So I've had it. Last night's features show at the rose rocked out. HOWEVER there is an ongoing problem that no one seems to be addressing. Every show I get there to see all of the bands. I'm happy, dancin, with pleanty of space THEN as soon as the band before is finshed a BLOCKADE of features snots runs, funking up my space, view and possible Feature joy. Yes, you know who you are. My chucks will never be cool enough, old enough or written on enough to hang with yours right? That must be why other features fans outside your elitist group are not allowed to stand in the front, not even once to enjoy the show and and a good view. I guess the songs change everytime so you HAVE to see it, right? WRONG. It's the same damn show, so move that ass on over. Allow the love to filter on, if you are true Features fans.

Come on now, BREAK DOWN THE BLOCKADE!!! Garrrrr......

Welcome, julianna, to the Features venting board. We all come here and create a community by quickly venting our frustrations.

There are probably better ways to explore your dilemma on closer examination. First of all, I'm assuming that you don't know who any one is. So how do you know that anyone here is associated with this problem? If you know who the message board fans are, you'll notice that we're spread out in pockets instead of in one elitist group. Second, in reference to dancing, in a small venue like the Rose, every one has to limit the amount of dancing they can do. Third, I know for a fact that I deal with this at every show I see. It's not just the Features, and it's not just the elitist group of fans as you claim we are. It's just a problem whose best solution is just to be assertive (meaning SAY SOMETHING TO WHOMEVER IS IN YOUR WAY) or to wathc for that window of time when the opener is clearing their stuff and there is an open spot at a closer point, take it.

And this sentence,
seems to make no sense to me.

your post confuses me. so do the people in the "blockade" only move to the front when the features play or are they in the front thoughout the show? because there is quite a difference. but that's beside the point. last night the features payed at the red rose. this is not a "venue" so to speak. it is merely an establishment that is kind enough to let bands play there occassionally. there is no real stage. this means no one besides the people in the front row can see. i was in the second row and i really couldn't see anything. but you know what? i still had a good time. the people in the front row were there first and more than likely not willing to give up their spot for you. maybe next time you can bring something to bribe them with, or maybe even make your way to the front a bit earlier. it's a features show, just have fun.
but alas this is (as YDDD so cleverly put it) the Features venting board...so as long as you feel better now, that's all that counts.

(Edited by HaveSomeSoma at 12:38 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

Hi Juliana.

I'm glad you enjoyed the Features show, and welcome to the message board.

Yes, there are some folks that are consistently positioned front and center at Features shows these days. But you know what? They are huge fans, they are very enthusiastic, and they are very nice people, too. I'll bet that if you talk to them, they'd be more than happy to have you stand up there with them.

I'm going to have to disagree with you, though, when you say that every Features show is "the same damn show." I think that the Features, like any great band, are constantly evolving. So every show is unique.

And YDDD - chucks are Chuck Taylors, aka Converse All Stars. They're real popular with the indie kids. And back in the day (middle school), we used to write on them. But I didn't know that writing (or age) on Chucks was a sign of indie cred.

juliana.....

my only advice to you is to try and get there earlier.

me neither.....

(Edited by ray davies at 1:13 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

myabe you should just get cooler shoes.

i like my sambas, but then, i'm an adidas freak.


at any show i've ever been able to attend for any band, I have been consistently in the middle of everyone; needless to say I still have fun and am able to rock out. There have been two instances when I've been in a front row:
A.F.I. -- and its no small feat... you have to push and shove just to stand in the back.. hehe.
and SevenMaryThree, Spin Doctors and Gin Blossoms -- once again, i got there early, but not early enough.. when Seven Mary Three broke for the night, I looked up and when the mosh pit had cleared I was at the front. I didn't move for the rest of the night.

But I digress.. it's never been a frustration of mine to not be in the front. As a matter of fact, I like to view everyone else as well as the band... It's great to see the reactions, how people are dancing... whether that guy is going to pick up his beer or accidentally kick it over on the cute chick's shoes... who just got knocked on their ass in the pit (if there is one)...etc. I think the middle is my favorite place to be, unless I feel some sort of special connection with the band.

I don't get your argument... if you are a features fan, you've apparently heard the songs before, right? so why are you bitching if they are the same?

(Edited by deathscythe257 at 3:56 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

I'm not giving up my front row spot for nobody. And I'll kick anyone's ass who tries to take it. Features fans get to stand closest to the band in the following order:

1) Length of time you've known the band. At each show you may move up one inch. If you've been a fan since the bunny suit days, you should actually be on the stage.

