Spongebath Records was an independent record label based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee during the mid-nineties. During its heyday, Spongebath was often viewed as the vibrant center of Murfreesboro/Nashville's (and the Southeast's) music scene with a robust artist roster of critically acclaimed bands, singers, and songwriters.
From 1997 to 1999, Spongebath attracted national press and media attention for garnering co-label deals with DreamWorks Records (for Self's 1999 album Breakfast with Girls) and with Elektra Records (for the Katies self-titled 1999 album.) Bands/artists on Spongebath at one time or another included: Self, Fluid Ounces, the Katies, The Features, Count Bass D, Fleshpaint, The C60's, The New System, The Roaries, Gumption, Call Florence Pow, Ruby Amanfu, and Knodel.
History
The label began as the brainchild of three people: Self frontman Matt Mahaffey (who had just dropped out of MTSU), singer/songwriter Seth Timbs (of Fluid Ounces), and Mahaffey's manager Rick Williams. Timbs, in fact, was the one who came up with the name "Spongebath."[citation needed]
In the mid-to-late '90s, there was a resurgence of interest in the Middle Tennessee rock scene, when Spongebath Records began to turn heads for signing promising, talented local bands like Self, Fluid Ounces, and The Features. Their office was located at 101 N. Maple in downtown Murfreesboro, and they were impossible to miss—the walls were painted in bright purple, yellow, and red colors, allowing it to stand out amidst a sleepy, rather drab and comfortably geriatric courthouse/downtown square.[citation needed]
The label even got the attention of Billboard, which ran a cover story in August 1997 chronicling Murfreesboro's rise as "an emerging music mecca," while other writers half-jokingly began to refer to the scene as "little Seattle."[citation needed] In reality, the Murfreesboro music scene was much more in line with progressive college-towns like Athens, Georgia and Austin, Texas—towns that had a rich history of championing indie rock and quality bands.
Regionally, at least, the Spongebath brand itself became fairly synonymous with top quality music, ranging from the melodic indie pop of the Features, the Katies' radio-friendly brand of hard rock, or the genre-blurring hip-hop of Count Bass-D. All the Spongebath releases—largely recorded on minimal, scattershot budgets—tended to receive wonderful critical acclaim. Even the packaging for Spongebath releases was different: Brian Bottcher's artwork for albums like Self's Breakfast with Girls, Fluid Ounces' In the New Old-Fashioned Way, or Count Bass-D's Art for Sale all had an unmistakable, distinct, and sophisticated visual flair.[citation needed]
Self was the most successful of the label's artists, the band having modest success and developing a cult following with Subliminal Plastic Motives while getting spins for "So Low" and "Cannon" on MTV. Because of Spongebath's prime location (on the downtown Square and only a few doors down from Sebastian's, one of the most frequented clubs in Murfreesboro during that time) and casual, fun atmosphere, one would often find various labelmates/band members at the Spongebath offices answering phones, sending mail, making posters, folding t-shirts, or just hanging out. Spongebath encouraged fans of the label and of the bands to come by the office, and many did, either begging Williams to listen to their demo tape or simply asking how or where they could meet the label's most visible star, Matt Mahaffey. (One of the few if only bands that reportedly benefited from an unsolicited demo submission to the label was Call Florence Pow, two teenage fans of Mahaffey's. The strength of their demo got them a deal with Spongebath, with Mahaffey producing their first and only album for Spongebath, These Are the Plans.) Other bands were rumored to have lived, jammed and recorded in the Spongebath basement.
Spongebath succeeded as a breeding ground that fed hip new bands to major labels—however, it was unable to sustain itself, and was essentially finished by 2001.
At one point or another, Spongebath employees included: Rory Daigle (manager of the Features), Bingham Barnes (bassist for indie rock darlings Glossary), Andy McLenon (who went on to work at Sire Records), Andy Kotowicz (who went on to become the Vice President of Sales and Director of Marketing for Sub Pop), Matt Meeks (eventually co-managing The Features with Daigle), Justin Meyer (who went on to play drums for Fluid Ounces), Michael Eades (who created the company's website and online presence), Neill Dietz (whose brother, Jason, would later play bass for Fluid Ounces), Chris Moon, Chris Crawford, Harrison Rogers, Christian Rocco, Joli Hummel, and several others.
Discography
Soaking in the Center of the Universe Vol. 1 – Compilation
Soaking in the Center of the Universe Vol. 2 – Compilation
Murfreesboro is a city in, and county seat of, Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 165,430 according to the 2023 census, up from 108,755 residents certified in 2010. Murfreesboro is located in the Nashville metropolitan area of Middle Tennessee, 34 miles (55 km) southeast of downtown Nashville.
