A chat between Steve Albini and Anthony Bourdain about politics and career went viral after the former’s passing this week. Alex Skolnick recently reacted to a clip from the interview and shared his thoughts about the late artist. He wrote on X:
“Re: Albini – I didn’t share his taste but appreciated his ethics & ethos. Sure, his opinions could be maddening, i.e., ‘Steely Dan = an SNL warmup band,’ ‘Rush spent their entire career trying to do what Yes perfectly did in 8 minutes,’ & whatever it was he said about Tool.”
The guitarist went on in a following tweet:
“However, I prefer honesty over pandering and BS, of which he had NONE. And ironically, his ability to capture noisy bands in the studio so well required a meticulousness that seems more in line with prog than punk. Both gone now, RIP SA & AB.”
The Late Musician’s Rush Comments
A user asked Skolnick to clarify where Albini made his comments about Rush and Yes. The guitarist replied with a link to his 2016 appearance on Marc Maron’s ‘WTF’ podcast.
The late artist commented on Yes’ ‘Roundabout’ song during that chat by saying:
“[It’s] essentially the entire career of the band Rush condensed and executed to perfection.”
Albini’s Passing And Letter
Steve Albini passed away due to a heart-attack at his Electrical Audio studio in Chicago at the age of 61. Nirvana revealed a letter from Albini on X following the news.
The ‘In Utero’ producer detailed his approach to work in his letter:
“I consider the band the most important thing, as the creative entity that spawned both the band’s personality and style and as the social entity that exists 24 hours out of each day. I do not consider it my place to tell you what to do or how to play. I’m quite willing to let my opinions be heard (if I think the band is making beautiful progress or a heavy mistake, I consider it part of my job to tell them) but if the band decides to pursue something, I’ll see that it gets done.”
The late artist also noted that he preferred to be paid a flat fee for his contributions because he thought it was unfair for producers or engineers to get royalties from the bands’ music.
2) . I prefer honesty over pandering and BS, of which he had NONE. And ironically, his ability to capture noisy bands in the studio so well required a meticulouslness that seems more in line with prog than punk. Both gone now, RIP SA & AB
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) May 10, 2024
It was on @marcmaron’s pod
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) May 10, 2024