Saturday, November 16, 2002
The Boro - Murfreesboro, TN
_______________________

Circus*
See You Thru
Look Out Below
Stark White Stork Approaching ->
Me & the Skirts
Kari-Ann
Walk You Home
Situation Gone Bad
Oh My Love
Blow It Out
Bring On the Night
Darkroom
The Design
Leave It All Behind
Exorcising Demons
The Idea of Growing Old
Buffalo Head
Thursday

ENCORE:
Action
33 1/3
God Save Rock'n'Roll

*stopped after first chorus, at which point Matt switched guitars and continued the song

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 8:49 am on Mar. 1, 2003)

Did they have the new 7" at the show? I didn't see a merchandise table on my way out. They need to make their table more visible. I wanted to buy an EP for my friend, too.

The band was great, as usual, and they were hilarious. They played an awesome set and put on a genius show.

But I must say that I had a horrible time.

I would like to take this moment to call out Sinnasugarstick as a very immature, rude, drunk person who not only ruined the show for myself, but also IWantElvis, Sexy Sadie, HaveSomeSoma, Ray Davies, many Features virgins, and God knows who else. I do NOT appreciate being hit in the back. I do NOT appreciate being called a "Mother fucker" or being told that I suck. But really, if that was all she did, I would have been happy.

Her and her insanely wasted friends punched, hit, choked, leaned and pushed my friends and Sinna also made it a point to wrap her body around Ray and Myself. Thanks for the affection.

But I must say that the WORST moment of the night was when Sinna took it upon herself to fully push IWantElvis out of her way and shove me ONTO THE STAGE in front of Rollulm's bass drum during Dark Room. When I got back up, she pushed me down AGAIN. After getting up, I had to wrestle two of her arms off of me and shover her away and pull IWantElvis back to her spot. Thank you for

A- almost ramming my head into the mighty bass pedal of Rollum

B- almost ruining the show for the entire place since both of my hands were firmly planted near the microphone and tons of outlets.

Overall what I'm getting at, is don't be an ass at concerts. Go for the music, not for the beer. If you are going to get totally shit-faced, do it in the back where you won't ruin the concert for everyone else. We were all looking forward to a nice rocking Features concert, but instead we get heckled, pushed, smacked, shoved, etc.

People always say that they hate it when the Features do all ages shows because of the immaturity. Well, give me some Nxt Generation punks anyday over a bunch of out-of-their-mind drunkards. I hope everyone else who wasn't in the first two or so rows had a good time. I wish that I did. The Features were great, and I wish I could have been able to enjoy them fully.

I echo all of Digsy's sentiments. The show was amazing, but "dark room" was ruined by a cetain sinasugarsick. I was in mid-clap when she harassed me and digsy. I was put in a headlock by her. I calmly removed her from my personal space. Then I watched in horror as she pushed Digsy down, not once but twice. Very immature. Not only did she inadvertantly ruin my features experience, but she also spilled her beer all over iwantelvis(and her very nice vintage dress, i might add...), havesomesoma, and a features virgin. Now dont get me wrong, I understand when sometimes people like to unwind and have a few drinks at shows, but this was totally different. She was acting very beligerent and hostile towards anyone near her. Overall, her attitude and demeanor left much to be desired...


Other than that little fiasco, the show was highly enjoyable....not as amazing as the one in Chattanooga the night before, but good nontheless....

(Edited by ray davies at 3:34 am on Nov. 17, 2002)

The Features did a splendid job as usual tonight, and I did enjoy myself through parts of the show...but not as much as hoped.

I most definitely do not enjoy the sight of a drunken female literally throwing herself onto my boyfriend and a good friend. I was even more upset that certain fans of The Features could become so out of control that they nearly caused bodily harm to several friends of mine through pushing, hitting, etc... Not only did she and her friends do this throughout the show, but they did it during "Dark Room", one of my most favorite songs of all time. When somebody interrupts my concentration on "Dark Room", I get mad. Despite the greatness of the band, the show was definitely ruined for several people in the front row or two.

I've been to some rough shows before...but this is The Boro. I can understand some pushing and roudiness when you have to cram several thousand people into a small venue, but that's not the case at The Boro. It's just not necessary. It greatly upsets me that someone would act so badly that my friends were bothered so much that they almost wanted to leave the show.

So, basically... If you're going to drink (and let's hope that this effect was due completely to "the influence") yourself to that stage of immaturity, do it somewhere else where you won't be ruining the show for people who actually come, not to drink and shout that "Matt is a hotty", but to enjoy the band that they love.

Now, don't get me wrong... the show was really great. I just feel extremely sorry for certain friends of mine who didn't get much of a chance to enjoy themselves. I hope that everybody else had a better time than those of us who experienced this monstrosity. It is a sad day when someone must say that he/she had a horrible time at a Features show.

