Unearthing the sounds of an era
Delve into the definitive account of Cargo Recording Studios, a pivotal hub for post-punk and independent music in the UK.
Discover untold stories and revisit the era that shaped a generation.
The heart of UK indie music
Cargo Studios, though only active from 1977 to 1985 in Rochdale, quickly became the epicentre for post-punk and independent recording bands across the UK.
Owned, built, and managed by John Brierley, with John and second engineer Colin Richardson often engineering and co-producing, Cargo offered a unique live sound that attracted hundreds of musicians from across the UK and Europe. Bands like Joy Division, Holly Johnson, Dead or Alive, New Model Army, GBH, Discharge, The Fall, OMD, DAF, Nico, Echo and the Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Scars, and many more recorded their seminal works here, often their very first singles, establishing Cargo as the UK's premier indie studio.
Author Chris Connelly spent over 12 years researching, writing and designing the book, he formerly ran a fanzine in 1982/83 and this project is very much a labour of love.
A journey back to music heritage
This book is more than just a historical account; it's a music heritage book that vividly relives the independent music scene of 1978-84. It captures the essence of seven-inch singles and the vibrant atmosphere of gigs in youth clubs. John Peel, a huge admirer of the studio and its recordings, played many of these tracks on his show, which served as a beacon for most of the bands who passed through Cargo's doors. The book features over 600 interviews and details over 900 artists, offering an unparalleled insight into this pivotal era.
Although know for its post punk recording many generes of music were recorded at Cargo, many punk singles and LP's were recorded there including; Discharge,GBH, Varukers, Anti Pasti, Broken Bones, Insane, Samples, Infa Riot, English Dogs, Red Alert and many more.
Many NWOBHM singles were recorded including; Tora Tora, Bill the Murderer, Oxymn, Turbo and also the 'New Electric Warriors' LP.
Also blues, folk, and experimental electronic music were recorded at the studio.
Share your thoughts and spread the word
We believe this book will resonate deeply with music historians, old fans eager to revisit their youth, and new fans keen to discover the roots of independent music. Once you've journeyed through the pages of the book, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Please let us know if you enjoyed it, and we encourage you to pass on your comments and recommendations to friends who share a passion for this incredible era of music. Your support helps us celebrate this vital piece of music history.