Description

Big Black – Headache – Vinyl Record

Headache is an EP by Big Black, an influential noise rock band led by Steve Albini. Released in 1987, this four-track EP continues the band’s signature approach of intense, aggressive music powered by a drum machine, sharp guitars, and visceral lyrics. Headache was one of the band’s final releases before their breakup, and it showcases the band’s characteristic blend of punk rock, industrial, and noise elements.

Headache is noted for its raw, abrasive sound that Big Black fans had come to expect, but with perhaps even more intensity and darkness than previous releases. The EP’s cover originally featured a gruesome image of a man with a gunshot wound to the head, which was later changed to a less graphic image of a man with a bandaged head, leading to the EP’s packaging humorously noting that it was ‘Not as good as Atomizer,’ referring to their previous work as a way to manage expectations.

The EP consists of four tracks:

‘My Disco’ – A song characterized by its minimalistic lyrics and propulsive, rhythmic beat that exemplifies Big Black’s ability to create compelling music from simple, repetitive structures.
‘Grinder’ – Maintains the band’s theme of dark, industrial noise while exploring themes of monotony and the dehumanization within modern society.
‘Ready Men’ – Features more complex rhythms and showcases the band’s innovative use of noise and feedback.
‘Pete, King of All Detectives’ – Continues the band’s penchant for storytelling through its lyrics, with a narrative style that adds a cinematic quality to the abrasive soundscapes.

Headache received critical acclaim for its uncompromising sound and its ability to convey intense, often uncomfortable themes through powerful instrumentation and clever lyrics. The EP is often cited as a critical piece of the noise rock genre and is considered essential listening for fans of Big Black and Steve Albini’s later work as a music producer.

The EP’s raw power and boundary-pushing sound have influenced countless artists in the punk, noise, and indie rock scenes, establishing it as a pivotal release in the underground music scene of the 1980s. This EP is a key part of Big Black’s discography and offers valuable insight into the evolution of noise rock and post-punk music.

Remastered by Steve Albini and Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering

Includes full EP download coupon

Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic

Track Listing
My Disco
Grinder
Ready Men
Pete, King Of All Detectives