exploremusic

A lot of famous musicians recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California before it closed its doors as a commercial studio in May 2011. There’s Neil Young, Tom Petty, Nine Inch Nails… the list goes on and on, although the place would be legendary even if Nirvana’s Nevermind had been the only album recorded there.

Dave Grohl appreciates the role the studio has played.

He acquired the 1970s Neve sound board that served many artists, telling a member of the family that runs the place, “Thank you so much for the opportunity to own the board. I wouldn’t even have the computer I’m sending you this e-mail on if it wasn’t for this board.”

Last fall, REO Speedwagon frontman Kevin Cronin said, “Dave is working on this project based on a studio that we all used to work at—where they recorded Nevermind—and I know that it meant a lot to a lot of artists. So Dave is just kind of putting together something to get the stories that all the artists had about that studio.”

Recently, Dave revealed more info, saying, “When Sound City closed last year it was a very sad day. That place was like a church. The list of people that recorded there is like a virtual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We recorded ‘Nevermind’ there back in 1991. That funky old place had the best drum room in the world. The drum sound at the beginning of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit?’ That’s Sound City. I decided to make a film about that feeling when you put five guys in a room, hit ‘record’ and the hair on the back of your neck stands up. Expect some epic jam sessions.”