LP + 24" x 36" Poster. Includes MP3 Album Download. BIG BLACK was started by Steve Albini in 1982 while he was living in Evanston, Illinois, and attending Northwestern University.

"Lungs", the first Big Black release, was recorded by Steve in 1982 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) to help him out on bass. Santiago Durango (NAKED RAYGUN) joined them on guitar.

In 1983, together with live drummer Pat Byrne, they recorded the "Bulldozer" EP. It was initially released in a limited edition galvanized metal album jacket on Fever Records.

By 1984, the band had done some touring and signed a deal with Homestead Records, releasing the "Racer X" EP, the "Il Duce" 7", and their first full-length Atomizer as well as "The Hammer Party" CD.

Shortly after those releases, freed from their Homestead deal, BIG BLACK came to Touch and Go.

In 1992, Touch and Go rereleased the "Bulldozer" EP. By 1987, BIG BLACK released two additional 7"s, "The Headache" EP, as well as their second full-length "Songs About Fucking".

They toured extensively (for BIG BLACK). And they broke up. To quote the album insert in "Songs About Fucking": "Hey, breaking up is an idea that has occurred to far too few groups.

Sometimes to the wrong ones." When they broke up, Santiago Durango decided to go to law school and is now a lawyer.

While in law school, he released two EP's on Touch and Go Records as ARSENAL. Steve Albini went on to form RAPEMAN and then SHELLAC.

He also owns and operates Electrical Audio recording studio in Chicago. THE PLAYERS: Pat Byrne - drums Jeff Pezzati - bass, stairwell snare Santiago Durango - smash guitar Steve Albini - klang guitar, vocals Roland - roland