Hello to all my fellow Features fans.

I have been out of action for a while...but as I don't think any of you know me, this is not relevant. It is, however, good to be back here reading about the Features and reading the insane posts that always bring me back...but I digress...


I had the pleasure to be in NYC last week during the CMJ Music Festival, a generally brash scene filled with record labels cramming the stages full of average bands and hyping them to be the next big thing, Rarely do they ever deliver. The opportunity for truly good, undiscovered acts to play is slim to none. But I have seen good shows before, so why not again?

Friday, October 24th 10:00 P.M.

After riding the subway for 20mins, and walking aimlessly for another 30mins through and around Little Italy I stumbled upon my destination, Club Tonic, a smallish cinderblock building nestled on a side street with an 11' x 14' piece of paper taped to the non-descript block wall that said "Tonic", in a freakish late 80's font. I thought to myself, damn I wish I still played music; these are the kinds of rooms you hope for. No brash bullshit, no fancy lights on the bar, no hip door people with attitudes, just a damn block building with people buzzing all around it.

I have been aware of Bobby Bare Jr. for quite sometime, and have always been aware of his talent. But there is no question in my mind after walking into that club and watching him play, that he and his band are truly amazing.

Tom Papas on bass, Mike Grimes on guitar (man that fucker is good!), the drummer for Forget Cassettes (name?), back-up singer (again name?) and Bobby. I have not seen a show full of so much energy, power and talent in a long fucking time. 765 miles from home, 500+ bands in 4 days, and 5 people who live down the road from me took my scalp off.

This is what music is about, this is the feeling that The Features gave me back in '97 at the Bean; this is why music matters. I hope everyone here has had this feeling, I hope you have it again and again. The Features fucking rock, Bobby Bare Jr. fucking rocks...and anyone who gets up on a shit stage and plays there heart out, for better or for worse, fucking rocks...

unless they suck

Was it Carey Kotsionis of The Sways and making-out-with-her-boyfriend-at-features-shows fame?

(Edited by Keith at 2:33 am on Oct. 30, 2003)

You suck - I wanted to go to the NYC party!!! Waaaaaaaah!

How was the rest of the conference? Did you go to the daytime stuff?

Sounds like you had a great time. Babby Bare Jr. has been a favorite of mine since the first album and I think that he just keeps getting better. I know that he has a new ep out but I have yet to pick it up. Have you heard it? Any thoughts?

His name is Doni and he is my favorite drummer to watch.

I saw him play once with Bobby Bare, Jr. and I found it amusing how he tried to apply his style to that kind of (normal) music. Overall, he looked pretty bored. He tried to throw in some extra twirls and stuff just to keep his attention.

This is true, but I was so energized and in the moment when I finshed that post...Thanks for the reality check

I think that was her name...don't know about the famed kiss, although it sounds interesting...

well I will be damned...I just got a direct reply from the hottest of the hot herself! The infamous Pooh!

I did not get to any daytime events due to other pending obligations, you know the drill...I found that hanging out at the bar between set changes was the most productive way of meeting people and hearing good conversation on the moronic state of the music industry. You should have gone with me.... ROCK

I had a blast.

I agree that Bobby gets better and better with time. He is a rare breed...Like the Features, it just seems to better with age.

I did not get the EP will I was there, I had already spent way too much money that day, lets see...2 Trailer Bride CD's. 1 Split Lip Rayford shirt (it says midget in a sentence on it), a leather jacket and Botticelli shoes so I would feel cool, even thought I am a giant dipshit...the list goes on...I do plan to get it next week though (the EP)

The show was a whirlwind, but I believe he played one of the songs off of the EP. It was kick ass...

Cool...I met him but I am bad with names sometimes, I kept wanting to say Daryl but I knew that was fucked so....

He is a great drummer, very solid throughout. His chops are even and his dynamics are spot on. I have yet to hear Forget Cassettes, what do you think of it?

Are you sure you met the right guy? You didn't say he was an asshole to you.

Two words: Friggin Awesome!

yeah...he kind of was to me when we met. i've been told by semi-reliable sources that he means no harm though.

Well, um, thanks... Didn't realize I was infamous! Also, I think Sina has the "hottest of the hot" title around here...lol

I really enjoy the daytime panels and stuff more than the shows at night because you have the chance to learn and hear what the big guns have to say.

But you are right, usually, meetings and running into people who you haven't seen in a long time prevent you from going to the panels you want to see.

I couldn't go to this one, but am planning to go to SXSW...

(Edited by poohbear's girl at 9:33 am on Oct. 31, 2003)

That is funny.

I was standing in front of the club talking with Senator Papas when Doni came up and The Senator introduced me to him. He kinda nodded and turned around and walked off. I thought, "wow, what an asshole"

One of my friends back in Nashville told me later that he was just that way and didn't mean any harm.

Cool. I will check it out...