This is all very surprising... firstly in that there was such hostility between mb members and secondly because it feels like the previous set at the Attic was more fan-oriented, what with Armani Suede and Psycho Killer.

To add to the commentary, from Chicago even, I could never consume alcohol or any other mood-altering substance when viewing any form of art that I care about. Be it a concert, a movie, an art show... these are things you attend in order to take in someone else's creative expression, a creative expression that is best enjoyed, interpreted, and remembered for years to come if you are not in an altered state of consiousness. Maybe it's simply because I too hope to have others view my creativity with a clear head, but it's something I've always been opposed to. There's a time to get shitty drunk, sure, but it's not to coincide with enjoying someone else's work, especially when that leads to others also not enjoying said work. Just my nickel-less-three-pennies, but that's how I feel.

Will

not only are the features dream-eeee, they give good show.
although if you think the loud drunk girl affected only the first 2 rows you're very wrong. it's slightly disturbing to see someone that drunk at a features show. i mean, if it was like, ozzfest or something i'd expect it but being so wasted at a features show that you're causing physical harm to the people around you is as lame as moshing at a mates of state show...
anyway, the features are dripping with talent and yet they got not even an honorable mention as one of the top ten best local bands. shameful...
love always.

you people are amazing , doht go to a ROCK show at a BAR at 1AM in the FRONT ROW ! and expect to just stand there , get over yourself , true that one girl who i dont even know was out of controll. but it was not that bad. And to that girl who said she was all over your boyfriend , did he ever simply tell her to get off him ? I was standing next to her and i saw everything and every guy she was all over had NO problem with it there seemed quite happy with there arms wraped around her , through out the whole show not one person told her to stop. So if you dont ike it and you dont say nothing thats your fault , dont come online and whine about it . It was a great show and all you .. no i wotn bash anyone you have your right to say what you want to , but people come on if you cant stand the heat get out of the kitchen , simply put it was TONS of people at a ROCK SHOW ! in a SMALL BAR < what do you think happens at bars to those of you who complain about the drunk people > at 1AM !! add it up people its not that hard to predict what is going to happen there . If you dont like that kind of show DONT GO ! if your virsion os going to a ROCK SHOW is sitting there doing nothing STAY HOME ! you can do that at home , or at least leave the place where people are jumping around ! your the party pooper not the people having fun < fun does not mean hurt people and push them over on purpose though i told anyone i mite have nudged to hard i was sorry


HIGH POWER SONGS + SMALL BAR +
TO MENY PEOPLE + 1AM + ROCK BAND + FRONT ROW =
stand ther and sway ?.... i think not

Ok, I understand it was a rock show at a bar at 1:00 in the morning. It's still totally unacceptable to claim yourself as a Features fan and to go there and get shitfaced and ruin the night for others. And yes, my friends did tell her to get off of them. They did not welcome hairy, sweaty, drunkenness. I believe some people did talk back to her, as well. And you can be sure that I would have said something if I could have got to where she was. And I can certainly tell you that some of those who were nearly molested by her did not enjoy it. I was right beside several of the attackees, and they did not enjoy it. You say it wasn't that bad, but you weren't the person who was knocked to all fours onto the stage a couple of times, like my friend was. It was certainly bad enough to ruin the night for some people who have attended quite a few rock shows before. She was out of control, and she WAS that bad. Please don't come onto the message board just to assume that we don't know what a real rock show is like. We know.

I thought the show was okay. I didn't enjoy the opening band a lot, and a few comments made by one of their big fans was really lame. I thought the features were great as usual though. I was front row in front of Roger and I did notice someone getting pushed onto the stage. I didn't know what was going on. I'm sorry you guys didn't really have a great time.

(Edited by misguided fool at 11:23 am on Nov. 17, 2002)

Wow, this has become interesting. First off, it was a fun show, but shorter than I had hoped. It's been a long time since I've heard "The Design" so that was a big treat, although I miss the chorus parts like "stop taking and start giving" that used to be interspersed with "wake up to the design". I loved all the singing along & dancing & general fervor. It was nice to meet the rest of the message board regulars, and I guess I was lucky that it was prior to them being maimed.

I didn't realize that the thrashing folks were being quite so intrusive & rough . On one hand, I do think you have to expect a certain amount of discomfort in the front row at a rock show, especially at the Boro (people are always drunker there than anywhere else I go, I don't know why). On the other hand, said drunk people would do well to keep themselves confined to their friends & let other people enjoy the show too. So I'm on the fence...in the end I think I'd rather get bruised than have people just sitting & looking bored at a show. But I can understand your annoyance.

