The Features are one of those bands who keep delivering killer records, and somehow, have yet to break into the mainstream. Their unique blend of sixties rock psychedelica with modern rock sensibility is completely unique and distinctive. What's more, it's damned, damned, catchy.
In that perception, at least we know we're not alone: the band was hand picked by Kings Of Leon for their label imprint, and since then has delivered two records. The second, which dropped this year, is called Wilderness, and features the single "Content" (below).
Ever-so-slightly darker than the bands' earlier material, the track is a gradually building pop song exploring the ins and outs of modern day living. The tune is the lead track on the album, and is a great intro to what is, frankly a great record. It continues to adopt what has been the band's modus operandi all along: carefully produced, fuzzed out, psychedelic rock. In other words, very worth a listen.
We've long been admirers of The Features: their throwback sound is energetic, raucus, and everything we love about rock and roll. Given that, we were psyched to see that the band has decided to mount a spring tour, and find their way up the east coast from Tennessee. In addition to a May 2nd date at Brooklyn Bowl mentioned on their website, the band will also be playing at May 9th gig at Mercury Lounge. These guys can seriously deliver in a live room, and in a nice small space like Mercury Lounge, well, let's just say it's worth your while.
Last week we were pretty psyched to learn that The Features were touring in support of their new record Some Kind Of Salvation, but lamenting the fact that there were no headlining dates. Well, today the band announced a bunch of new dates opening for The Whigs across the country.
While it may not be a headlining tour, it will be a chance to see the band in some much smaller venues, and at a significantly cheaper hit to your wallet than the Kings Of Leon shows. Not only that, but the tour itself is far more extensive, and there's a high likelihood that the band's going to wind up somewhere in or around your own town. What's more, if you happen to be in Omaha, the band will be opening for Phoenix for one night. Needless to say, we'd love to be in the house for that one.
While you're waiting for them to arrive, you can check out the live video above. It captures just why we dig the band's live set so much, which is to say: shitloads of energy. We can assure you that this is a show you want to catch. mp3: The Features - GMF The Features Fall 2009 Dates Sep 4 Barleys Knoxville, Tennessee Sep 5 JJ Bohemia Chattanooga, Tennessee Sep 8 Merriweather Post Pavillion- Opening for Kings of Leon Columbia, Maryland Sep 9 Mohegan Sun Arena- Opening for Kings of Leon Uncasville, Connecticut Sep 10 Headliners Louisville, Kentucky Sep 13 Monolith Music Festival - Red Rock Amphitheatre Morrison, Colorado Sep 21 The Slowdown - The Features opening for Phoenix Omaha, Nebraska Oct 20 Telmex Arena w/ Kings of Leon Guadalahara, Jalisco Oct 22 Sports Arena w/ Kings of Leon Mexico City, México Oct 24 Arena Monterrey w/ Kings of Leon Monterrey, Nuevo León Oct 28 Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub Cambridge, Massachusetts Oct 29 Funk ’N Waffles Syracuse, New York Oct 30 Mohawk Place Buffalo, New York Oct 31 Musica Akron, Ohio Nov 2 The Mad hatter Covington, Kentucky Nov 3 Newport Music Hall Columbus, Ohio Nov 4 Birdys Indianapolis, Indiana Nov 5 Cannery Ballroom Nashville, Tennessee Nov 6 The Bottom Lounge Chicago, Illinois Nov 7 Triple Rock Social Club Minneapolis, Minnesota Nov 10 Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado Nov 13 BC Media Club Vancouver, British Columbia Nov 14 Tractor Tavern Seattle, Washington Nov 15 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon Nov 17 The Independent San Francisco, California Nov 18 Downtown Brewing Co San Luis Obispo, California Nov 19 Troubadour Los Angeles, California Nov 20 Beauty Bar Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada Nov 21 SOMA San Diego, California Dec 1 Emo’s Austin, Texas Dec 2 The Loft Dallas, Texas Dec 4 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia Dec 5 Rhythm And Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee Dec 8 Visulite Theater Charlotte, North Carolina Dec 10 Black Cat Washington, Washington DC Dec 11 The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza New York, New York Dec 12 North Star Bar Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dec 15 Pour House w/The Whigs Charleston, South Carolina
We really had no idea that Kings Of Leon had gotten their own label imprint (429 Records), much less that they had signed HAD faves The Features. But, all things being equal, we're not actually surprised. Obviously the Kings have been blowing up as of lately, so the fact that the label is giving them a little creative reign is no surprise. What's more, the first time we saw The Features was opening for the Kings at Slim's! It was a fantastic show, and we have to say, it seems that The Features made just as good an impression on the Kings as they did on us.
