Smart Studios was a

recording studio A recording studio is a specialized facility for sound recording, mixing, and audio production of instrumental or vocal musical performances, spoken words, and other sounds. They range in size from a small in-home project studio large en ...

located in

Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the county seat of Dane County, Wisconsin, Dane County and the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census the population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin b ...

. It was set up in 1983 by

Butch Vig Bryan David "Butch" Vig (born August 2, 1955) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the drummer and co-producer of the alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of the diamond-selling Nirvana album '' N ...

and

Steve Marker Steve Marker (born March 16, 1959) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as a cofounder and guitarist of the alternative rock band Garbage. Early life Steven W. Marker was born in Mamaroneck, New York on Marc ...

to produce local bands. The studio produced bands such as Killdozer,

The Smashing Pumpkins The Smashing Pumpkins (also referred to as simply Smashing Pumpkins) are an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Formed in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, guitarist James Iha and drummer Jimmy Chambe ...

, L7, Tad, and

Nirvana ( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lamp Richard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo. ...

. After initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own band,

Garbage Garbage, trash, rubbish, or refuse is waste material that is discarded by humans, usually due to a perceived lack of utility. The term generally does not encompass bodily waste products, purely liquid or gaseous wastes, or toxic waste prod ...

, who released their debut album in 1995. The studio survived various mishaps, including flooding, and in 2003, a

backhoe A backhoe—also called rear actor or back actor—is a type of excavating equipment, or digger, consisting of a digging bucket on the end of a two-part articulated arm. It is typically mounted on the back of a tractor or front loader, the latt ...

crashing through the walls of the downstairs studio. On May 1, 2010, the studio closed its doors because of financial difficulties, although in September 2013, producer and musician Brian Liston re-opened the former Smart Studios facility as Clutch Sound. Madison filmmaker Wendy Schneider made a documentary on Smart Studios, ''

The Smart Studios Story ''The Smart Studios Story'' is a 2016 documentary film written, directed and co-produced by Wendy Schneider. The film chronicles the history and impact of Madison, Wisconsin-based recording studio Smart Studios, founded by Butch Vig and Steve Mark ...

'' (2016), in which she interviewed artists, record producers, and engineers who worked in the facility. In 2012, the

Wisconsin Historical Museum The Wisconsin Historical Museum is a museum located on the Capitol Square in Madison, Wisconsin. It is currently open only for retail shopping featuring books, gifts, and other items focusing on Wisconsin and history. In late 2022, the museum clo ...

assembled an exhibit on the studio, ''Smart Sounds, Alt Music, Mad Scenes''.

Selected list of albums recorded/mixed at Smart Studios

Gary Sohmers Gary may refer to: *Gary (given name), a common masculine given name, including a list of people and fictional characters with the name *Gary, Indiana, the largest city named Gary Places ;Iran *Gary, Iran, Sistan and Baluchestan Province ;Unit ...

' Windjammer: ''Dinosaur Rock'' - 1983 * Killdozer: ''

Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite #REDIRECT Intellectuals Are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite {{R from other capitalisation ...

'' -1984 * The Mess: "It's All Wyrd"-1984 * Killdozer: ''Snake Boy'' - 1985 * The Mess: "Untitled"-1985 *

The Crucifucks The Crucifucks were an American punk band formed in 1981 in Lansing, Michigan. They were noted for their political agitation, provocative lyrics, and unusually shrill vocals by band leader Doc Corbin Dart. Dead Kennedys vocalist Jello Biafra s ...

: ''

Wisconsin Wisconsin () is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th-largest state by total area and the 20th-most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake M ...

'' - 1986 *

The Rousers ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

: ''

In Without Knocking IN, In or in may refer to: Places * India (country code IN) * Indiana, United States (postal code IN) * Ingolstadt, Germany (license plate code IN) * In, Russia, a town in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast Businesses and organizations * Independ ...

