interview: Steve Albini of Shellac
Shellac is Steve Albini, Todd Trainer and Bob Weston IV….
Tune into WMSE as DJ Von Munz talks to Albini in advance of a rare Milwaukee appearance by these legendary “noise rock minimalists” on March 12th at Turner Hall Ballroom. WMSE.org to stream live, world-wide or tune to 91.7 FM on your radio dial in the Milwaukee area!
A self-described “minimalist rock trio,” Shellac are a band who’ve succeeded despite their severe disinterest in the standard operating procedures of the music business, even by the relaxed standards of indie rock. Shellac (or as they sometimes bill themselves, Shellac of North America) don’t tour very often, they release recordings even less frequently, do little, if anything, to promote their albums, their live appearances have more to do with places they’d like to visit than what constitutes a good market and they have no interest in making their work user friendly.
Despite this, Shellac have won a loyal international following for their jagged but rich blend of fractured, metallic-sounding guitar (literally – guitarist Steve Albini favors aluminum-neck guitars and copper picks), deep throbbing bass and drumming that serves both as rhythmic foundation and melodic punctuation).