Self

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Self is an American alternative pop/rock band from Murfreesboro, Tennessee and largely the brainchild of writer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Mahaffey.^[1]

The band currently consists of Chris James (keyboards, piano, samplers, guitar, backing vocals), Mac Burrus (bass guitar, keyboards, horns, backing vocals), and Jason Rawlings (Drums). Past members include Matt's brother, Mike Mahaffey (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Timm Nobles (bass guitar).

Matt Mahaffey is proficient in almost all of the instruments that Self uses and plays most of the instruments on the albums; the other members contribute occasional parts on albums and participate in live performances.

Band History

Self (usually spelled with capitalizations such as "sElf" or "SeLF") got their start with founders Matt and Mike Mahaffey recording songs in their home. The band's debut album, Subliminal Plastic Motives, was released in 1995 on the Spongebath Records, a label the Mahaffey's helped found. During this early period, the band featured Matt on vocals/guitar, his brother Mike on lead guitar, bassist Tim Nobles, keyboardist Chris James, and drummer Jason Rawlings. The album was followed by The Half-Baked Serenade in 1996 and an album released for free via the Internet in 1997 called Feels Like Breakin' Shit. By now, bassist Nobles was replaced by Mac Burrus (formerly of Murfreesboro rock band The Plain). An EP titled Brunch (1998) and the album Breakfast with Girls (1999) were co-released by the Spongebath and Dreamworks labels. Back at Spongebath, Self released Gizmodgery in 2000, an album created entirely with children's toy instruments. That same year, Self released two more free Internet-only albums, Self Goes Shopping and Selfafornia.

In 2005, Self again released an album for free on the Internet. Porno, Mint, and Grime consists of demos recorded during the 2001-2004 sessions for the album Ornament and Crime which has not yet been released, and for all intents and purposes is considered a dead project.

Self also recorded a cover of "Ana Ng," for the They Might Be Giants tribute album Hello Radio: The Songs of They Might Be Giants, released July 2006.

Unreleased Music

An album entitled Ornament and Crime was completed in 2004 and was set to become the band's fifth commercial release. When Universal Music Group acquired DreamWorks Records, the band's label at the time, the album was shelved indefinitely. A few songs from Ornament and Crime have been featured on the band's MySpace, but there is still no projected release date.^[2]

A DVD has also been completed, but due to legal reasons, remains unreleased. The performance includes a cover of AC/DC's hit song "Back in Black," which has not yet been approved.^{[citation needed]} Several videos of songs from the DVD, including the "Back in Black" cover, have been posted online on Mahaffey's MySpace and YouTube profiles.

Recent Activity (2005-present)

Due to the difficulty getting music released and disinterest from labels and the public, the future of Self is uncertain. Lead guitarist Mike died in May 2005, and his role in the band has yet to be filled, though the remaining members played a show in his honor on October 09, 2005. They have performed since as a full band and Matt has appeared in solo performances.

Members of the band have been working on other projects. Jason has been drumming for the band Suburban tragedy, and Matt has formed a new band, Wired All Wrong, with God Lives Underwater member Jeff Turzo. Wired All Wrong released their first album, Break Out The Battle Tapes on September 12, 2006.^[3]

On January 13, 2007 Matt announced on his MySpace blog that a new Self album, tentatively titled Super Fake Nice, was in the works. In late 2008, several new tracks appeared on Matt's MySpace.^[3]

Discography

Albums

EPs

• Brunch (1998)

Singles

• "Cannon" (1995) Spongebath Records
• "So Low" (1996) BMG
• "KiDdies"/"Suzie Q Sailaway" (1999) DreamWorks Records
• "Meg Ryan" (1999) DreamWorks Records

References

External links

• Allmusic - Self biography
• Matt Mahaffey / Self MySpace page
• Self's discography at the Discogs database
• Fan community with mp3 collection