STEVE ALBINI: ON TAPE
I arrived two weeks early, it seems. 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of Steve Albini’s studio Electrical Audio, and when I caught a cab up the i90 from Downtown Chicago to spend time with Albini, the date was all set for a celebration with a bunch of bands at the Hideout… two weeks from the day.
No matter, I’m there for the Fluffies and the banter. I’d have to settle for the latter, as Albini’s fellow engineer, Greg Norman, was fresh out of civet-pooped coffee. Instead I sipped on some water and listened to he and Albini argue about the price of college in the ’80s.
“Northwestern, where you went, is about 30 grand a year,” said Norman.
“When I was there it was almost 40 grand a year,” replied Albini. “So it’s got to be more now.”
“In what, 1980? No way, I’ll bet you a hundred dollars it wasn’t.”
“Okay. I’m the one who had to pay the loans.”
“’80-’84? $100.”
“Dig it up.”
10 minutes later… after Albini has walked me through a bleak picture of federally guaranteed loans, barber colleges that cost as much as going to Princeton, students saddled with insurmountable debt, and the impetus for Donald starting Trump University, Norman chips back in: “In 2011-12 it was $41k!”
“Sounds about the same, I’m probably thinking of the total costs…”
“Moving those goal posts way back.”
FROM BUNGALOWS TO CONDOS
It’s classic smoko chatter. Albini even wears a daily uniform of Electrical Audio-branded coveralls, a visual reminder that his focus is
