Steve Albini: Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

Big Black (1981-1987) were one of the most influential bands of the Eighties. Industrial music, 'skronk' rock, New York noisecore, British indiepop, Nirvana, Ministry, Suede, Bum Gravy... you name it, Big Black influenced it.

Simon Reynolds talks to their leader Steve Albini about idealism, the problems of success, de Sade, 'self-immolatory catharsis', copyists, Big Black's explosive break-up, his latter-day project, Rapeman, the lasting effects of Nirvana's popularity, and his new role as a producer with bands like The Wedding Present and Pixies.