It is so nice to be able to add a new post to this section.

First off, I stand by my comment that The Features should have headlined it. Sure Cake is much more popular and of course technically should have headlined. BUT, The Features were much much better. Cake really dissapointed me. What happened to "Short Skirt, Long Jacket" ?

Anyway, The Features sounded incredible! And, all the lyrics were recognizable . . . very nice. You could definitely tell they've been touring/practicing a lot since everything seemed to flow together so well.

I'm not going to stumble through remembering the setlist, but Mosis Ptosis is simply awesome. They keyboard parts are intoxicating-in a good way.

Mosis (P)tosis was indeed quite awesome last night! Matt didn't seem totally into it until that song, but by the end of the song he was going fucking crazy. It was nice to see that again. I can see how they would be more enthusiastic about playing the newer songs. Also, from where I was standing (in front), the sound was pretty crappy for the Features. I could barely hear the drums, especially the snare, and overall it just wasn't loud enough. I guess that kind of goes along with being an opening band. I wasn't there for Popular Genious. How was their sound? I thought Cake was pretty good even though they didn't play "short skirt/long jacket". That would be like if the Features didn't play "the beginning"....oh wait.

I liked that when the Features played, I could hear everything, esp. Roger's vox and all of Parrish's keyboards. Yes, the whole thing could have been louder. Usually, the drums are the loudest thing in the lot, and one show where this isn't the case doesn't hurt. Their choice of songs was great, much better than their last DitD.

I also missed Popular Genius, but I'll get a good dose in 2 weeks.

As for Cake vs. the Features, I can't say that Cake is better.
The most blaring thing is that Matt Pelham simply can't work a crowd like John McCrea. Do people enjoy shows more when there is talking and clever quips? Yes. There is the argument that it should be all about the music blah blah blah, but that personal interaction helps to draw people in. I also must say that I can't get enough of Cake's bass and guitar. Both of those guys are soo smooov. I also like that with all of the line-up changes, they still have a great command of their entire catalog. I wish they'd do more of their obscure songs, actually.

That said, Cake wasn't without its errors. Bringing out Charlie Louvin was really a bad idea. It was novel, it may even be exposure to some great older music, but was it what people want in a Cake show? No. If I'm going to see them once every two years in a setting where they have a limited time slot for playing, I want to hear Cake songs played. They only did it for Sheep Go to Heaven this time, as opposed to last when they did it for what seems like every song, but I hate when they turn every song into a 10 minute version so that the audience can sing along. Yes, it gets people into the show, but I'd rather hear another Cake song than an elongated version of just one song. The biggest thing that made the Features enjoyable over Cake was that the crowd, which is a skanky/frat boy DitD crowd, was not there for the Features. They were out in full force for Cake, which takes away from the enjoyment for me. I hate when I can't hear the singer because everyone else is singing along (and I'm guilty of singing along from time to time...)

Oh yeah, was Roger playing Keith's bass last night??

Here's the setlist, but not in order...

Circus
Blow It Out
Exhibit A
Million Ways...
TWIMTB
Exorcising Demons
See You Through
Dark Room
Mosis Ptosis
Walk You Home
Leave It All Behind
Kari-Ann
Two By Two
Me & The Skirts
Situation Gone Bad
Thursday

That should be it. Great show. Great to see them again after such a long time. Man, they're going to be amazing at Reading/Leeds.

i couldnt even dance during mosis ptosis. i was too mesmerized by the intensity of it. they were awesome.

yeah

Yep. I was there in spirit. Hopefully it won't end up in a pile with everyone's DVDs.

What happened to Roger's four basses?

I didn't get to go. I hate work. Sounds like it was a good show.

i heard he left them all in murfreesboro

Yeah, it was a fantastic show. I'm like most people in that I rarely get excited about seeing a band in a large, outdoor setting, but I honestly think that The Features pull it off better than most bands I'm used to seeing in small clubs. Their energy is at an all-time high as it seems that Roger has now taken the cue from Rollum and Matt to rock out a bit more on stage. Despite the fact that they were outside, in the sun, about 50 feet off the ground, I truly enjoyed watching them more than ever. Mosis Ptosis was indeed an excellent example of that. I, too, was left in awe of them after that.

Their set was clearly more polished-- you can tell they've been getting limited time to win new fans over lately. I think that's a good thing.

