I just saw this on The Katies site:

Friday August 19th @ Exit/In
The Katies w/ Fluid Ounces & The Features
Mike Mahaffey Tribute Show

A show for the ages, without a doubt...if only I weren't in Denmark. I'd bike to Tennessee for this, and that's no lie...

Hell yeah, I'm definitely there. And we'll be partying like it's 1999.

Awesome, I saw the listing for a Mike Mahaffey Tribute show and hoped The Features would be involved.

Not only is this for a great cause, but the timing is really good for me as it will be taking place on my last weekend living in Nashville.

(Edited by carligula at 11:40 am on Jul. 21, 2005)

nice.

did they ever release his cause of death?

This will be cool. I didn't realize you'd be moving away Carl. How far away from this wonderful town are you trying to get?

pardon me for not knowing this, but could someone fill me in on the mike mahaffey story?

(Edited by angust at 8:25 pm on Jul. 19, 2005)

Mike Mahaffey:
Late Guitarist of the fellow Murfreesboro/Former Spongebath Records band Self
Older brother to Self frontman Matt Mahaffey*
Also played some guitar for former Spongebath band Call Florence Pow on "These are the Plans..."
Mike passed away recently and unexpectedly of a heart attack, leaving behind 4 young kids. This concert, from what I understand, is sort of a benefit to aid his family.

For more information visit www.selfies.com

*The same Matt Mahaffey known for recording The Features "Mahaffey" Sessions, which include Blow It Out B-sides (Serious & Oh My Love) & TWIMTB B-side (33 1/3)

Charleston, SC-- and I wouldn't be leaving if it wasn't the best move for my career.

(Edited by carligula at 10:37 am on Jul. 20, 2005)

I added more information about the show in the Show Information section. There is now a tribute website.

this will be lots of fun. im very much looking foward to it.

Wow. Very moving.

Now...THIS SHOW should have a line around the BLOCK! (you can laugh if you want to...)

Sounds like a smashing good time. i will be there.

I agree -- the website is touching and very sweet/sad. I really enjoyed looking at all of those pictures. That was a great idea, as is the show. I really hope I can go.

hi..im new!

im from the UK, but im traveling to the States in August to see KOL in Nashville on the 20th, and i found out that The Features were playing on the 19th...so i'm going.

hope to meet some of you guys...i love these boys with a passion!

I'll be the guy yelling "Bombardier" during the Fl Oz set.

i'll be the guy standing next to Yadadada, but i'll probably be yelling for some really obscure song that they don't even want to play anymore....but in this case....i'm going to help a brother out and yell for "Bombardier" too.

adventure? excitement? thats what these types of shows are all about!!!

Good call. Such a great song (a war protest song from Seth Timbs is always bound to be quality...).

Though I will say for you lucky bastards who'll actually get to attend, that given the Spongebath Reunion-y feel of the night, this is probably the only night either band would be willing to attempt some kind of obscure classic song. Yelling for "Hey Lou" throughout all bands' sets is a must, if I may assert myself so forcefully, and if someone gets the freakin' Katies to play that song (and ensure some kind of quality recording of it), I would gladly be their slave in any capacity imaginable until my dying day. Bonus points if anyone gets Gary to show his "Hey Lou" tattoo.

will there be adanced tickets available for this show?

yeah, i just bought mine on ticketmaster.com

almost 24 bucks with all the inconvenience charges....

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize there would be advance tickets. I updated the show information forum with a link. It took me a minute to find it because the listing is under "Mike Mahaffey Tribute" rather than "Features".

Here's that link

can you buy them from exit in yet?

I've never had luck buying tickets from the Exit/In. I don't think they sell advance tickets. Maybe Grimey's will get some tickets. They only charge $2 a ticket.

I dont know who decides whether or not Grimey's carry what tickets but i really hope they get some of these. I cant stand ticket master's charges. Plus i feel like im supporting the community when i visit Grimey's and i need to pick up the Go Team, Ben Folds, and Abandoned Pools Discs.

I'm afraid that yelling for bombadier will do you no good at that show... (but that is a kick ass song )... you would have better luck yelling for a self song actually

there may be a hey lou though... we tried last time, but no dice... you'll have to wait and see...

tha b.
fluid ounces

HAPPY ACCIDENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marathon Shirt and Sassy Britches!!!! Also may I add, please play Have Fun.