I would like to say that I witnessed everything Digsy and you guys have said about Sinna's actions from the Boro last night, and I could not agree more. How obnoxious and immature can someone be? I wanted her and her little "followers" thrown the hell out. A friend and I were sitting on the rail between the bar and the stage, (luckily out of her "territory") and could not believe what an ass she was being. Actually, we could, b/c we've seen her do it before, but to a lesser degree. And, whoisinmyhead, there is simply no excuse for her, so don't even try to invent one. A rock show, yes it was and a damn good one. But if it's "the norm" for rock shows, why do we all think it's so uncommon and rude? We should not have to stay home simply b/c we don't want to be molested by some drunk little girl! Might I suggest that Sinna stay home instead.

(Stepping off soap box now).

Great show, and there was a label rep there. Hope he liked it and was not accosted by Sinna.

first of all, i did not just stand there and "sway" as you said. i did my spastic dance and generally rocked out. i told ms. sugarsick to get off of me. my friend digsy got pushed to the ground, not once but twice. digsy had to literally push her off of him all the while she is calling him a motherfucker for no reason. apparently, this is normal behavior at a rock show to you. personally, i didnt say anything to her besides "get the hell off of me" because i was afraid that if i said anything more that i would be pushed down as well....

and another thing...people who push their way to the front of the stage....that just isn't cool at all...if you're such a hardcore fan, then why dont you get there early like the rest of us.......

basically, the band was fabulous, but certain memebers of the audience were not...

So I take it you are still intoxicated? Listen, you have no idea what I said or did. I did tell her at least twice to stop, go away, get off of me, etc. I DO move at, as you so lamely put it, a ROCK SHOW but I do not flail about like a bumbling drunk. There is a difference from jumping around and jumping around into other people. If you think I was happy to have a giggling violent drunk girl wrap her arms around me, then you are yourself an idiot. If you think my friend enjoyed getting her skull punched, then you are retarded. When going to a concert, be respectful of other people. It's not being a party pooper, it's being a decent human being.

jut to make shure everyone knows i was not drunk i dont drink and never do there , and i had never met that girl in my life befor , and if anyone fell down i was shure to hlep them up , she was all over so meny people and i thought they were her friends , i was jumpin around but i never reall hit anyone or knock them over , if i did i said i was sorry but they never actualy fell down . the girl did knick over alot of front row people though but i though you all knew her , and i guess i didnt let it bother me as much as it did everyone els . and no cussing someone out is saddly not that odd to happen in a rock show , just dont let it get to you . i never said one cuss word the whole nite , no one said i did i just dont want to be part of the crowd who did , lighten up dont be so angry and get over one girl that was being rude , dont let her controll how you view the show. i loved the show and i hope they come back.

wups i posted the same thing twice cuz it said i cant post for 30 seconds or someting so i waited and pushed reply again , =\ i wend bak and did the edit post thing and changed it to this insted though , sorry bout that =)

(Edited by whoisinmyhead at 12:28 pm on Nov. 17, 2002)

umm DigsySlattery watch who you call names and stuff , i never once said anyone was STUPID or RETARTED , bashing people makes you no better then the girl . and i was not drunk and i never claimed that you didnt tell her to get off you i said i didnt hear it , i never hurt anyone , though i did elbow a girl in the head < not to hard > but i was not going crazy i just raized my hand to clap and when it came down it did hit her =( but i was shure to grab her shoulder and say i was sorry right away and ask if she was ok but she looked kinda shy and i didnt want to push it anymore . though i did feel bad she was so tiny hehe

I'm sorry for calling you names and whatnot. I just assumed that you were in on the general havoc (and we all know what happens when you assume).

Really, more power to you if you jump around and stuff at concerts. If someone was next to me at Weezer back in July, they would probably have some bruises/stories to tell. BUT the jumping should be confined to your own little personal space bubble, and from what you said, you did that. So sorry about the meanness...I just got a tad testy.

i don't want to be redundant, so i'll just say that i back digsy, ray, sexy sadie, etc. on everything they've said. i just can't understand why anyone would go to such an amazing show only to drink themselves to the point of not being able to remember it the next day. and the show was very good, although i agree the attic show last night was better, not only because of the show itself, but because of the audience.

Wow, I was completely oblivious to all of that. Of course I was straining to see the stage, so I wasn't really paying attention to any of the rest of it. That's really bad all of it, I'm sorry. Yet in a certain way its funny. I'm not trying to make light of it, it just made me giggle some. I was standing by the rail between the bar and the stage myself, but had no problems other than being jostled by people walking through and not talking to the cute girl that smiled at me a couple times. Sorry to all you front row folk, drunk people arent funny unless you yourself are drunk, and they're still often an annoyance.

Wow! What a really great show! I was doped up on five Blow Pops but still managed to enjoy it. I had quite a nice view from my vantage point, and I was very happy to see the band do a full set again. I was especially happy about the return of "Bring on the Night" and "The Design."

