The Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, on Sebastopol Road – well known to fans of Mega City Four who rehearsed here – in Aldershot; was a rehearsal and workspace for many a band. It was run by Mark Davenport, who was also in Who’s the Spy?, and bands booked rooms, with names like Slammer and Asylum, on an ad hoc basis.

Harding & Ernest of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding

J.C. Regulator referred to The Workhouse as their spiritual home for many years, and the Twister duo also wrote and rehearsed at Workhouse Studios. The Flowers of Sacrifice recorded “Flower Power” there, on a 4-track, booking a space from midnight onwards. The building was industrial in its feel and the lifts were quirky, and a fair warning was oft given to not record during a home match for Aldershot; for if they scored, you’d hear it. Another band to rehearse at The Workhouse were Redefining Beautiful, whose vocalist / guitarist, Martin Warren manned the reception desk on Sunday mornings for a while. Another to work the front desk was Study in Scarlet’s drummer Keith ?.

 Thieves of Dreams waiting for the Workhouse lift c’90/’91. Image courtesy of Ian Bridgeman

The Workhouse also had some backline equipment, reportedly of dubious quality, that was available to rent. After a while, Davenport passed the business on to a new proprietor called Alan ?; who made an arrangement with bands, including J.C. Regulator and Thieves of Dreams, to rent rooms on a permanent basis, allowing gear to be left set up for rehearsals at any time. Serious Plankton released the “Three from Five on Four” demo cassette in ’93, which was recorded at The Workhouse; and engineered / mixed by Mega City Four‘s Gerry Bryant. Also recorded, by Splat the singer with Disturbing Guests, at The Workhouse was Cornered‘s “Life Injection” cassette demo in ’97.

Alan sold it to a guy called Tony who owned the printing business elsewhere in the building. Kelly managed it for Tony until it closed and Tony sold it off for demolition.

J.C. Regulator rehearsing c’92 at Workhouse Rehearsal Studios, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman

After the business ceased trading, Alan sold is to Tony ?, the owner of the building who owned a priniting business elsewhere in the complex. Kelly ? managed it for Tony and carried over the rental agreement/s and some bands, such as J.C. Regulator, continued annoying the neighbours, including Burger King who were a regular complainer, until the premises were sold by Tony for demolition in the late ’90s.

Gallery:

J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
J.C. Regulator at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Photo by Dirty Dave and here courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
The Workhouse, Sebastopol Road, Aldershot. Picture courtesy of Bruno Bannerman
Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding
Harding of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse, Aldershot. Image courtesy of Matt Harding
Redefining Beautiful in The Workhouse’s reception area. Image courtesy of Matt Harding
Redefining Beautiful, and Keith of Study in Scarlet, in The Workhouse’s reception area. Image courtesy of Martin Warren
Russ (drums) and Harding (guitar) from Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren
Harding of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren
Warren of Redefining Beautiful at The Workhouse. Image courtesy of Martin Warren