'' - 1986 * Snowcake: ''Strangled/SceneZine EP'' - 1987 * Killdozer: ''Little Baby Buntin - 1988 * Tar Babies: ''Honey Bubble'' - 1988-1989 * Laughing Hyenas: ''You Can't Pray a Lie'' - 1989 * Die Kreuzen: ''Gone Away EP'' - 1989 * Killdozer: ''Twelve Point Buck'' - 1989 *

: ''

Nevermind ''Nevermind'' is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991, by DGC Records. It was Nirvana's first release on a major label and the first to feature drummer Dave Grohl. Produced by Butch Vig, ' ...

'' – 1990 (" Polly") * King Snake Roost: ''Ground Into the Dirt'' - 1990 * Laughing Hyenas: ''Life of Crime'' - 1990 *

Rebel Waltz A rebel is a participant in a rebellion. Rebel or rebels may also refer to: People * Rebel (given name) * Rebel (surname) * Patriot (American Revolution), during the American Revolution * American Southerners, as a form of self-identification; s ...

: ‘’The Last One To Die Is a Rotten Egg’’ - 1990 *

: ''

Gish ''Gish'' is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released in May 1991 through Caroline Records. Frontman Billy Corgan has variously described ''Gish'' as a "very spiritual album" and "an album about spir ...

'' – 1990-1991 * TAD: '' 8-Way Santa'' - 1991 * The Young Fresh Fellows: ''Electric Bird Digest'' - 1991 * Sky Pilot: ''Mike DeFoy'' - 1992 * The Wizenhiemers: ''

We Play For Beer In Modern English, ''we'' is a Grammatical number, plural, Grammatical person, first-person personal pronoun, pronoun. Morphology In Standard English, Standard Modern English, ''we'' has six distinct shapes for five word Morphology (linguist ...

'' - 1992 * L7: ''

Bricks Are Heavy ''Bricks Are Heavy'' is the third studio album by American rock band L7, released on April 14, 1992, by Slash Records. The album peaked at number 160 on the US ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Heatseekers Albums chart. As of June 2000, ''B ...

'' - 1991-1992 *

The Rockin' Bones ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' Second Chance To Dance'' - 1991-1992 *

Walt Mink Walt Mink were an American alternative rock power trio formed in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1989 by guitarist/singer/songwriter John Kimbrough, drummer Joey Waronker and bassist Candice Belanoff. The band released four studio albums over the course o ...

: '' Miss Happiness'' - 1992 * Chainsaw Kittens: '' Flipped Out in Singapore'' - 1992 * Paw: ''

Dragline A dragline excavator is a piece of heavy equipment used in civil engineering and surface mining. Draglines fall into two broad categories: those that are based on standard, lifting cranes, and the heavy units which have to be built on-site. Mo ...

'' – 1992 *Nirvana: ''

Incesticide is a compilation album by the American rock band Nirvana. It consists of their 1990 non-album single " Sliver", B-sides, demos, outtakes, cover versions, and radio broadcast recordings, and as such is not the official follow-up to the band' ...

'' − 1992 ("Dive") *

Freedy Johnston Freedy Johnston (born Frederic John Fatzer in 1961) is a New York City–based singer-songwriter originally from Kinsley, Kansas. Johnston's songs are often about troubled loners, and cover topics like heartbreak, alienation, and disappoint ...

: ''This Perfect World'' - 1994 * ''Everclear'': '' Sparkle and Fade'' - 1994 *

Soul Asylum Soul Asylum is an American alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their 1993 hit "Runaway Train" won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song. The band was originally called Loud Fast Rules, with a lineup consisting of Dav ...

: '' Let Your Dim Light Shine'' - 1994-1995 *

: ''

'' - 1994-1995 *

Sexepil Sexepil is a Hungarian indie-alternative rock band based in Budapest, Hungary. The band was formed by Zoltán Hegyi, Viktor László, Tamás Kocsis, and Tibor Vangel in 1984. Etymology Sexepil was originally written as Sex-E-Pil and it is a port ...

: ''

Sugar for the Soul Sugar for the Soul is the fifth studio album recorded by Sexepil. The album was recorded by Brian Anderson at the Phoenix Studio in Budapest, Hungary. The album was produced by Brian Anderson and Sexepil, and it was mixed Brian Anderson and en ...

