Friday, September 5, 2003
The Exit/In - Nashville, TN
Fictitious Records Showcase
______________________

Circus
That's the Way It's Meant to Be
Walk You Home
Exorcising Demons
Look Out Below
Harder 2 Ignore
Leave It All Behind
See You Thru
Me & the Skirts
Darkroom
Buffalo Head
There's a Million Ways to Sing the Blues
The Idea of Growing Old
The Beginning
Situation Gone Bad
Exhibit A
Thursday

ENCORE:
Action
God Save Rock'n'Roll


"The Idea of Growing Old" was done the old way, I think, except it still had the part with just Matt at the end.

This was such an unbelievable show I can't even begin to describe it! The audio was near perfect. This was my first time at exit-in and that place is great, they should do more shows there. I don't know if I've ever heard the band sound that good. Maybe it was just the accoustics, but they sounded really polished and added some extra flare to a few songs. I was blown away by songs that I had once begun to dislike (like action). The ONLY bad thing about it was that "the new song" was left out- I was really looking forward to hearing the lyrics.

Rachel, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for you. What exactly was the deal?

BTW, still not too sure about The Lucky Guns. Call me a pansy, but it was way to loud (then again, I was in front of a speaker) I like a one or two of their songs, but most of them sounded so much alike it kinda got old. I believe it was Sina who threw the beer on the lead singer- thanks for the laugh. Character was cool in their own way. If your into that kind of music, they are great! The lead singer reminded me of darth vader's "force grip" when he was playing that antenna thing. He also gained major cool points for his introduction of The Features.

All in all, it was the best concert I've been to in a long, long time.

If this new song didn't last one night, then that's probably a band thing.

How did all of Matt Pelham's guitars get covered in blood? Was there a recent show where he ate a chicken head on stage or something?

fuck the exit/in.

He cuts them on the strings. His fingers look like hamburger after some shows. In Chicago last year after their show I got a picture of him ala Pete Townsend, head in hands blood streaming down them. Pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure his fingers were bleeding last night half way through the set. The amount of blood on the guitars seemed to increase and his fingers were incredibly red.

What happened?

they let me in, but then wouldnt let my mom be responsible for my friends too. i still have "exit" on my wrist taunting me. i suppose its more my fault then the exit/in's for thinking i could get three people in. damn my fear of being alone!

(Edited by rachel at 10:42 am on Sep. 6, 2003)

I kept watching his hands to see if they were producing new blood. They turned red, but they didn't seem to be bleeding. If they had been, there would have been fresh blood on the strings and guitar.



(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 9:57 am on Sep. 6, 2003)

Amazing show. Actually, these last two shows have redefined 'amazing.' Now that crazy-eyed-jump-around-screaming Matt has returned, I can only see more great things for the band. The Exit/In is a great venue and I hope that they play there more. I wish that the new song had been played. Maybe it'll make a come back like 'Situation Gone Bad' has. And, also, 'Idea of Growing Old' is still missing both Rollum and Parrish's original parts, both of which make that song. I guess I'm getting used to it, because it wasn't so bad last night. It's still a good song, but those to Feature parts are what made it a great song before. Still, it was an amazing show...turly rock-tastic.

I thought that all of the openers were good at what they do, even if it's not my taste. The Lucky Guns are always amazing for that first song when their energy and sound is 'new,' then it just goes downhill. But they are very watchable, so it wasn't so bad. I have to agree with Joey Wade about their set being abnormally loud. The bass was rattling my intestines, and not in a good way.

Yay the Features.

The features played an excellent set last nite... Last nite was the first time I actually noticed Matt's pickups stained red with blood... I think that he did cut his hands but he might not have either...

The lucky guns were very enjoyable... I would have had more fun if I wasn't so tired by then and had to sleep through the second half of their set.

Character was definitely interesting... They were too preoccupied with noise for my tastes... It definitely was cool seeing the theremin. I enjoyed their set, but wasn't too excited.

The Exit/In was a really good venue in my opinion, aside from the fact that it's 6 dollars for a mixed drink in a small plastic cup... never again. Quite overpriced in my opinion. The sound was great and it was good to see the Features actually up on a higher stage than my previous experiences.

A man after my own heart! See, it is possible to sleep during loud opening acts.

From Exit/IN 4/26/02:


(Edited by Keith at 1:19 pm on Sep. 6, 2003)

and i was in the second row! you would have been proud to see me, YDDD.

I thought the show was good. Character seemed kind of weak last night, mostly due to the quietness of their set. I don't know if it was their fault or the sound guy's but it needed to be turned up. Either way, it seemed to lack the usual Character energy.

I can't dislike any Features show where the encore is Action/GSRNR. It was the most energy I've seen Matt have in a while.

Thank you, Keith, for clearing that up. Was that from playing, or from eating a chicken or a bat?

