Bulldozer [12”] by Big Black (Vinyl, Dec-2013, Touch & Go Records)

$

20

Remastered by Steve Albini and Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering.

Includes Full Album Download Coupon.

Album Notes:

Bulldozer is the second EP by Chicago post-hardcore band Big Black, released in 1983. It was their first release to feature an actual band performing, including Pat Byrne from Urge Overkill playing drums on some of the songs. On Bulldozer, Big Black’s founder and frontman Steve Albini achieved a signature “clanky” sound with his guitar by using metal guitar picks notched with sheet metal clips, creating the effect of two guitar picks at once. The Bulldozer EP was recorded with engineer Iain Burgess and released in December 1983, with the first two hundred copies packaged in a galvanized sheet metal sleeve in homage to Public Image Ltd.’s Metal Box. Many of the EP’s lyrics depicted scenarios drawn from Albini’s midwest upbringing, such as “Cables”, which described the slaughtering of cows at a Montana abattoir, and “Pigeon Kill”, about a rural Indiana town that dealt with an overpopulation of pigeons by feeding them poisoned corn.

Big Black was an American punk rock band from Evanston, Illinois, active from 1981 to 1987. Founded by singer and guitarist Steve Albini, the band’s initial lineup also included guitarist Santiago Durango and bassist Jeff Pezzati, both of Naked Raygun. In 1985 Pezzati was replaced by Dave Riley, who played on Big Black’s two full-length studio albums, Atomizer (1986) and Songs About F*cking (1987).

Big Black’s aggressive and abrasive music was characterized by distinctively clanky guitars and the use of a drum machine rather than a drum kit, elements which precursored industrial rock. The band acknowledged no taboos, and Albini’s lyrics openly dealt with loaded topics including murder, rape, child sexual abuse, arson, racism, and misogyny. They also held staunch principles, shunning the mainstream music industry and insisting on complete control over all aspects of their career. Big Black booked their own tours, paid for their own recordings, and refused to sign contracts, eschewing many of the traditional corporate trappings of rock bands. In doing so they had a significant impact on the aesthetic development of independent and underground rock music.

In addition to two studio albums, Big Black released two live albums, two compilation albums, four EPs, and five singles, all through independent record labels. Most of the band’s catalog was kept in print through Touch and Go Records for years following their breakup.

Personnel:

Jeff Pezzati: bass guitar

Santiago Durango: “smash” guitar

Steve Albini: “klang” guitar, vocals

Roland

Pat Byrne: drums (all tracks except “Jump The Climb”)

Track List:

1. Cables   [2:40]
2. Pigeon Kill   [1:47]
3. I’m a Mess   [1:56]
4. Texas   [4:02]
5. Seth   [3:32]
6. Jump the Climb   [2:59]

The Bulldozer [12”] by Big Black is factory-sealed new. It has never been played and has always been kept in its original packaging. The LP is not a promo or cutout. There are no marks or punches of any kind. All our CDs and vinyl are new! If you have any questions or want to see additional photos, just email us.

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