'' - 1995 *

Archers of Loaf Archers of Loaf is an American indie rock band originally formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, in 1991. The group toured extensively and released four studio albums, one compilation, numerous singles and EPs, and a live album which was release ...

: ''

All the Nations Airports ''All 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 b ...

'' - 1996 *

: ''

Colossus Colossus, Colossos, or the plural Colossi or Colossuses, may refer to: Statues * Any exceptionally large statue ** List of tallest statues ** :Colossal statues * '' Colossus of Barletta'', a bronze statue of an unidentified Roman emperor * '' C ...

'' - 1996 *

: ''

Version 2.0 ''Version 2.0'' is the second studio album by American rock band Garbage. It was released on May 11, 1998, by Mushroom Records worldwide, with the North American release on Almo Sounds the following day. With this album, the band aimed to impro ...

'' - 1997-98 * Scott Fields: ''

Five Frozen Eggs 5 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 5, five or number 5 may also refer to: * AD 5, the fifth year of the AD era * 5 BC, the fifth year before the AD era Literature * ''5'' (visual novel), a 2008 visual novel by Ram * ''5'' (comics), an awar ...

'' - 1997 * Rainer Maria: ''

Look Now Look Again ''Look Now Look Again'' is the second studio album by American indie rock band Rainer Maria. It is now regarded as an influential classic of second-wave emo. Critical reception and legacy In recent years, ''Look''s critical standing has remaine ...

'' - 1998 *

The Promise Ring The Promise Ring was an American rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that is recognized as part of the second wave of emo. Among various other EPs and singles, the band released four studio albums during their initial run: ''30° Everywh ...

: '' Boys + Girls EP'' - 1998 *

Citizen King Citizen 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 (And the Bottom Drops Out)", which peaked at on the ''Billboard'' Ho ...

: ''

Mobile Estates ''Mobile Estates'' is the second album by Citizen King, released in 1999. It was the band's first album for a major label. Production The album was produced by Dave Cooley, Matt Sims, and Eric Valentine. Critical reception ''The Washington Po ...

'' - 1999 * Rainer Maria: ''

A Better Version of Me ''A Better Version of Me'' is the third studio album by American indie rock band Rainer Maria. Reception "Matured vocal power and solid song structure have replaced the cacophonous ways of their youth." - ''PopMatters'' "Caithlin De Marrais' ...

'' - 1999 *

: '' Beautiful Garbage'' - 2000-2001 * Rainer Maria: '' Ears Ring EP'' - 2002 * Rainer Maria: ''

Long Knives Drawn ''Long Knives Drawn'' is the fourth studio album by American indie rock band Rainer Maria. Track listing All tracks composed by Caithlin DeMarrais, Kyle Fischer and William Kuehn. #"Mystery and Misery" – 4:43 #"Long Knives" – 3:08 # ...

'' - 2003 *

Fall Out Boy Fall Out Boy is an American rock band formed in Wilmette, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, in 2001. The band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Patrick Stump, bassist Pete Wentz, lead guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. ...

: '' Take This to Your Grave'' - 2003 *

The Lovehammers Lovehammers is an American, Chicago-based, alternative rock band. Their sound is best described as a combination of pop-punk with grunge influences. Since 1997, Lovehammers have independently released six full-length albums, several EPs, and ...

: ''Murder on My Mind'' - 2003 *

Split Habit Split Habit was a power pop band founded in Lemont, Illinois in 1997. Overview The original line-up consisted of Travis Brown (lead vocals/bass), Johnny Smoke (guitar, cool-sounding name, backing vocals) and Chris Michaels (drums). The band recor ...

: ''Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is'' - 2003 *

: '' Bleed Like Me'' - 2003-2004 *

As Tall as Lions As Tall As Lions were an indie rock band from Long Island, New York. History High school friends Dan Nigro (lead vocals & guitars), Saen Fitzgerald (guitar, keyboards, & percussion), Brian Fortune (guitars & keyboards) and Cliff Sarcona (drums ...

