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How Your Band Could Be The Last To Record In Noel Gallagher's Studio
















Noel Gallagher's historic Wheeler End studio is being threatened with closure - but NME is going to let one act use the legendary studios.

After almost a decade, Noel is giving up his lease on the studio and it's owners, Suzanne Lee-Barnes and Geoff Coupland, have decided to sell the house and recording facility.

The Buckingham pad, incorporating a main control room, converted barn and full accommodation, in picturesque rolling hills, was rented to Noel in 1998, just in time to record Oasis' 2000 album 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants'

Since then the studio has been used for laying down tracks for 'Heathen Chemistry' and 'Don't Believe The Truth' albums - large sections of 'Lyla' were laid down here - as well as for records by the likes of The Coral and Ian Brown.

"Noel turned 40 and had a baby and I think he just wants to de-clutter his life," explained Lee-Barnes of the decision not to renew the lease. "They had many years here and I think it just run its course."

Noel has moved out roughly 160 guitars and other equipment ahead of the studio going up for sale for a supersonic £3.9million but, although the two massive mixing desks are still on site, there are no guarantees about Wheeler End's future. If sold, it could be turned into luxury flats.

"We're hoping it will stay a studio," explained Lee Barnes. "But, there's no way of guaranteeing that. Wheeler End is such a good location for bands to record - it's always good to create this bubble where people can be inspired and create."

It would mean the end of the studio's rich musical history. Other musicians who've recorded there include Paul Weller, Bill Wyman and George Harrison.

"Paul Weller recorded most of his 'Illumination' album here in the barn. I always remember he liked to start the day off with a glass of Chateauneuf!" laughs Lee-Barnes, whose family ate dinner with the artists after most recording sessions.

It's a dinner table that's hosted more than its fair share of rock talent including Robert Plant, Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera, Sam Brown and Frida Lyngstad from Abba.

Last year, The Coral laid down tracks for their 'Roots & Echoes' album after Noel invited them to use the studio for free. "James [Skelly] is the most prolific songwriter I have ever known," says Lee-Barnes who started managing bands in her teens in the late '60s.

"There were up to 14 of them sleeping here.I was touched and impressed by how tight they are as a unit. "We had to have three dinner sittings that night!" laughs Lee-Barnes' husband Geoff, who carried out the barn renovation work.

However, it was Oasis who put their mark on Wheeler End. For years the kitchen housed a custom-made fridge designed by Marshall that looked like one of their amps - that is until Noel gave it to Kasabian as a present. One of Gallagher Senior's signed Union Jack Epiphone guitars is still in the family's dining room, ready to be auctioned off at a ChildLine event at indig02 on March 13.

Coupland is certain that Liam and Noel will be back to visit them at some time, as they love Suzanne's cooking too much "Liam was the most regular visitor to the studio and apparently the most hard-working of the band, preferring to stay in a cottage next door rather than travel back to London every day.

"Liam was always the first here, he loved it." says Lee-Barnes. "Before the others even arrived he would have been up working on his songs. And he only had a drink in the evening. His favourite tipples were champagne, tequila or Jack Daniel's - straight, of course!

"Oasis are an unbelievably creative band. Usually they'd all get here at midday, have some lunch and start work. Arguments? Well I'm not going to tell you, we're to good friends with Noel!"

NME has teamed up with Wheeler End to allow one act to use the studio - see this weeks magazine for details - and along with the chance of working in the same place as the greats, there's a chance the winner could make history.

"Whoever wins," explains Lee-Barnes, "could be the last band to ever play at Wheeler End."

Source: NME Magazine

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