Thursday, February 6, 2003
The Exit/In - Nashville, TN
Verde and the Lone Official opened
______________________

Circus
That's the Way It's Meant To Be
Walk You Home
See You Thru
Look Out Below
There's a Million Ways to Sing the Blues...
Buffalo Head
Kari-Ann
Growing Old
Exhibit A
Someway, Somehow
Me & the Skirts
Leave It All Behind
God Save Rock'n'Roll
The Beginning
Exorcising Demons
Thursday

ENCORE:
33 1/3
Moonlight
Action

So the Exit/In was pretty much packed, and I was very happy about that. Lots of friends and familiar faces were in attendance. The Features did not disappoint. It was the Exit/In so of course the sound was stellar. The new songs...are you kidding me? So so good. It was Roger Dabbs' 28th birthday, and Parrish got on the mic during the encore and informed the crowd of this fact; the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Roger. How fun. My only complaint is that I didn't get to hear the "new" Temporary Blues. Oh well...maybe next time.

the show was great..... i'm only sad cause i really really really love 'harold' and it just didn't happen. but, i brought like 8 people with me and they all loved the features. does anyone know the guy in "the lone official's" name who looks like matt pelham? I see him everywhere....

Absolutely Fantabulous! I love it when the Features play that place. 'That's the way it's meant to be' sounded great, I didn't like it so much the first time I heard it, but now I can't wait to hear it again, awesome. I missed the oh's during Exhibit A, but still my favorite new song. I was really hyped about this new version of Temporary Blues, maybe next time. Three requests for the next show....1) Bring on the Night, 2) alternate version of Temporary Blues, 3) OPEN WITH THE BEGINNING, that's where that song belongs.

Glad to see so many familiar faces, even the boss-man, hope he understands why I'm late tomorrow! Props to Verde and the Lone Official too. Good night all, hope wrangler got into the trouble he was looking for tonight, wish I could have been a part of it. Party at Sina's!

(Edited by mike_D at 1:17 am on Feb. 7, 2003)

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Rollum looked sick and he kept swearing at the lights. I guess they were too bright or too hot or he just doesn't like white things. He still played pretty well considering how many times he had to blow his nose.

yeah rory said he is like really really sick, like the flu. he was coughing and sneezing and blowing his nose. i bet he was sooo hot up there and that the lights just added to it. poor rollum.

Great show. I had to run back to finish up an editing session and now I'm laying that sucker to tape. It's an extremely bad pilot for CMT. It's country music. BAD country music. It's also 2:10am and I think I'm possibly in hell.

Anyway, thank you to iwantelvis, at least I think it was you, who gave me my own official homie. He's in my pocket now and hopefully not broken in two.

the show was amazing.

first off.....verde. i really enjoyed them. they played very catchy indie pop. highly enjoyable.

the loan official.........at first i really liked them. they were like a ragtag combination of early pavement, Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, the rapid time signature changes of beefheart with a few roxy music flourishes added in...but they played too many downtempo songs towards the end of their set which basically killed any momentum that they had....other than that, they were really good

the features......they were awesome tonight. rollum was extremely sick tonight. i could just tell the moment he went on stage that he just felt shitty, but he played his heart out. good job, rollum. the setlist was really good tonight, but it seemed like a few fan favorites were left out. for instance, "dark room". it hasnt been played at the last 3 or 4 shows. i hope it doesnt go the way of "paid to think"...i would be very upset. they also didnt play the new version of "temporary blues" or "the damage is done". they didnt play for too long tonight, but this is understandable considering rollum's poor health and the fact that it was roger's birthday. But it was a really really good show...i cant wait to see them again.

Happy Birthday Roger

Get well soon, rollum

(Edited by ray davies at 2:29 am on Feb. 7, 2003)

Which guy? What was he playing? I think that Mark from De Novo Dahl looks like he could be Matt Pelham's cousin. Also, there was this guy in my old apartment complex that looked like he was Matt Pelham's younger brother.

sorry. yeah, he was on the far right and he was playing a keyboard or a synthesizer or something, i couldn't see what he was playing. i see him around nashville though, i think he was at the de novo dahl show. he just kinda looks like matt pelham. i know others who look more like him. i think that the guy that used to be in my tyger looks like him and my friends used to think they HAD to be cousins. also, this guy dawson who's in the band "the standards" has always looked like him. and iheartrollum looks just like him too. i promise.