2) Coolness. This basically supercedes the first one. If you are totally cool you may stand in front. Even if it is your first show and you only went to get wasted and spill beer on people. Dude, you're cool and you can take what you want.. I mean, how can you deny that?

These are the rules that we eletist message board members have set up. Don't let the nice faces fool you. We aren't just a bunch of regular kids who happen to like a local rock band. We are THE Features Fans!!!!

(Edited by HeyItsBriggs at 3:21 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

sorry that you didn't make it up front, but i know that a few people, including myself, had been up there since long before the opening bands started playing. when people try to crawl under me, or push by me as if they deserve to be up front, it annoys me a little. i didn't stand there that long to get moved out of my spot. if you really want to be up there,you should get to the show earlier.

...and, i'm not sure if the people who tried to push their way up front realized it, but there was NO space left in the front. we were right on top on the band.

(Edited by damon at 4:14 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

Ahem...two words: fucking ditto. Also, when you want to move to the front, it is usually not a good idea to call the people in your way "assholes". There is no chance in hell of you getting past them after that. And yes, you most definitely know who you are.

Being one of the Elitist Blockade Snobs (I may have a T-shirt made, that moniker is catchy), I agree with everyone else that if you want to get up front, get there earlier. And since I'm not a crazy dancer I actually want to see the band. If I was going to spend the show twirling my beer in the air and doing the Hammer, thus diverting my attention from the band, I would take whatever spot I could get. And yes JC is right; no Features show is the same. Not at all.

i see both sides of the argument. i will say that getting there early doesn't always seem to secure a front row spot for any more than 5 minutes. i have no idea who all you guys on this message board are, and couldn't pick you out in a crowd if my life depended on it... however, there are almost always the same people in the front AND i've seen a few of them break in front of people right before the features play. I'm not trying to "attack" anyone, but it should be first come first serve for the entire show!!!! the people who get their first apparently want to be in the front the most and deserve to be there... its as simple as that

(Edited by joeywade at 7:40 pm on Mar. 1, 2003)

exactly.

And this is my point exactly: I got there fairly early and the people who I've found out to be the coterie of Ray Davies and Digsy and company were front and center in a tight group from the beginning. They got there early and they deserved to be front and center because they reserved their spot. It seems to me that Julianna is complaining about people who moved in after the second band. I don't think we've been rightly accused since she has no idea whoit was who moved in front of her. She's assuming that every one came to the front just before the Features came on. Well, I was in a pocket off to one side with people from the board, and there were plenty of people who were a "blockade" in front of us.

Thank you for clearing up the phrase, JC. You're definitely cool enough to write on my Docs or Coles.

I prefer any shoe under $20 I have a budget lol

I've had plenty of people jump in front of me and into me. It's not that big of a deal. If you want your spot, hold it. It's really that simple. And, from my experience, everyone who I know from this board and from bumping into at The Features shows in general would respond rather nicely if you were to say that you had that spot and that they couldn't have it (as long as they aren't too intoxicated). So, next time, don't join the messageboard and make your one post about how horrible we all are for holding our places up front. We aren't elitists...just fans.
And, like so many others have stated, each show is different...not the same at ALL. I would imagine that every Features fan would appreciate the band's evolution, and they would be aware of their nature to change things up a bit at just about every show.

holy shit, you saw AFI?! cool.

anyway, when i want to get to the very front of a show, or get to the bathroom, or anywhere in a crowded room, i just yell loudly, "oh my god, im so drunk im going to throw up all over you' please get out of my way, im so sick!!" and make puking noises. it works every time.

ps, at least one of you has fallen victm to this trick. ive pulled it off at too many features shows for this not to have encountered one of you.

oh by the way, juliana with your one post, thanks for the insite. i'll get "that ass " out of the way when i see you.

yes, indeed... it was at a little shotgun hole-in-the-wall bar here in louisville almost two years ago... it was late spring and very warm, as well as a couple hundred angry kids packed in there... it was a sea of bodies hehe... and when you left, there was nothing on you but sweat drenched clothing.. may not be considered fun by some, but i definitely had fun. I even got to have coffee at the White Castle down the street with Adam (their drummer) and discussed with him how much Open Your Mouth And Shut Your Eyes had changed my outlook on a lot of things.

shut the fuck up; i am so jealous of you. that was the first AFI record I ever owned; changed things for me too. sweating and moshing sounds like a great fucking evening to me.

