Smart Studios
Encyclopedia
Smart Studios was a recording studio
located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin
. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig
and Steve Marker
to produce local bands.
The studio became famous for producing artists such as Killdozer
and Sub Pop
artists Tad
and eventually Nirvana
. In fact, the version of their song "Polly" that appears on their album Nevermind
was recorded there. The Smashing Pumpkins' debut album, Gish
, was also recorded at Smart Studios.
After the initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own group Garbage
who released their debut album in 1995. The band, fronted by Scots
frontwoman Shirley Manson
, have recorded each subsequent album there, including 2005's Bleed Like Me
.
The studio has survived various mishaps, including flooding, and, on September 10, 2003, a backhoe careening off the outside junction and crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors.
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
and Steve Marker
Steve Marker
Steve Marker is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the guitarist of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage.-Early life:...
to produce local bands.
The studio became famous for producing artists such as Killdozer
Killdozer (band)
Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
and Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
artists Tad
Tad (band)
Tad was an American grunge band from Seattle, Washington led by Tad Doyle. Among the first of the many bands which came out of Seattle in the grunge era, Tad was notable for the fact that its music had a noticeable 1970s metal influence, rather than the punk which influenced most other grunge bands...
and eventually Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
. In fact, the version of their song "Polly" that appears on their album Nevermind
Nevermind
Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
was recorded there. The Smashing Pumpkins' debut album, Gish
Gish
Gish is the debut album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released in May 1991 through Caroline Records. Frontman Billy Corgan described Gish as a "very spiritual album"...
, was also recorded at Smart Studios.
After the initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own group Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
who released their debut album in 1995. The band, fronted by Scots
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
frontwoman Shirley Manson
Shirley Manson
Shirley Anne Manson is a Scottish recording artist and actress, best known internationally as the lead singer of the alternative rock band Garbage. For much of her international career Manson commuted between her home city of Edinburgh to the United States to record with Garbage but now lives and...
, have recorded each subsequent album there, including 2005's Bleed Like Me
Bleed Like Me
Bleed Like Me is the fourth studio album recorded and produced by alternative rock group Garbage. It was released in April 2005 by Warner Bros...
.
The studio has survived various mishaps, including flooding, and, on September 10, 2003, a backhoe careening off the outside junction and crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors.
Selected list of albums recorded/mixed at Smart Studios
- KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
: Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling EliteIntellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling EliteIntellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite is the debut album from the band Killdozer released in 1984 by Touch & Go Records.- Side A :#"Man of Meat" – 2:13#"Pile Driver" – 3:52#"Parade" – 2:15#"Farmer Johnson" – 4:32- Side B :...
-1984 - KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
: Snake Boy - 1985 - The Cruckifucks: WisconsinWisconsin (album)Wisconsin is the second album by the hardcore punk band The Crucifucks.-Track listing:# "Intro"# "The Mountain Song"# "Washington"# "Resurrection"# "Earth by Invitation Only"# "Laws Against Laughing"# "Pig in a Blanket"# "When the Top Comes Off"...
- 1986 - SnowcakeSnowcake (band)Snowcake was a band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1983 by guitarist-singer Axel Fischer and bassist Ag Holstrom which was notable for its influence on US alternative rock bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s....
: Strangled/SceneZine EP - 1987 - KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
: Little Baby Buntin - 1988 - Tar BabiesTar BabiesTar Babies was a band from Madison, Wisconsin, that released several albums on SST Records. They began their career as members of the Bloody Mattresses. This band split and became the Tar Babies and Imminent Attack. Released two EPs on their own Bone-Air Records and then graduated to the SST...
: Honey Bubble - 1988-1989 - Die KreuzenDie KreuzenDie Kreuzen was a rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin which was formed in 1981. The name is broken German for "the crosses", and was picked up by the band from a German Bible...
: Gone Away EP - 1989 - KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
: Twelve Point Buck - 1989 - NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
: NevermindNevermindNevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind was the group's first release on DGC Records...
– 1990 - King Snake RoostKing Snake RoostKing Snake Roost were one of a number of Australian and International guitar-based bands who emerged from within the punk rock and post-punk scene of the mid 1980s that came to be defined as noise rock. King Snake Roost formed in 1985 in Adelaide and in 1987 the band moved to Sydney. The band...
: Ground Into the Dirt - 1990 - Laughing HyenasLaughing HyenasLaughing Hyenas was an American rock band that existed from 1985 to 1995. They formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan and were initially made up of former members of Negative Approach , L-Seven , plus Kevin Strickland and Jim Kimball...