(Edited by featuresgirl at 8:53 am on Feb. 7, 2003)

I really enjoyed the show. "Someway, Somehow" and "Moonlight" made my night. I was really excited about seeing the two opening bands and they definately did not disappoint. They were both really great.

Brian W: Glad you liked the homie.

(Edited by iwantelvis at 9:47 am on Feb. 7, 2003)

The homie is alive and well and at home with me now as I hope to catch up on some sleep now. Thanks again.

i really enjoyed the show. i really enjoyed the opening bands. the features set seemed short, which is understandable, i hope rollum feels better soon and am glad he was able to play at all. "that's the way it's meant to be" was oh so enjoyable again. i was excited to hear "moonlight." i guess it just isn't destined for me to hear "stagecoach" ever again. but it's ok, a good time was had nonetheless. i hope roger has a very happy birthday.

I guess I can add to the ever-growing list of "the show was great" replies, which is okay because it really was great. Of course I wish that they had played more songs, but due to Rollum's poor health I'm just glad we got the awesome show that we did. I love all of the new songs with all of my tiny heart and I've had them stuck in my head all day. What are the chances of them being on the album?

I really enjoyed Verde and the Lone Official. They were both well suited for a Features show and very highly entertaining. It was also nice to see basically every single message board member in attendence. Too bad I'm too socially inept to talk to people. I'm really starting to miss Dark Room and Oh My Love...and I too yelled for Stagecoach like a crazy mofo but it did no good. Oh well. Very good show, great venue, great opening bands.

I think you're talking about Ryan Norris (aka Neuboy-- that's pronounced NoyBoy)

I enjoyed Verde and The Lone Official quite a bit. They are probably in my top five best opening bands for The Features. I was just hoping for something a little more peppy to get me into the mood. But that's okay.

The Features were amazing, once again. The set did seem a bit short and left me wanting much more, but I'm not going to complain. I was very upset that "Dark Room" was neglected two shows in a row. It's always been my favorite. I pray that it does not go away for good.

Despite the "Dark Room" disappointment, it was a wonderful show, and I hope to see The Features play Exit-In more in the near future.

I hope Roger had a splendid birthday and that Rollum starts feeling better, too. Poor guy.

I agree with both of those comments. I was talking to TF on the way home about how I liked The Beginning in the beginning of the show. I think it's just a good song to start off a great show. And, yes, Party at Sina's next time, and make it on a Friday night, that way the professionals on this board can attend, too.
I really enjoyed Verde. I thought they had some great music, and I would definitely attend more shows of theirs.
And, I thought that The Features were awesome last night, as well. I thought the sound was great. I'm just sorry that I didn't have as much energy as usual; I was tired from driving, school, blah blah blah. I'm going to get a full 8 hours of sleep and eat 3 meals before I make the next Features show. Then, I can guarantee that I will be much more energetic than last night.
As always, I was happy to see everyone there. I love it that I know so many people when I go to shows, and I have seen them enough that they actually recognize me from a distance now.

The Features never dissapoint. Fantastic show. Great set, great sound, great energy, blah blah blah. I do want to make a few points (most of which have already been made).

1) What the heck happened to the screams on Exhibit A!?! Please, please, please bring them back. Parrish's keys sound sweet by themselves, but taking the screams out makes what I consider to be an outstanding Features song just a good Features song. If Matt refuses to bring it back, we should all scream along in protest.

2) The two new songs were great, I look forward to hearing them a lot in the future.

3) Why am I the only one who goes apeshit for Someway, Somehow!?! This is easily one of my favorites, but it doesn't seem like everybody is feeling this song like I do. Dance people, dance!

4) Hats off to Rollum who continued to kick ass despite his illness. I think the only thing that was lacking were his "Thursday" hijinks.

5) Verde was brilliant as always.

6) Lone Official was good, just not my speed.

