Expresso Bongo Studios
Opened: 1985
Owners: Paul Speare and Phil Smith
Tamworth Herald – 25/01/85
Two friends are planning their first business venture together – a sound recording studio in Tamworth.
Phil Smith and Paul Speare hope their studio will be used not only by local bands, but also by any music-making groups, ensembles, and societies.
They plan to launch a fully sound-proofed eight-track studio – hopefully expanding to a 16-track later on - at the rear of the former record shop, Tamdisk, at 17 Lichfield Street.
The shop closed last summer and has been vacant since then.
Phil and Paul now have planning permission for their studio which they hope will be fully functional by March.
“We have both done some professional work in the past and have been looking round for quite some time for somewhere to start up a small recording operation,” said 31-year-old Phil, who is married and lives at Maypole Road, Warton.
Both he and Paul 29, who lives at Polesworth, are music teachers.
“This is our first business venture so naturally we’re a bit apprehensive about it, and to start with at least we will be carrying on with our jobs,” Phil said.
“But we are far from green – we have done quite a bit of recording and we already have all the equipment. We have gone into everything very carefully.
“Besides local bands, we hope to attract choral and instrumental groups, and schools too – anyone who is interested in making a tape.”
Tamworth Herald – 26/07/85
TAMWORH’S music scene has been given a much-welcome shot in the arm – the opening of a new recording studio right in the heart of the town centre.
The Expresso Bongo studios have been set up by two keen local musicians Phil Smith and Paul Speare, who are determined to give Tamworth’s musicians first class facilities on their doorstep.
The studio boasts all the latest equipment and is ideal for the most experienced groups – or new outfits making their first tentative steps into the recording world.
“We aim to give bands just what they want. If they need a lot of help and advice we can give it, but if they have a clear notion of what they want to do we won’t interfere with their plans,” said Paul.
The studio – which is a 16 into eight track – is based in Lichfield Street at the back of what used to be “Tamdisk Records.” Phil and Paul rented the site and have spent the last four or five months constructing a modern, well-equipped studio out of what was a virtually derelict building.
“There has been so much work to do, everything from wiring and sound-proofing to things like painting which itself takes a lot of time,” said Phil.
The Expresso Bongo studios have had a little luck on their side so far. At just the time they were trying to get something together, Steve Adams’ studio at Birchmoor sadly gad to close down, allowing Phil and Paul to pick up some tried and tested equipment at the right price.
Since then they have also brought in their own equipment and the studios are now bulging with equipment including polyphonic synths, Roland drum machines, digital delays and a full Premier drum kit.
In addition – if needed – musicians can use other keyboards, amps, and guitars. In fact, all the musicians need to bring is themselves and their ideas and Phil and Paul will probably be able to do the rest.
Quality
“We spent time making sure we got a lot of good equipment because we want to make sure everything that leaves this studio is of a good quality. We want to gain a reputation for making demos and no one should leave here disappointed.”
The studios are hoping to produce jingles and tapes for schools and musical societies but there is no doubt that they also hope to become the recording focal point of the local rock scene.
To get the ball rolling in this direction the studios have agreed to offer their services and facilities free for the recording of the Tam Aid tape “Just Take A Look At Yourself” which should be recorded in the second week of August, proceeds which will go to the Ethiopian Famine Relief Fund.
The duo are enthusiastic about doing their bit for the Ethiopian cause, and they are also hoping the tape will really put them on the map.
The prices at the studio are below the average charged by most similar sized places - £8 per hour or £70 for a full 10 hour session. They are now open for initial bookings and enquiries.
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