Blantyre's Chem 19 studios bolster local music scene

Jan 14 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

THEY have had a hand in producing some of the best Scottish albums of the last decade – and they are on our doorstep.

After leaving their old base at Peacock Cross, Hamilton, and moving to Blantyre Industrial Estate, Chem 19 Studios continue to attract the top talent, as well as budding local bands, who come to use the equipment and the expertise of engineer and owner Paul Savage.

The studios are run by influential record label Chemikal Underground, which was set up 16 years ago by members of indie band The Delgados, and produced some of the best alternative rock records to come out of Scotland over the past decade or so.

Paul, ex-drummer with The Delgados, runs the studio with the help of wife Emma Pollock, a vocalist and guitarist with the band and now a successful solo artist.

Emma told the Advertiser that the original incarnation of Chem 19 came about in 1997. She said: “Paul was an apprentice engineer at the old MCM Studios in the early 90s.

“The Delgados started up about the same time and Paul started recording our first material there. Then we got the opportunity to buy the studio at Peacock Cross.

“We thought it was a great chance for Chemikal Underground to buy a space that allowed cost-effective production for our artists.”

However, after several successful years producing bands such as Mogwai, Arab Strab and De Rosa, Chem 19 had to make a business decision to move elsewhere. They moved to Blantyre in 2005 due to the poor condition of the old building.

“That place is ripe for redevelopment,” said Emma.

“We knew we couldn’t pile money into redeveloping a 70-year-old building when it could be turned into a shopping centre at 12-months’ notice. Paul’s dad owned a semi-conductor business and he was retiring, and we managed to get the building from him, and it went from there.”

Emma explained that the first Delgados album was recorded in 1994 at MCM Studios. Later, in 2003, the final Delgados record was made in the last years of the old Chem 19 set-up.

She added: “In a sense, the Delgados’ career spanned that old studio. It went full circle. In the middle, we had bigger budgets and were able to travel all over to record.

“A lot of bands are like that. It’s like an arc. Every dog has its day, and you’ll end up having a bit of a twilight period. We had to pull the budget in and Chem 19 suited us then.”

The new studio has seen acts such Franz Ferdinand, King Creosote and Teenage Fanclub visit, as well as The Brakes and Camera Obscura.

While it attracts bands from all over Europe, many local artists consider Chem 19 to be legendary and aspire to record their material there.

Emma explained: “A lot of what goes on in the arts is simply believing that you can do it.

“If you see world-renowned bands like Franz Ferdinand doing it on your doorstep, it makes it more real.

“If you thought that the only way to get ahead in music is to move to London then there would be a hell of a barrier there.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to local youngsters who feel that it’s that bit more do-able.

“There are a lot of hobbyists that come in because of this.”

She added: “We want to increase awareness on our doorstep. A socially responsible studio is a studio that is accessible to everyone.”