Author Topic: http://damageisdone.tumblr.com/ (Read 1986 times)

DigsySlattery · « **on:** May 13, 2009, 02:21:57 PM »

I just started another tumblr blog, this time focusing on the music of The Features. I'm going to try and update it daily with a new song. Check it out!

And if you have any requests for songs you want to hear again or read about, let me know. I have over 400 on my iPod, so any help picking them out would be great.

http://damageisdone.tumblr.com/

Tom Foolery · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2009, 03:32:12 PM »

Very nice, Digsy! I love the idea. It's about time someone started plowing through The Features catalog.

If you need some inspiration, you might check out these...

Hung on Every Word - Our very own Juan Horsetown went through the entire Fluid Ounces catalog.
Crimes on Paper - FMB veteran Jakob Dorof started writing up the Self catalog. I'm not sure if he ever finished it

Of course, those blogs didn't post an audio file for every song; I'm glad you'll be spreading the Features joy!

Keith · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2009, 03:35:35 PM »

Quote from: DigsySlattery on May 13, 2009, 02:21:57 PM

I just started another tumblr blog, this time focusing on the music of The Features. I'm going to try and update it daily with a new song. Check it out!

And if you have any requests for songs you want to hear again or read about, let me know. I have over 400 on my iPod, so any help picking them out would be great.

http://damageisdone.tumblr.com/

Congrats. You've earned my first relevant point.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2009, 09:52:26 AM »

Still going strong! I actually got my first "I don't know you in real life" request via e-mail, so that was exciting!

If anyone has a request, reply or e-mail me. Otherwise I will write about Jurley all next week!

http://damageisdone.tumblr.com/

Juan Horsetown · « **Reply #4 on:** May 21, 2009, 01:00:59 PM »

I just read your post about Harold. I think you're off on its age and the timeline in general. The Beginning EP was released in 2001, just after I finished college. The Mahaffey sessions were done in early/mid 2000. Harold was in regular rotation in early 2001 and pretty quickly was pushed aside for other songs. You can always bet that a demo of nearly every Features song exists, at least so I'm told. And I thought the Mahaffey sessions were sort of like the original Krampf sessions--slick demos to use to shop a label, but never necessarily slated to be the new record.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2009, 01:42:01 PM »

Quote from: Juan Horsetown on May 21, 2009, 01:00:59 PM

I just read your post about Harold. I think you're off on its age and the timeline in general. The Beginning EP was released in 2001, just after I finished college. The Mahaffey sessions were done in early/mid 2000. Harold was in regular rotation in early 2001 and pretty quickly was pushed aside for other songs. You can always bet that a demo of nearly every Features song exists, at least so I'm told. And I thought the Mahaffey sessions were sort of like the original Krampf sessions--slick demos to use to shop a label, but never necessarily slated to be the new record.

For some reason I had Mahaffey placed in 2001 in my iTunes, I don't know where that mix up came from. Probably something I read a long time a go and just stuck. Changed and noted.

And please, if anyone has any more info on any songs or entries, let me know. Most all of this is my memory and some mild searching through message board posts. Thanks!

Smorph · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2009, 09:48:46 PM »

There is a small band of people up north who unfortunately only get to see the band every three years or so (even with traveling 200 miles a show) And we have been fans for about 4 years... gobbling up everything that we can find, unfortunately as I'm reading I thought I had a lot of their stuff but I am apparently dead wrong the tumblr post is so great we really appreciate it. and we would love more of the recordings of the Mahaffey sessions that never made it onto a real release, as we have most of those.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2009, 11:31:21 PM »

Quote from: Smorph on May 21, 2009, 09:48:46 PM

There is a small band of people up north who unfortunately only get to see the band every three years or so (even with traveling 200 miles a show) And we have been fans for about 4 years... gobbling up everything that we can find, unfortunately as I'm reading I thought I had a lot of their stuff but I am apparently dead wrong the tumblr post is so great we really appreciate it. and we would love more of the recordings of the Mahaffey sessions that never made it onto a real release, as we have most of those.

Awesome, I will definitely work more of the Mahaffey stuff that hasn't been released as b-sides and whatnot into the rotation.

Also, regarding the Mahaffey sessions guys, what songs are in rotation? I have 10:

Paid To Think
33 1/3
See You Thru
Armani Suede
Oh My Love
Kari-Ann
Jurley
Serious
Exorcising Demons
Dark Room

Was anything else recorded and traded around that I've missed? Are we to assume more was recorded then and NOT leaked?

Juan Horsetown · « **Reply #8 on:** May 22, 2009, 10:55:46 AM »

I believe that's it. I've never heard a whisper of there being other songs. Right around the time they recorded it, they played a show in which the setlist was just those songs along with "Circus" and "Thursday," which implies to me that no others were recorded ("Thursday" was still available on 10" at that point).

Smorph · « **Reply #9 on:** May 23, 2009, 10:21:52 AM »

I have to agree with the tumblr today... My first Features show wasn't until 2004 and the only song I had heard to that point was blow it out (ironically it was a free iTunes "sampler" download Which I played a lot but hadn't looked any further into the band.) When they played exorcising demons we were blown away that was definitely our turning point from the thinking of the features being a cool band to the features being our favorite band... and hearing it again last week, its still there. The song is so strong, nice to here a demo as well. But my thought on it is the Exhibit A version is stronger because of the grungier dirtier feel, to fit with the subject matter.

Tom Foolery · « **Reply #10 on:** May 24, 2009, 11:19:55 AM »

Thanks for posting "Late Night." I'd never heard that one.

I'm also enjoying the history of each song that you're providing. I'm learning a lot!

Smorph · « **Reply #11 on:** May 24, 2009, 09:39:41 PM »

For sure the history is an awesome part of this whole experience keep it up! Also the last show we picked up in Cleveland they played 2 songs we were unfamiliar with... "Big mommas gonna whip us good..." and another tune that I think may have been Thursday, I was wondering if that in fact is still in rotation and if the tumblr could post at recorded version to see if it is fact the song we think it is.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #12 on:** May 24, 2009, 11:34:55 PM »

Quote from: Smorph on May 24, 2009, 09:39:41 PM

For sure the history is an awesome part of this whole experience keep it up! Also the last show we picked up in Cleveland they played 2 songs we were unfamiliar with... "Big mommas gonna whip us good..." and another tune that I think may have been Thursday, I was wondering if that in fact is still in rotation and if the tumblr could post at recorded version to see if it is fact the song we think it is.

And remember, with the history, I'm using things I recall or remember from the old board and conversations I've had, so PLEASE correct me or give me more info if I get something wrong, and I'll change it and give a shout out to you.

And I'll do Thursday sometime next week, after I burn through Burma...and...well I think just Burma actually. "Big Mama's Gonna Whip Us Good" is one of two new songs the band's playing on this tour, along with "Rambo." Both are awesome.

Juan Horsetown · « **Reply #13 on:** May 27, 2009, 12:09:08 PM »

2 corrections:

1. The Rawlings sessions were done with Brent Rawlings, brother of Self drummer, Jason Rawlings.

2. Discoteque came first, independently of Temporary Blues. The first version of the song did not include Discoteque's bridge, but when they re-tooled it the first time, they added that bridge. I think Discoteque is the better song, but that's me.

FeaturesTroll · « **Reply #14 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:46:57 PM »

Quote from: Juan Horsetown on May 27, 2009, 12:09:08 PM

2 corrections:

1. The Rawlings sessions were done with Brent Rawlings, brother of Self drummer, Jason Rawlings.

2. Discoteque came first, independently of Temporary Blues. The first version of the song did not include Discoteque's bridge, but when they re-tooled it the first time, they added that bridge. I think Discoteque is the better song, but that's me.

Wasn't the bridge originally from their version of Heard It Through The Grapevine? Or something very similar?

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #15 on:** May 27, 2009, 01:50:33 PM »

Quote from: Juan Horsetown on May 27, 2009, 12:09:08 PM

2 corrections:

1. The Rawlings sessions were done with Brent Rawlings, brother of Self drummer, Jason Rawlings.

2. Discoteque came first, independently of Temporary Blues. The first version of the song did not include Discoteque's bridge, but when they re-tooled it the first time, they added that bridge. I think Discoteque is the better song, but that's me.

Awesome, thanks! Everything has been updated.

FeaturesTroll · « **Reply #16 on:** June 05, 2009, 11:16:52 PM »

Quote

And also, if anyone has any clue what year this was recorded and with what producer, that’d be great. As of now I am not sure where this and the “Circus” demo came from. I’ve seen them listed as part of the Rawlings Sessions before, but I don’t think that’s right.

Produced by Sean T. Brennan. I believe I read somewhere that he volunteered to record it because he needed it for a class or project and the Features were like, "OK, sure." The project details are here:

http://www.stbphoto.com/audio.html

Unfortunately, the information does lack a year. Seems like I recall 2001, but that might be imaginary. *shrug*

As to the Circus demo, I'm almost positive it was a Rawlings session recording, because I remember everyone being amused because Rollum absolutely insisted on beating on a cookie sheet on the recordings' percussion. They weren't really sessions per se. It was just a little thing at this guys' house with a microphone hanging from a hole in the ceiling. Above the room with the mike, the Rawlings guy had a little attic room with a soundboard. That was the entire setup. It was mostly a handful of people sitting on a couch in the next room drinking beers, while one of the Features would be in the front room laying down a track.

