Smart Studios was a recording studio located in

Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the county seat of Dane County and the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census the population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin by population, after Milwaukee, and the 80th ...

. 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 '' Nev ...

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 March ...

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 Ch ...

, 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 Colomb ...

. After initial production and remix successes, the building became the focus of operations for Vig and Marker's own band, Garbage, who released their debut album in 1995. The studio survived various mishaps, including flooding, and in 2003, a backhoe 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'' (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' Windjammer: ''Dinosaur Rock'' - 1983 * Killdozer: '' Intellectuals are the Shoeshine Boys of the Ruling Elite'' -1984 *

The Mess The Mess was a French girl group who took part in season 5 of French reality television series '' Popstars'' in 2013 on D8, winning the final on 2 July 2013 against eventual runner-ups, the duo Oslo, which consists of Eugénie and Vincent. The ...

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

: "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 sig ...

: ''

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 already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

: ''

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, ''Nev ...

'' – 1990 (" Polly") *

King Snake Roost King Snake Roost (also known as KSR) 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 fo ...

: ''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; ...

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

: '' Gish'' – 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'' - 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, ...

'' - 1991-1992 * The Rockin' Bones '' 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 ''Miss Happiness'' is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band Walt Mink, released in 1992. It contains a cover of Nick Drake's "Pink Moon". The band supported the album with a North American tour. Critical reception ''USA To ...

'' - 1992 * Chainsaw Kittens: ''

Flipped Out in Singapore ''Flipped 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. Tyson Meade said: Track listing All trac ...

'' - 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. ...

'' – 1992 *Nirvana: '' Incesticide'' − 1992 ("Dive") * Freedy Johnston: ''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 D ...

: ''

Let Your Dim Light Shine ''Let Your Dim Light Shine'' is the seventh studio album by American rock band Soul Asylum, released June 6, 1995 on Columbia Records. Critically, it suffered in comparison to its predecessor, '' Grave Dancers Union'', the band's breakout release. ...

'' - 1994-1995 * Garbage: '' Garbage'' - 1994-1995 * Sexepil: '' Sugar for the Soul'' - 1995 * Archers of Loaf: ''

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 distribute ...

'' - 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 * ''Col ...

'' - 1996 * Garbage: ''

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 improv ...

'' - 1997-98 * Scott Fields: '' Five Frozen Eggs'' - 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: '' 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'' Hot ...

: '' Mobile Estates'' - 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 ''PopMatters'' is an ...

'' - 1999 * Garbage: ''

Beautiful Garbage ''Beautiful Garbage'' (stylized as ''beautifulgarbage'') is the third studio album by American rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular ...

'' - 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 Hur ...

: ''

Take This to Your Grave ''Take This to Your Grave'' is the debut studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy, released on May 6, 2003, by Fueled by Ramen. When the band was signed to Island Records, the label employed an unusual strategy that allowed them to sign wit ...

'' - 2003 * The Lovehammers: ''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 * Garbage: ''

Bleed Like Me ''Bleed Like Me'' is the fourth studio album by American rock band Garbage. It was released worldwide on April 11, 2005, through Warner Music imprint A&E Records, with a North American release on Geffen Records the following day. For this albu ...

'' - 2003-2004 * As Tall as Lions: ''

Lafcadio 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 ...

'' - 2004 * Hawthorne Heights: ''

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 ...

'' - 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 (ke ...

: '' Plans'' - 2005 * Various Artists: '' Under the Radar Vol. 1'' - 2006 * Sparklehorse: '' Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain'' - 2006 * Jimmy Eat World: '' Chase This Light'' - 2006-2007 * Tegan and Sara: '' 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 Emp ...

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

: '' Narrow Stairs'' - 2007 * The Other Kids: ''Living in the Mirror'' (1985), ''Happy Home'' (1986), ''Grin'' (1990) *Festive Skeletons: World of Difference (1997) *

Spitalfield Spitalfield was an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois signed to Victory Records. Formed in 1998, Spitalfield caught the attention of Victory Records with their 2002 release ''The Cloak And Dagger Club EP'' and a year later released their ...

Better than Knowing Where You Are ''Better than Knowing Where You Are'' is the fourth and final studio album from American pop-punk band Spitalfield. It was released on October 3, 2006, through Victory Records Victory Records is a Chicago-based record label founded by Tony ...

- 2006

Producers and engineers associated with Smart Studios

(founder, producer and engineer) *

(founder, producer and engineer) * Mike Zirkel (studio manager, producer, engineer) * Chris Walla (producer, engineer) * Sean O'Keefe (producer, engineer) *Brandon Mason (producer, engineer) * Al Weatherhead (producer, engineer) *

Beau Sorenson Beau Sorenson (born 1980) is an American record producer and engineer. He has worked with Death Cab For Cutie, Bob Mould, Superchunk, Sparklehorse, Jars of Clay, Yellow Ostrich, The Lonely Forest, Field Report, Someone Still Loves You Boris Ye ...

(producer, engineer) *Justin Perkins (producer, engineer) * Duke Erikson (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