Yeah, I bought my ticket online, just because I'm coming straight from a rehearsal dinner and if it sold out and I didn't get in I'd have to kill myself. I have a strong feeling that some variation of Self will be performing. It's nothing more than a hunch. And if there is a Self performance, this will become the concert of the year.

The Features will be special guests on Fascination Street, my radio show on 88.3 WMTS, this coming Sunday the 14th! We'll be promoting the upcoming Mike Mahaffey tribute show, which the Features are headling! Fascination Street airs on 88.3 FM from 8-10pm every sunday, and you can also listen online at www.wmts.org! Dont' miss it!

PS-to jamiecarroll- Self is playing a separate show of their own, at the Exit/In on Sept. 10th. Yes it is really happening! And yes it is also to benefit mike's kids.

(Edited by fstop at 2:16 pm on Aug. 13, 2005)

oh god, not this dumbass again

LOL... I was going to be the bigger guy and let the freaking green type go, but man does that shit drive me nuts.... and I'm a freaking amphibian!

Does anyone know the order in which the bands will be playing?

Welcome back Tom Foolery.

Fluid Ounces first
The Katies next
The Features headline

If anyone is listening, I'd like to humbly request "God Save Rock 'N Roll" on Friday. Its probably been 2 years or more since I've heard it. Buy hey, gonna be a great time regardless! See ya there.
Jack

ooooh, if we're doing requests I'd like to hear "Look Out Below". I'd just like to be reassured that it hasn't died.

Ok, I get it, no more green type.
Interview with Matt and Rollum from my radio show on 8/14/05 is now posted.
www.myspace.com/fascinationstreetradio
I compressed the hell out of it so it's easier to hear their soft voices.

And thank you for abandoning the green... you just made my crappy day!

Maybe they should focus on songs from their album that they no longer play...

I agree... but can we really expect them to play "That's Me" or "Button My Shirt"?

Which songs from their album to they no longer play?

I was thinking "Someway, Somehow", but now that TF mentions it, "Waffle House Menu" would be great.

I finally got the ep the other day and was thinking about that.

I guess if they were to bust out any old tunes it'd be tonight...I've never heard the the studio version, but I have a bootleg of "Attention" where Matt uses a megaphone...it sounds pretty cool.

Brian Rogers from the Fl Oz says they're pro-recording this one...I sure hope so! I'm most interested in the Katies, and what Self covers all the bands play. I'd expect the Fl Oz to play some of the songs Seth and Matt co-wrote (Happy Accidents, Lost My Senses, etc), or maybe some of Self's other more piano-y tunes (You're a Drug, and I've got a strong feeling for Better Than Aliens because I have a bootleg where Seth sings the chorus to it in the middle of "Record Stack," as well as It All Comes Out in the Wash for similar reasons), the Katies to do some heavier tunes (SPM songs, maybe? Wide Awake at 7?), and The Features...I have no idea. It'd be so classy if they bust out Hey Lou, though...

Thanks, Brian. It's great to be back.

I'll go ahead and say it...
It makes me sad that Fluid Ounces have to open for a band that hasn't played a show in two or three years.

I bought tickets yesterday! Woo hoo! I'll have to leave the Sounds game early to make it to the show on time, but I don't want to miss those Ounces!

You better be there. I need as many voices as I can get for my "Bombardier"/"Spill Your Brains" Cheering Section.

i got a ticket for this show...and it turns out i can't go. very very sad.

BUT...if anyone needs a ticket...i'll sell mine to you for 15 bucks.

thanks.

its ok parl.

i'll still be going for pre-i can't go to the show drinks.

plus i would probably just be really annoying and write on my boobs with ink pen and flash everyone. you know the drill.

Are you sure you can't make it???