The show was great! Yet again, I'm glad I made to another features show! Begin on the front row is so crazy when the show starts kids inching and inching man, it's worth it everytime though!

Rollum is so funny! I enjoyed him drawing a panda? I think out of the frost on the window lol

and Roger looked so slick! In that orange shirt man!!!!

Wow. I sense some hostility on the board...

It is a shame that one person can ruin a show for so many, or so many can let one person ruin a show, just depends how you choose to look at it. either way, it happens. I've been on both sides of the fence and can guarantee that all will end up feeling sorry or bad for their actions or reactions. While it may not be necessary for someone to get out of hand, you should not be surprised by a drunk person at a bar.

I thought the show was good. Whenever I go to the boro I hope for one of those 2 hour marathon shows I've heard about but never witnessed, so I disappointed myself, I guess. I didn't try to deal with the crowd, so my views of the band were limited. Still, the Features played a hell of a set, 21 songs is quite a lot of late. Had a fun, Features-filled weekend.

yes, but drunken violence, especially at a features concert, is a rarity...

Ditto. In my 9 Features concerts, there have been drunk people at most of them that attempted to disrupt the show, but they have never ruined an experience. I guess whenever said drunk person targets mainly ME and makes it their drunken agenda to violate me and my friends, a show can be ruined. Especially at a Features concert. By the way this board is, I think that we all are intelligent, reasonable, fun people who know how to act a concert. If last nite's incident had just been a random goofy drunk, it would have been expected and not nearly as bad. But it was one of us who keep saying "I'm gonna kick yer ass on the board tomorrow." That's just completely from left field and unexpected.

But oh well. Time goes on and I have homework to do now.

just a note...i usually get a bit loaded at features shows. perhaps those of you who drink too much at a show should cut back a bit and those who never drink should knock a couple back and just let the shit roll off yer back.

Okay, I was pissed off last night. I did get elbowed in the head once or twice and had beer spilled on me. Digsy getting puched was not cool.It sucked. But I guess I am gonna let it go. I am way to passive to yell at someone or actually verbally assualt them on this message board. I guess I just know where to stand now. I am not "rock and roll"enough to be up in the front anymore. I'm a wimp and I totally admit it. Nonetheless, I am pretty sure that the people from last night either do not remember it or are sorry about it. Oh well... I still love The Features and always will. There's always the next show.

first off... the show kicked major ass! is was quite riboflavin! (i don't think my new word is catching on....) highlights were hangin with ceeze and getting to see the mysterious Lauren again.

after my hectic and traveled weekend i was treated to a wondeful show last night. and roger and i had a long discussion of vinyl i was very very pleased to hear 33 1/3.

I did notice the massive amounts of pushing and drunkeness that went on during the show......i only have one thing to say.....that is why i stand where i do. that wall gives me some protection in case things get crazy. besides annoying drunk morons do bother me...especially at a rock show. i really don;'t know where i'm going with this but sometimes shit happens and who are you gonna call?????

shit happens. especially at a rock show. yes it rediculous at a place like the boro but sometimes shit happens. everyone has every right to be upset and angry. i would be too if it was me that got pushed into the drums. if some drunk person was all over my girlfriend i would be pissed as well (sexy sadie...i wouldn't stand for someone hitting on your man!)

its strange...i dont post for about half a day and there is this!!! this has been some of the mostmactivity we've had a few weeks.

i hope everyone enjoyed the shows. i hope those that did the two night enjoyed themselves as well.

just keep on rocking in the free world.

I understand that standing in the front row welcomes, to an extent, jostling and bumping. however, the shit that went on in the front was completely unreasonable. at first i thought it was just playful, but when said drunken female began pushing my friend down onto the stage and shouting about how she wanted to kick his ass, she was definitely crossing the line. a features show is not a drunken frat party.

as for the show- well, i thought they played well.

(Edited by damon at 7:41 pm on Nov. 17, 2002)

godddddd saaaavvve HIGH POWER SONGS

woooooooo!

Wow...we're trying to mix the words REASON and DRUNKENNESS.

I did keep thinking all through this show about how I feel like a very old Features fan to come and plop down in the back like I did for the whole show. All this does shed some new light on the whole thing.

Anyhoo, the opening band reminded me of a fact about college bands. There's a barrier that every band must pass to really become a band and not just a bunch of guys failing out of their gen. ed. classes in college. These guys had good musicianship, but I kept thinking of how they need to fail out of college before they can come together and really grow.

I'm mad at the guy working at the Boro. As I was sleeping during the opening act, he said I'd have to wake up or be thrown out. I haven't been to the Boro in 9 months after practically living there for so long, and this is the thanks I get.

The show was pretty good. I was glad to hear all they played, but wished they'd thrown in some more surprises. "Bring on the Night" was great, as was "Idea..." This was only my 2nd time to hear "Me and the Skirts", and I really like the strength of that song. The new tune they played still needs some polishing, else I fear it will fall into the huge heap of forgotten Features tunes.

