Originally a produce stand, the building was first opened as a studio under the name Triangle Recording between 1976 and 1986. Later, the studio first became popularly known as a partial birthplace of grunge, with countless early acts of the genre utilizing the space, then widely known as Reciprocal Recording (1986–91). After several years as John & Stu's, the studio has more or less been operated by musician and producer Chris Walla under its current name since 2000.
The complex first opened as a produce stand in 1911. It served as a retail location for most of the twentieth century, and was vacant by the 1970s.[1] Jack Weaver purchased the space and named it Triangle Recording in 1976, recording a series of 7"s by bands like Pell Mell and the Blackouts.[2]
Chris Hanzsek and Jack Endino moved into the space in June 1986, renaming the studio Reciprocal Recording. The studio became famously responsible for all but inventing the grunge movement; Soundgarden and Nirvana recorded early demos at the studio, with the latter completing its debut album Bleach (1989) at Reciprocal.[3] Hanzsek left the space in 1991,[4] while engineer Rich Hinklin continued on, renaming the complex Word of Mouth. In 1993, the space was renamed again to John & Stu's,[5] named after producers John Goodmanson and Stuart Hallerman.[6] Goodmanson, Hallerman, and Phil Ek utilized the space to track dozens of bands, including Sleater-Kinney, Harvey Danger, Built to Spill, and Modest Mouse.
In 2000, in partnership with Barsuk Records, musician and producer Chris Walla began overseeing the space.[7] Walla began working as a producer with Nada Surf, Hot Hot Heat, and the Decemberists,[8] as well as with his main project Death Cab for Cutie, with whom he recorded Transatlanticism (2003). Death Cab took over the lease in 2004 and used the studio as a practice space for four years. In 2010, Robin PecknoldofFleet Foxes took over the complex, reverting it to it former name Reciprocal.[9] A writer for Spin described the space in a 2011 cover story: "The windowless exterior was once painted brown, but the color has faded and flecked off. Cracked shingles curl up off the roof, and inside the studio, tattered walls and well-worn carpeting give it all the charm of an abandoned church basement."[10]
Walla returned to the studio in 2011,[5] and oversaw an extensive renovation of the space.[11] Walla has continued to record bands in the space, including Lo Moon,[12]the Paper Kites,[13] and Ratboys.[14]
Nirvana recorded their first album, 1989's Bleach at the studio.Death Cab for Cutie used the studio as a practice and recording space, including for Transatlanticism (2003).Sleater-Kinney made two albums when it was John & Stu's.Fleet Foxes briefly oversaw the space and reverted to its former name between 2010 and 2011.More recent artists to utilize the space include Ratboys.