Brian Rogers was right- Brian Carter, the mad scientist himself, did a multitrack recording of the show from the soundboard mix, so we can be assured of a super high quality bootleg. Brian R. and I both videotaped the Fl. Oz. set, his camera was stationary at the back, and I was in the crowd getting closeups, etc... and eventually someone (maybe me) will edit the two together and dub Brian C.'s audio over it. Unfortunately my old battery prohibits me from taping the whole show. It would have never lasted that long. But we'll have complete coverage of the set in which Matt M. was involved.
For those of you who weren't there-
Matt M. played drums for Fl. Oz. and sang and played guitar on a cover of "Microchip Girl." He played drums on the covers of "Rusted and Used" and "It All Comes Out in the Wash," as well as all the Fl. Oz. tunes. It was truly amazing.

(Edited by fstop at 7:35 am on Aug. 20, 2005)

Holy shit man, Microchip Girl? I need this freakin' bootleg!!!

And he didn't even mention that Sam Baker came out and they did "Hey Lou."

... and then Richard Williams came out on stage and apologized to everyone for any role he had in the decline of the whole Spongebath scene. He and Seth Timbs shook hands and hugged. Then Matt Pelham came out on stage, and he apologized to Richard for writing "Captain Williams."

After that, Ben Morton joined Seth, Brian, and Sam on stage. They played all of Big Notebook for Easy Piano.

Out of nowhere, Mac Burris showed up, and he, Seth, Matt Mahaffey, and Brian played all of Breakfast with Girls.

Then Seth and Matt looked across the stage at each other with this "Why the Heck Not?" look on their faces. So they played about 25 Ella Minopy and Bootie Hoop songs. It was totally awesome!

Wow, now THAT would have been one hell of a night!
Yeah I totally left out one of major moments of the night- Sam Baker singing Hey Lou...
It was a rockgasm.

Did he really sing it with a freakin' cigarrette hanging out of his mouth? 'Cause that is so rock'n'roll...

It kills me to think how we're all giddy about this stuff now, but back 7 or 8 years ago, there was a show like this going down a few times per month.

http://www.jartymannetty.com/MOV03187.MPG

via the trisheree.

Thanks, man. That video's awesome! Did you record it?

For bonus fun, you can watch me take pictures throughout the song.

My girlfriend took it on her camera, but was running out of space on her memory card and had to cut it off early.

I've been on here for a while, but this is my first post. I'm glad you guys enjoyed my video.

Speak of the devil!

Silly boy, you must be confused. I'm not the devil.

OK!

Here is the pro audio from the show...

first of all we must thank Brian Rogers & Brian Carter for the recording...and whoever else helped out...

Please consider donating to the Michael Mahaffey fund...the whole reason this show happened and this recording is seeing the light of day is to help Mike's kids...

Thanks to all the bands, Fluid Ounces, The Katies, & The Features...this was definitely a great show.

So to everyone - enjoy the audio - and please donate if you can!!!!

Mike Mahaffey Benefit Show Audio Downloads

Thanks Dave for posting, and Brian & Brian for the recording.

Ditto. This is BY FAR the best live recording I've heard of The Features. I wonder if they'd consider taking donations via paypal? I work around the corner from the church, but paypal would make it super convienient (sp) for others,

we are still working on setting up some donation facility online (PayPal, Amazon), but it's harder getting the ducks in a row than we thought... we're still trying though.. for now, just buy a bracelet... there will be more shows and maybe more audio/video to share in the future.

thanks,
tha b.
fluid ounces

And best of all, you can hear me telling for "Bombardier" after Microchip Girl. The prophecy was fulfilled indeed.

yeah that is the best part of the show, isn't it?

Thanks a gajillion for posting these.

I can now listen to "Hold" whenever I want, including when I'm driving...which could be dangerous since the song's beauty makes me cry.

I'm a wimp, whatev, the song's dang beautiful.

Well, it doesn't make me cry . . . BUT I think the band's slower songs have always been under-appreciated.

"Gates of Hell" is great and I would consider that one a "slower" song. "2 x 2" on the other hand...

I don't consider "Hold" slow at all. It's downright almost dancey and a subtle form of jaunty.

"Gates of Hell" is slow, but totally awesome.

The other new songs are okay (haven't grown on me yet I guess), but "Foundation's Cracked" is probably my new favorite Features song. It's like a more musically and lyrically mature "Armani Suede"...which was, I believe, the second or third song by the band that I loved ("D-Con" being the first winner). Seriously, FC's a great song. They better record it.

It's still "Chemical Head" in my book...