: Life of Crime - 1990 - Smashing Pumpkins: GishGishGish is the debut album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released in May 1991 through Caroline Records. Frontman Billy Corgan described Gish as a "very spiritual album"...
– 1990-91 - TADTad (band)Tad was an American grunge band from Seattle, Washington led by Tad Doyle. Among the first of the many bands which came out of Seattle in the grunge era, Tad was notable for the fact that its music had a noticeable 1970s metal influence, rather than the punk which influenced most other grunge bands...
: 8-Way Santa8-Way Santa8-Way Santa is the third album by the Seattle grunge band Tad. It was released in February, 1991 through Sub Pop.Tad ran into legal trouble after the man and woman featured on the album cover saw the record and sued the band...
- 1991 - The Young Fresh Fellows: Electric Bird Digest - 1991
- L7L7 (band)L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
: Bricks Are HeavyBricks Are HeavyBricks Are Heavy is the third album by the Los Angeles band L7, released in April 1992 through Slash Records. Backed by the single "Pretend We're Dead", the album became a breakthrough hit and the band became the "poster girls" of grunge music....
1991-1992 - Walt MinkWalt MinkWalt Mink, a power trio, is an indie rock band formed at St. Paul, Minnesota's Macalester College in 1989 by singer-guitarist John Kimbrough, drummer Joey Waronker and bassist Candice Belanoff. The band takes its name from a beloved psychology professor. Kimbrough's father Charles was an actor on...
: Miss HappinessMiss HappinessMiss Happiness is the name of the 1992 debut album of Walt Mink. Hailed by many as Walt Mink's shining moment, Miss Happiness is considered to be one of the brightest alternative debut albums of the 90's.- Track listing :...
- 1992 - Chainsaw KittensChainsaw KittensThe Chainsaw Kittens were a part of the American alternative rock scene, drawing from pop, glam rock, punk, new wave and British Invasion music. Their lyrics tackled such varied topics as religion, the Stonewall Riots, Federico Fellini, Oklahoma, Erik Menendez, and Oscar Wilde.Based in Norman,...
: Flipped Out in SingaporeFlipped Out in SingaporeFlipped Out in Singapore is the second album by the band Chainsaw Kittens, released in 1992.-Recording:Flipped Out in Singapore was produced by Butch Vig at Smart Studios in Madison, Wis. in 1992...
- 1992 - Freedy JohnstonFreedy JohnstonFreedy Johnston is a New York City-based singer-songwriter originally from Kinsley, Kansas.Having scored several minor hits since the early 1990s, Johnston's songs are often about troubled loners, and cover topics like heartbreak, alienation and disappointment...
: This Perfect World - 1994 - EverclearEverclear (band)Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
: Sparkle and FadeSparkle and FadeSparkle and Fade is the second album by Everclear, released on May 23, 1995. It was their first album to be released exclusively on Capitol Records; their previous effort, World of Noise, was re-released on Capitol after its introduction through the Portland, Oregon based label, Tim/Kerr...
- 1994 - Soul AsylumSoul AsylumSoul Asylum is an American alternative rock band that formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1983.The band originally formed in 1981 under the name Loud Fast Rules, with the original line-up consisting of Dan Murphy, Dave Pirner, Karl Mueller and Pat Morley. The latter was replaced by Grant Young in...
: Let Your Dim Light ShineLet Your Dim Light ShineLet Your Dim Light Shine is an album from 1995 from the band Soul Asylum. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, Grave Dancers Union, the band's breakout release...
- 1994-1995 - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
: GarbageGarbage (album)Garbage is the debut album by Scottish/American alternative rock group Garbage. It was released in the late summer and autumn of 1995 worldwide, following critical acclaim and promising chart positions for their debut single "Vow", which entered the Billboard Hot 100.Garbage eventually spent over a...
- 1994-95 - Archers of LoafArchers of LoafArchers of Loaf is an American indie-rock band originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, formed in 1990. The group toured extensively and released a total of four studio albums, a collection album, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was released after the band broke up in...
: All the Nations AirportsAll the Nations AirportsAll the Nations Airports is the third studio album recorded by the indie rock band Archers of Loaf. Although the band was still signed to Alias Records the album was released by Elektra Records in 1996, making it the first to be distributed by a major label.-Track listing:#"Strangled by the Stereo...