The story of Tennessee's contribution to American music is essentially the story of three cities: Nashville, Memphis, and Bristol. While Nashville is most famous for its status as the long-time capital of country music, Bristol is recognized as the "Birthplace of Country Music". Memphis musicians have had an enormous influence on blues, early rock and roll, R&B, and soul music, as well as an increasing presence in rap.
Middle Tennessee State University is a public research university in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Founded in 1911 as a normal school, the university consists of eight undergraduate colleges as well as a college of graduate studies, together offering more than 300 degree programs through more than 35 departments. It is classified among "R2: Universities".
Matt Mahaffey is an American multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer, and recording engineer best known for his band Self and his composer collective Cake in Space.
Subliminal Plastic Motives is the debut studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on October 24, 1995, through Zoo Entertainment and Spongebath Records. Its songs were written and recorded by brothers Mike and Matt Mahaffey, the band's sole members. The album was promoted through the singles "Cannon" and "So Low", each receiving airplay and accompanied by music videos that contributed to the album's success.
Self is an American pop rock band formed in 1993 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The band is led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey, additionally consisting of keyboardist Chris James, bassist Mac Burrus, and drummer Jason Rawlings. Former members include guitarist Mike Mahaffey and touring bassist Tim Nobles. The group began as a duo on Spongebath Records with the Mahaffey brothers, immediately picked up by Zoo Entertainment to release their debut album, Subliminal Plastic Motives (1995). It sold over 40,000 copies in its first two years with support from the singles "Cannon" and "So Low". After expanding the lineup for live performances, the band embraced an experimental approach with The Half-Baked Serenade (1997), followed by a compilation of demos, Feels Like Breakin' Shit (1998).
The Half-Baked Serenade is the second studio album by American pop rock band Self, released through Spongebath Records on March 5, 1997.
Feels Like Breakin' Shit is the first compilation album by American alternative rock band Self, released for free via Spongebath Records and DreamWorks Records as an internet download in 1998. It consists of songs scrapped from the band's first two albums along with other demos, covers, and parodies.
Breakfast with Girls is the third studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on July 13, 1999, by DreamWorks Records and Spongebath Records. Its songs were mainly written and composed by Matt Mahaffey, the band's lead member. The album prominently maintains a power pop/art rock soundscape with elements of hip-hop and jazz.
Gizmodgery is the fourth studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on September 5, 2000, by Spongebath Records. Recorded entirely with toy instruments, its music was written and composed by lead member Matt Mahaffey, with the band's other members contributing to select songs. The album received positive reviews from critics, discussing its unique production and playful energy. Commercially, Gizmodgery sold 10,000 copies in its first week and debuted at number nine on CMJ's Alternative Radio Airplay chart. The album was distributed on vinyl through El Camino Media in 2015.
The Features is an American indie rock band from Sparta, Tennessee. The original lineup consisted of Matt Pelham, Roger Dabbs, and Don Sergio. The most recent iteration consists of Pelham, Dabbs, Rollum Haas, and Mark Bond. They have released five full-length albums and three EPs. The band has appeared twice as musical guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Fluid Ounces were a piano-based, power pop band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee that garnered a cult following for their critically acclaimed records, which featured a distinctive blend of hooks, varied musical styles, clever wordplay, and intricate, complex arrangements.
The Katies are a three-piece power rock band originating in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee
The Plain were a rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
"Cannon" is a song by American pop rock band Self, released on October 24, 1995. It was the band's debut single, distributed simultaneously with their album Subliminal Plastic Motives by Zoo Entertainment and Spongebath Records. It became an alternative rock radio hit, boosted by its Jesse Peretz-directed music video airing on MTV.
Ornament and Crime is the fifth studio album by American pop rock band Self, released on August 25, 2017, by El Camino Media. Originally finished in 2003, its release was delayed by the termination of DreamWorks Records.
Self is an American pop rock band formed in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The band is led by Matt Mahaffey, and has been active since 1993. Chris James, Mac Burrus, Jason Rawlings, and Brian Rogers are additional members, while past members include Mike Mahaffey and Timm Nobles.
"Runaway" is a song by American pop rock band Self, released on July 11, 2014. Distributed by El Camino Media, it was the second single for the band's second EP Super Fake Nice. The track utilizes power pop instrumentation that samples the song "Do That Stuff" by American funk band Parliament. A music video for "Runaway" was released alongside the single, featuring cats pantomiming with instruments. The video went viral, helping the single commercially succeed.
"Trunk Fulla Amps" is a song by American pop rock band Self, released on September 5, 2000, via Spongebath Records as the fifth track of their fourth studio album, Gizmodgery. The song is built around repetition, with variations referencing and emulating other musicians. In February 2001, it was marketed as the album's sole single and received a music video. Critics praised the song's humor, energy, and arrangements, highlighting it as a common fan favorite.
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