Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins producer, and member of Garbage, Butch Vig, stops by Black Star Records in Lyndhurst
THE superstar producer behind some of the biggest albums of the ’90s, including Nirvana’s Nevermind, popped into a Forest record store this week ahead of an in-store fundraising gig.
Butch Vig, who was also behind the mixing desk for albums by the Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth and Green Day, popped into Black Star Records in Lyndhurst on Monday after a sell-out Wembley gig at the weekend with his band Garbage.
Store owner Fran Jones is friends with James Grillo, who’s in another of Vig’s bands 5 Billion in Diamonds. He said Vig had heard of the Black Records’ latest fundraiser and was “really keen to show his support and care”.
On Saturday Black Star Records is hosting a live show by local band Blender, which will be recorded straight to vinyl. All proceeds will go to the Teddy Rocks Foundation, which raises cash to support children with cancer and holds an annual music festival at Blandford.
“Butch shared some amazing insights and gave advice about sound, engineering live performances, getting the best sound for the shop,” Fran told the A&T.
“He also offered to listen to any recording we do in-store and anything we created through our efforts.
“To get one of – if not the – greatest music producers in store is one thing. For him to want to get involved with what we are doing and offer support and advice is quite the other.”
Fran added: “Butch was so kind to the team and genuinely I think it will support what we are trying to do for Blender, Teddy Rocks and our whole vinyl loving community.
“Butch has promised to stay in touch and we hope we can keep releasing music and doing events that will not only inspire the dude that produced Nevermind – but more important our shared community, customers and wider Black Star supporters.”
Fran said Vig spent the day with staff, and had a pint with them in a village pub.
“I just had a beer with the dude that recorded Nevermind – my work here is done,” he added.
For more information and to pre-order the fundraising Blender album visit www.blackstarrecords.co.uk