Smart Studios

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Smart Studios is a recording studio located on East Washington Avenue 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. Additionally, 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.

In 2004 Hawthorne Heights recorded their album The Silence in Black and White which also became a major hit.