It was Monday, October 2, 2000, it was a very pleasant day out, but a little too warm for Octoberfest from what I recall. It was also the same day Radiohead’s follow-up to Ok Computer’s “Kid A” was released on an unusual Monday instead of the typical Tuesday release.
I and the Warehouse staff were out on Pearl St. waiting for the band to arrive, and when they did I was a bit taken back because I’ve seen bands with no budgets have way better vans for touring than this van full of renowned musical producers did. Steve Albini and Bob Weston both did Nirvana In Utereo and that was a giant album for me, and later I would discover so many more by them, so I was very excited to be in the presence of Shellac in La Crosse, WI of all places.
Steve Albini was driving and when he got out of the old beat-up touring van, he was wearing a mechanics jumpsuit that was well worn, as if that was his day job. The band seemed a little bewildered by La Crosse and some random hooligans who were way too drunk for 5 pm on Monday were walking by. Explaining Octoberfest to someone unfamiliar with La Crosse can seem as absurd as it truly is, especially when describing it as a prolonged celebration centered around drinking.
Steve Albini had an interesting take on Music, equipment, and recording. He liked natural sounds in big rooms with lots of tubes, and old microphones. When it came time to load the gear in, he had these homemade-looking amp heads with one knob and a VU meter. I’m sure it was packed with electronics and those tubes because I remember those being very heavy.
Once the band was sound-checked Bob and Todd saw I had “Kid A” and they were like how the heck did you get that, and I said well just walk down to Def Ear Records, they have a bunch of copies, I remember them quickly heading down there. I think OK Computer was so full of musical magic and producing that Kid A was like the next book of secrets these producers needed to get their hands on.
When it came time to settle up, it was somber, Steve was like well we will never play here again, and not because of anything offensive, but because Shellac wasn’t a big draw. And I did my best to explain Octoberfest again and he shut me down with a, if they wanted to see us they would’ve come. He was right, he had that straight, no-bullshit personality. And to be honest, I think there were about 100 or more people there, but they did seem to be from out of town.
Steve owned Electrical Audio in Chicago, which was his full-time studio. Our friends Porcupine (members of Space Bike) and Czarbles (members of Norm’s Headache and All Tiny Creatures) all got the chance to cut a record there.
Steve Albini has passed away way too young. I’m thankful that our small community was able to cross paths with him at one point or another. His legendary recordings will live on.