I mentioned to my friend (who I happen to be cultivating into a rabid Features fan like myself) that Roger's new amp (blue Kustom amp) was exactly like my friend Zach's amp. I found out later that, in reality, it was his amp. I guess Rog is traveling light these days. Rock stars in demand can do that, you know.

As always, it was excellent seeing many of you-- especially Mindylieu and Miss9. Do me a favor, and try to wait for me next time you decide to make out, okay.

That was probably one of my favorite sets I've ever heard from The Features as far as song list goes. The only moment I wasn't excited was during "2x2" which has become my cigarette song. Great energy from everyone, and I liked Parrish's hat. Neat.

The dude from Tonic that came on after them went on seemingly forever. I was not pleased with him.

Because they have to close up shop at such an early hour and all the songs became 8 minutes long, I was not left satisfied after Cake. It seemed like such a short set before the encore, but at least that was good. I'm glad I was away from the crowd surfing, but I did get to watch two ugly drunk chicks beg the security guy to let them on the platform. Of course he said no, and then they angrily slurred at him for at least 10 minutes.

Sorry Carl, maybe next time. We did get to watch porn, on the plus side.

(Edited by MissSeptember at 1:20 pm on Jun. 21, 2004)

the set list was fantastic...but i dont know, man. i just really cant get into the features in a setting like that the same way i can when im in "tha club." it was about half the amount of energy im used to anyway. mosis ptosis and million ways to sing the blues were my highlights of their set.

popular genius did very well...it sucks that there was only about 5 people that caught it but i think they made up for that with tons of merch sales. it was quite amazing.

Tonic guy was lame.

Cake was tight as ever. The entire band has great stage presence. but i guess you would probably learn how to do that after however long they have been around.

Not as bad as bringing out Ira Louvin.

Seriously, did Roger's gear get stolen? Did the airline lose it? Do I need to organize a benefit?

So, that bearded critter on your poster there - it's a mammal, is it? Damn thing looks almost human.

I saw a roadie try to hand Roger his Explorer bass, which he had with him in England.

that is a tough looking bass!

I was told he accidently left his gear in Sparta (although stopforme claims Murfreesboro...I wasn't paying that much attention so she may be right). Anyway, I don't think any benefits are necessary.

Accidentally left his gear in Sparta? What the hell?

OK. I know it's not really any of my business. But he is my mentor...

Hey it happens. The violinist in the string quartet playing at my sister's wedding left her violin at home.

I'm really sad that I missed this show. I have 3 of Cake's albums but I've never seen them live. Did anyone record?

It's kind of like a cop forgetting his gun.

i have zero credibility

this show definitely made my trip out to nashville worthwhile.

now i just wish i'd met some of y'all. i think i saw you a few times, carl... surrounded by a relentless throng of women

Probably not. They check belongings before letting people enter.

It was a pretty good show. Cake had us sing "Sheep go to Heaven, Goats go to Hell" for waaaay too long. They brought out some old country music singer named Charlie Levens who sang a couple of songs with them. High School kids crowd-surfed to EVERY frickin song. And they played a 2-song encore. Then there were fireworks.

I didn't see any fist-fights or overtly redneck activity-- except for the one guy who yelled "Freebird" during Tonic's performance. The crowd was really into the show and made me feel somewhat good about being a Nashvillian. Not enough people got up to dance for the Features, but aside from that, a good time was had by all.

(Edited by Chiren at 1:31 pm on Jun. 23, 2004)

Great show. It was awesome to hear Popular Genius, Cake and of course the features! It was great to hear Cake's "I Want to Love you Madly" and then makeout with Miss9 during the fireworks. Sorry Carl, Roger deleted the pictures.
Thanks Keith for loaning your equipment-I hope you got your bass back because it was being coveted. Roger forgot his basses in Sparta because it was a crazy day, and he usually leaves them in Murfreesboro but for some reason took them home.
I missed seeing JC, Simone (sorry honey!) and many others, but it was great to see everyone else!

(Edited by mindylieu at 4:18 pm on Jun. 23, 2004)

Yes, my bass is back and strangely I've become really good at disco licks ever since! Thanks Roger.

I took a few pictures from the show. It's not as good as the Skank Cam but I tried.



click here

(Edited by iwantelvis at 5:56 pm on Jun. 23, 2004)

The one with Roger and the tambourine rules.

Yeah, Roger was the most captivating at this show thus deserving the most photos. The tamoborine one is my favorite too.

Yeah, he and Matt have definitely taken cues from Rollum to really rock out. Sweet!