7) It was great seeing all the messageboarders (you know who you are).

I'm sure I'll think of more. Happy Birthday, Roger!

as usually very good show. i had a prime spot on the ramp to the bathroom, but could't hear parrish very well. carl, i totally agree with you about someway, somehow. there's something so right about that song. ejoyed the new songs as well.

first time seeing lone official. granted i'm gonna be a fan of anything c. ryan norris is involved in, i was however very very impressed. how can you not like a mellow indie band where the lead singer sports a titans t-shirt? tastefully snoozin'. i bet they smoke a lot of pot.

first time seeing an entire verde show. i highly enjoyed their set and looking forward to having them in my side of the state in a couple weeks. keith, thanks for saving me $8.

of character, too, right?

I was so happy they played Look out below and someway, somehow, I love those songs, anyways, I have this friend who know the band pretty well and he introdused me to matt and roger, I thought it was cool to meet them, I dont know if that goofy or something, but anyways, that was an awesome show!

verde: every y chromosome around me perked up its ears and adjusted its pants throughout the set, and against my anti-girl-singer nature i thoroughly enjoy this pleasingly pop-minded band and enjoyed the set which included my fave verde song. i was without funds last night, but i want an e.p., dammit.

lone official: please god say ryan norris doesn't read this anymore for i fear my oncoming tale, but during the first song someone standing next to me looked at me and simultaneously we said the two very frightening words "john" and "mayer." first song aside, the remainder of the set was pavement meets yo la tengo, with a smoking pot in the basement when you're 17 sort of feel, and that inkling promising local bands have towards the scattered ambient burst. i like it. two snaps up in a z formation.

features: who wants a copy of the show? damn skippy. the question is, can matt pelham write a bad song? the answer is, no. the second song (my first listening) was sick as shit. there are simply no eloquent words any longer that can treat how righteous and worthy of salvation this band is.

show highlights: the presence of jim, the scarf of joe, the jacket of luke, the hat of ben, the haircut of deevol, the air-fists of the "mighty" fans, the speed of 33, the birth of roger, the god of the yaw-maha, and the return of moonlight.

a lovely evening.

Nobody can write a rock song about babies like Mr. Pelham.

The features achieved "total heaviosity" once again.
My friend and I drove five hours from Athens, GA to see them, and we got just what we had hoped for -- an excellent concert. We had to brave the icy top of Monteagle and cracked out meth fiend truck drivers, but we left athens at 2:30, saw the concert, and made it back at 7:00 am in time to take a shower and go to our early morning friday classes which have strict attendence policies. We didn't have any music except pop radio on the way back, so we ended up humming "The Idea of Growing Old" ad infinitum.

I thought Verde was the best opening band for The Features that I've heard, however, I was not impressed by The Lone Official. They created little stage presence, even though they were six strong, and their whole act, fraternizing with the crowd and screwing with their equipment more than playing music made me think they were simply practicing. Even when they did reach a climax in a song I found myself thinking I could hear something louder and more powerful on a 8 D Battery CD player.
I found the frontman's playing his guitar on his knees to be somewhat goofy considering how anticlimactic and uncaptivating their performance was. The guitar player's little dance with the tambourine was amusing.

That's what I love about The Features. They have perfect stage presence, songs that are not in any way lacking, and they don't fraternize w/ the crowd and shout inside jokes to their friends like some middle schooler who's giddy to have a spotlight shining on him.

This is one of the most interesting reviews yet. Was your question about a copy of the show meaning that you or your s.o. taped it? Cuz I'd love a copy, seeing as was apparently the only message board member not in attendance : (. If a tape exists, please remind me of the B & P address.

Yep, Mr. Norris is also of character and also of Chuck's loins and also prone to tasteful scarves. But I don't think he resembles Matt. Jim of My Tyger could be Matt's brother, as could my father circa 1972.

Yes, that's Ryan Norris. I honestly don't think he looks one lick like Matt Pelham, but it's okay if you think that.

Yes, Jim O'Shea, formerly of My Tyger (and the Features) does look quite a bit like Mr. Pelham. Back in the day in Murfreesboro, people used to think they were brothers.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 11:41 pm on Feb. 7, 2003)

Well, here we are, back again.

