Decibel Studios, Beehive Mill, Jersey Street, M4 6JG

Prior to The Smiths, Johnny Marr formed a band with Andy Rourke on bass and Simon Wolstencroft on drums called Freak Party. Whilst searching for a lead singer they rehearsed at Decibel Studios in Beehive Mill. It was during one session that the door was kicked in by the police who were looking for Johnny Marr. He was arrested and taken to Longsight Police Station. The reason for this rude interruption was because Johnny had been approached by a customer at Aladdin’s Cave where he was working. The customer enquired whether Johnny knew anyone who could take some art off their hands. The individual was quite persistent so Johnny eventually passed on some details of an individual who he thought might be interested. 

Johnny wasn’t aware that the ‘art’ in question was some original works by the famous Manchester artist L.S Lowry. The police rounded up those involved, Johnny being one of them. 

Everyone involved was charged and Johnny was given a date to attend Magistrates Court. The case was heard and everyone involved was sent to prison. All except Johnny who was fined £300 and released. I do wonder if the Magistrate ever appreciated how their decision that day not only potentially influenced British musical history but also changed millions of people’s lives, mine included. 

Decibel Studios was also the location for the first proper Smiths recording session. Johnny, Morrissey and bassist Dale Hibbert had previously recorded some songs in Johnny’s room in Bowden on his Portastudio. Dale worked at Decibel and had recorded Freak Party's demo there. Helpfully he also had access to the studio which allowed them to utilise it one night in August 1982. 

Present were Morrissey, Johnny, Dale on bass and Simon Wolstencroft on drums.  The final part of the jigsaw was a friend of Morrissey’s, Annalisa Jablonska. During the session they recorded ‘The Hand That Rocks The Cradle’ and ‘Suffer Little Children’ with Annalisa supplying some laughter in the background. Johnny supplied some noises of school children playing that he’d recorded from his Bowdon bedroom as well as some piano playing. 

Johnny was keen to get Simon Wolstencroft onboard but it wasn’t to be. Simon wasn’t impressed, he didn’t like the group’s name and wasn’t taken by Morrissey, he 'didn't like the cut of his jib' so it was ‘Thanks, but no thanks’. The search for a drummer continued.

The building is one of Manchester's longest surviving mills, dating from 1824. It's one of the earliest examples of bee imagery in Manchester.

It's also known for being the original location of Sankey's Soap nightclub that opened in 1994. The upper floor of the building was used as a set location for the film '24 Hour Party People' representing Factory Record's offices.  It's now Grade 2 listed and contains offices and workspaces.