H.Q. Studio

H.Q. Studio was a private recording studio located at 5122A Avenue du Parc (Park Avenue) in the Mile End district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The studio space was originally rented out by technician and engineer Garfield Lamb in 1992, as a place to store unused recording equipment which he had accumulated over the years. Eventually, in 1993, Lamb set the space up into a fully functional recording studio with the intention to produce local bands. In July 1993, Montreal hard rock band Emissary (2) moved their gear into H.Q. Studio as their permanent rehearsal space. Emissary (as well as Boize, the band's former name) was managed by Lamb and his partner Bill Hill from 1991 to 1993. Emissary is the currently the first-known band to have recorded at H.Q. Studio, in August 1993, when they tracked their demo "Reach In". In October 1993, H.Q. Studio's lease was transferred over to Emissary/Boize bassist Stéphane Fania. H.Q. Studio then became the headquarter for Klink Publishing and U-Iliot Records (two companies operated by Fania and the other members of Emissary). Montreal thrash metal band Mother of Pearl (4) also used the studio's practice space for a brief period in early 1994. Later in 1994, the studio was accommodated with living quarters for members of Emissary. Fania also opened a concert venue next door to H.Q. Studio named Club Rage (1994-1996). Emissary recorded their full-length album "Digging Up Old Bones" at H.Q. Studio in early 1996 but changed name to Breaking Violet before the recording of the album was finished. Breaking Violet continued practicing at H.Q. Studios until June 1998 when Fania ended the lease and sold off the remaining equipment.