Verde was OK for the first portion of their set. It was good, but not great. Then they played their last two songs, and your ol' buddy YDDD was sold. I especially liked the second to the last song.

It's funny to hear every one's take on what The Lone Official sounded like. The singer sounded a whole lot like Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, and the groove of all their songs (or their one song played 10 times) reminded me tremendously of recent SY stuff like "Free City Rhymes." I consider it a bad thing when all reviews talk about how they sound like someone else. It just didn't go anywhere. I was drowsy midway through the set, but moved down front instead of putting my head down like normal. Standing helped.

I like Exit/In because when you walk up the ramp to pee during a set, it feels like your walking up there to play a tune with the band. I imagine Matt Pelham saying, "This is our friend, YDDD, and he's gonna be a guest maraca shaker for 'Walk You Home', and then he's gonna wail on the guitar as we cover 'Freebird'." I also imagine a young REM on that stage every time I see it.

I also enjoy seeing familiar faces now when I come to these shows. I spent years going and sitting alone, but now there are familiar and friendly faces all around. Good to see MD, JC, Sina, TLW and Keith.

It was four years ago, at the beginning of February, that I was converted to Features fandom at Exit/In. What a great show then, and how great it is to return to the scene of the crime to see that their fans have grown, their songs have gotten better, and their ability to put on great shows has gone over the top.

So nice to see your voice in this public place, freezetag. Ya'll call me - let's go have dinner, k? John Mayer...lol! But you know what, for that first song, I can hear it...

Mee too, YDDD. Mee too. Lawnwrangler met Mike Mills at the Exit/In. I also think of that scene in Nashville.

I was afraid to mention this to anyone since any talk of John Mayer usually warrants a public beating, but yes, the lead singer did strike me as very "Mayer"ish....

I hate to say it, but the second to last song Verde played last night was a COVER song. It was Velvet Underground's "After Hours". They don't play it too often (although it appears on a 4-track recording that Andrea did before Brian and Keith joined the band), but Keith said that it seemed like an appropriate crowd to play it to. I suppose he was right. Although I like their original songs better (like Silver, Black, and White-- the last one they played), they do a great job with that one. Better than the original in my opinion.

Lone Official: Thanks to Ray Davies who completely stole my Gorky's Zygotic Mynci analogy. GZM meets Pavement meets John Mayer (thanks to Mitch) in a bastard-child form that should never open for the Features again. I kept wondering when the dancing hippies would show up. I hate those stupid jam bands. The only time I considered liking them was when the singer unleashed his electric guitar fury (which sounded pretty much the same every time). I also felt like a giant cloud of dope smoke belonged over the stage while they played. They were good for what they do, but I just don't jive with that kind of music. All in all, the Features need more pep in an opening band (case in point - Lucky Guns @ Bingham's).

Verde: I really enjoy Verde's music and no, it's not because she's a babe. The second or third song they played was really kick-ass. That was my second Verde show and I like them more each time.

Features: I'm not going to lie, this was my least favorite Features show (keep in mind that it was still The Features, which automatically makes it awesome - just not my favorite). I blame it mostly on these facts: it wasn't as loud as the Boro or other small venues, the set was much shorter than usual (for understandable reasons), Lone Official made me sleepy, the whole mood of the crowd in the front was no where near as energetic as usual, it wasn't the weekend yet and I don't like staring up (eye-level is better). I am sorry, but I just couldn't give in to the compulsions to say "best show ever, blah blah blah". I think that seeing the show at Bingham's set the bar so high that it would be really hard to ever duplicate that Features experience. I also noticed that Grimey crawled out from his rock for this one. I hope to God the Features don't play at the Slow Bar. It would be a sad day.

I hope that Rollum and his loved one get well soon. I also hope the Features keep their "show per month trend" alive. Bring the Lucky Guns back! (Andrew WK meets the MC5)

D'oh. I think REM covered it too, and maybe the familiarity of it helped to entice me. Can anyone confirm that this is the song REM plays during the credits of "Tour Film"?

