Butch Vig: Career In Beats
The drummer and production ace's finest moments
The June issue of Rhythm has drummer-cum-super-producer Butch Vig on the cover, and to honour that very fact we've taken a look at The Garbage man's finest work.
Nirvana - Nevermind
A life-changing record all round. Not only did it turn Nirvana into the hottest property on the planet, it also made Butch the most sought-after producer out there.
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
After working with the Pumpkins on 1991's Gish, Butch returned for the hugely-acclaimed follow-up. Check out Jimmy Chamberlin's glowing report in our June issue.
Garbage - Garbage
Getting out of the production room and behind the kit, Butch formed alt/electro rockers Garbage, a band that would go on to shift more than 17 million albums.
Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown
As Green Day continued their transition from snot-nosed punks to the biggest stadium rock band in the world, it should come as no surprise that Butch was at the helm.
Foo Fighters - Wasting Light
Butch and Grohl back in the production booth together (in the latter's garage), this was always going to be awesome, right? In our huge cover feature Butch had this to say about Taylor Hawkins' solo on 'Rope': "I've always got in the back of my head that it needs to work for the song. That's not to say you can't have moments the drums jump out and get to shine on their own. I mean like 'Rope', who does a drum solo in the middle of a bridge these days?! Not too many people! That was a really fun moment. To me that song was totally cool and allowed to have those drum fills."
For lots more from Butch pick up the June issue of Rhythm.
Get the MusicRadar Newsletter
Want all the hottest music and gear news, reviews, deals, features and more, direct to your inbox? Sign up here.
Rich is a teacher, one time Rhythm staff writer and experienced freelance journalist who has interviewed countless revered musicians, engineers, producers and stars for the our world-leading music making portfolio, including such titles as Rhythm, Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, and MusicRadar. His victims include such luminaries as Ice T, Mark Guilani and Jamie Oliver (the drumming one).
“He was playing this kit that had cushions in it and tape all over it. It didn’t sound like Rodge”: Queen hated Roger Taylor’s drum sound on their debut album so much that they “augmented” every beat for its reissue
“It’s his message, to let the world know how he feels about all the things that’s going on in the world”: Kool and the Gang drummer spent 20 years on a solo album but didn’t live to see its release