'I had a feeling Oasis would be big' says West Country studio owner - where they recorded debut album
The owner of Sawmills has been reflecting on being featured in the upcoming deluxe release of Definitely Maybe
Last updated 30th Aug 2024
The owner of the Cornish music studio - where Oasis recorded their debut album 30 years ago - says he's incredibly proud the band are still using images of it
They're releasing a deluxe edition of 'Definitely Maybe' which has a picture of Sawmills Studios on the front - which is based on the banks of the River Fowey. The release comes ahead of a reunion tour, with tickets going on sale this weekend.
Sawmills' owner Dennis Smith, who lives in Devon, remembers meeting the band on Wednesday February 23, 1994, saying: "The first one out the van was Liam.
Even at that point I recognised a certain presence and swagger, I don't mean that rudely, you know. It was just this attitude and I thought 'that's interesting'.
"Of course the rest of the guys came and loaded the gear into the boat because that's the way it goes in Sawmills, you can't get there by road."
The remote studio location, which has seven bedrooms with accommodation for up to 16 people, is a former 17th century water mill. The week before Oasis arrived the group Supergrass had been using the space - with acts like Robert Plant, The Stone Roses, The Verve and Muse having also recorded there.
Definitely Maybe was recorded in roughly 10 days before being taken away to be mastered. Oasis had previously tried to record it in a different studio. Dennis believes his remote location may have appealed to the group, adding: "Maybe being away from everybody and the rush - London studios, parking and all that kind of stuff - I think they liked the idea, or somebody did.
"It was somewhere where they could concentrate on having a go at making the record again.
"This was a 'do-or-die attempt', really I got that impression, this had to work.
An official 'Sawmills Outtake video' from OASIS
"The change in the technique was that they wanted to all record in the same room, which they hadn't done before where it was far more separated.
"Although the room is not that big there was a vibe, obviously Liam was in a vocal booth to do vocals - that's part of I think of where they got their comfort, it was like they were in their rehearsal rooms."
In between recording sessions, the Old Sawmills is currently being offered as holiday accommodation for anyone who wishes to stay there - with the site itself up for sale.
Dennis hopes by featuring on the new Oasis release the interest in the 50 year old studio will be reignited.
An unofficial account of the recording of the album at Sawmills can be found here