Alternative Rock producer and Garbage member Butch Vig turns 69
He produced some of the most acclaimed albums of the 1990’s including “Nevermind” and “Siamese Dream”
Alternative Rock producer and Garbage member Butch Vig turns 69
Butch Vig, born Bryan David Vigorson on August 2, 1955, in Viroqua, Wisconsin, grew up in a musical family. His parents were educators, and his mother was a music teacher, which significantly influenced his early interest in music. Vig learned to play piano at a young age and later picked up drums, laying the foundation for his future career in music production and performance.
Vig attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he studied film and became involved in the local music scene. He joined several bands during this time, most notably Spooner and Fire Town. However, his real passion lay in music production, and he co-founded Smart Studios in Madison in 1983 with his bandmate Steve Marker. This recording studio would become a significant player in the alternative rock scene of the late 1980s and 1990s and it was there in 1990 that Nirvana recorded their first demos for “Nevermind.”
Butch Vig’s reputation as a producer skyrocketed with his work on Nirvana’s seminal album, “Nevermind” (1991). The album’s polished yet powerful sound played a crucial role in bringing grunge music into the mainstream and made Vig one of the most sought-after producers of the era. Also, in 1991 he had already been chosen to produce another Seattle Grunge band, TAD, resulting in the album “8-Way Santa.”
Following “Nevermind,” Vig produced several other influential albums, including Smashing Pumpkins’ “Siamese Dream” (1993) and Sonic Youth’s “Dirty” (1992) and “Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star” (1994), L7’s “Bricks Are Heavy” (1992)
In 1994, Vig, along with Steve Marker and Duke Erikson, formed the alternative rock band Garbage. They recruited Scottish singer Shirley Manson as the lead vocalist. Garbage’s self-titled debut album, released in 1995, was a commercial and critical success, spawning hits like “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” The band’s blend of electronic and rock elements, combined with Manson’s distinctive voice, set them apart in the mid-90s music scene.
Garbage continued to release successful albums, including “Version 2.0” (1998) and “Beautiful Garbage” (2001), cementing their place in the alternative rock genre. Despite a hiatus in the mid-2000s, the band reunited and released “Not Your Kind of People” (2012) and “Strange Little Birds” (2016), demonstrating their enduring appeal.
Vig’s influence in the music industry extends beyond his work with Garbage. He has continued to produce albums for a wide range of artists, maintaining his status as a top-tier producer. His production work on Foo Fighters’ “Wasting Light” (2011) earned him a Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, showcasing his ability to adapt and remain relevant across decades.
In addition to his production work, Vig has ventured into other areas of the music industry, including film scoring and remixing, further diversifying his impressive portfolio. In 2017 he debuted a new musical project, the band 5 Billion in Diamonds.
Butch Vig is married to Beth Halper, a former DreamWorks A&R executive. The couple has one daughter, Bo Violet. Known for his down-to-earth personality, Vig has managed to maintain a relatively private personal life despite his high-profile career.
Today, Vig’s commitment to producing high-quality music and his ability to evolve with changing musical landscapes and his passion for music and innovation continues to drive his work, and he remains an influential and important figure in the music industry.
Look back at the 1995 music video “Only Happy When It Rains” by Garbage
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