where is your favorite place to see the features?

mine is at the slow bar

the boro...i can walk to it!

I gotta go with The End. It is a shitty bar, but The Features always rock out there. That show they did for Monsters of Pop a year or two back was still far and away the best Features show I have ever seen. How often does Matt jump off of amps into the drums?

They are always good at The Boro, but let's face it, Murfreesboro sucks and The Boro has no sound system. Sorry, but I like actually hearing Matt's voice occasionally.

12th is nice, but they make every band that plays there a little too 'Nashville' (too much reverb on everything, etc.).

I've never seen them at Slow Bar.

Nice idea for a topic, elliot.

My answer is threefold.

Blue Cats in Knoxville was definitely the place where the Features *sounded* the best, of all of the places I've seen them.  The sound in that room was incredible.  It was loud as fuck, the way a rock show should be, and the mix was splendid.  If the Features play the Exit/In in the future, it would likely replace Blue Cat's in this category.

The Boro, though it is the polar opposite in terms of sonic capability, has more charm and charisma than any other place the Features play.  Notice that I am making this comment for when the Features play there, not just anyone.  When the Features play there, it seems to be just a hair more formal than band practice, and that's a fun way to see your favorite band.  They are willing to play anything there (where else are you going to hear Attention or Jurley or even Hey Lou these days?) and the crowd relishes, even demands that the band take these chances, and thoroughly appreciates it.

But I would have to agree with Keith in saying that my *absolute* favorite place to see the Features is The End in Nashville.  The place is a shithole for sure, but the sound is usually great, and the place is just so rock'n'roll.  Too many great Features shows have happened there to deny its greatness.  Oh, and it also gets bonus points for being by far the closest venue to my apartment.

I don't care for the Boro I have not seen the features there but I've seen other bands and that place sucks not to mention it's in Murfreesboro but I can't say much it's better than Clarksville

I have to say that Blue Cat's is my favorite, at least for another five months. It sounds great, fits quite a few fans, and is a three minute drive from my house, instead of three hours. In the last six months I've seen them at 12th and P., the End, and Slow Bar and enjoyed all.

i must side with ms. carroll on this one. the boro is fun, always where to hear new songs that might not make regular rotation and old odd favorites. blue cats is just fucking cool, thanks more so probably to the great knoxville fanbase. the end is a great rock venue. easily the most entertaing show i've seen there was the monstors of pop set where matt dove off of parrish's back and into the house drum kit. i suppose that was matt's way of sticking it to corporate music chains. a close second end show would be the lifeboy cd release party. i mean. jesus, horns and joe pisapia, what more is there?

all great venues! but can you walk to them from where you live? you have no idea how cool that is to me..to be able to just walk down the street to see a good rock show.

makes you feel like you're in a 'real' college town, huh?

I too will defend The End, although i don't think its the best place to see the features. Ryan will bitch up a fucking storm about The End but i don't care, when its packed its great, and its always loud and drenched in sweat, the way r&r should be. Problem is Bruce fucks the bands that play there by not paying them, so i doubt the features will be playing there any time soon.

Echo Lounge in Atlanta is comparable to Blue Cats in size, although i can't vouch for sound. The thing about Echo is that it is hip--imagine the hip music scene having their very own Exit/In. The only posters to adorn the walls are for Superchunk or Yo La Tengo shows. It sounds great, too. I haven't been to Blue Cats for a show(I peeked my head in one time), so they might
have the Echo Lounge on sound, but definitely not atmosphere/crowd.

The worst is 12th and Snorter. I think Keith might be partial to it cause his friends play there a lot. The sound and atmosphere sucks. I loved the features at the slow bar. The Boro is cool, but i've been going there for 4 years now and its losing its charm for me. Plus, I used to know everyone in the place and now every time i go back i know fewer and fewer people.

I've lost count of how many places I've seen the Features.

The Boro is the best for character of a building and crowd. I also like to drink beer there.

I like the calmness and darkness of 12th & Porter.

I've noticed they always do good shows at The End.

I like the outdoor thing at the Red Rose.

I have seen the worst Features show ever at Exit/In, but I've also seen some good ones.

The most interesting places I've seen them play are in Knoxville. I recorded a great show at Tomato Head. I liked the Pilot Light as a nasty dive. The first tyme I saw them was at the Mercury Theater (RIP) in 97. I also saw a great one at Long Branch Saloon when I stood in as their roadie and they played for about 12 people.

I actually love seeing the Features at the End. Granted, Bruce fucks the bands when he is in a bad mood, but all around, as far as good sound and vibe goes, it is probably my favorite. My favorite Features show was there, Monsters of Pop a while back. 12th and Snorter sucks. They are always good at the boro. Didn't like the mix at Slowbar.

12th & Porter is the best Nashville venue. It make The Features seem so 'Rock Star'. The Best M'boro venue is the Boro. I love it. Although, one of the best Features shows I've seen was at Wall Street last October.