THE DAMAGE IS DONE

Today’s request comes from Jonathan.

The Features
“Exorcising Demons”
Mahaffey Sessions (2000)

In the beginning, there was “Exorcising Demons.” And in the end, there will be “Exorcising Demons.” Let it be known that no other Features song will stand the test of time and overcome great obstacles like this ditty about domestic unrest.

While other aspects of Daiglenetics may be false, this passage from The Book of Daiglenetics has clearly come to pass. Thanks to my new database, I can accurately say that only “Thursday” and “Leave It All Behind” come close to challenging this song as the most played Features song ever. And since “Demons” is still being played at every show whereas “Leave It All Behind” and “Thursday” aren’t, I can assume that “Demons” has eclipsed both to become the most-played Features song.

There’s a reason for this, definitely. “Demons” acts as the perfect resting point during shows. The verses are quiet and the bridge and chorus are raucous, thus allowing the song to both give Rollum and the fans a chance to catch their breath while also allowing just enough dancing and movement to keep the concert moving forward. There’s also a sort of campfire element to the song. The lyrics form one of the most linear narratives of any Features songs and the subject matter is highly relatable (dirty dishes are a pain, you guys). The campfire element was heightened for a while when audiences would clap along to Matt’s solo singing on the second verse, a tradition which seems to have faded away in time.

“Exorcising Demons” may have debuted in September 1999, and if not then then surely around then. From the bootleg I have from that concert, “Demons” sounds as if it was fully formed even back then. No big lyrical or structural changes have been made to it; “Demons” has been in it’s current incarnation for a decade now. Since then, like I said above, very few (and perhaps now none at all) songs have become as synonymous with the band. The song was first demoed back in 1999 during the sessions with producer Brent Rawlings and went on to be demoed again in 2000 with producer Matt Mahaffey. That version features particularly delightful backing vocals during the chorus that I wish hadn’t been dropped. The song was a lock for their debut album and, sure enough, there it made its proper debut. The song remains a mainstay to this day.

Special thanks to Matt Peach for help with this entry.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, album release (2004)

OTHER VERSIONS:
Rawlings Sessions (1999)