- 1996 - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
: Version 2.0Version 2.0Version 2.0 is the second album by alternative rock group Garbage. It was released worldwide in May 1998 by Mushroom Records UK and in North America by Almo Sounds. Version 2.0 was the follow-up to the band's multi-platinum debut album Garbage. Despite a slow start, Version 2.0 went on to equal its...
- 1997-98 - Rainer MariaRainer MariaRainer Maria was an indie rock/emo band originally from Madison, Wisconsin, later residing in Brooklyn, New York. Named after the German-language poet Rainer Maria Rilke, they formed in the late summer of 1995 and released five full length albums, a live DVD, numerous live recordings, and EPs...
: Look Now Look AgainLook Now Look Again-Track listing:All songs by Rainer Maria.#"Rise" – 4:18#"Planetary" – 5:21#"Broken Radio" – 3:11#"Feeling Neglected" – 4:43#"Breakfast of Champions" – 3:37#"The Reason The Night Is Long" – 3:48...
- 1998 - The Promise RingThe Promise RingThe Promise Ring is an American emo band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In their early years, their music was usually classified as emo, but their later albums could be described more accurately as indie pop. They split up in 2002 and temporarily reunited in 2005...
: Boys + Girls EP - 1998 - Citizen KingCitizen KingCitizen King was an American music group from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, whose style was a mix of hip-hop, soul and punk. They are best known for their top 40 hit "Better Days ", which peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1999....
: Mobile EstatesMobile EstatesMobile Estates is Citizen King's first major record release. Many songs off this album were used in pilot episodes and the series finale of Malcolm in the Middle. A remix of "Better Days " was used in the movie Gone in 60 Seconds...
- 1999 - Rainer MariaRainer MariaRainer Maria was an indie rock/emo band originally from Madison, Wisconsin, later residing in Brooklyn, New York. Named after the German-language poet Rainer Maria Rilke, they formed in the late summer of 1995 and released five full length albums, a live DVD, numerous live recordings, and EPs...
: A Better Version of MeA Better Version of MeA Better Version of Me is the third studio CD by the indie rock band Rainer Maria.- Reception :"Matured vocal power and solid song structure have replaced the cacophonous ways of their youth." - PopMatters...
- 1999 - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
: Beautiful Garbage - 2000-01 - Rainer MariaRainer MariaRainer Maria was an indie rock/emo band originally from Madison, Wisconsin, later residing in Brooklyn, New York. Named after the German-language poet Rainer Maria Rilke, they formed in the late summer of 1995 and released five full length albums, a live DVD, numerous live recordings, and EPs...
: Ears Ring EPEars Ring (EP)Ears Ring is a 2002 EP by the indie rock band Rainer Maria.- Track listing:All tracks composed by Rainer Maria.#"Ears Ring" – 3:44#"Alchemy" – 2:16#"Automatic" – 3:32-Personnel:*Caithlin De Marrais – bass, vocals...
- 2002 - Fall Out BoyFall Out BoyFall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
: Take This to Your GraveTake This to Your GraveTake This to Your Grave is the second studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It is the group's first release under the Fueled by Ramen label and was released on May 6, 2003. The album title is taken from a line from the lyrics of the track "The Patron Saint of Liars and Fakes", which...
- 2003 - The Lovehammers: Murder on My MindMurder on My MindMurder on my Mind was the third independent album by the Lovehammers, released in 2003. Many songs on the album also appear on the later Marty Casey and Lovehammers album. The albums title comes from a lyric in the "The Tunnel", the first track on the album. The album is notable for the raw, edgy...
- 2003 - Split HabitSplit HabitSplit Habit was a power pop band founded in Lemont, Illinois in 1997.-Overview:The original line-up consisted of Travis Brown , Johnny Smoke and Chris Michaels . The band recorded a four song demo and began playing small all ages and 21 and up venues around Illinois...
: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is - 2003 - GarbageGarbage (band)Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
: Bleed Like MeBleed Like MeBleed Like Me is the fourth studio album recorded and produced by alternative rock group Garbage. It was released in April 2005 by Warner Bros...
- 2003-04 - As Tall as LionsAs Tall as LionsAs Tall as Lions was an Indie Rock band from Long Island, New York.- History :High school friends Dan Nigro , Saen Fitzgerald , Brian Fortune and Cliff Sarcona founded the band in December 2001 as they were looking to continue the momentum of a previous project.- Blood and Aphorisms :"Blood and...
