THE DAMAGE IS DONE

The Features
“Buffalo Head”
Live @ Blue Cat’s
March 28th, 2002

And now, after an unintentional hiatus, the Damage Is Done comes rip-roaring back to life with “Buffalo Head.”

You’re welcome.

This is the earliest version of the song that I have. It debuted on February 28th, 2002 and this recording is most likely the fifth time it was played. From the sound of it, this song sprang fully formed from the band’s head, like Athena or something.

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

OTHER VERSIONS 

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
“Buffalo Head”
Live @ The Boro
May 2nd, 2002

Here it is, what I consider the definitive version of “Buffalo Head” from one of the band’s tightest shows. Guys, I wore my CD-R of the 5-2-02 show out when I was in college.

Also if you listen closely at the beginning, you can hear an audience member tell a joke. “What do you call two black guys riding motorcycles in Los Angeles? Chocolate CHiPs.” Now, the Damage Is Done does not support mildly-offensive-but-still-racially-themed jokes, but I have to point out that my friends and I for the longest time could not figure out why someone was saying “chocolate chips” right before seeing an awesome rock concert. Now we just wonder why someone was telling a bad joke before seeing an awesome rock concert.

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

OTHER VERSIONS

Today’s request comes from Sean.

The Features
“Buffalo Head”
Buffalo Head, 7” single release (2002)

If getting rejected from record labels repeatedly causes you to write a song like “Buffalo Head,” then I would have to say it’s pretty much worth it. “Buffalo Head” always stood out to me as a song that is way more straightfoward and up front about its subject matter than any other Features song. It’s strong, assured and confident in both lyrics and music. Rollum’s circular drum beat during the verses is great, definitely one of his best. I also feel that this song is infused with a more Nashville-vibe than normal, maybe because I hear a bit of a country in Matt’s guitar part. And let’s face it, who can’t get behind a song whose most audible line is “I’m getting used to the rejection”?

“Buffalo Head” immediately turned…um, heads when it debuted on February 28th, 2002 at the Red Rose. You can read about that here, where jamiecarroll said “it sounds kind of like a trailerpark cousin of ‘The Beginning’ or ‘God Save Rock & Roll’”. It was then played at almost, literally, EVERY Features show for the rest of 2002, going on to being recorded with Craig Krampf in July of that year and released as a 7” single on Fictitious Records. “Buffalo Head” pretty instantly became the Features’ theme song and a big favorite amongst fans. The song’s popularity tapered off in 2003, being played at only half of the shows they performed. In 2004 it had all but become a rare treat, only popping up a handful of times that year. It doesn’t look like it was played at all in 2005 and it made it’s final appearance in March 2006. It hasn’t been played since, as far as I can tell.

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