Studio Where Nirvana Recorded 'Nevermind' Subject of New Documentary

Studio Where Nirvana Recorded ‘Nevermind’ Subject of New Documentary

2016-04-06

Story by Cat Badra

Nirvana recorded ‘Nevermind’ at both Smart Studios and Sound City

Nirvana recorded their groundbreaking sophomore album, “Nevermind,” in two studios: Sound City in California and Smart Studios in Wisconsin. Fans have surely heard of Sound City, which was the topic of Dave Grohl’s documentary by the same name. Now, Smart Studios is getting its own documentary to boot.

The new documentary, called “The Smart Studios Story,” debuted at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. A clip of the documentary that includes Grohl discussing the recording of “Nevermind” is currently streaming via Billboard.com.

Nevermind producer Butch Vig opened Smart Studios in 1983 with Steve Marker, who he worked with in his band Garbage.

“When I went to make (Nevermind) I had no idea it was going to profoundly change my life,” Vig told Billboard. “None of us had any idea. I think those sessions were fun because none of us had any expectations.”

Smart Studios shut its doors in 2010. Other bands that recorded at the studio over the years included the Smashing Pumpkins, Death Cab for Cutie and Fall Out Boy and Death Cab for Cutie.

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