And it's always great to talk to the mighty JC.

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 9:15 pm on Nov. 17, 2002)

hmmm...

all of them with the exception of the lead guitarist, who may or may not have been wearing depends...

oh, how cruel, damon, simply cruel...

Apology accepted... my "tiny" self is fully recovered.

Does anyone know anything about the record label guy from last night (Boro)? All I know is, unfortunetely, he looked very bored and never applauded or anything. Maybe that's their m/o, I dunno.

Maybe we need to send him cookies or a gingerbread man. Any volunteers??

The lead guitarist did have a nice Mercedes though. I guess that's what playing in middling rock bands gets you after years of toil. Time to go dust off the strat.

I make great cookies...anything to help.

i did like the guitarist's shirt though.....it had roses on it. damon and i came up with a plan to knock the guitarist out, steal his shirt, and inadvertantly throw the lead singer into the drummer.....but, alas, it did not happen...

(Edited by ray davies at 10:02 pm on Nov. 17, 2002)

The drummer was guilty of some odd faces. I thought it odd to be watching ER while said guitarist was sporting George Clooney's hair. But he did have a very cool shirt and aided Matt in one of his guitar crisises.

you guys have enough wit to make little black hearts everywhere jump for joy.
love always.

(Edited by bulletproofheart at 11:48 pm on Nov. 17, 2002)

Hm! I wouldn't know!

Oh man, I had the exact same thought about the guitarist, he was so George Clooney-ish! man, he just looked like a knock off version of him.

Okay, great set as always. I also miss hearing Moonlight on a regular basis as well as Someway, Somehow, but I was still thouroughly satisfied. I also thought the set was a bit short, but who's gonna bitch about over an hour of pure rock? The mix was good-- even to the point where I could hear Roger's backing vocals. Fantastic! I missed out on seeing Rollum's antics due to my poor vantage point, but from the sounds of things, there's no doubt that he was giving his all.

I did witness the hurricane of energy that was Sinna during the show and I can easily see how many people were annoyed. On the other hand, for everyone she pissed off, there was definitely someone who's night she vastly improved. It's been a long, long time since I've seen a chick groped like that by soooo many guys at the same time. And it's been an even longer time since I've seen one who seemed to enjoy it soooo much. Man, I miss college...

Early in the show, I was getting extremely pissed by all the chicks pushing their way through after I stood for 2 hours to get a good view of the stage. Eventually, I just said "fuck it" and managed to tune them out and just rock-out. I suppose it helps that I'm 6 feet tall and 205 lbs. I sympathize for all the little people, though.

Yeah, smoke sucks. That's just a fact I have to deal with when I go to shows. (How someone can knowingly do that to their body still baffles me to this day, though.) It would be nice, however, if the smokers would have the courtesy not to blow their smoke directly on those around them. Not that it would help.

In sum, despite all the rude-ass stuff that went down, I found it to be an enjoyable show and well worth the trip.

We have SO much control over where the smoke goes. We do it to our body because its an addiction. Damn anti-smokers.

Sina, it sounds like you were a bad, bad girl Saturday night to make so many people angry. I must remind you that brianeno2 does not condone such violence at Features shows. Other than that, all I have to say is keep your head up, you're gonna make it.

i apologize for being rude, annoying, slutty, etc. & sorry if anyone got hurt physically or emotionally or whatnot.

and the whole 'sina and her friends' keeps getting mentioned. they weren't my friends, i don't know who they were. (no offense to whoever that referred to.)

~s

thanks for the kind words jamiecarroll. the first thing i thought when i woke up the next morning was 'oh god, what would brianeno2 think?' i'm ashamed. (did i spell that right?)

I think it's amazing the amount of time people have to bash the band that we are trying to pull together. But, like the bass player in The Flynts, I appreciate feedback when it is coming from a source that I deem to be intelligent. That, unfortunately, is not the case in this circumstance. I don't know if "failing out of college" will help us, seeing as how I am the only one in the band that attends UTC (the university that has produced The Feature's Chattanooga crowd). I have no plans of quitting school until I am finished and don't think that necessarily makes me a non-rocker. Another thing: I think The Features are bad ass. I think the fact that they have been together for ten years speaks very highly about their professionalism. I think they put on a great show on Saturday night, and I am sorry if it was painstaking for anyone to "sleep" through our show. I would also like to request that anyone out there who has made such scathing criticisms about the band I am in please send me some MP3's or links to their musical site, so that I might have the chance to hear the product of such an inciteful music critic as you people (And you know who you are). I think it would be just super to hear what your band sounds like. Oh, and if you haven't gotten a band together and don't plan on getting one together soon, or are waiting on your buddy's mom to let you use her garage as a practice space, that's okay. I can wait. As far as our guitar player's car is concerned...grow up. Who cares what he drives. In fact, I bet that in some corner of the globe, there is an "indie rock" guitar player that you love that drives a car nicer than our guitar players. Where I can't verify the "Depends" comment, I think that was so childish and superficial of the author, and don't really feel like wasting anymore time on the subject. I hope no one is offended by my rebuttle and doesn't feel the need to write more awful things about people they don't know. Anyway, have a nice one and come out and support the flynts in 9 3/4 years when we can hopefully sound as tight as The Features. Thanks again to the band, and thanks to everyone who has CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. Jonathan "Funny Face" Susman