: '' Lafcadio'' - 2004 *

Hawthorne Heights Hawthorne Heights, formerly A Day in the Life, is an American rock band from Dayton, Ohio, formed in 2001. Their lineup currently consists of JT Woodruff (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Matt Ridenour (bass guitar, backing vocals), Mark McMillon ( ...

: ''

The Silence in Black and White ''The Silence in Black and White'' is the debut studio album by the American rock band Hawthorne Heights, and their first release after changing their name from A Day in the Life. Background and recording Writing for the album commenced shortly a ...

'' - 2004 *

Death Cab for Cutie Death Cab for Cutie is an American rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997. The band is currently composed of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Zac Rae (keyb ...

: ''

Plans A plan is typically any diagram or list of steps with details of timing and resources, used to achieve an objective to do something. It is commonly understood as a temporal set of intended actions through which one expects to achieve a goal. ...

'' - 2005 * Various Artists: ''

Under the Radar Vol. 1 Under may refer to: * "Under" (Alex Hepburn song), 2013 * "Under" (Pleasure P song), 2009 * Bülent Ünder (born 1949), Turkish footballer * Cengiz Ünder (born 1997), Turkish footballer * Marie Under (1883–1980), Estonian poet * Under (restaura ...

'' - 2006 * Sparklehorse: '' Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain'' - 2006 *

Jimmy Eat World Jimmy Eat World is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Mesa, Arizona. The band is composed of lead vocalist and lead guitarist Jim Adkins, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Tom Linton, bassist Rick Burch, and drummer Zach Lind. They ...

: '' Chase This Light'' - 2006-2007 *

Tegan and Sara Tegan and Sara () are a Canadian indie pop duo formed in 1998 in Calgary, Alberta. The band is led by identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin (born September 19, 1980). Both musicians are songwriters and multi-instrumental ...

: '' The Con'' - 2007 * Hotel Lights: ''Firecracker People'' - 2007 * The Leftovers: ''On the Move'' - 2007 *

Charlemange Charlemagne ( , ) or Charles the Great ( la, Carolus Magnus; german: Karl der Große; 2 April 747 – 28 January 814), a member of the Carolingian dynasty, was King of the Franks from 768, King of the Lombards from 774, and the first Em ...

: ''We Can Build An Island'' - 2007 *

: '' Narrow Stairs'' - 2007 *

The Other Kids The Other Kids was an American alternative pop band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1985 by Steve Watson (lead vocals, guitars), Allyn Watson (bass, vocals), and Chris Fink (drums, vocals). One of the most popular Madison rock bands of the mid- ...

: ''Living in the Mirror'' (1985), ''Happy Home'' (1986), ''Grin'' (1990) *Festive Skeletons: World of Difference (1997) * Spitalfield: Better than Knowing Where You Are - 2006

Producers and engineers associated with Smart Studios

(founder, producer and engineer) *

Mike Zirkel Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documenta ...

(studio manager, producer, engineer) *

Chris Walla Christopher Ryan Walla (born November 2, 1975) is an American musician, record producer, and film music composer, best known for being a former guitarist and songwriter for the band Death Cab for Cutie. Musical career Early bands While at Bo ...

(producer, engineer) * Sean O'Keefe (producer, engineer) *Brandon Mason (producer, engineer) *

Al Weatherhead AL, Al, Ål or al may stand for: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters * Al (''Aladdin'') or Aladdin, the main character in Disney's ''Aladdin'' media * Al (''EastEnders''), a minor character in the British soap opera * Al (''Fullmetal ...

(producer, engineer) * Beau Sorenson (producer, engineer) *Justin Perkins (producer, engineer) *

Duke Erikson Douglas Elwin "Duke" Erikson (born January 15, 1951) is an American musician, songwriter, screenwriter, film producer and record producer, best known as a co-founder and guitarist of the alternative rock band Garbage. Garbage has sold more than 17 ...

(producer and engineer) * Doug Olson (producer, engineer)

References

External links

''The Smart Studios Story'' documentary websiteClutch Sound website
{{Authority control Companies based in Madison, Wisconsin Music of Wisconsin 1983 establishments in Wisconsin 2010 disestablishments in Wisconsin Recording studios in the United States