So, what does this mean for the band? Well, it means that their new recordSome Kind Of Salvation is getting some major label oomph behind it, and that they've got some dates opening for the Kings at some major venues. What's more, it seems their budgetary constraints have allowed for a fancy-schmancy new video for "Lions", which you can check out above. Still no New York or San Francisco headlining dates for the band, but rest assured, we'll keep our eyes open. The Features Fall 2009 Dates Aug 28 527 Main Street Murfreesboro, Tennessee Sep 4 Barleys Knoxville, Tennessee Sep 5 JJ Bohemia Chattanooga, Tennessee Sep 8 Merriweather Post Pavillion- Opening for Kings of Leon Columbia, Maryland Sep 9 Mohegan Sun Arena- Opening for Kings of Leon Uncasville, Connecticut Sep 10 Headliners Louisville, Kentucky Sep 13 Monolith Music Festival - Red Rock Amphitheatre Morrison, Colorado Sep 21 The Slowdown - The Features opening for Phoenix Omaha, Nebraska Oct 20 Telmex Arena w/ Kings of Leon Guadalahara, Jalisco Oct 22 Sports Arena w/ Kings of Leon Mexico City, México Oct 24 Arena Monterrey w/ Kings of Leon Monterrey, Nuevo León
You may recall that we mentioned a new record on the way from The Features a while back. Well apparently in the time since, the band has managed to sell out of the vinyl copies of the record, and put CD's on sale. The catch is that we can't seem to figure out what label the band is on, or how to get digital copies of the record. While we're willing to do the snail mail option, it's a tad frustrating, no?
Retail woes be damned, we were psyched to get the news that the band has decided to tour in support of the record. While they're sadly not making any stops on the west coast, for those of you on the east (or rather, northeast) coast there are a wide array of options. Having seen the band open for Kings Of Leon a few years back, we can heartily endorse their live show. What's more, Those Darlins, who we last saw opening for Dan Auerbach, are definitely an opening act worth catching. Get out there! mp3: The Features - GMF (From Some Kind Of Salvation) The Features Spring 2009 Dates May 11th Charlotte, NC The Milestone May 12th Washington, DC Rock & Roll Hotel May 13th Charlottesville, VA iS Venue May 14th New York, NY Pianos May 15th Cambridge, MA TT the Bears May 16th Philadelphia, PA Khyber May 17th Brooklyn, NY Union Hall May 19th Cleveland, OH Grog Shop May 20th Chicago, IL Schuba’s Tavern May 21st Newport, KY Southgate House May 22nd Lexington, KY The Dame May 23rd Knoxville, TN Barley’s
We've had a bit of the thing for The Features ever since we saw them open for The Kings Of Leon a few years back at Slim's. Well, we were psyched to see that the band has a new record on the way (double gateway vinyl no less!), and a new mp3 up on their web site! The track, "GMF", is the same organ-infused rock that The Features have always given us, but with a bit more of a modern bent. Where the band's old tracks were more straight-ahead rock and roll, this track manages to ebb and flow a bit more, letting you really enjoy the rock, when they decide to give it to you. Check it out for yourself. Some Kind Of Salvation drops on September 30th. mp3: The Features - GMF (click through, email required)
We just saw over at You Ain't No Picasso that The Features have a new record on the way this year, which we see as being exceedingly good news. We've been fans of the band since we saw them open for Kings Of Leon a few years back at Slim's. Listening to their first record a couple of weeks ago, we had sorta wondered what happened to them.
A little further investigation this morning got us to stumble upon an EP called Contrast released in '06 that had completely escaped our notice. Glad to see there's even more news on the radar.
Head over to the You Ain't No Picasso post to check out a super-cool live cover of McCartney's "Jet".