The Features have already played at the Slow Bar. Click here for details. I really don't think you'll see them play there again, tho. I think their crowd is too large now.

yeah, they played there when the sound booth was side-stage and surrounded by plexiglass, how strange.

freezetag, deevol has moved on to bigger and better nicknames.

Hmmm... I will have to break out my copy sometime and get back to you.

i had fun lastnight, but it wasn't as i had hoped. there was a weird vibe going on, but it may have been me and my tragic as hell week.

i only got to see a few verde songs, which i enjoyed. the lone official were ok, they've been better. the features rocked, i only wished they would've rocked longer. i was suprised that there weren't more people in attendance.

it was nice to see bingham and "stagnant" outside of the boro. it was nice having rhinestone cowboy with me when we could both drink and not get thrown out of 16516 bars in one night. (no, he's not my brother.) it was nice dancing with stephanieW though it was only like 1 song, but hey at least she didn't completely shaft me like carligula! thanks to tom foolery for pitching in on the liquor fund. it was nice meeting peacefrog and being "interviewed" with jamiecarroll. it was nice seeing my springwater peeps out of their dirrty habitat.

Sorry. My energy was low, and my theory was that if I just rocked out the hardest during the encore, then I could keep from passing out. Like I said earlier today, I'm gonna get tons of rest before the next show, and we will rock out the entire time.

i don't want to sound weird or anything, but i don't know any of yall, and like last night i had like no one to talk to, so next time there's a show in n-villa and you see a 15 year old stading around, say hey or something so i can know who yall are.

oops, that's n-ville, sorry

You'll find a lot of us up front, singing along with every song, and talking to each other. I'm probably pretty hard to miss, so if you see me, tap me on the shoulder. Here are pictures that TF took in July of some of us. This way, you will know who we are.
TF's Dancin' in the District Pictures

Ouch! Sorry 'bout that. I suppose I was waiting for my engraved invitation Plus, it's not so easy when you're not drunk. Next time, I promise.

FlyingFeaturesFan, I'll totally talk to you at the next show if I can figure out who you are. Check out my website if you wanna find out who I am and come talk to me. Seriously.

Wow, I'm not kidding when I say this is a huge compliment coming from you. If you stayed awake, I'm happy. I agree that last night was good, but not great. I know it's not cool for a person to comment publicly about their own performance, but I was struggling with the sound on stage the whole set and couldn't really get into it. It was still a huge honor to get to play with my favorite band, though.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I hope it isn't just because you know I'm in the band. Feel free to slam us if that's how you feel.

Ok, I'll try really hard to end the self-promoting/discussing now.

great s how...

as of right now..i don't remember a lot fo the music...but i remember i enjoyed it tons and had lots of fun.

nice seeing lots of folks from the board (stephanieW (who i met for the first time,.....I THINK, carligula, keith, and whoever else i ran into that i dindn't rmember)

rock on with your frock on....

or off.

*authorized comment*

for anyone intersted in a copy of the show, send a b&p to:
art vandalay
2179 south berrys chapel road
franklin, tennessee 37069

the kind gentleman who records (under the codename of art) wiil get you a copy, and i can report that if you wish to butter him up, he enjoys candy that is tart and of the tiny persuasion.

b&p shmee and peeee, I want to be given one personally, either by freezetag or blight(ban)man.

flying features fan.... how did you get in? i thought exit in was an 18+ place. i didn't get to make the show, so its not like i know anything to begin with. i'd be happy to talk to you at a show too. i usually start off in the front and watch all the "friendly" people move me back by cutting in front. 90% of the time its girls so its not that big of a deal... anyway, glad everyone had a great time, wish i could have made it

I get my dad to take me, he kinda likes the features himself so he just takes me and stays there with me.

and your complaint is?

Me too, Keith.

Also, I agree with YDDD and many others: Verde es bueno!

that is Ryan. He is From Alabama. He is also in Character.

Don't worry, Lauren, I wasn't at the show either.

Thanks for the comforting- sorry you were sick. A weird virus is sweeping Jacksonville to the extent that most schools have 30-50% of students out sick. I seem to be immune, luckily.

My complaint is that pot is so passe. Give me some coked up maniacs anytime.