London Bridge Studio

01/29/2025

01/25/2025

On This Day In Music • January 25, 1994

Alice in Chains' Jar of Flies, released on January 25, 1994, remains a landmark achievement in modern rock history. Recorded in just seven days at London Bridge Studio, the EP is a masterclass in vulnerability and artistic exploration. Unlike the heavy, distortion-driven sound of their 1992 album Dirt, Jar of Flies introduced a softer, acoustic approach that resonated with listeners on a deeply emotional level. This creative pivot demonstrated the band’s range and cemented their status as one of the most innovative acts of the 1990s.

The recording sessions, which lasted 14 to 18 hours a day, were characterized by spontaneity and raw creativity. According to producer Toby Wright, the band began the project without any pre-written material, opting instead to craft songs organically through improvisation and collaboration. Despite this unstructured approach, each track was completed in just one or two takes, reflecting the band's undeniable chemistry and artistic focus.

The EP’s introspective lyrics, delivered through Layne Staley’s haunting vocals, paired with Jerry Cantrell’s evocative guitar work, created an atmosphere of melancholy and introspection. Tracks like “Nutshell” and “I Stay Away” highlighted themes of isolation, fragility, and resilience. Bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney added depth and texture, enriching the EP's bluesy and folk-inspired soundscapes.

The title, Jar of Flies, was inspired by a childhood science experiment conducted by Cantrell, in which two jars of flies—one overfed, the other underfed—yielded a poignant lesson about balance and survival. This metaphor underscored the EP's thematic focus, lending the project a layer of philosophical depth.

Jar of Flies made history as the first EP to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a testament to the band’s ability to connect with audiences beyond the confines of traditional grunge. Nearly three decades later, it remains a defining moment in Alice in Chains' career and a cornerstone of 1990s alternative rock.
📸©️Rocky Schenck
✍🏻TGL
🎨The Grunge Legends

01/18/2025

Thanks for the LOUD LOVE Seattle Refined! Link to our historic tours in the comments below.

Visitors can get immersed in Seattle grunge nostalgia at London Bridge Studio, a recording space that has seen an abundance of influential musicians.

12/14/2024

‼️🔊Attention Producers, Composers, Music Creators‼️ 🔊 Ready to take 2025 to the next level? London Bridge Studio has two small production rooms now available as long term lock-outs (starting at $1800 a month.) Ideal if you are doing primarily Mixing, Music Library Production, Light Overdubs, etc, or are just ready to move your creative hub into a more inspiring and professional setting! Email [email protected] for Application details!

12/13/2024

Holiday gift ideas from LBS. 😀
• Studio Time Gift Certificates.
• Neve Plaque Engravings
• Historic Music Tours
• LBS T-Shirts & Hoodies

This year London Bridge Studio is offering several gift ideas for your family members and friends who are music fans and or musicians. • Studio Time Gift Certificates. Help support your musician friends and loved ones by sending them to London Bridge Studio to record. Send us an email at info@lond...

11/22/2024

Join us on November 24th for some coffee, a behind the scenes look at the PNW’s most iconic studio, and a one of a kind performance as & the Passenger String Quartet perform string renditions of London Bridge Studios “Greatest Hits” as part of this years music festival TICKET LINK IN BIO

10/26/2024

Join us on November 24th for some coffee, a behind the scenes look at the PNW’s most iconic studio, and a one of a kind performance as & the Passenger String Quartet perform string renditions of London Bridge Studios “Greatest Hits” as part of this years TICKET LINK IN BIO

06/20/2024

“Alice In Chains got so wrapped up in life on the road that they forgot to pay rent on the apartment they shared in Seattle, and the band members were evicted. They had nowhere to live when they stopped touring, so they called record producer Toby Wright and booked ten days at London Bridge Studio. This gave them a temporary place to crash while they figured out their next move.”

Unplanned and unprepared, when Alice in Chains recorded Jar of Flies' catchy songs on the fly, they created some of the darkest yet warmest music of their career.

05/21/2024

If you’ve taken our historic tour, you’ll recognize this as the large ISO room. Blind Melon wanted a tighter drum sound so they used this room instead of the big room.

If you haven’t taken our historic tour yet, get your tickets here! www.londonbridgestudiotour.com

05/04/2024

Come take a tour of London Bridge, where TEN, Temple of The Dog, Louder Than Love, Jar Of Flies, and so many others were recorded, PLUS on June 1st ONLY see some limited Pearl Jam focused memorabilia in a two hour hometown celebration! Click the link below, Select June 1st, and secure your spot, tickets are going FAST!!!

04/28/2024

Also offering our historic tours the entire week of May 27th! Tickets are going fast!

A historic Seattle recording studio offering daily tours. Artists such as Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Blind Melon, Brandi Carlile, Soundgarden, Dave Matthews and Macklemoore have all recorded at London Bridge Studio.