In November 2019, Chicago-based post-hardcore trio Luggage dropped their third full-length, Shift, a critically acclaimed slab of gritty noise-rock that captures that cold severity of the Windy City as well as nodding to such hometown heroes as Steve Albini’s self-described “minimalist rock trio” Shellac. The LP was recorded almost entirely live — with the exception of vocals and a few overdubbed embellishments — at Electrical Audio in Chicago with engineer Matthew Barnhart (Shearwater, The New Year). We recently caught up with drummer Luca Cimarusti to find out what albums changed his life and, not surprisingly, he had some great picks — from Black Flag’s “muddy, gross, miserable” masterpiece to the two best records of all time.
Black Flag – My War
Black Flag was always taking what punk was and it was supposed to be and bending those ideas until they were about to break. My War is so muddy, gross, miserable and, most importantly, totally unexpected.
Wipers – Youth of America
Wipers were another band that reclaimed what punk is. Youth of America takes simple punk rock and makes it larger than life and pushes it to its cosmic limits. Goosebumps every time.
Cave In – Jupiter
When I was a kid, I’d never heard anything like this. This band is responsible for getting me into heavy metal and classic prog rock at the exact same time.
Stooges – Funhouse
Is this the best record of all time?
King Crimson – Discipline
Actually, maybe this is. This is the greatest assembly of musicians ever put together. These four dudes redefined what a rock band is.
