I'm using the Features as a topic on a paper, and I was hoping that some of you who know what you're talking about could help me out with a timeline of sorts. Any significant (or insignificant) dates (years is more like it) would be appreciated. For instance, when exactly they formed/hatched/fell from the sky, when the signed with Spongebath, individual dates on which they lost their baby teeth, etc. Pretty basic stuff.

I doubt any of us have real answers to that. It seems that they are buried in Features lore. One of those girls who is really close to the band could probably find out, but the fact that it's never (to my knowledge) been specifically brought up here means it's unbeknownst to all of us.

My guesses-- the band probably formed around 91, and they probably jumped on with Spongebath in 95. I have nothing to back up either of those.

Just make it up. The prof won't know the difference if we don't.

YDDD's right. I've heard the beginings of the band were when Roger and Matt were messing around with various high school bands and stuff. I remember talking to one guy who used to play with them saying that Antigravity Class of '93 was in reference to when they all graduated high school, so 91 is probably fairly accurate.

Seeing that they don't play Sergio-era stuff anymore, I would say that Rollum joining the band (in 99?) is a landmark date in the evolution of the band.

You should also mention that the first time I saw them was in 1997. I feel that's important

1997 also saw the release of their self-titled EP on Spongebath. I believe the Thursday 10" came out in 1999. 2001 - self-released "Beginning" EP. 2003 is probably the most important year, at least recently, seeing that their EP was released in the UK on Fierce Panda and, more importantly, they were signed to Universal.

I believe they had severed all ties with Spongebath officially (although it was never announced) circa 2000, 2001 at the very latest. The only way the ever told the fans was through "Captain Williams," apparently a shot at the label's owner, Richard Williams. I believe that was first performed in 2000, so it's safe to bet that was the exact year they separated.

It should also be noted that they've set out to record an album four times now (with all of the tracks laid down) with various producers, and only one of them is set for official release (this fall).

Help us out here, jc

I felt kind of like a wanker for creating this topic, but some good has come of it. Thanks for the input thus far, and keep it coming if there are any late breaking findings.

Actually, it didn't seem like a shot. It was very athemic, with a chorus that was something to the effect of, "Captain Williams says everything's gonna be alright."

captain williams used to say
everything is gonna be ok
there's no need to be concerned
captain williams will return

this was a good song.

I had never actually heard it, but since I saw someone write down the first two lines of the chorus (and given the time of its debut) I sort of assumed. Like ghostflower said,


That sort of seems like saying that the label always got into rough financial positions or general hard times, and Rick, the "captain" of it all, would always assure the band(s) that things would get better (but as we all know, and as was clear to the bands by 2000, that was not quite the case).


The first line of that is just a follow-up to the first two, but the last line seems like a reference to the fact that after some time, Rick was never around the label headquarters and was always out doing something else (which is alright, considering by that time he had hired a fully-functional staff that was capable of operating on its own...but it still could have been a little concerning).

The verses would probably offer much more insight, though. Is there any version of it floating around on a bootleg?

If you're in need of a Features timeline, why not just check out the artist bio on MTV.com?

wow. that mtv bio was surprisingly enjoyable.

plus, while i was there i was able to obtain some very useful information. lil jon's top 5 bands are:
1. Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz
2. Ying Yang Twins
3. Chingy
4. Foo Fighters
5. Linkin Park

ya-yuh!

Needless, to say, this is VERY exciting.

I've read that exact same bio somewhere else before...but I can't remember where...

because it's too much to write a paper on.

im pretty sure its one of the articles in the press section.

I think they just take out the proper names of the band and members and use that same review for every band they don't listen to.

I believe that is the very bio that used to be on this very website.

Has Matt Pelham actually ever run into a drum set or guitar amp? On the mtv site, it actually said he does it "unintentionally." Are they trying to say he is clumsy? I've seen him fall from rockin too hard (exit/in, april 02), but never run into anything.

I saw him walk backwards into an amp at the Next Generation show. His greatest fall ever would have to be right after the first chorus of TWIMTB at the January '04 Inferno Bar. He fell backwards over the amp and his feet went over his head. Best part of all: I got it all on DVD.

Nevermind.

(Edited by YaDaDaDa at 7:57 pm on Apr. 26, 2004)

Most definitely. I saw it here and I am sure at other shows.

Wasn't there a ripped shirt as well?

Yeah, I think the back of his shirt was, indeed, ripped.

That's rock and roll.

this new conversation is GAY

this is from amazon.com...don't know about accuracy, but it might help...

note: i did not write this...don't blame me

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Features' real beginning is a matter of legend, but it goes something like this:

Sometime in the mid-1990s, five high school kids from the modest village of Sparta, Tenn., decided to start a rock and roll band.

With a combined two and a half weeks of musical training, a couple of toy guitars and a borrowed drum kit, the group christened themselves "Xanthlick Zisters," and set out to conquer the Sparta teen music scene. This much they accomplished with little effort, after working up passable covers of mid-90s alternatop-40 hits.

The kids from Sparta kept at it. Eventually, they started to sound pretty damn good. They changed their name to the Features, inspired by a sign in a donut shop.

Not long after the beginning, the Features started performing their own material, crafting dozens upon dozens of original pop songs with tight musical hooks, clever lyrics and a relentless 4/4 beat.

Along the way, the Features all went to college together, dropped out together, put out a CD, lost a guitarist and replaced a drummer. They built up a ravenous local fan base, as well as a catalog of more than 100 original songs.

Today, the Features' home turf stretches from Murfreesboro to Nashville, but their fans can be found in Atlanta, New York and Chicago, and even as far away as London, UK.

The charter members of the Features Fan Club are entering their 30s, but they still come to every show, if they can find babysitters. That isn't always easy, as the band continues to attract new fans in their teens.

The Features' success, as they have known it so far, was accomplished without a record contract or a video on MTV. Now that they have both, they may finally be able to quit their day jobs.

Keith Hautala is a freelance writer and a student at the University of Kentucky.

(Edited by herman at 11:06 pm on Apr. 26, 2004)

He accidently jumped into the drums at the best Features show ever- that Monster's of Pop show at The End in, I think 2000 (possibly 2001).

**edit** according to this thread, I think we decided that show was in 2000. It is an interesting thread to go back and read for numerous reasons. While I was looking for it, I also found another interesting thread for perspective.

(Edited by Keith at 12:50 am on Apr. 27, 2004)

khautala

Make that early 90s. For whatever it's worth.

Slightly off the topic, I'll admit...
But reading all this about the Features history reminded me of the first time I saw them live...and I'll never forget it...August of 1997...Fluid Ounces and the Features double-bill at Tucker Theatre on MTSU Campus. I think the Features opened with "Armani Suede" and from there, they had me hooked for life. (Needless to say, Fl. Oz. were UNBELIEVABLE as well.)
(Cough.) Sorry about that.

The history of the Features began when Rollum joined. Period.

I thank you, troll.

Rollum would make any band 10 times better.

10? You're insane. More like 11 or 12.

here you go, damon. I'm not sure if you still need this or not.

Wow, that just filled me in on a ton of info I hadn't known before! I knew bits an pieces of it, but not how it all fit together and stuff.... very nice! I'm putting in an application for sidelines this summer and there just went my first idea for a story. . .

there were a lot of name misspellings in that article.

That's how they learn ya good at MTSU....

Speaking of, the Features were on the front page of Sidelines for this past Monday... Yesterday.