I was rather out of it all night. In a discussion after the show, someone mentioned "Me & the Skirts," and I realized that I didn't remember them playing it. Maybe it was fatigue, maybe it's the genesis of my fall cold, or maybe I was just out of it. Anyway, I can't remember how they played Idea of Growing Old. I vaguely remember Situation Gone Bad and a few others. My mind was elsewhere.

Has anyone else noticed how much of the concert review space we devote to the openers? Perhaps it is because it is the openers that make the shows abled to be distuingished...perhaps. I enjoyed Character and Lucky Guns more than ever before in both cases.

I love Exit/In, even if they do give Rachel trouble and their look is going more sleek and corporate (i.e. the new board for posting famous bands who've graced their stage). Did anyone notice a flyer that Evan Dando is playing there? How far we are from 1995...

The Features played a great set (what I remember, at least). I enjoyed talking to all the message board folks around. I'm going to try so hard to make it to Inferno next month, and the Earl is looking more and more likely.

I think it's cuz we all already know how great the Features are... discussing their greatness becomes banal and uninteresting at times. It's merely enough for me to now say "Great show" rather than spend a few hours analyzing the same songs over again.

Lucky Guns were much better than the last time I saw them. The guy in character was playing a theremin, although I wouldn't really call him a "lead singer" since he didn't sing.

Features played an amazing show. The crowd draw was great and there were alot of new faces in the audience.

JE

Exactly what I mean. The Features are now reaching a point where their shows are a consistent product (and that's not a bad thing, of course), and so it is harder to distinguish one show from another except by the venue, opening act, and where Sina throws her alcohol.

I tried to simplify the reviewing process of the Features last spring in this thread. It never really caught on.

Does anyone know if this show was recorded? I didn't see anyone with cameras or such. Would love to get ahold of a copy. Matt's guitar was spackled halfway through the set. Me thinks he needs to start using bigger picks.

Je

Yo friends! Unfortunately, I'm not back online yet, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to say great show last night, great to see so many people, great to be almost as drunk and wild as roadie. It may not sound as good, but the top of the ramp at Exit/In is definitely one of the best spots to ever watch a Features show. Great, great, great, great, great. Bye for now...

methinks I saw an audio recorder sitting on the stage, although I know not who's it was, what its status is, or if it's up for trade.

i was incredibly close to driving out to nashville last night, but i thought since i've seen 2 shows in the last week, i didn't want to burn myself out. now i regret it.

Hey!!!!!! nice avatar!!!!!! wish I could have seen you-missed you in knoxville Wednesday.

Who needs a pick when you can just strip the flesh off of your fingers and play with bare bone?

Tell me about it...I was so unfortunately shit-faced last night. Laying in the floor of the Exit/In bathroom is not fun, nor is uncontrollably convulsing on the floor of said bathroom until your head smacks it...never again

This is the first Friday night in the last month that I've actually had enough energy to enjoy myself at a concert. (Yay, pre-show nap!). What a refreshing change. The band was great - lots of energy and I especially enjoyed That's the Way...and Harder to Ignore. I think those are my two current favorites.

I enjoyed Character more this time than I ever have before. The Lucky Guns, while they're not my bag, were very entertaining, though I'll have to admit I lived in dread of getting hair-sweat flung on me all during their set. I'm pretty sure I escaped unscathed.

As always, it was looooovely to chat with all of you. I think I enjoy socializing with messageboard members almost as much as rocking out. You're all so nice, and it really adds to the experience.

Warm fuzzies all around.

(Edited by Token at 2:57 pm on Sep. 7, 2003)

Tisk tisk. I'm telling your students.

yow. even i caught that one.

Shit, are you serious? That's terrible. Getting sick in public bathrooms is the worst!

i was wondering the same thing. I know I'd pay good money for a decent recording of that show.

You seemed fine at the end of the show, RD.

It wasn't me, but someone did record the show. I'll leave it to that person if she or he wants to make it public.

not to mention the fact that one of the urinals was over flowing all over the floor just before Character's set...

I blame it on Character and their woozy music. My non-sober self just couldn't handle it. I've tried this a few times with concerts lately and I need to stop, because it hasn't proven to be a good thing yet. I'll just stick to alcohol.

fun would be an understatement to describe the amount of fun i had at this show. even though i had to come by myself (the 10 dollar cover scared everyone i was to be with away) i found comfort in my pals from the board. thank you all for keeping me company. i almost got my ass kicked by some drunk girl at the end of the lucky guns set. yes i was being an asshole and but there was no call for any animosity. so didn't like the lucky guns...big deal. get over your drunk self.

the features were better this night than the previous. maybe it was because i could see the band. god save rock and roll was my highlight. i've never seen them rock that song so hard.

anyhow.....i had alot of fun being a pyschic for the evening......my powers are weakend now but hopefully they will comeback in time for the next show.

if its too loud...you're too old.

This show was indeed great, but I enjoyed the Red Rose show a lot more...probably because I didn't have to sit through a million opening bands that I don't care one bit for with my runny nose and sneezing/coughing fits. The Features were, once again, wonderful.