K,
I usually like the dancing girls at the features shows even though i know alot of you get really pissed off. But at the Red Rose, i got a lil mad at them. As they were dancing, stepping on my feet, bumping, pushing, jumping, and worst of all..........taking my hat off and wearing it.........passing it around.........Hey its all good ladies..........I still love you.......But my concert experience was a little bit ruined by it. Maybe had i been drunk like i usually am at the shows, i wouldnt have minded. I guess when u are not drunk, drunk people just piss you off. Anywho,
Ciao
Mark Spencer

What kind of hat was it Mark?

I have mixed feelings about this topic. I can see it from both sides: 1) stop being an asshole and just file in back whenever you get there or 2) stop being a whiny little bitch, grow a backbone, stand your ground, and earn your coveted position. I'll admit that I'm more often the offender than the offended and feel somewhat justified in the fact that I move for the band. I let the music take over and I'll bet that the band typically enjoys being able to see that up front (although I'm sure that they would prefer that a majority of the dancers be female). I'm extremely consciencious, though, by 1) never spilling drinks on those around me 2) never getting between people that are together and 3) sometimes letting shorter people in front of me. I'll only get in front of someone who leaves a lot of space in front of them. If you think you're better than everyone else and get to have more than ample breathing room in a packed venue, you deserve to get shoved around.

(Edited by carligula at 2:08 pm on Mar. 2, 2003)

Get there early, stand in front for the opening bands, and you'll never have a problem. Simple enough for even the idiots to understand.

(Edited by richarddawson at 3:21 pm on Mar. 2, 2003)

It was my white Radford Univ. Hat.......nothing spectacular. The girls said it was my "fraternity hat".......which is so untrue.....Im not the frat type. Anyway, no i love the dancing girls.......just wanted to point out that when im not drunk, i can see how it gets on people's nerves. I respect them in the sense that they just go out and have fun. and dont give a shit. Sounds good to me, thats what i like to do too!
Anywho
Ciao
Mark Spencer

Replying to julianna, I do know who I am, I'm the "asshole" that had the pleasure of standing in front of you (sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell). All I have to say is get there first and you won't have to whine all night, and had I not been called asshole every 2 seconds I might have ben nicer. And I almost forgot, you were right, we (the assholes and dorks) are gonna talk bad about you on our "Dorky message board".

Though I was next to you for all of this and got the same treatment that you did, I did appreciate their methods of persuasion at times. Whichever of you attractive girls behind me decided to dance on me had the right idea.

tsk tsk tsk, richarddawson.........you're such a whore.

Hahaha, my life's existence has never been summed up more aptly than in that one sentence Mr. Davies. Well...there was that time when someone compared it to Saved By The Bell.

being from virginia, i can most definitely say that radford=ultimate fraternity school. in fact, that's the only thing that school is known for.... i mean, i have friends that go there, but that's pretty much what their lives consist of.... partying and their fraternities

I think we should all get back to the manner at hand. I believe the original question was "Where's the love??", and as it has been well documented, it is right where it should be, in Carl's pants.

EASY cowboys and cowgirls.....
I am sorry if my post was offensive. I truly didn't mean it to be.

I was simply trying to post that:

1) my love for the features and am happy to be a new fan/ message board member.
2) my frustrations that I have found it near impossible to get a good view NO MATTER HOW EARLY I ARRIVE at any of the shows that I come to within the last 3 months (with the exception of the Exit/In Slack/Verde show).

I respect and appreciate the fact that you LOVE a band and are total fans, the Features are worthy of that kind of love and dedication. I am a new fan, yet already I love them so much that I won't miss a show.

And as for the "Quote" above. I think you have me confused with someone else...I don't really dance anymore than the normal person, and I don't drink. And unfortunatley, I was standing near the back.

I do really appreciate the kind words ("stop being a whiny little bitch"). I hope that all who join the message board will equally feel as if they cannot express their ocassional frustrations along with their absolute Feature love.

haha...whiney little bitch...i can see how those words could be taken the wrong way...

Okay, that really was taken out of context. I was commenting on the two extreme ends of the spectrum and said that I could see it from both sides, but I think for the most part I lie somewhere in the middle. I was hoping the remainder of my post was clear on that point.