It doesn't bother me we I'm with someone and they are smoking unless it's in my car. But when there is alot of smoke it is hard on some people like myself who have asthma, I know that shit sounds so dorky, but I deal with every freakign show I go to so I just push it out of my mind. an try to ignore it, but it does get hard sometimes.

So are you saying, funnyexpressions, that if you're not a musician, you have no right to criticize music? If you are, I feel I have to tell you that that is complete and total bullshit. I happen to be a musician, but that is beside the point. As brianeno2 said so long ago, those who aren't musicians can be very qualified "to conclude what is innovative, artistic, and skillful." To say that non-musicians' opinions don't matter is insulting and utterly rediculous.

I didn't criticize your band's performance Saturday night on this message board, because I've made a conscious decision to hold my tounge about opening bands that I don't care for. But your post makes me angry. I'll tell you what I've told guys from other Features opening bands who've done the same thing you did on this message board: you have a lot to learn about making a living as an entertainer. You and your work will be criticized. Often. Some of it will be constructive and thoughtful, some of it will be childish and without merit. You have to learn to accept both kinds. And you have to learn not to take criticism so personally. You can't just blow up every time someone criticizes what you're doing. Just focus on being the best that you can be and fuck the critics. It's the only way you'll stay sane. You guys have a lot of potential. Stay in it. Hold your head up. Good luck.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 10:31 pm on Nov. 18, 2002)

i suppose it's too late now, but i actually enjoyed the flynts. the only complaint i have is that they have too many songs in 2/4. some of the better songs sounded like lost tracks from "lust for life".

Okay, I was at the show on Saturday and I have to say that it sounds like everyone who claimed that said drunk girl "ruined the show" are a bit too concerned with what other people are doing and a bit uptight. Also, I don't recall her punching anyone or putting anyone in a headlock. I myself have been known to be the drunk girl and all I can say is that sometimes it just happens and we all have the right to have our nights of debauchery. If you have EVER been to a show in ANY bar I guarentee that she was not the first drunk person you have ever seen and if you can manage to make it out of your secure alcohol free environments to go to a bar for another show, she will not be the last. So, if your going to go to a bar for a rock show be prepared to deal with drunk people because those of us who enjoy drinking on a Saturday night will certainly be there.

Very insightful, JC. I would like to point out that Mr. Susman's bandmate (Rigger 007) did a pretty good job of taking this attitude under another topic (General section).

If you're not so concerned about what others are doing, how are you qualified to say "I don't recall her punching anyone..."? The person that's most likely to notice something like that is probably the person being assaulted.

I'm not really sure if your comments actually added anything to this current controversy. Yeah, bars are where drunk people hang out. But do you really think this would have caused so much of an uproar if it were a typical drunken good time?

To clarify my comments:

First of all, I sleep through most Features opening acts. It's nothing personal; it's more the result of a strenuous job.

Second of all, failing out of college is a bit of a crude way of saying that you need to grow a bit as a band. Most of my favorite bands, Fl Oz, Features, REM are all bands that have quit college. I'm not advocating dropping out of college actually, but growth as people and a band usually come when safety nets go and commitment grows.

I also agree with statements made by others about keeping your sets shorter as an opening act. Use that to build a fanbase who will come and see you play a full set. Bide your time. Leave people wanting more.

Ms. Carroll is the prophet of Eno2, and he speaks the truth.

I think the guy from Senryu put us to shame much better than the Flynt people, but I do feel shamed for harsh comments. I try to do better, but it comes across pretty harsh when I say I slept through your set.

It is much harder to hear at the Boro right up front. Back up to hear the vocals. Roger's harmonies were very audible this time, and that's a plus.

On a side note to the whole ER thing, one of my favorite memories from the Boro is the night I was watching Fl Oz and one of the TVs over the bar was showing a porno. I could enjoy the band and some T&A at the same time. Priceless.

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 5:46 pm on Nov. 18, 2002)

have you read the rest of the thread, noneya? i'd have to agree with carligula in saying that your post really added nothing of substance to the argument. i suggest reading through the rest of the thread and seeing how others have responded to your points that have already been made. that might save everyone a little time and energy. thanks.

