Guide Note:

Steve Albini is a noted singer-songwriter, music producer, guitarist and writer. He has played with the bands Big Black, Rapeman and Shellac, and owns the recording studio Electrical Audio.

Fast Facts:

1. Born July 22, 1962 in Pasadena, California
2. Attended Northwestern University
3. Learned to play guitar while recovering from a broken leg
4. Prefers analog recording to digital
5. The subject of songs by The Black Watch and Songs:Ohia

Albini started his career as a music writer after graduating from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. In 1982, he formed the rock trio Big Black and released a number of EP's. The group broke up in 1987, and Albini formed the controversially-titled and short-lived Rapeman.

In 1992, Albini formed Shellac with bandmates Bob Weston and Todd Trainer. The band's most recent release is 2007's Excellent Italian Greyhound.

Albini prefers the term "recording engineer" over the more standardized title of "record producer." In another unconventional move, he does not receive royalties for recordings he produces, preferring to receive a set rate for the use of his facilities.

Since starting his company in 1985, Albini has engineered albums for The Pixies, Slint, The Breeders, The Jesus Lizard, Nirvana, Smog, Guided By Voices, Bush, PJ Harvey, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Gogol Bordello and others.

Albini's preference to keep the vocals "low" in his mixes has become a trademark, and was the source of heated debate during the recording sessions for Nirvana's In Utero album.