As has already begun to be discussed, the Features were writing several songs that obviously referenced drugs in the late 90s around the time that they recorded the Mississippi album. Due to the amount of skepticism, I will show you all exactly what seems so obvious to me.

The first Features tune to reference drugs was on the Features EP. As you may recall, Roger was looking much more buff in those days, spending hours working out in the gym and such (he still runs in marathons, as we've discussed). Apparently, as he became more obsessed with a muscular physique, he began using steroids. "Roger's Theme" was written by Matt and Don shortly after, which describes his attitude change and the dangers of what is called in D.A.R.E. "roid rage". Note the lyrics, "Hey man, check out me/ I'm the funkiest brother you've ever seen." "It's dynamite" "Start a fight"

Other drug songs came about later, as the rest of the band began experimenting. This brought about "Rabbit March", with its obvious connections with hallucinagenic overtones, and the band's experimentation with becoming a hippie jam band.

"Circus" also includes those lyrics that have yet to be deciphered, but in a bootleg I recently acquired, 4/31/98, Matt is clearly saying, "I got no feeling/ I got my crack pipe smoked/ Oh oh oh oh oooh". This bootleg also includes the debut of 33 1/3, which originally included the lyrics, "Seems my girlfriend/ Loves LSD more than she loves me".

"Matt's Little Ditty" (aka Shiny Metal Objects) definitely links them to heavy drug use with 1) its blatant discussion of hallucinating, 2) the use of kazoos, and 3) the acoustic guitar, which makes Matt sound like a dirty hippie.

"Thursday" is the primaryy song that the band still uses from the era before they all went to re-hab in early '99. On the surface, there's the story of a guy with a crush on a girl, when actually it's about trying to look cool for one's drug dealer in hopes of getting a free score.

I thought that "2x2" was a return to songs about drugs, but it turns out it was about something else.

I had no idea...a crack pipe? Geez...

You know, YDDD, some people have a harder time than others distinguishing what is and what isn't sarcasm on this board. I'm assuming you were being sarcastic. Surely, you jest!

This song was written after a glorious visit to the doctor during which Matt discovered that the numerous violent baby kicks that were murderous to Mrs. Pelham and that he had feared for weeks were coming from a deranged crack baby were, in fact, coming from perfectly healthy twins! Released from a torturous cycle of guilt and depression, he celebrated by creating 2x2.

I'm confused, were the members of the features druggies?

I don't know...whether you believe that or not, YDDD, it was entertaining to read, and I commend you on digging that up either for pure amusement or sincere belief. "I got my crack pipe smoked.." hahahahaha

not true not true not true. in circus, he is CLEARLY saying. "I've got no feeling/ I've got my stalker on skates"

Such members can use my sure-fire formula: With this crowd, one should always assume it's sarcasm.


Wasn't "Captain Williams" about the intervention that Richard Williams held with band to try and help them get their lives back on track?

That's right, Tom. He tried to save them and make them a rescued band like Aerosmith.

"Willie and the Willigers" was also about their post-drug-using identity crisis, as well about hitting rock bottom and not being able to find their car.

I've always interpretted Willie and The Willigers as a song about self-loathing- the tribulations of being a free thinker in a selfish and materialistic world. There are also obvious biblical references in the second verse:
Willie rises after three days/the Willigers look on amazed/yeah yeah yeah/ oh yeah yeah yeah

The drug references are meant as symbolism.

How would you know anything about those?

Anyway, I never thought of Willie in those terms, but I disagree. The part about the needle and the tingle down his spine makes that too hard to believe.

this willie willagers, is this a song, and is it a features song?

...(insert cricket noises)...

(Edited by richarddawson at 8:27 pm on Mar. 11, 2003)

What a great question. Find the answer here.

Thank you YDDD for bing kind enough to give me that link. I think richardD could have refrained from making me feel bad for not knowing as much about the features as he does, but oh well, I guess if it makes him feel good, let him do it.

It's the teacher in me. You know, I could be your English teacher (though you live in Brentwood and I teach in Antioch).

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 9:43 pm on Mar. 11, 2003)

I wish you were my English teacher!

Back to the topic at hand, my question for all of you doubters is how you can listen to "Anti-Gravity Class of '93" and not hear the out cry of a heavy drug user trying to latch on to something?

Geez...y'all are killin the cynical attitude around here. Sorry...

I had never thought of those songs in that way before, but I think I can see it. Come to think of it, it seems like something like this came up a long time ago on the old Spongebath board. Does any one remember that?

I believe that's where I heard the first of all this.