, CDCaroline RecordsProducerFlea CircusSlingshotCassetten/aProducer, recording engineerSlintTweezLP, CD, cassetteJennifer Hartman RecordsEngineer, credited as "some fuckin' derd niffer"Band of SusansLove AgendaCDTorsoRecording engineer (uncredited)
1990s
1990 +ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditThe BreedersPodLP, CD, cassetteRCAEngineerBoss HogCold HandsLP, CD, cassetteAmphetamine ReptileRecording engineer, mixerFlourLuv 713LP, CD, cassetteTouch and GoEngineerSixteen TonsHeadshotLP, CDAbstract SoundsProducerThe Jesus LizardHeadLP, cassetteTouch and GoEngineer, producerTadSalt Lick/God's BallsLP, CDSub PopProducerWhitehouseThank Your Lucky StarsLP, CDSusan LawlyProducer, credited as S. AlbiniWhitehouseCream of the Second ComingLP, CDSusan LawlyProducer, credited as S. AlbiniWreckSoul TrainLP, CD, cassettePlay It Again SamProducerPigfaceGubLP, CD, cassetteInvisibleEngineerHumIs Like Kissing An Angel (She Said)Cassetten/aRecording engineerVarious ArtistsRubáiyát (Elektra's 40th Anniversary)LP, CDElektraEngineerTarRoundhouseCDAmphetamine ReptileEngineerMass"Pulling/Thinking"7"No BlowRemixerSludgeworth"Sludgeworth"7"RoadkillProducerTheweddingpresent3 SongsLP, 7", CD, cassetteRCAEngineerBig Trouble House"Watered Down"7"Community 3EngineerMasters of the Obvious"She's Not Ready"7"Feel Good All OverProducerPoster Children"Thinner, Stronger" b/w "Pointed Stick"7"Sub PopProducerBitch MagnetBen HurLP, CD, cassetteGlitterhouseRecording engineer, credited as Arden GeistTheweddingpresentBrassneckLP, CD, cassetteRCAEngineer
1991 +ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditCath CarrollEngland Made MeLP, CD, cassetteFantasyEngineer, guitarWhitehouseAnother Crack of the White WhipCDSusan LawlyWriterWhitehouse"Still Going Strong"7"Susan LawlyWriterChris ConnellyWhiplash BoychildCD, cassetteWax Trax!Assistant engineer, guitarThe Jesus LizardGoatLP, CD, cassetteTouch and GoProducerPoster ChildrenDaisychain ReactionLP, CD, cassetteTwin/ToneEngineerWreckHouse of BorisLP, CD, cassetteWax Trax!ProducerTheweddingpresent"Dalliance"7", CD, cassetteRCAEngineerTheweddingpresent"Lovenest"LP, CDRCAEngineerCheer-AccidentDumb AskCD, cassetteComplacencyEngineerScrawlBloodsuckerLP, CD, cassetteSimple MachinesRecording engineerCheeze TMDancing with the Dead7"Bob RecordsEngineerBewitchedHarshing My MellowCD, cassetteNo. 6Recording engineerSandy Duncan's EyeSandy Duncan's EyeCDFlipsideRecording engineerZeni GevaTotal CastrationCDPublic BathEngineerSometime Sweet SusanCollideLP5th & NationalProducer, engineerNaked VanillaWooly MetalCassetten/aEngineerDolomiteVenus7"FiascoRecording engineer, credited as SteveThe DidjitsFull Nelson ReillyLP, CD, cassetteTouch and GoCredited as Reggie StiggsThe Wedding PresentSeamonstersLP, CDRCAEngineerThe Mark of CainIncomingCDDominatorEngineerSuperchunkNo Pocky for KittyLP, CD, cassetteMatadorUncreditedTarJacksonLP, CD, cassetteAmphetamine ReptileRecording engineerVolcano SunsCareer in RockLP, CD, cassetteQuarterstickRecording engineer, credited as Torso ManUrge OverkillThe Supersonic StorybookLP, CD, cassetteTouch and GoUncredited
1992 +ArtistReleaseFormatLabelCreditThings That Fall DownDisbeliefLP, CD, cassetteSonic NoiseEngineerVarious ArtistsFollow Our Trax, Vol. 8: Another Disc, Another PlanetCDRepriseBewitchedHarshing My MellowCD, cassetteNo.6Recording engineerJon Spencer Blues ExplosionThe Jon Spencer Blues ExplosionLP, CD, cassetteCarolineRecording engineerThe Jesus LizardLiarLP, CD, cassetteTouch and GoUncreditedHelmetMeantimeLP, CD, cassetteInterscopeRecording engineer ("In The Meantime")MuleMuleLP, CD, cassetteQuarterstickcredited as "Lenard Johns"ThrillhammerGiftlessLP, CDRough TradeRecording engineer, credited as "Albini-San"FailureComfortLP, CD, cassetteSlashEngineerBraindamageSignal de RevoltaCDG.L.C.MixerZeni GevaNai-HaLP, CDNipp GuitarProducer, engineer, guitarMurder, Inc.Murder, Inc.LP, CD, cassetteInvisibleRecording engineerCrainSpeedLP, cassetteAutomatic WreckordsRecording engineerUnion Carbide ProductionsSwingCD, cassetteRadium 226.05Producer, Recording engineerWhitehouseTwice Is Not EnoughCDSusan Lawly Producer, engineer ("Neronia")Dazzling KillmenDig Out The SwitchLP, CDIntellectual ConvulsionRecording engineerDistorted PonyPunishment RoomLP, CDBomp!Producer, Recording engineer, credited as "bespectacled wisp of a fellow from the midwest"FugaziIn on the Kill TakerDigital DownloadDischordRecording engineer, unofficial recording only, band re-recorded the album for the official release. Digital download became available in March 2026 as a fundraiser for "Letters Charity"Peter SotosBuyer's MarketCDAWBProducer
1993