THE DAMAGE IS DONE

The Features
“Walk You Home”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

I haven’t posted a version of “Walk You Home” in over two months! So if you haven’t experienced this jam, EXPERIENCE IT.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
The Beginning, EP release (2001)
The Beginning, Fierce Panda EP release (2003)
The Beginning, Universal EP release (2004)
Leave It All Behind, UK single release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS 

The Features
“33 1/3”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 7th, 2003 

This recording comes from the band’s all-request show. In 2003, the song was only played at 3 of the 18 concerts I have catalogued in my spreadsheet. As a rarely-played fan favorite, it was obviously gonna get played at an all-request show.

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Temporary Blues”
Live @ 12th & Porter
June 21st, 2002

Hold up, followers! Let it be known that this is the original version of “Temporary Blues,” one with completely different music. Same lyrics, different tune! Both have their merit, true, but which one do you prefer? 

Note, this is not a competition…but it’s not like I’m gonna ignore votes that are cast. Either way, it’s the Features, so we all win.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Some Kind of Salvation, album release (2008)

LINEAGE:
Was “Discotheque” (1999; this version shares a bridge)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Thursday”
Live @ 12th & Porter
June 21st, 2002

“Thursday” on Thursday. Whoah, guys, this is kinda perfect timing. Let this be the soundtrack to the most epic six minutes you have today.

Things of note: Rollum does something completely different in the lead up to the speed up. Never heard of him doing this before, but then again “Thursday” is the song that Rollum plays the most with.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Thursday/Rabbit March, 10” single release (1999)

OTHER VERSIONS  

The Features
“See You Through”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

I can’t believe I haven’t posted a version of this song in almost TWO years. This is such a classic! Here is the last recording of the song in my collection.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
There’s A Million Ways To Sing The Blues, US single release (2004)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“The Beginning (Week One)”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

Every version of this song is amazing. Never. A. Dull. Moment.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
The Beginning, EP release (2001)
The Beginning, Fierce Panda EP release (2003)
The Beginning, Universal EP release (2004)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Some Way Some How”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

This is the last bootleg of “Some Way Some How” that I have, but it was not the last time it was played. That honor belongs to the performance of the song at Nashville hip-all-ages-skate-park/venue Rocketown on September 13th, 2004.

A VERSION APPEARS ON
The Way It’s Meant To Be, Fierce Panda single release (2004)
Exhibit A, album release (2004)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Harder To Ignore”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

It’s my birthday today, so I’m going to write about my absolute (I think) favorite song of the 31 that have yet to be written about on this Tumblr (yep! 31! I’m still sitting on some goods!).

“Harder To Ignore” is a rockabilly new-wave ditty about the early physical signs of pregnancy, all funneled through one of the craziest and most manic vocal deliveries of Matthew Pelham’s singing career. From a band that created such sweet pop gems like “Kari-Ann” and “See You Thru,” “Harder To Ignore” shows a band capable of moving at breakneck speeds with an intensity that doesn’t become unwieldy, it sharpens. Rollum’s drumming is on full display here; just listen to how he alternates between soft shuffle and full-on arena filling fills during the bridge. It’s insane and a perfect illustration of how Rollum is capable of derring-do drumming.

“Harder To Ignore” is a blast.

The song debuted at the infamous (to me) February 28th, 2003 show at the Red Rose in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. At the time it was a scant 1:45 in length, it’s brief pop-in and out at the concert being met with bewilderment. I recall the vibe being “…what was that? Was that it?” Not that that’s a bad thing, but the fast pace and heavy cymbal usage was just…something the Features didn’t do all that often. It was different. The song wouldn’t appear again until a show two months later (again at the Red Rose) where the bridge and last chorus made their debut, filling out the song. The song was played regularly for the remainder of 2003, and began to fade into the background in early 2004. By the time Exhibit A, which counts a spectacular version of the song among its tracks, was released in September 2004, the song had become a rare treat. The last known time it was played was in December 2005.

Sadly, “Harder To Ignore’s” active period was apparently during a drought in bootlegging. I only have 4 versions of the song: the recording from Exhibit A, its debut in February 2003, and both versions from its back-to-back appearances at the Features’ two-night-stand at 12th & Porter in November 2003.

A VERSION APPEARS ON
Exhibit A, album release (2004) 

The Features
“Buffalo Head”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 7th, 2003

This is the newest bootleg of “Buffalo Head” that I have, but it was not the last time this call-to-arms was played. My database (yes, database) reveals that it was played well into 2004. If anyone has bootlegs of “Buffalo Head” that are newer than this one, please share!

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Buffalo Head, 7” single release (2002)
The Way It’s Meant To Be, single release (2004)

OTHER VERSIONS

And speaking of calls-to-armses, here’s one for this Tumblr! I’ve gained about 20 new followers since starting this back up again on a weekday-ly basis back in mid-May, which is nothing to sneeze at! And trust me, with these allergies I sneeze at everything. But here’s the thing: the goal of this Tumblr is to make EVERYONE a Features fan. It’s to expose EVERYONE to their music. Now realistically, duh, that ain’t gonna happen. But we can all try, right? The guys have an album coming out this summer. Now is the time to spread the word! Please reblog any of these songs that you like. Go through the archives (using the handy dandy songlist located here) and share the jams that turned YOU on to the Features. If your friends aren’t on Tumblr, send them the direct link to the site through gchat or AIM or whatever work-delaying-chat-device you use. These guys have worked hard for 10 years to make truly awesome music, the least we can do is make sure it gets heard!

Also, do you like this site? Do you like what I post? Do you want to hear OTHER Features songs, older or newer Features songs? Send me a request at damageisdonetumblr [at] gmail [dot] com.

And you know what I really want? Your stories! Yes, your Features stories! Was a Features concert your first date? Did you freak out the first time you heard a certain song? Is there a Features song that got you through college? Do you and your friends have a ridiculous parody version of “The Way It’s Meant To Be” that’s about cannibalism (the answer, for me, is “yes”)? Please e-mail your stories about either a song or the Features in general and I will post them on this site as part of an entry for that Features song (or a Features song that is appropriate). Again, email is damageisdonetumblr [at] gmail [dot] com.

From 2001-2006, the Features were the soundtrack of my life with all of my Tennessee friends. But since moving to New York in 2006, the Features have been, well, my lonely little thing. Which is crazy because after two awesome albums, they now have fans all across the world. I want to make this whole experience communal, just like the good ol’ days!

Let’s do it!

The Features
“Oh My Love”
Live @ 12th & Porter
November 8th, 2003

This is the newest version of “Oh My Love” that I have, meaning it may well have been one of the last times it was played live. This comes from the second night of the band’s infamous (by Features standards) two-night stand at 12th & Porter. The first night was the all-request show and the second night was an epic Features set. “Oh My Love,” which had become a rarity by late 2003, was played both nights. Only six songs were played both nights:

• “Love Is Golden” which made it’s debut
• “Circus,” “Exhibit A” and “Harder To Ignore,” which were all staples then
• and returning faves “Temporary Blues” and “Oh My Love”

The equally infrequently played “Temporary Blues” would get revived by inclusion in the all-request show and become a regular again, while “Oh My Love” faded by to obscurity. 

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Buffalo Head, 7” single release (2002)
Blow It Out, single release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS