Big Black was started by Steve Albini in 1982 while he was attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Lungs, the first Big Black release was recorded by Steve on a borrowed 4-track. He played everything on the EP himself – except the sax bleating courtesy of pal John Bohnen and the drums courtesy of Roland. Soon after, Steve recruited Jeff Pezzati (Naked Raygun) on bass, and Santiago Durango (also Naked Raygun) joined them on guitar. In 1983, together with live drummer Pat Byrne, they recorded the Bulldozer EP. By 1984, the band had done some touring and recorded the Racer X EP and the start of the Il Duce 7″. After that, Jeff returned to Naked Raygun and was replaced by Dave Riley. In 1985, Big Black recorded their first full-length, Atomizer, as well as finishing the Il Duce 7″. Atomizer was released in 1986 along with the release of the Hammer Party compilation CD. In 1987, the Headache EP and Heartbeat 7″ were released. That same year, the band recorded and released the 7″ of The Model/He’s A Wh0re as well as their second full-length album, Songs About F*cking. They toured extensively (for Big Black). And they broke up.

Tracklist:

Happy Otter
A1 The Power Of Independent Trucking
A2 The Model
A3 Bad Penny
A4 L Dopa
A5 Precious Thing
A6 Colombian Necktie

Sad Otter
B1 Kitty Empire
B2 Ergot
B3 Kasimir S. Pulaski Day
B4 Fish Fry
B5 Pavement Saw
B6 Tiny, King Of The Jews
B7 Bombastic Intro