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Shortcut Code: [a55961]
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Big Black

Profile:
Famous American noise-rock act which was active in the 80s and included future superstar producer and critic Steve Albini. They generated a lot of controversy due to their lyrics and overall image (limited edition of "Headache" 12" included gruesome photo of gunshot wound victim). They were also known for acting independently of major labels, not having a lawyer and overall attitude which separated them from typical rock stars. Big Black split up in the late 80s with members moving on to a number of different projects including Arsenal (2) and Shellac
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Discography

Releases:
Lungs (EP) (2 versions)   Ruthless Records (2) ... 1982
Bulldozer (EP) (2 versions)   Ruthless Records (2) ... 1983
Il Duce (Single) (2 versions)   Homestead Records ... 1985
Racer-X (EP) (3 versions)   Homestead Records ... 1985
Rema-Rema (7", Single, S/Sided)   Forced Exposure 1985
The Hammer Party (Comp) (8 versions)   Boudisque ... 1985
Atomizer (Album) (6 versions)   Homestead Records ... 1986
Live (VHS)   Atavistic 1986
Sound Of Impact (LP, Ltd)   Blast First 1986
He's A Whore / The Model (Single) (2 versions)   Touch And Go ... 1987
Headache (EP, Comp) (3 versions)   Touch And Go ... 1987
Headache / Heartbeat (2 versions)   Blast First ... 1987
Heartbeat (2 versions)   Touch And Go ... 1987
Songs About Fucking (Album) (10 versions)   Touch And Go ... 1987
Talk About "Fucking" (12")   Blast First 1987
The Rich Man's Eight Track Tape (Comp) (3 versions)   Homestead Records ... 1987
Boxes (Box + LP + 5" + VHS)   Touch And Go 1992
It's Toasted (CD, Promo, Smplr)   Touch And Go 1992
Pigpile (Album) (5 versions)   Touch And Go ... 1992
In My House (5", Ltd, Cle)   Touch And Go  
Kerosene (12", Maxi, TP, W/Lbl)   Southern Records  
Appears On:
Housebastards (CD, Album) Kerosene Dynamica 1994
From Hand To Mouth (CD, Album)   Free Land Records 1997
That's The Way Cookie Crumbles (CD, Comp) Kerosene Kerosene 1997
Un-United Kingdom (EP) (4 versions) Kerosene MCA Records ... 1999
The Countdown EP (CDr, EP) Bad Penny Not On Label 2003
Scratch & Sniff (CD, EP) Bad Penny Invisible 2004
Gone Sinkin' (CDr, Album, Ltd) Heartbeat MEKA 2009
Tracks Appear On:
Bang Zoom Issue #3 (Cass, Comp) Jump The Climb, I Can ... Bang Zoom 1983
Code Blue (Cass, Comp) Texas (Live, 11/83) Last Rites 1984
Loud 'N' Fast Radio Presents: The Middle Of America (LP, Comp) Big Payback, Hunter's ... H.I.D. Productions 1984
Gods Favorite Dog (Comp) (2 versions) Every Man For Himself,... Touch And Go 1986
Head Over Ears - A Debris Compilation (LP, Comp) Dead Billy (Live) Play Hard Records 1987
Hog Butcher For The World (LP, Album) Big Money (Live) Mad Queen Records 1987
The Wailing Ultimate - The Homestead Records Compilation (Comp) (2 versions) Il Duce Homestead Records 1987
Happiness Is Dry Pants (7") Burning Indian Wife Chemical Imbalance (2) 1988
Devil's Jukebox (10x7" + Box, Comp, Ltd) Kerosene, He's A Whore Blast First 1989
Nothing Short Of Total War (Part One) (Comp) (3 versions) Kerosene, He's A Whore Blast First ... 1989
Unofficial Releases:
Sound Of Impact (LP, RP)   Blast First 1986
Thanksgiving (7", EP)   Big Q Records 1987
Rema-Rema (7", Gre)   Not On Label 1991
Death Wish (CD)   Big Music 1993
Rvng Prsnts Mx6 & Mx6TEN (Comp) (3 versions) Bombastic Intro, Jorda... Rvng Intl. 2008
Live (7", Ltd)   Not On Label  
Peel Session (7")   King Dick Records  
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YouTube Videos

Big Black - il Duce
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Reviews & Discussion

Review by Putyrhandsup Oct 20, 2005 (edited over 4 years ago)
Ah Big Black, how I love thee so. Not that Big Black themselves would approve of such mushy, pathetic sentiments as 'Love'. A true bastard band of hideous epic filth, revelling in the degradation of the world around them while burning it all down. Big Black was the sound of my youth and I was a very unhappy child. Also, they had the best artwork ever for a brutal noise rock explosion. The sound of your lungs collapsing while the busdriver rapes your kids. And I'm not saying that for shock value, that's what the songs are about. Classics everyone. Also, try playing 'Jordan, Minnesota' or 'Kerosene' in your techno set and see what happens (usually everyone leaves, but they're wrong so do it anyway). Just don't use 'Songs About Fucking' as sex muzak, though should you find someone it gets off, you're totally in luck.