Albini's latest statement stems from his recent criticism of Dave Chapelle's transphobic new comedy special. On October 8, he tweeted that Chapelle was an "asshole," leading commenters to point out that Albini used to have a band called Rapeman. Numerous tweeters noted that, in the mid-'80s, Albini had a one-off project with a band name featuring a racist slur, whose lone single contained a homophobic slur.
Although Albini's Twitter thread doesn't specifically mention his past bands, the producer acknowledged, "I certainly have some 'splainin to do." He continued, "We thought the major battles over equality and inclusiveness had been won, and society would eventually express that, so we were not harming anything with contrarianism, shock, sarcasm or irony."
See Albini's quotes below. He has previously acknowledged that Rapeman was an inappropriate band name and that he regrets it.
A project I've undertaken piecemeal as I've matured, evolved and learned over time. I expect no grace, and honestly feel like I and others of my generation have not been held to task enough for words and behavior that ultimately contributed to a coarsening society.
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) October 12, 2021
For myself and many of my peers, we miscalculated. We thought the major battles over equality and inclusiveness had been won, and society would eventually express that, so we were not harming anything with contrarianism, shock, sarcasm or irony.
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) October 12, 2021
If anything, we were trying to underscore the banality, the everyday nonchalance toward our common history with the atrocious, all while laboring under the tacit *mistaken* notion that things were getting better.
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) October 12, 2021
I'm overdue for a conversation about my role in inspiring "edgelord" shit. Believe me, I've met my share of punishers at gigs and I sympathize with anybody who isn't me but still had to suffer them.
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) October 12, 2021