In early 2009 ten tracks were recorded straight to tape in a garden shed/studio on the outskirts of Leominster in just a single day and the band then tentatively began playing live and circulating choice cuts from this session.During these first shows Small Engine Repair came to the attention of Hilldrop Records, who cherry-picked the song ‘Serve Yourself’ for inclusion on their compilation album - We Can Be Friends’
Shortly afterwards another track from these first sessions ‘Have You Seen What I’ve Become?’ sound-tracked a short-film made by the charity, UK Youth.This led to three very confused and underdressed Hereford musicians playing a star-studded charity event at St James’s Palace in early 2010 in front of the likes of Princess Anne and Pixie Lott.