You make a good point. I do try and not pay attention to others around simply because I find 75 % of the population to be morons, so how am I to know if said drunk girl assualted anyone? I am extremely short and being that she was somewhat taller than me, I was peeking around her all night so that is why I feel that I have the right to say that I do not not recall her punching anyone. She did do some grabbing & pushing but that is normal for a crowded rock show. I have been knocked down walking across a crowd trying to get the bathroom at a very crowded show. I chalked it up to a typical happening when a lot of people get together in a small bar and get a bit drunk & excited instead of pointing out the person who knocked me down and whining about it on a message board. Please know that I am no way condoneing violence in anyway, I just think that people should be prepared for these things when they go to a bar. As far as my comments relevance to the current controversy, I am simply saying that things happen when alcohol is in the picture and occaisionally people/situations get out of hand.

that is truly a great nickname. personally, i didn't sleep through the flynts set. i wasn't overwhelmed by it, but then, i don't think it was as bad as many people have made it out to be. as for the depends comment... well, it was late, i was bored, and it was something i'd probably say to my own dad. no offense meant.

Agreed and agreed. Welcome to the board, noneya.

christ i'm glad i missed this show.

i support smoker's rights

i suppose in hindsight the show was a better experience than i previously posted. the flynts werent' that bad, i've definitely heard worse. my only real complaint was that they played too many songs. i was just so excited to see the features that i just wanted the opening act to be over with as soon as possible.

apology accepted sina, i apologize for some of the things that i said as well. But in the future just try to cut back a little....the cats and dogs topic put me in such a forgiving mood...and besides it was only one show....there's always next time....

I feel your pain. I have suffered the embarrassment of taking my inhaler to the Nxt Generation. Of course I'm thankful that now I don't have to use my inhaler and that I don't have to go to that rathole ever again.

I understand what you are saying, but I do believe that there is a slight difference between getting knocked down while going to the bathroom and having your upper body pushed onstage, a mere 6 inches from the bass drum.

Of course, I hope all parties involved have learned something. I know that I have learned that being right up front isn't worth dealing with people who are "moved by the music" (this in reference to the people at past Boro shows and the Attic characters moreso than Saturday nite). I'm not moved as drastically as them and, I guess, if they want up front I cannot stop them. Fine, I accept that and move on. It may actually be nice to sit in the back where one can actually hear Roger's voice.

I would just like to say that I think the last 24 hours has set some kind of new world record for "Most New Members in a Single 24-Hour Period."

In stark contrast, I spent most of my time at the last show watching the revelers. I was perched high above the crowd so I had a decent view of the action on and off the stage. I'm past the stage in my life where I feel the need to fit in with the cool college kids so it's fun to sit back and watch them with a more objective view.

(Keith, any girl who will scratch your back during a Features concert is a keeper!)

What a coincidence. I have, too!!!

Agreed

Jonathan,

I wasn't at your show (I'm in Chicago) so my constructive criticism is more general in nature...

And firstly, I'd not take anything said on this board about your opening act too seriously. This board represents a diehard group of fans that go to Features shows almost always resenting that their Features fix has to be delayed by anything, opening band or whatever. People who typically can get interested in opening acts find themselves unjustly hating opening acts simply because they're so jazzed to see the Features. And YaDaDaDa is famous for sleeping during opening acts. Five will get you ten that he didn't really sleep through your band, but he's saying he did to keep up his reputation.

Now to the constructive criticism... you're an artist. The amazing and respectible thing about all artists (to me) is that they put themselves on the line on a regular basis and show a part of themselves to the world, something that they will never be able to take back, and something personal that they could get criticised for. They do this knowing that they can and will be criticised, knowing that the critics will not always be mature, knowing that in having their work rejected, they themselves are being rejected as well. They know that the art that they make is often art for themselves, and thus their audience won't have the proper context to receive the art. They know that the judgement will not always be fair and that the chances of a return from their art will be slim. They know that 99% of the critics are people who couldn't do better themselves, and yet they don't resent that fact. In this definition, you prevent yourself from being an artist. If you don't realize that this is the audience that you're giving yourself over to, stop playing shows. I'm guessing that you won't want to stop, so take a moment and evaluate what you're doing. I don't want to imply that you're in it for possible money or so that women will dig you, I want to believe that you have creative aspirations behind your band (this was the reason you like the Features, remember? They've been together a long time, long enough to not be doing it for the money or women anymore). And because of that, you should keep going. Keep putting yourself out there. Because that's what artists do. You make music, I make films. Some people like what I do, some people don't. Some people maturely point out things that even I recognize as problems, some people say that "it sucks" or "its boring" or "I hated it" and they leave it at that. But I keep working because I can't stop myself. And neither should any true artist. So look at what you're doing with your life and decide if you are in pursuit of other things or if you are simply wanting to create art, and then realize the ramifications of creating. Its rough, difficult stuff, but we can't stop.