: LafcadioLafcadioLafcadio is the debut full-length album and second release by Long Island-based alternative band As Tall as Lions.-Track listing:#"Break Blossom"#"96 Heartbeats"#"Silhouettes/Silhouetting"#"The Carousel"#"Acrobat"#"Why We Cry at Movies"...
- 2004 - Hawthorne HeightsHawthorne HeightsHawthorne Heights is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Their line-up currently consists of lead-singer and rhythm guitarist JT Woodruff, lead-guitarist and vocalist Micah Carli, bassist and backing vocalist Matt Ridenour, and drummer Eron Bucciarelli...
: The Silence in Black and WhiteThe Silence in Black and WhiteThe Silence in Black and White is the debut studio album by American rock band Hawthorne Heights. It was released on June 1, 2004 through Victory Records. The album was the label's highest selling debut at the time of its release...
- 2004 - Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
: PlansPlans (album)Plans has received positive reviews. On the review aggregate site Metacritic, the album has a score of 66 out of 100, indicating "Generally favorable reviews."-Track listing:-Personnel:*Ben Gibbard – vocals, guitars...
- 2005 - Various Artists: Under the Radar Vol. 1 - 2006
- SparklehorseSparklehorseSparklehorse was an American indie rock band led by the singer and multi-instrumentalist Mark Linkous.-History:Sparklehorse's first album, Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot featuring Bob Rupe of the Silos and Cracker, was a modest college radio success...
: Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a MountainDreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a MountainDreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain is the fourth and final album by Sparklehorse before Mark Linkous' death in 2010. It was released September 25, 2006 on Astralwerks Records.-Recording:...
- 2006 - Jimmy Eat WorldJimmy Eat WorldJimmy Eat World is an American alternative rock band from Mesa, Arizona, that formed in 1993. The band is composed of lead vocalist and guitarist Jim Adkins, guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind....
: Chase This LightChase This Light-Bonus tracks:* "Be Sensible" – 5:04* "Distraction" – 2:58* "Open Bar Reception" – 3:55...
- 2006-2007 - Tegan and SaraTegan and SaraTegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
: The ConThe Con (album)The Con is the fifth studio album by Canadian rock duo Tegan and Sara, released on July 24, 2007...
- 2007 - Hotel LightsHotel LightsHotel Lights is an American indie rock band led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Darren Jessee, former drummer for Ben Folds Five.-History:...
: Firecracker People - 2007 - The LeftoversThe LeftoversThe Leftovers are an American pop punk band from Portland, Maine, made up of Kurt Baker , Andrew Rice , Matt Anderson , and Adam Woronoff .-History:...
: On the Move - 2007 - CharlemangeCharlemagne (band)Charlemagne is a rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, currently on the SideCho Records label. The group is led by former NoahJohn singer/songwriter, Carl Johns...
: We Can Build An Island - 2007 - Death Cab for CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
: Narrow StairsNarrow StairsNarrow Stairs is the sixth studio album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie. It was released on May 12, 2008, in the United Kingdom and on May 13, 2008, in the United States. The first single of the album was "I Will Possess Your Heart", released on March 18, 2008. The second single was...
- 2007
Producers and engineers associated with Smart Studios
- Butch VigButch VigButch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
(founder, producer and engineer, member of Garbage) - Steve MarkerSteve MarkerSteve Marker is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the guitarist of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage.-Early life:...
(founder, producer and engineer, member of Garbage) - Mike Zirkel (studio manager, producer, engineer)
- Chris WallaChris WallaChristopher Walla is an American musician and music producer, most notable for being the guitarist for the band Death Cab for Cutie. He is also a former DJ of KCWU, 88.1 The Burg...
(producer, engineer, member of Death Cab For CutieDeath Cab for CutieDeath Cab for Cutie is an American alternative rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington in 1997. The band consists of Ben Gibbard , Chris Walla , Nick Harmer and Jason McGerr ....
) - Sean O'KeefeSean O'Keefe (producer)Sean O'Keefe is an American record producer. He produced two RIAA gold albums before the age of 24: Fall Out Boy's Take This to Your Grave and Hawthorne Heights's The Silence in Black and White. He mixed and co-produced the Plain White T's 2007 commercial success Hey There Delilah, earning him...
(producer, engineer) - Brandon Mason (producer, engineer)
- Al Weatherhead (producer, engineer)
- Beau Sorenson (producer, engineer)
- Justin Perkins (producer, engineer)