Initially based in Evanstown, Illinois, USA, Big Black made its recording debut in 1983 with the six-track EP Lungs. Fronted by guitarist/vocalist Albini, Steve, the group underwent several changes before completing Bulldozer the following year. A more settled line-up was formed around Albini, Santiago Durango (guitar) and Dave Riley aka David Lovering (bass) as Big Black began fusing an arresting, distinctive sound, and Atomizer (1986) established the trio as one of America's leading independent acts. This powerful, compulsive set included 'Kerosene', a lyrically nihilistic piece equating pyromania with teenage sex as a means of escaping small-town boredom. The combined guitar assault of Albini and Durango was underpinned by Riley's emphatic bass playing, which propelled this metallic composition to its violent conclusion. Melvin Belli (guitar) replaced Durango, who left to study law, for Songs About Fucking, Big Black's best-known and most popular album. Once again their blend of post-hardcore and post-industrial styles proved exciting, but Albini had now tired of his creation: 'Big Black are dumb, ugly and persistent, just like a wart' - and announced the break-up of the group prior to the record's release. He later became a respected but idiosyncratic producer, working with the Pixies (The) ( Surfer Rosa ), the Breeders (The) ( Pod ) and Tad ( Salt Lick ), before forming a new venture, the controversially named and short-lived Rapeman. When that group shuddered under the weight of criticism at its name (though Albini insisted this was merely a UK phenomenon), he returned to production duties. Undoubtedly the highest profile of these would be PJ Harvey 's Rid Of Me and Nirvana 's In Utero. Afterwards he returned to a group format with Shellac. Durango recorded two EPs as Arsenal.