Now that I've got a better idea of the discography, I'm rather curious about something. It seems that The Features did alot of recording (and there was always a note on the old Spongebath page about them being in the studio, or recording with Matt, or something), but Spongebath never did a second Features release. In fact, they never seemed to repress The Features EP, which was sold out for at least the last year of the company's existence. So my question is this: did Spongebath not put out a full length release (which there was obviously material for) because they didn't like any of the stuff or have faith in the band, or was it the band that didn't put anything out because they felt it could be improved?

I've always been unable to fully mourn the death of Spongebath, because I always had a feeling that they were mistreating their artists, but was it really as bad as this indicates?

Will

This is such a long, complicated story, and I don't claim to know even 1/4 of the details, but to put it simply, I don't think that either the Features or Spongebath were ever really satisfied enough with anything that they recorded to release a whole album of it.  As far as Spongebath in general, there is alot of writing on the wall that you can read (every worthwile band eventually left the label).

I think I've asked this before... Why is the story of Spongebath's fate so hush-hush?  The people who were around and know the bitter, horrible truth still don't want to talk about it.  Even when it became obvious to everyone on the ol' Spongebath message board that it was dying, no one would talk to us, the lowly, faithful fans.  How odd...

i agree with tom.
i'm sure the fact that nothing else was ever released probably had more to do with the band than spongebath. i'm sure they had the idea tha 'hey! we can do better than that!' i'm sure it was the band that was unsatisfied and not the label.
and why does everyone make spongebath out to be this evil label? i know there is alot i don't know but i was always under the assumption the reason why all the bands were disatisfied and felt mistreated was because the label didn't put forth any effort.
if i was a rich man...i would spend my money on re-issuing everything spongebath put out.......great records like FL OZ's In The New Old Fashioned Way and Self's Gizmodgery are now out of print. to me thats the saddest story of them all..great records are now out of print. especially The Features EP.

You said it ghost. It pains me to think that from this point on, anyone that wants The Half-Baked Serenade, The Features EP, These Are the Plans, Big Notebook for Easy Piano, and the rest is going to have to hunt them down on the used market. No easy task, based on my sister's search for Half-Baked.

Speaking of Spongebath band's cds that are hard to find, did ANYBODY get Foreign Legion? I cant find any place to buy it except one place online, direct from Japan, for upwards of $30!

As for making Spongebath out to be evil, I think the comment that all of their bands eventually left speaks volumes. And the fact that many of them were recording alot during the many years and nothing was put out says something about laziness on the label's part.

Then take into consideration the expansion that seemed to be going on at the time. While FLOZ and The Features were getting what felt like no attention, the label picked up a handful of new bands toward the end. Granted, I loved Call Florence Pow, but suddenly these new bands felt like they were getting more attention than the old standbys. And don't get me started on the Katies (not a fan, sorry).

Will

Your sister is in luck!  There's a copy of Half-Baked Serenade on eBay RIGHT NOW!  It's going for $12.99 and has four days left.  If you're serious about getting Spongebath stuff, check eBay once every three or four days.  There are usually one or two discs up for auction, but 75% of it is Self stuff.

I bought the U.S. version from Seth Timbs at their last Murfreesboro show on February 2.  I bought the Japanese version of Foreign Legion from cdnow.com in March.  Yes, I paid over $30 for it, but I'm the world's third biggest Fl. Oz. fan, and I actually wanted to give the band my money.  (If you don't think it's worth $30, I understand.  I'm simply saying that, to me, it was well worth the money.)  Unfortunately, that album has always been something of a stepchild, and I doubt it will ever be broadly distributed.  If you want it cheap, your best bet is to e-mail Seth at busterparfait@hotmail.com and ask about it.

(Edited by Tom Foolery at 9:47 am on July 1, 2002)

The japanese version of foreign legion is worth the buy because it has different artwork and 4 bonus tracks. (including my personal favorite 'Thinking Cap')

My friend got a copy of The Half Baked Serenade at Hastings on Saturday for like 6 bucks... I thought that was cool.

Shh! I found that auction a few days ago and told her about it. Looks like she's high bidder now...

Thanks for the info on emailing Seth. That'll be really weird.

Will

Hastings in the Boro? If so then I feel like shit. When I took my sister to dancin' in the district last thursday, we stopped in the boro to pick up a friend and she wanted to check hastings for the disc. I told her we didn't have time, and it wouldn't be there anyhow.

I suck as a brother.

Will

One word about all this reignited Spongebath talk: there is really no one to blame about the lack of Features-related Spongebath material. the decision to release or not release material was 50/50 between the band and Richard Williams (to the best of my knowledge.) Even Rory has mentioned to me before that the now infamous 'Dortch Sessions' were literally shelved by the band, even though Richard seemed to be happy with what he heard. However, there's no point in releasing something until it's RIGHT...and God Bless the Features for being perfectionists!

It is interesting that the band has decided to not release as much as they have... perfectionism is good, but is there a point where it goes too far? It would seem that there comes a point where releasing something that is very good is better than waiting for years and years to release something that is great. I respect the band's judgement, obviously, but I want them to have success and there needs to be music for that. Mostly, I just want more music!

Are these Dortch sessions available? Does anyone have a copy?

Will