Earlier this week I called attention to a story about a model skyscraper built out of toys. I linked to a live performance of a song taken from Self’s highly enjoyable toy instrument album, Gizmodgery.
This particular performance occured on April 17, 2004, and is one that has been discussed at length in the Self circle. Britt Daniel (Spoon) was in the middle of a solo tour and asked Matt Mahaffey to play an opening set at Spaceland in Los Angeles. Mahaffey, along with old pal, Seth Timbs backing him up, played about ten songs. The video of the performance - recorded by a friend of Mahaffey’s, turned out better than expected. He decided to have the footage pressed into a limited edition DVD which he planned to sell directly online and at future shows.
Never one to cut corners, Matt sought legal permission for the last song performed in the set - Back In Black by AC/DC. Permission was denied and access to the DVD was subsequently squashed. Quite the unfortunate outcome for Mahaffey and fans alike. Considerable interest was generated on the band’s message board, and he was left having to sit on a slew of otherwise viable DVDs that could not be legally sold.
Is this a case of overbearing legal guidance? Or is it something completely misunderstood? I’m sure Mahaffey wishes he had an answer.
Anyway, here is the song in question. It graciously popped up on YouTube earlier today (thanks, Mr. Mahaffey). Matt performed the song entirely by himself while sitting at his drum kit with an Omnichord at his side. One Man Jam Extraordinaire!
Happy Friday the 13th…
There it is! After you teach me how to write a worthy post, you can school me on the omnichord, dude. Props on your work here….
that was…rediculous- amazing- literraly, ONE of a kind.
amazing.
Why thank you.