Watch Dave Grohl talk Nirvana’s Smart Studios sessions in new clip

Nirvana (Image credit: Getty)

Dave Grohl features in a new clip showcasing documentary The Smart Studios Story.

The film focuses on producer Butch Vig’s punk studio which eventually morphed into a major-label recording hub with the explosion of grunge in the early 90s.

In the short clip premiered by Pitchfork, Grohl briefly chats about Nirvana’s early Nevermind demos which were cut at the Seattle venue between April 2-6, 1990, under the watchful eye of Vig.

He says: “When I joined the band, they had this demo that sounded amazing – it sounded huge. It sounded different than the things they had done before. Everyone talked about Butch.”

Other artists to feature in the documentary include Garbage’s Shirley Manson and Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin from Smashing Pumpkins.

Corgan says in the film: “Very much part of Butch’s story was that rock’n’roll had sort of passed them by. They start this little studio, and they’re just gonna make their little indie records and sort of ride off into the sunset and have their beers. Next thing you know…”

The Smart Studios Story is currently showing at theatres across the US, and has been released as the official film of Record Store Day which takes place on November 25.

The Smart Studios Story US screening dates

Nov 11: Boston Brattle Theater, MA
Nov 13: Brooklyn St Vitus, NY
Nov 14: Washington Black Cat, DC
Nov 15: Philadelphia MOCCA, PA
Nov 22: Durham Motorco, NC
Nov 27 Madison Sundance At Hilldale, WI

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Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.