The Features
“Circus”
Live @ The Red Rose
February 28th, 2003
Like a devilish wind-up toy, once this song gets going it spins, whirls, bounces and mesmerizes for the entirety of its duration. The opening tightly churning guitar is usually how the band opens shows. It’s an odd noise that gives way to the loud rush of the Features’ sound as it speeds ahead into the listener’s brain. The song is a great riff on the classic Pixies’ LOUDquietLOUD routine, just done with more jazzy verses and sinister choruses. The guitar solo is a joy to behold live, since it usually forces Matt to his knees as he summons all his guitar-playing might to produce the caterwauling solo. This song is a sonic battle cry, or a rallying cry. It captivates and demonstrates everything the Features are to an unsuspecting audience, and prepares them for what is to come. “Circus” is one of the quintessential Features songs.
And for a while, it was one of the lost Features songs.
“Circus” was demoed with Brent Rawlings during the Rawlings Sessions of 1999 and was played somewhat regularly when Rollum joined the band that year. The song seems to have disappeared for the most part until it was resurrected in December 2001. It was then that the song started climbing its way back into regular rotation and it would eventually go on to become one of the most played Features songs. According to my database, it was played at every show from November 15th, 2002 to April 9th, 2004, a (probably) record 37 times in a row. “Circus” is still played today, usually as the opener.
The lyrics to the second verse of “Circus” were also a debated topic on the old message board. No one can figure out what Matt’s saying at the end of the verse, but “hot tub lid” and “hand job clear” are good candidates.
A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, album release (2004)
THE DAMAGE IS DONE
THE MUSIC OF
THE FEATURES
Official Site
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The purpose of this Tumblr is to provide a comprehensive and interactive database of the Features' music. A new song will be posted every day along with information about the song and its history.
The Features are a Nashville, Tennessee based rock band. They are the best band you've never heard of. They are currently signed to 429 Records, which was founded by the Kings of Leon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
BRETT WHITE is a New York City-based comedian who has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and written for Wizard Magazine. He performs improv comedy with the groups Iron Ruckus and Daddy, both of which sprang forth from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He is currently a writer on the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch team Thunder Gulch. He is also the author of the web comic Tales To Diminish.
FRIENDS:
Critical Asshole
Digsy Has A Blog!
Eat To The Beat
Nashville Mixtapes
Out The Other
Tales To Diminish
We Own This Town
Who Ate The Big Apple?
Yesterday's Special
THE FEATURES
Official Site
Message Board
The Features Store
Send song requests
The purpose of this Tumblr is to provide a comprehensive and interactive database of the Features' music. A new song will be posted every day along with information about the song and its history.
The Features are a Nashville, Tennessee based rock band. They are the best band you've never heard of. They are currently signed to 429 Records, which was founded by the Kings of Leon.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
BRETT WHITE is a New York City-based comedian who has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and written for Wizard Magazine. He performs improv comedy with the groups Iron Ruckus and Daddy, both of which sprang forth from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. He is currently a writer on the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch team Thunder Gulch. He is also the author of the web comic Tales To Diminish.
FRIENDS:
Critical Asshole
Digsy Has A Blog!
Eat To The Beat
Nashville Mixtapes
Out The Other
Tales To Diminish
We Own This Town
Who Ate The Big Apple?
Yesterday's Special
Wed
Jul
8
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