Anyway, I'm positive a version of Circus was recorded there and that it had a cookie sheet in it.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2009, 11:38:05 PM »

Quote from: FeaturesTroll on June 05, 2009, 11:16:52 PM

Quote
And also, if anyone has any clue what year this was recorded and with what producer, that’d be great. As of now I am not sure where this and the “Circus” demo came from. I’ve seen them listed as part of the Rawlings Sessions before, but I don’t think that’s right.

Produced by Sean T. Brennan. I believe I read somewhere that he volunteered to record it because he needed it for a class or project and the Features were like, "OK, sure." The project details are here:

http://www.stbphoto.com/audio.html

Unfortunately, the information does lack a year. Seems like I recall 2001, but that might be imaginary. *shrug*

As to the Circus demo, I'm almost positive it was a Rawlings session recording, because I remember everyone being amused because Rollum absolutely insisted on beating on a cookie sheet on the recordings' percussion. They weren't really sessions per se. It was just a little thing at this guys' house with a microphone hanging from a hole in the ceiling. Above the room with the mike, the Rawlings guy had a little attic room with a soundboard. That was the entire setup. It was mostly a handful of people sitting on a couch in the next room drinking beers, while one of the Features would be in the front room laying down a track.

Anyway, I'm positive a version of Circus was recorded there and that it had a cookie sheet in it.

Awesome! Thanks a bunch, I've made all the corrections!

Tom Foolery · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2009, 09:13:00 AM »

Congratulations, Digsy! With your last three posts, you managed to hit the "Summer of '02 Trifecta." That was a magical summer for me, and I was constantly listening to "Moonlight," "The Design," and "Bring on the Night." Thanks for bringing back some memories!

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2009, 11:03:39 AM »

Quote from: Tom Foolery on July 01, 2009, 09:13:00 AM

Congratulations, Digsy! With your last three posts, you managed to hit the "Summer of '02 Trifecta." That was a magical summer for me, and I was constantly listening to "Moonlight," "The Design," and "Bring on the Night." Thanks for bringing back some memories!

Wow, that's a good trifecta! Those are three near-perfect songs. Why did they leave us so soon?

Tom Foolery · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2009, 04:33:38 PM »

Quote from: DigsySlattery on July 01, 2009, 11:03:39 AM

Why did they leave us so soon?

I don't know why they left, but (as much as I hate to admit it), I'm kind of glad that they did. For me, a lot of music is connected to nostalgia, and those three songs are strongly linked to my 27th summer. If they'd been played for years and years, I don't think they would be linked so powerfully to that one point in time.

Can you imagine how awesome an EP the Features could've made that fall? Throw in some "Look Out Below" and "Action," and you've got an incredible little collection of music that (if arranged properly) could almost tell a little story. In fact... that gives me an idea! Please excuse me; I'm off to make an iTunes playlist...

Oh... but before I go... I just read your entry for today, Digsy. The gentleman who gave the opening speech at that show was none other than Mr. Brian Carter, who had produced some recordings for The Features and had been a long-time friend of the band. He's pictured on the original cover of The Beginning EP and also wrote up an introduction of the band that was featured on their website at one time. (I'll try to dig that up.) He's also a musician in his own right and seems to be a pretty funny guy.

DigsySlattery · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2009, 12:38:06 AM »

Quote from: Tom Foolery on July 01, 2009, 04:33:38 PM

Oh... but before I go... I just read your entry for today, Digsy. The gentleman who gave the opening speech at that show was none other than Mr. Brian Carter, who had produced some recordings for The Features and had been a long-time friend of the band. He's pictured on the original cover of The Beginning EP and also wrote up an introduction of the band that was featured on their website at one time. (I'll try to dig that up.) He's also a musician in his own right and seems to be a pretty funny guy.

Yeah that makes sense. He did a similarly fun intro for the band at the show at Bingham's in Feb 2003. I shoulda knew it!

Tom Foolery · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2009, 08:56:04 AM »

Quote from: DigsySlattery on July 02, 2009, 12:38:06 AM

Yeah that makes sense. He did a similarly fun intro for the band at the show at Bingham's in Feb 2003. I shoulda knew it!

It must've been the faux British accent that threw you.

For everyone's enjoyment, I've dug up the long-lost Features bio that Brian Carter wrote. It was featured on the band's web site during the summer of 2002:

Quote

The Feechurs R Koul by International F1 Racing Sensation BRIAN CARTER

Hi there, everyone. International F1 Racing Sensation Brian Carter here, to tell you why goat's milk is really the... oh. Right.

The Features. Sorry.

Well... back before I was Brian Carter, International Racing Sensation, I was merely Local Racing Sensation First Class, working my way up. I had just recently relocated to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, due to a FBI inquiry into my alleged cactus-slavery ring (nothing was ever proven). This, however, was enough of a wake-up call to let me know I needed a change. I had had my fill of quiet walks by the interstate and lovely, scenic bowling alleys serving as poor surrogates for deep, pure Rock music.