Thanks very much for the link, everdave.

carligula and everyone else, you are welcome...

i am glad to be hosting the audio, i must thank again everyone who performed at the show and who helped in recording it...

check it out if you haven't yet!

I'm really addicted to "Arcata" and "Hold (You Alone)." I'm glad to finally have a quality recording of them.

Does anyone else think that Matt's voice sounds raspy in some of the tracks?

I've always thought his voice sounded kinda raspy...

wish i would have been faster and checked out the new songs before they were taken down.

You have got to be fucking kidding me. Given their recent interview on WMTS and now this slap-in-the-face to their real fans, I think it's safe to assert that The Features have no souls.

EDIT: I think I'll just add that if you don't want people to hear a fucking song, then you don't play it live. These MP3s aren't being sent to press and radio, and the only people who would even know their location would be the already-converted die-hard fans. I don't know whether to be directing my ire towards the band itself or their management, but either way, believe me, there is ire.

(Edited by Jakob Dorof at 4:19 am on Aug. 30, 2005)

Thou shall not blaspheme the name of the almighty Daigle!

To be honest, I was a bit surprised that The Features' set was available at all. Now that they're tied to a major label, making their music available for free, easy download can be a tricky matter (legally speaking).

But it's a live bootleg, not studio tracks. Tons of major label bands have live bootlegs available for free download on their sites...so why not the Features? And I highly doubt Universal's searching the hidden pages of doubledrecords.com looking for contraband Features bootlegs (and if their contract honestly has a clause about the Features being responsible for fans posting live MP3s from the band online, then Universal's most certainly got them by the balls). Besides, I think the very fact that the rest of the bootleg remains online proves that it can't be a contractual concern, as the Exhibit A tracks (obviously the ones that would be most closely guarded) are still there...no, I think it's just the band/management not wanting new songs to be floating around. Which, again, is pretty lame. They're pretty great songs...there's nothing to hide.

What did they say on WMTS??? And I think it's kinda dumb too. I can almost understand certain situations that would keep them from wanting the songs out on a high-quality bootleg. But, didn't they know it was being recorded for this very purpose before they sang them?

I really can't see any of the band members being that anal about it. It probably came from management.

I agree completely, Jakob. This is a very disappointing development.

I think the worst part is that the songs were put up to help out poor Mike's family. They took down charity songs for chrissakes! I assume that the Features were not involved since they knowingly played the new songs whilst being recorded. I would like to know who the dick is, though.

Oh nothing, I was just making a wisecrack with that...they're usually just very quiet and careful with their words, and after their recent interview on WMTS, the Nashvillezine joked that they are "the hardest band to interview in the world."

And I just want to clarify that I'm not trying to personally attack the management. I don't think anyone's a dick because of something petty like this. I just think it's silly that they'd go out of their way to take down a few harmless live MP3s...and even though the Troll was probably being sarcastic, he does have a bit of a point: it's in memory of Mike, for crying out loud. The Features put up a set to help draw donations for his children, and you're worrying about whether or not fans can download live versions of a few new songs? I mean sure, if Everdave posted the Mahaffey Sessions and just said "here it is folks, enjoy," then yeah, cease-and-desist that shit. But again, it's just some harmless live samplings of what's to come for...well, the only people who, right now, actually care: the fans.

P.S. Noticing a trend between Tom Foolery and FeaturesTroll's avatars...

(Edited by Jakob Dorof at 1:07 pm on Aug. 30, 2005)

I'll be painfully honest and admit that I wouldn't have donated more $$$ had the new songs not been out there to download. For me, it was worth another $5 or $10 to have the new songs....

I really just don't see the harm in it. And while I still don't think any band members requested the songs taken down, it still casts a slightly negative light in their direction just by association.

well, the songs were removed by request of The Features (the band) through the management. It is just that those new songs are 'not finished' and I assume they only want the best quality out there associated with their name. While I agree that if you don't want the songs heard, don't play them live... it's certainly their call as far as what's available or not.

I'm sure that some of you out there have already downloaded the tracks and you are free to do with them what you will (I guess). I'm just trying to clarify that this is not a Universal legal issue, rather band preference.

tha b.
fluid ounces

They are not the same person. The humor is too different.

