Saturday, August 24, 2002
12th & Porter - Nashville, TN
_____________________

First, Lifeboy played:

Area 51
She Probably Dates An Asshole
Rich Girls
Heaven
You Bring Me Down
The Dagger You Left Inside
Number One
A Quick One, While He's Away

Wow! There was Lifeboy, right back in stride. They played 'Rich Girls', which I hadn't heard since about 1999. And, uh, how about that last one?! Yes, that's right, my friends, it was the Who classic in its entirity, with Keith Lowen as Ivan the Engine Driver. Cheers to Lifeboy.

Then came Glossary, who were good. Then, the Features:

Circus
Walk You Home
Leave It All Behind
See You Thru
Blow It Out
Exorcising Demons
Long Way Down
Kari-Ann
Darkroom
Oh My Love
Someway, Somehow
The Beginning
The Idea of Growing Old
Buffalohead
Bring On the Night
God Save Rock'n'Roll

ENCORE:
Action
Serious
Stagecoach
Thursday

Well, where do I begin. This was definitely one of the best Features shows ever. The club was packed (and it stayed full for the entire show [1:30am], unlike the last show at 12th&P). The Features blew the roof off of the building. I don't know if I have ever seen these guys more fired up and energetic on stage. They were en fuego. Has Rollum ever played that hard before? Is there any doubt that watching Rollum play is one of the most fun parts of a Features show?
Let me also say this - it seems to me that the Features have really turned it up a notch in the areas of professionalism and preparedness. It looks like they are using a setlist now, they are all dressed up and looking extra sharp, and the technical problems have not been as frequent or as high-profile as they once were. And, what's most important, they are playing better than ever. Cheers to the Features.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 7:31 am on Aug. 25, 2002)

Very rockin. Very energetic. I loved it. I actually liked the fact that it was 21 and up and the whole crowd wasn't college kids. I am proud to be a college kid, but still, I like that there were people there who got all dressed up and looked like they might have gone clubbin' - except they decided to support amazing rock music instead.
Oh I could actually hear Roger's high vocals on Circus. I didn't realize he could sing like that. But the rest of the set he was quiet again. And I caught Rollum singing on one song - can't remember which. Something with some "na na na's" I believe. That's sweet.. I really want to hear three part harmonies from the Features someday.

3 nights of circus??? wow. you dont see that too often. i cant beleive i missed srious again!!....oh well. hope everyone rocked out last night. wish i could have been there.

I think that 'Circus' is now back in the mix. Isn't it funny how that happens? Circus is one of the oldest songs that the Features still play, and for so long, it was only a rare treat. Now, they've played it at like, the last 6 shows. And songs that , in the not-too-distant past, we used to hear EVERY Features show, like Paid to Think, Action, Serious, and 2x2 are now somewhat rare.

(Edited by jamiecarroll at 6:46 pm on Aug. 25, 2002)

what a fuckin' rock show

send b&p request to

featurestaper@hotmail.com

First, Ms. Carroll, let me say that it's a pure delight to look down from the balcony and see the band's #1 fan towering above the throngs of cheering fans.

I completely agree with your comments about the band's recent shows. As we've all know, they've always rocked. But this weekend, they seemed much tighter and, as you say, more professional.

I heard a rumor that some label reps were at 12th and Porter. This might explain why they tried to really have their act together.

Well, let's run down the whole night.

Lifeboy started. I fully realize that I may get beaten and bruised for it, but I don't like Lifeboy. It's the singer. The lyrics, the voice, the way he seems to just try sooooo hard to be a rocker......sorry, I don't buy it. I like their bass player, though.

Glossary I compare to my clothes dryer. I know when they start and finish, but the whole time in between is just this constant sound that I find totally un-engaging.

Then....the Features. It was just what I needed.
Their professionalism was indeed way up, and I attribute it to the label people supposedly there. (there was a fella walking around with a high quality camera taping parts of the show from different angles). The crowd was exquisite.

I was glad to see how much vigor can still be put into Thursday. I last heard it in June, and it seemed like they were going through the motions. Last night, they played it as the anthem it deserves to be.

He's been at alot of shows (DitD, Thursday's Boro outing), assuming you mean the guy with the Canon XL-1. Oh how many times have I contemplated beating him over the head and running off with that camera. But then I realize he's associated with the band, and that urge ends. If only he were some punk...

I'm fairly sure that the same camera was used for the video clips in the media section.

Will

JC.....CIRCUS is a gem that will never get old. i totally agree with you.matt came into my blockbuster one night about 4 months ago and after me asking if the band could play circus at the may 2nd show he asked "why does everyone like the song circus? that song is so old!" funny huh?

plus...i thought thursday was retired? its nice to see it being played with more entusiam again.for a while they looked bored while playing it.

christ! i cannot believe i missed this show. i mean the features are one thing, but to see the lifeboy again would have made my day. to hear keith sing the ivan the engine driver parts on a quick one would have made me so happy. and they even played rich girls. fucking rich girls, i love that song! y'know what? fuck lifeboy. i always ask them to play that song, and they never do, then they play it at a show i cannot attend. gawddammit!

The video camera used to capture the images for the videos on this site is far inferior compared to the Canon XL1 you've seen roaming around lately.

Dammit all to hell, I go to two features shows in two nights and don't hear serious, even went to chatt-town for one, then I miss the porter show and they play it, next show I am at I want it or I am gonna maim the closest member of Character

(Edited by Cautioner at 1:53 pm on Aug. 26, 2002)

Sorry Lawnwrangler. We thought you would be there and that's one of the reasons we worked it back up. Thanks to everyone else who came early and gave us a chance.

I'd assumed that the lower quality was just from the web streaming.

Hmmm. So whats the XL-1 being used for? It best be good, lest I decide to take it next chance I get...

Will

i'll get you lifeboy and your little jewish bass player too!