THE DAMAGE IS DONE

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ Blue Cat’s
March 8th, 2003 

The most irresistible Features song ever. Just try to resist! See? You can’t! You’re doing handclaps! And if you know the Mahaffey version, you’re singing background vocals! 

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ The Exit/In
August 19th, 2005

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ Blue Cat’s
August 30th, 2002

Every day is better with a lil’ “Dark Room,” especially a version of “Dark Room” that sounds as big as this one. I don’t know if I’ve ever been to Blue Cat’s, a venue in Knoxville, Tennessee, but from this recording it sounds like an amphitheater. The ending of “Dark Room” is always a rock and roll sugar rush, and this recording is no exception.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Dark Room”
Mahaffey Sessions (2000)

As with all the Mahaffey Sessions versions, this one is super glossy, poppy and heavy on the synth sound. The guitar sounds unlike any other guitar I’ve ever heard, very squat and zippy. Guys, I’m running out of adjectives, if you haven’t figured that out. The absolute best thing about the Mahaffey version, though, are the backing vocals on the second verse. I always sing “some are color, some are black and..” and “some are black, some are white” when I hear this song played live (which lately is never). The first version of this I ever downloaded only lasted right up to just after the solo and before the last chorus. I didn’t hear how insane Rollum went on the drums until much later. I remember that moment still and how absolutely floored I was. It’s still mind-blowing.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS:
Live @ The Red Rose (February 28th, 2003)
Live @ Grimey’s (September 14th, 2004)

Today’s request comes from me, as this is one of My Top 10 Features Songs.

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ Grimey’s
September 14th, 2004

The history of “Dark Room” was first written about on May 15th, and I can definitely still claim (as I did then) that this is the most beloved Features song. This version, one so adorable you want to put it in your pocket, only backs up my claim. The Features’ acoustic record release in-store performance at Grimey’s was the first time I’d seen them play acoustically, and I believe it was the only time they had gone unplugged in the three years I had followed them at that point. For all I know, this might have been the first time the band did an acoustic show. If not then maybe the first time they did so with Rollum. The show was very intimate since the record store could only hold maybe forty to fifty people, tops. After opening with “Exhibit A,” the band immediately asked for requests. I requested “Dark Room” and, despite never having tried it acoustically before, the band did this version. I love everything about it, from how adorably wheezy the keyboards sound, to how innocent and honest Matt’s voice sounds, to the big and jovial bassline to Rollum’s stripped down yet still pounding bass drum. It was everything I wanted it to be and I’m so glad they did it. Even the guitar solo, which Parrish tries to help with while Matt figures out how to play it, is great. It’s such a fun moment that I’m glad was captured.

I’ve talked about why “Dark Room” is loved by so many other Features fans, but not why it’s in my top ten. I consider “Dark Room” to be the “All Day & All Of The Night” to “See You Through’s” “You Really Got Me.” Both are landmark songs, pure pop perfection and two of my earliest Features loves. But “Dark Room” pushes it even further with that opening riff that travels the entire length of the guitar’s fretboard and those so-catchy handclaps. It’s another song that’s always existed, the Features just channeled it. I remember the first MP3 of the song I downloaded cut off just before the last chorus and blowout at the end of the song. I enjoyed the song and listened to it often, but as soon as I finally heard those last eighteen seconds…I was changed. Rollum’s drumming in those last few seconds does things I didn’t know humans can do. He hits the bass drum so many times, completely blowing out the song and propelling it to the end. I will never forget hearing that for the first time and immediately e-mailing the file to my friend April, telling her that she wouldn’t believe how that song ended.

And that’s why “Dark Room” is a superb song.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS:
Live @ The Red Rose (February 28th, 2003)

More requests! This one comes from Jennifer via, well, AIM. Maybe the “via” part isn’t important. Send more requests!

The Features
“Dark Room”
Live @ The Red Rose
February 28th, 2003

Right now I’m pretty hard-pressed to think of a more universally beloved Features song. Right now. I’m sure when I write the entry for “The Beginning” or “See You Thru” I’ll claim the same, but right now it’s definitely “Dark Room.” It’s a classic song in every sense, with it’s perfect pop song structure and instantly catchy opening riff. It does seem like a lost Kinks gem from 1965, just shot through the quirky post-pop-punk prism of the Features. Trying to describe why this song is great is like trying to describe why (…wait for it…) love is great (boom, cheesy!). It’s just understood that “Dark Room” is the best song for this band to play live. Singing and clapping along live in concert was always a true joy.

“Dark Room” debuted in 1999 around the time Rollum joined the band, I’m pretty sure. It was demoed among its very distinguished peers, the very relevant “Exorcising Demons,” “See You Thru,” “Kari-Ann” and “Circus.” This batch of songs were produced with Matt Mahaffey in 2000 as a product to shop around to major labels and most were never officially released. “Dark Room” went on to become a live staple and fan favorite (beloved, remember?) until it disappeared in November 2005. To my knowledge, it hasn’t been played with the new lineup. This version comes from a stellar show at the old Murfreesboro coffee shop the Red Rose and features my dear friend Susie’s squeal of glee at the start of the song. That’s the reaction this song had on people.

Do yourself a favor and listen to this song eight times through.

Special thanks to Matt Peach for help with this entry.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
Exhibit A, UK album release (2005)

OTHER VERSIONS:
Live @ Grimey’s (September 14th, 2004)