THE DAMAGE IS DONE

The Features
“Jurley”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Paid To Think”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

Pelham calls this fan favorite an “old one” before tearing into it, and this is from 12 years ago. “Paid To Think” actually IS an oldie but a goodie.

Don’t worry, I hate myself for using the phrase “oldie but a goodie” as much as you do. We’re on the same page.

And yes, at the end when Pelham says they are going to try out a brand new song, those are the opening notes to “Kari-Ann” being tried out by Parrish on his keyboard. Historic.

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Psycho Killer”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

It takes a while to get going, but you do get to hear Rollum get practically giddy behind his drum kit while the band prepares to do this Talking Heads cover. He’s the most energetic and diabolically playful drummers I have ever heard. Also of note, Matt Pelham’s voice has matured very well since this concert. His singing voice is deeper and fuller now.

But hey, it’s the Features covering Talking Heads on Lightning 100 (the only station in Nashville that played the original version of “Psycho Killer” as much as hot-bands-at-the-time Semisonic and Travis).

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Thursday”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

It’s Thursday, so here’s “Thursday.” And not just any “Thursday,” a Thursday from just over 12 years ago. Enjoy!

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

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“33 1/3”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

Here’s a Features classic performed live on Nashville adult alternative station Lightning 100, from a time when apocalypse proclamations leaned more towards Y2K than the Rapture. And also, listen at youngun Rollum pounding away on the drums. His propulsive energy cannot be replicated or imitated!

OTHER VERSIONS

The Features
“Down You Go”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

Another lost Features gem, I’m not even sure if this was ever in rotation. I’d never heard of it before getting this bootleg and some of the first verse was moved to “Serious.” What’s really notable about this song is how quickly the band’s sound changed after acquiring Rollum as a drummer. The band suddenly has a unique edge to them, a relentlessness that will propel them towards their best material. What’s also startling is just how much like Interpol or the Killers this sounds, a good two years before that 80s new wave/disco beat became all the rage. While it is understandable why the band chose to drop this song, this song is a great trailer for the next decade of the band’s music.

LINEAGE:
Becomes “Serious” (2001; shares half a verse)

The Features
“Armani Suede”
Live on Lightning 100
May 9th, 1999

I wrote about the history of “Armani Suede” on May 20th.

This version of the song comes from the band’s memorable live broadcast from Nashville radio station Lightning 100. At this point, Rollum was relatively new to the band and they were starting to work out songs that would become their signature songs (“Exorcising Demons,” “See You Through” and “Kari-Ann”). This is a pretty great recording, even if the quality does scream mid-90s FM radio. There are no big differences between this and the Mahaffey version of the song, and therefore no big differences between the song as it’s played ten years later. I’m so glad “Armani Suede” isn’t dead.

A VERSION APPEARS ON:
The Features, EP release (1997)

OTHER VERSIONS:
Mahaffey Sessions (2000)