The Sawmills Studio, of Golant, Cornwall, was set up in 1974. One of Britain's first residential studios, it has played host to many big names over the years, the likes of XTC, Verve and the Stone Roses making use of its facilities. In a diversion from its main line of business it issued ten singles through Sonet Records (q.v.) in the '70s. For the first half-dozen releases, which came out in 1976-77, the company's name appeared as a logo on the Sonet label. Initial copies of the first single, 'Tambourine' b/w 'Natural Born Winner' by Brandy Balloon (SON-2074; 2/76), had the Sawmills logo on top of the Sonet one (1), while later pressings and the subsequent singles had the logo at the top of the label (2). Then in 1978-79 four singles featuring Obie Clayton and / or the Golant Pistons appeared on an actual Sawmills label (3). None of the ten appear to have threatened the Charts. Sawmills singles shared a SON-2000 numerical series with those of Sonet. Manufacture, marketing and distribution were by Pye, as they were for Sonet itself.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.