Yes, it sucks, but oh well. The benefit and charity were designed to get money at the door, and the kind and thoughtful everdave thought it would help to add to that by making the show available for download. We do have to remember that this is a time when music being available for download is very much still in question and at the forefront of the minds of those at record labels. We the fans love to get anything we can get our grubbly little hands on, and we have our own theories about how music for downloading influences record buying and all that. But since Napster, lots of people in the record biz have been skeptical of it because it is a potential threat to the way they make their living. I'm surprised that they stopped with the new songs and didn't take down the whole thing.

I downloaded the tracks and put them on a cd already, but speaking as a fan and supporter of The Features, if they were to release the live show on cd, I would still buy it. I have and will continue to support them and purchase whatever they put out. And if those songs aren't perfect yet, and get better...then we are some lucky kids, because that show sounded amazing!

Me too. It makes me think that those songs taken down are in the running for album #2.

As much as we don't like it sometimes, The Features have to play the "major label game" and we all knew it was coming when they got signed. It doesn't mean they don't have souls anymore, its just that there is more to it than just us and the band, like it used to be.

The major label game has nothing to do with it. Let's face it - anyone who downloads those songs are gonna buy album 2 anyway. And again, the fact that the Exhibit A tracks remains proves that this is of no contractual concern with Universal.

Also, for further clarity: my "Features have no souls" comment was a joke. I love this band and they can do what they want...I just think it's silly to take down these tracks. Man has yet to invent a sarcasm font, but in the meantime, italics are a damn fine substitute.

But B-Rog just said three posts ago that it was the Features themselves, not the label. I really can't imagine a scenario where a record label would care about people listening to a live version of a new song. A studio version, for sure, but like Jakob said, if you make the decision to play a song live and you allow people to tape your shows (as the Features always have), I think it's ridiculous to then be upset about people listening to said recording. Perhaps they should consider prohibiting taping at their shows if they have concerns about these things.

Look, I don't think the Features or their management are "soul-less" or "dicks" or bad people in any way. I love them all dearly - especially Rory and Meeks! But that doesn't stop me from saying when I think they've mis-stepped.

Ultimately, though, I think this is not as big a deal as we're making it out to be.

1. Exactly. I believed I've emailed with one of them before (forget which...), and he was extremely nice and courteous and helpful. They're good people, I don't doubt that at all. This is about their decision, not them as people, or even as managers.

2. Of course not, but hey...what else have we got to talk about right now?

Glad I got hold of those songs. I've listened to the 5 new songs a combined 30 times now. Can't get enough.

Well, I thought this would be an appropriate place to announce that I've started a new music blog about MidTN music. The first real post is about the Mahaffey benefit show, a bit of an obsessive review as I'm prone to give them, and of course, the Features are included. The new post is a revised list of my show highlights for the Features (it was originally rife with the new songs), and I have somewhat riskily included an MP3 of the live "Foundation's Cracked." I think I defend my position well enough on the page, but I will re-emphasize that this is not to undermine the band nor their management. Instead, as music bloggers often do, this is a display of my adoration for the band and it's music. The fact that I only uploaded one of the five songs adequately proves, I believe, that this is not an issue of authority or "being rebellious" or some such nonesense, but rather just me wanting to share a great song with anyone who might want to hear it. The MP3 will only be up for about a week and then will be promptly taken down (as is with most MP3 blogs).

Hey, Lou! - Dissertations on all things in the Tennessee scene

Many more Features-related posts to come in the future, without a doubt. Comments left on the blog's articles themselves (anonymous/guest comments are permitted) are highly encouraged and appreciated as it would make the blog seem a little less desolate, but feedback of any kind would be great. Let me know what you think, and if you give me some constructive criticism maybe we'll be able to shape this thing into something worthwhile.

Lastly: if it's REALLY such a big deal that there's ONE live mp3 of a new song online for a single week, the Features and/or their management can contact me via the "E-mail us" link on the blog. Don't wanna piss anyone off, but again, I don't see how this could be viewed as unjustified.

You're cruisin' for a bruisin', JD.