Will

(Edited by Wiyum at 2:58 am on Nov. 19, 2002)

that was very nice to read. you're a good gent will.

(Edited by exliontamer at 2:25 am on Nov. 19, 2002)

how are we not intelligent enough to make a proper criticism towards the band? i find that somewhat insulting.

on a happier note........did anyone record this stellar show?

First, have any of you been to a real rock show? Pushing to the front of the stage to see the band you are a fan of is NOT uncommon. This happens at all shows! Next, what the hell do you guys have a problem with? You were watching a rock show at 1 in the morning at a bar! What the fuck! So what, there was a drunk girl... at 1 am at a bar, being a drunk girl and this is unusual? How many shows at bars have any of you been to? If any of you have a problem with this sort of activity, then you need to stick to your DC Talk shows and Aaron Carter that are done by 10 pm at the latest so that you can go home and jack off to Brittney Spears, pray to your lord, and be in bed by 10 pm. And further more, to the dumb fuck that stated that you could not be under mind altering substances (being alcohol included) and not appreciate good art, then explain the works of such artists as Pink Floyd, Tool, Edgar Allen Poe, and even Mozart? I think you need to do a bit more research before saying such thing and making yourself look and sound like a complete dumbass.

good one, noneya. I saw a great 1986 Judas Priest parking lot video tonight that you would fit right into.

party hell yeah

As I was sitting next to him, I can assure you that he was fast asleep. The guy from who worked that night came by and told me to wake him up.



Neither blightman nor YaDaDaDa had microphones, so I seriously doubt it.

Tool? Put in there with the rest of those?

cough!

(Edited by Juan Horsetown at 6:30 pm on Nov. 23, 2002)

Actually, Tool does encourage that kinda stuff. Personally, I think Tool is amazing without any drugs, though.

Dumb fuck? Research? Where the hell do you get off? I wasn't stating some sort of "proven fact" based on people who create art under the influence of drugs. I was stating my personal opinion of the state I prefer to be in to enjoy art for myself, and to remember the experience later. To quote:

"I could never consume alcohol or any other mood-altering substance when viewing any form of art that I care about. Be it a concert, a movie, an art show... these are things I attend in order to take in someone else's creative expression, a creative expression that is best enjoyed, interpreted, and remembered for years to come if I am not in an altered state of consiousness."

And guess what? The fact that Pink Floyd and Tool make music while high as fucking loons doesn't change the fact that I think a clear head is the best way for me to appreciate their music. Doesn't make me a dumb fuck, makes me someone that enjoys music at all times of my being.

Personally, I'd be insulted if someone thought that they needed to be out of touch with their faculties to enjoy my films, but maybe that's just me and my work.

Next time, take the time and read what people say before you shoot your damn mouth off. Make sure that people are saying what you think they're saying, and make sure that your response to what is actually being said is remotely worthwhile. It helps.

Will

Fuckin' A, Will.

I'd just like to say that I LOVE to drink when i go to shows. To me, its all part of the scene. I used to smoke alot of pot back in the day, but gave that up, as the consequences seemed to outweigh the fun. But i think its all good if someone wants to have a few beers at a concert and dance. Its just part of going to a show. If u get pushed, push back. I personally try not to push people or intrude on personal space, b/c i too enjoy my personal space. But some people become more affectionate when they are under the influence. It's all good though. I'll enjoy the show regardless. I think i saw it the worst though, when i was forced to see Tommy Lee in Louisville over the summer. I got pushed, trampled, kicked in the head, beer spilt on me, cigarettes put out on my shirt, and the worst was my ears feeling like they were going to bleed. But thats all part of the scene. I guess i just agree with the fact if u go to a bar at 1 am, there will be drunkards having fun. SUch is life
Ciao
Mark Spencer76

i understand people wanting to lose their inhibitions every once in a while, but when you start involving people who are on a different plane than you it gets annoying. i've come very close to getting into fights at shows because of people acting like jackasses. both were at the echo lounge. at the clinic show some bastard kept on dancing against smee, and at the wire show this guy pushed his way in front of us. i remember playing a house party with this band i was in and some guy kept on going up to the mic trying to sing lyrics. the guitarist got fed up and kicked him in the nuts. then my friend threw him across the room into a wall. the way i look at it, if drunk people are going to act that way then they deserve whatever consequence comes from it.

I agree completely.

And, Will, nicely stated. Collective but angry enough to get your point across. You know, I think that "fuck" is the word that when put into an ordinary sentence, can change the mood from normal to violent. I love that word.

Fuck yes its a great fucking word. What the fuck could be fucking better than "fuck" to illustrate a fucking point?



Will

That was a classic moment