Liam Watson owns and runs Toe Rag recording studio in Hackney, East London. Even if you think you haven’t heard of it, you will have actually heard his work – the monster global hit Seven Nation Army and the album Elephant (barring one song) by The White Stripes was recorded and mixed there. If you are interested in hearing lesser known music from the studio you could try this killer track from 1995 or this live performance from 2013 to start. What is wonderful about Toe Rag is that visiting it feels like going way back in time to a different way of recording. There is no giant mixing desk or automation here, no protools or ‘fixing things in post’. Apart from an Otari Radar II Multi-track Recorder the studio is entirely analogue.
Liam Watson didn’t become interested in Sound Techniques directly. It was actually through being friends with Sound Techniques founder Geoff Frost‘s son Matt Frost and his interest in Oriol Records (where Geoff started his career as chief engineer) that the connection was made. Through listening to those early 60’s pop and beat recordings he came across crate-digging, Liam wanted to know more from Geoff about the equipment and studios of the day. From there he learned first-hand all about the Sound Techniques‘ (these were the pre-internet days) studio and gear. These days Liam cites The Incredible String Band’s Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter album and Steeleye Span‘s first albums as firm Sound Techniques favourites. Not only that, he has turned on The Parts You Don’t Hear to a forgotten Chelsea cult classic in The Deviants who recorded their debut album PTOOF! there with engineer Vic Gamm in 1967. Awesome!
Although there were plans for Liam and Geoff to work together on a new console when Liam was changing studio location in 1997, it was sadly never to be realised. Liam does however maintain that Geoff taught him how to calibrate his tape machine and they continue to be in regular contact. We would like to thank Liam for his time and enthusiasm. You can check out Toe Rag at their website and facebook.
