The Features perform at the Spongebath Records Reunion show at Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ, 12/13/2019
Friday and Saturday, two much-loved and long-dormant rock bands reunite for a good cause when The Features and Glossary take over Eastside Bowl to support public and community radio. Something else that connect these bands is that they honed their chops in the late 1990s and early Aughts in Murfreesboro — which, in case you’re new to our area (howdy!), is about 45 minutes south of downtown Nashville and home to Middle Tennessee State University.
Two long-dormant heroes of Middle Tennessee music get ready to take the stage at a benefit show for WPLN, WNXP and WXNA
Since the 1970s, the school’s recording industry curriculum curriculum and on-campus studio complex have been a huge draw. (Some well-known recent-ish grads include rapper Daisha McBride and producer Tay Keith.) During my time as an MTSU audio student from 2003 to 2008, faculty and staff taught me things I still rely on despite not having touched a fader in years — the school and its people are a big deal. But that critical mass of creative folks fueled a rich, fascinating, ever-evolving independent music scene in the ’Boro. (And it may yet still! I haven't had a night out in Murfreesboro in a long time.)
The Features and Glossary each played their own parts in it, as well as playing together. The saga of Spongebath Records’ rise and fall in the ’90s — and whose connections to the major-label world drew a lot of outside attention — played a role. Networks of house-show venues sprang up, withered and rose again as students came to town, got their footing and graduated (salute to spots of my time like House House, The Brothel, Wolfcastle and Trash Mountain).
We get the rundown from the band and others in advance of The Mahaffey Sessions 1999
Regular (more or less, anyway) venues such as Sebastian’s, Main Street, Wall Street, The Red Rose Cafe, Grand Palace Records and The Boro Bar and Grill (which closed last summer after 40 years) were also important for bringing people together. During my time, so was the Southern Girls Rock ’n’ Roll Camp (now YEAH! Rocks Music Camp), whose umbrella nonprofit Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Humanities (aka YEAH!) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Volunteering at SGRRC was how I met probably half the people I know.
Murfreesboro’s claims to fame include the world’s largest cedar bucket, its lore involves breaking a curse by peeing on a monument, and like Music City, increasingly ghoulish conservative political forces both exist within the town and come calling from elsewhere. Crucially, Murfreesboro was a bit isolated from Nashville — and still kind of is, in spite of the internet. That’s helped musicians develop in their own unique ways (lookin’ at you, The Protomen) which have historically translated into an impact on music in Nashville (see also: Those Darlins).
You have until July 5 to pay your respects to the night spot and venue in nearby Murfreesboro
The Features/Glossary reunion gigs have put folks in a ’Boro state of mind, so I reached out to current and former Scene contributors and staffers who’ve spent time around the Murfreesboro-to-Nashville music pipeline. Some who weren't too waylaid by the winter storm have kindly shared their musings with me in the format of the Scene’s annual “You Are So Nashville If …” issue. Big hat tip to the Scene’s former music editor Tracy Moore for the idea.
Have some YASMIs of your own? Email ’em to music [at] nashvillescene [dot] com. If enough come along, we might add them in an update.
You Are So Murfreesboro If ...
From Bailey Brantingham, contributor:
You've had coal rolled on you by a lifted Dodge Ram while protesting on Broad Street.
You've sweated your ass off in one of the many now-condemned local house venues.
You can see a smoke shop, side-by-side upscale cafes and a Confederate monument in a single line of sight.
From Ashley Spurgeon Shamban, contributor:
You do actually remember when this all used to be fields.
You know in your heart Davis Market is the center of an alternate universe.
You know that a cartoon oyster heralds good food and fun.
From the second the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve until the last time I checked my phone, 2017 has been a nonstop onslaught of polit…
From Amanda Haggard, contributor and former Scene staffer:
You've ever felt too shy to ask Jim Laughlin to please just let you browse.
You thought you were too good to go to Stampede, but not to take a photo in the bathroom at Liquid Smoke.
You've waited in line in front of a mobile home for doughnuts only because the drive-thru was too busy.
You know the difference between the ATM at The Boro and Willie's Wet Spot.
From Tracy Moore, former Scene music editor:
Bingham Barnes was your roommate.
You still have nightmares about finding your class in Peck Hall.
You unfortunately went to a place called "Squeezer's... Not Mine." More than once.
You spent every weekend and holiday at a show, even if the "show" was at that storage place where bands practiced.
You bought shitty weed at Chameleon Cafe.
You paid for a pitcher of beer at The Boro in pennies.
From Stephen Trageser, Scene music editor:
You were recruited to volunteer at Southern Girls Rock ’n’ Roll Camp by one or more members of Those Darlins.
Sharon Van Etten served you a Polar Bear at Red Rose.
You went to a show at The Boro and wound up repairing the P.A. during someone's set. More than once.
Your first visit to a chiropractor was the day after your band's first show at Wall Street.
You learned to pace your beer intake so you wouldn't fall off the porch at Campus Pub before they called your name for karaoke.
You have a definitive ranking of Sir Pizza locations (and you know that the one on East Main Street is the best).
