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. 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. The band's lyrics flouted commonly held taboos and dealt frankly—and often explicitly—with politically and culturally loaded topics including murder, rape, child sexual abuse, arson, racism, and misogyny. Though the band's lyrics contained controversial material, the lyrics were meant to serve as a commentary or a display of distaste for the subject matter. They were staunchly critical of the commercial nature of rock, shunning the mainstream music industry and insisting on complete control over all aspects of their career. They booked their own tours, paid for their own recordings, refused to sign contracts, and eschewed many of the traditional corporate trappings of rock bands.
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
Big Black
May 8, 2025
Lodge Room
Los Angeles, California, United States1. Uncertainty Is Delight
2. Splash
3. Out Here
4. It's Ok
5. Wouldja
6. Capsize
7. Side of the Road
8. I'll Wait
9. What Goes Around
10. Move Forward
11. Dreary Moon
12. Pik Pok
13. Huggin & Kissin
January 31, 2025
Gold Diggers
Los Angeles, California, United StatesMarch 28, 2024
El Cid
Los Angeles, California, United StatesAugust 19, 2022
Redtail
Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesSeptember 22, 2021
Teragram Ballroom
Los Angeles, California, United States1. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
2. Summoner
3. Vessel
4. Capsize
5. Side of the Road
6. Betamax
7. Politics of Living
8. What Goes Around
9. Money Rain Down
10. Heaven Here I Come
11. You're My Lady
12. Huggin' & Kissin'
September 12, 2020
Laurel Canyon
Los Angeles, California, United StatesFirst show after hiatus from 2017. Also, first show streamed live during COVID-19 pandemia
1. Lord Only Knows
First ever live performance2. Heaven Here I Come
First ever live performance3. Vessel
First ever live performance4. Canary
First ever live performance5. Politics of Living
First ever live performance6. Money Rain Down
7. Capsize
8. Into the Night
9. Killing Me
First ever live performance10. Huggin & Kissin
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
July 14, 2017
The Viaduct
Los Angeles, California, United States1. whoRU812
2. Long Way To Go2
3. RIPinPeace
4. Brookes Was Here2a
5. Atanos
6. Br1b
7. Br2
8. Br3
9. jakeAmo
10. Dreary Moon
11. Crying(Roy Orbison cover)
May 28, 2016
The Regent Theater
Los Angeles, California, United StatesMay 19, 2016
Biltmore Cabaret
Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaMay 17, 2016
Metro Gallery
Baltimore, Maryland, United States1. It's Ok
2. Side of the Road
3. Money Rain Down
4. Betamax
5. Kid Icarus
6. Capsize
7. Steer The Canyon
8. Huggin' & Kissin'
9. Into the Night
10. Let's Go Home
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
May 16, 2016
The Black Cat Backstage
Washington, Washington, D.C., United States1. It's Ok
2. Money Rain Down
3. Side of the Road
4. Betamax
5. Kid Icarus
6. Capsize
7. Steer The Canyon
8. Huggin' & Kissin'
9. Into the Night
10. Let's Go Home
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
May 15, 2016
MilkBoy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States1. It's Ok
2. Money Rain Down
3. Side of the Road
4. Kid Icarus
5. Capsize
6. Steer The Canyon
7. Huggin' & Kissin'
8. Into the Night
9. Let's Go Home
10. Betamax
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
May 13, 2016
Cafe 939
Boston, Massachusetts, United States1. It's Ok
2. Money Rain Down
3. Side of the Road
4. Kid Icarus
5. Capsize
6. Steer The Canyon
7. Huggin' & Kissin'
8. Into the Night
9. Let's Go Home
10. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
11. Here I Go Again(Whitesnake cover)
May 12, 2016
Baby's All Right
Brooklyn, New York, United States1. It's Ok
2. Money Rain Down
3. Side of the Road
4. Capsize
5. Kid Icarus
6. Into the Night
7. Steer The Canyon
8. Huggin' & Kissin'
9. Betamax
10. Let's Go Home
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
12. Here I Go Again(Whitesnake cover)
May 8, 2016
Adelaide Hall
Toronto, Ontario, CanadaMay 6, 2016
UFO Factory
Detroit, Michigan, United StatesMay 5, 2016
Empty Bottle
Chicago, Illinois, United States1. It's Ok
2. Money Rain Down
3. Side of the Road
4. Capsize
5. Kid Icarus
6. Steer The Canyon
7. Huggin' & Kissin'
8. Betamax
9. Let's Go Home
10. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
11. Here I Go Again(Whitesnake cover)
April 27, 2016
Hi-Dive
Denver, Colorado, United StatesFebruary 27, 2016
Pappy & Harriet's Palace
Pioneertown, California, United States1. It's Ok
2. Kid Icarus
3. RCVR
4. Side of the Road
5. Money Rain Down
6. Into the Night
7. Overlord
8. Steer The Canyon
9. Huggin' & Kissin'
10. Never Tear Us Apart(INXS cover)
11. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
12. Let's Go Home
November 5, 2015
Teragram Ballroom
Los Angeles, California, United States1. PB3
2. It's Ok
3. RCVR
4. Money Rain Down
5. Side of the Road
6. Betamax
7. Kid Icarus
8. Overlord
9. Steer The Canyon
10. Huggin' & Kissin'
11. Let's Go Home
1. IFUCKINGLOVEYOU
Big Black has released 100+ albums. Some of their notable releases include Living Hyperreal: Off The Soundboard, Big Black “The Hammer Party”, Re-Industrialized. Explore their complete discography on this page.
Some of Big Black's most popular tracks include The Model, Bad Penny, The Power of Independent Trucking, Kerosene, L Dopa. Listen to these songs and discover more from their extensive catalog.
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... Read the full biography on this page.
You can find Big Black vinyl records and merchandise on eBay. We feature a curated selection of vinyl releases and collectibles available for purchase.
Follow Big Black