Please understand that I have nothing but love for the Features fans (even Ray Davies if you can believe it ). You are very welcome to the board despite the bad first impression many may have gotten. I'm hoping your second post earned the same respect with everyone else that it did for me.

By the way, julianna, did I happen to meet you friday night? I'm almost positive that I did.

Truer words have never been spoken.

dirty whore... ...ok, i'm just jealous.

thanks carl.

Carligula- I am 100% sure you didn't. However, if you want to meet, hug, and make up... that can be arranged.

You're on.

By the way, are you a Julianna Hatfield fan? I'm pretty sure the person I was thinking of is. Also, she was at the Verde/Slack show you mentioned. I just put 2 and 2 together and came up wrong (yes, it happens sometimes). Of course, I suppose I can't even assume that you're a female.

If i infer that you are something vile, can we meet, hug, and make up too? I mean, please.

isn't "where's the love" a hanson song?

Yes, I believe Digsy pointed that out earlier.

Hey, You're right, RU is a huge party school. Used to be in the top 10 party schools in the nation. I grew up right in that area and always partied there, and when i came to MTSU i was disappointed.......This wasnt the college environment i was used to. But anyway, I never really considered my hat a "fraternity hat".......I frown upon fraternities, ......And i would never want to get labeled the "fraternity type".....cause thats far from my personality. But anyway, Where in VA are u from featuresgirl?
Ciao
Mark Spencer

And boy am I proud of that fact....

i am from west of DC, loudoun county. almost fairfax county.

i'm from montgomery county, Va originally...

fyi

my girls were the girls calling you guys assholes and we don't know who julianna is.
and for the most part, they were being sarcastic especially since i (among some of their other friends) post on the message board. they just know that the kids in the front that don't dance are the same kids that bitch about me.

and as far as getting there early. fuck that. i'll continue to make my way to the front last minute. and if you don't like it, i'll have ben*slack grind on ya.

Hey, that reminds me, Sina... where was your usual posse on Friday? Do you rotate the members to keep things fresh?

Hmm...if trends proceed correctly and blocking those girls from the front leads to getting grinded on...I just made the connection! Bring on the grinders!

You say that like it's a bad thing. It's not. Trust me.

My evil plans shall work out nicely then...

yes. and thanks for getting it stuck in my head TWICE in one thread.

Sorry to you then julianna, however, to those of you who this message was really intended for, i still feel the same way.

this has royal rumble written all over it...

i for one plan on using a steel chair.

i have dibs on the ladder.....

Everyone knows the title belt is the hardest substance known to man. That, and the ringbell.

indeed it is.....

i've seen many a wreslter bloodied by a world title before.

I am going to go with the Mountie's weapon of choice and bring my trusty cattle prod, but will keep it hidden until the necessary opportunity arises. I can only hope that I pick a high number like 28 or 30.

Hey stalker, I got an email from the afi newsletter today with tour dates and dates of presells for people who subscribe to their e-newsletter. if you want i can forward it to you... the closest they're coming this time is St. Louis and Chicago... i don't know what to think of the new album.. i think it might be a bit lackluster as was the art of drowning. regardless, they're touring with the blood brothers, who personally i think are humourous. they're always so angry and whatnot.

I'd put both the ring bell and the sledge hammer above the championship belt. You see people kicking out of the belt shot every now and then. I'd put the belt on tier 2 with William Regal's brass knucks and Sting's black bat.

don't you mean to put quotes around that "bloodied"?

yes, i meant to do that.......

alas, but you forgot about the ultimate wrestling weapon of choice.....hacksaw jim duggan's trusty 2X4.

so very true. what about beating someone with their own belt? didn't the rock beat hogan with his own belt at no way out? that's pretty harsh...i'll shut up now...

So back to the topic... I think if people are blockading at your next show, Juliana, the best thing to do is start dealing out ass smacks. That's right, smack someone on the ass if they're not being cool. That way, they'll either smile and be your servant or they will think you're weird and will move. Either way, you win.

I can't wait to see all of the butt pats and ass smacks going down at the next Features show.

I like the way this guy thinks.
I support the ass smacking idea 100%.

Man, I'm totally gonna be up front for the next show!

"I can't wait to see all of the butt pats and ass smacks going down at the next Features show"


Ben Matlock - You rock my world!

(Edited by julianna at 1:45 pm on Mar. 10, 2003)

Do you mean totally or literally?