Hmmm, you may be right. I checked with a couple others for second opinions and no one seemed too concerned about it, but then again, I wouldn't like to get on anyone's bad side on day one. To err on the side of caution, I've simply deleted the post in question. Again, I don't particularly think it's such a big deal, and I pity those who don't get to hear the song just because they were a couple days late, but I don't exactly want to piss anyone off, either. Feeble apologies to the whoeverthecrap made the decision; please don't smite me.

But anyhow, the show writeup is still there, and I plan to be making many more posts in the future that may be of slight interest. I think I'm going to try to find out about every version of "Hey, Lou" there ever was (the important ones, that is...it'd be crazy and uninteresting to try and catalogue everytime it was played live), more history about that song, etc., for an upcoming post, which could be fun.

And boy oh boy do I hope to get into that Self show.

so, this might now be an outdated issue but i'd like to chime in on this "taking down of the new tunes" issue from the stand point of a writer.
now, i know there are a lot of very devoted fans on this and all of the ex-spongebath band sites and we all appreciate you guys but just because you play something live and let people record it (as if you could stop them in the first place) doesn't mean you really want everybody and his brother to download it a share it.....and you guys are NEEDY when it comes to sharing tracks. you want them now and without a hitch. this only shows that you really like the featuers which, as i said, is great.
you guys are also very opinionated about what you like and you don't hesitate to broadcast those opinions on message boards (that's what these boards are for). some people around here get "demoitis", meaning you love that bootleg demo or live version that you got somehow a year or more before the record came out and you just don't understand why the artist did'nt do it that way on the eventual recording.
sometimes we "artists" would prefer that a live version remain a foggy memory to the audience so that when the recording is released there is that vague spark of recollection rather than a note for note comparison with an off-the-cuff performance of a brand new tune through god knows what kind of sound system for a wonderfully nerve-racking audience who put it up for download 30 seconds after the last chord was hit.

so go easy on the features...when they want to release something well,.......they will...not before.

I've been guilty of this, sethro.

I'm not guilty of this at all. Look at "Exhibit A." Is there a group of songs that anyone here has heard more times than those prior to their release, especially "Exorcising Demons" and "Circus" which had already existing recorded versions. When the album came out, I was pleasantly blown away by the changes to "Harder to Ignore," "Circus," "Idea of Growing Old," etc. All amazing.

I guess it's just a case by case thing.

(Edited by DigsySlattery at 3:49 pm on Sep. 8, 2005)

yes, but the features recorded something like four albums before "exhibit a" and both they themselves and the record co. folks picked, proded and poked at the songs for a month of sundays before they let them go and still i heard gripes from the fans about the way that record sounded. not that it matters...the record is bad-ass.....it was bad-ass in it's previous incarnations as well. (maybe even better) ...opps! have i become the object of my own critique?

Wow that was a long sentence

Haha, there ya go! Hey, I'll always like the "Exorcising Demons" from the Mahaffey recording better. The harmonies on the chorus make it. "There's something good in everything..."

By the way, my favorite song/performance EVER is a demo. As for the released version, I think it's listenable at best. Honestly. So yes...thank God for demos!

Mine too, followed by a live recording. I like the albums, and will buy whatever they put out...everything. But I like hearing different versions of the song and choosing the best. I hope they do change the songs up a little, that'll give me one more piece of musical happiness to enjoy.



Besides,"it's the music, not the money, that matters anyway."

(Edited by joeywade at 5:52 pm on Sep. 8, 2005)

I tend to like demos better as well. I like the more unfinished/rougher cuts and like the option of hearing a few different versions of the song as it is. But, whatever The Features want do with their music though, they can. Just know that they have some big fans who like to hear as much as they can from them. That doesn't have to be a bad thing...

it's certainly not a bad thing that features fans want as much music as possible from the band i just don't like to get the impression that they think they are somehow entitled to do what they will with material which really does not belong to them. i've seen fans and artists alike get very bent out of shape on all the ex-spongebath band sites regarding this issue and the bottom line is that unless you have express consent from the artist (and preferably major league baseball as well) to post material on a public forum then you shoud'nt do it.

hell, we use to have to show up on some dark side street with a joint and a six pack to meet a guy who would give us prince bootlegs...on cassette no less.

man, this thread took a really sharp turn toward gay.

how disappointing

So now this thread wants to have sex with other threads of the same sex.

Governor Schwarzenegger will never stand for this.