I needed Rock.

We all do. You do, too! Yes, YOU!! The Features can provide this essential nutrient, which is not found in most modern musical diets-- at least not in sufficient quantities.

But: what is Rock? And: Why Rock?

Many feel that Rock is but a quaint, ideological backwater. I profoundly agree. BUT... it is one of the FOREMOST TYPES of ideological backwaters that currently exist, along with Passion, Integrity, and Quality. These are at the forefront of ideological backwaters today. The Avant-garde, if you will, of ideological backwaters.

So, to answer your question: I have no idea.

But I do know this: The Features Rock.

I will never forget the first time I saw the Features. I thought to myself: "Gee, isn't that skirt a little short?" I thought this because it was intermission and there was a really cute girl in this REALLY short... where was I? Oh. Right. The Features. Well, they came out-- this was before the skirt incident-- and ROCKED. And I want to make something clear right here and now: the Features are the greatest band to ever-- and I mean, EVER-- come out of Sparta, TN. Now, you may be thinking: "Wow! Sparta! Didn't that enormously popular garage-rock band, the Do-dads, arise from the rolling, rural hills of Sparta?"

NO!!! STUPID!! ... OK... FIRST of all-- I can't believe I have to explain this: Sparta doesn't have rolling hills. They're MEANDERING hills. And they're SEMI-rural! Please. But, come from Sparta they did. And I'm going to be honest here: They wrote-- and recorded-- all of their current songs before the age of five. Now, it's true. Lots of people don't believe it. I'm not saying you have to, primarily because it's a complete fabrication, and therefore you probably shouldn't believe it. But other than that it's completely true!

Where was I? Oh yeah. The Features. So, they came out and rocked, and I couldn't believe it, because I'd never seen a skirt that short, and then... oh yeah!! OK. Here's the really juicy part. The Features have Super Powers. I'm serious! How else could you explain the fact that they play so incredibly well? Well... sure... they could practice a lot-- but THAT'S NOT IT!!! It's the SUPER-POWERS they possess that allow them to rock at a level far beyond that known to other, less-super-power-endowed rock bands. Explain THAT away, Einstein.

See? You can't. You can't explain it!! Oh, believe you me, I've tried, time and time again, to get some scientist from a local college out to hear them and JUST ONCE to see the look on their face when they realize they're faced with the unexplainable. But they won't come to the shows. They're just too scared to face the truth: Rock Superpowers DO EXIST!!

OK: I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it; here goes...

The Features are aliens.

There. I said it. They can't possibly be from "Sparta," can they? Ha ha! We'd have known! I mean, Roger and Matt-- the two oldest members-- don't even eat meat! How much more alien can you get? How much more evidence do you need? They can't possibly be as good as they are and come from this, the planet Nep-- I mean, Earth!!! It's simply IMPOSSIBLE!!!

So. I hope this Features Biography has been instructive and informative, and I feel we've definitely gotten to the bottom of some seriously overlooked issues here, such as what planet the band is from, and how they got their superpowers of Rock. In future episodes of the Features Biography, we'll explore in-depth issues surrounding the mysteries of whether Rollum Haas actually has detachable robotic wrists and fingers, as evidenced by his spectacular drum multi-tasking (he can play four different beats at once-- really). Do the band members telepathically play their instruments, and simply act as though they're physically in contact with them to fool audiences into believing they're mere mortals?

Find out! Until next time... I'm International F1 Racing Sensation, BRIAN CARTER

Wiyum · « **Reply #23 on:** August 26, 2009, 05:58:24 PM »

Quote from: Tom Foolery on July 01, 2009, 04:33:38 PM

Can you imagine how awesome an EP the Features could've made that fall? Throw in some "Look Out Below" and "Action," and you've got an incredible little collection of music that (if arranged properly) could almost tell a little story.

Well, and who's to say that EP wasn't recorded? My five "Krampf Sessions" recordings (Blow It Out, Leave It All Behind, Someway Somehow, Buffalo Head, and Bring On the Night) are numbered 1, 11, 12, 18, and 19. I've always loved these sessions, and I've long wondered what the other 14 songs are. Many from what would become Exhibit A, no doubt, but I'd imagine some great new takes on some of the Mahaffey songs that were still iregularly played at shows, and I'd wager Look Out Below, Design, Moonlight, Action, God Save Rock'n'Roll, and Growing Old are in there too. They were in very heavy rotation 'round then, so it would make sense that they'd have tracked them. I'd give my eye teeth to hear these recordings, especially now that these songs have been (tragically) abandoned. That summer was insane.

Keith · « **Reply #24 on:** September 04, 2009, 10:59:27 AM »

I've definitely heard Look Out Below and God Save recordings. Can't speak for the rest of those other than Idea of Growing Old which was on Exhibit A.