The Features are the most important band on the planet. Yes I said it, and I’ll say it again. The Features are the most important band on the planet. I know most of you have never heard, much less heard of, The Features.
But you will soon. I promise.
Creating a sound that draws from 1960s mod influences as much as late ’70s new wave, The Features have been amassing an army of loyal followers over the many years that they have been together.
Ranging from hardcore boy types to cute girls who just want to have fun, the army of Features fans is constantly growing.
At the helm of this ship of fevered rock ‘n’ roll mania is vocalist and guitarist Matthew Pelham. His choppy, television-esque rhythm style is a welcome change from the power chords and mindless noodling of more popular rock bands. In concert, Pelham abuses his guitar with reckless abandon while singing dead on hooky melodies. Occasionally thrashing about on the floor as if possessed by some sort of unearthly life form, he is the type of musician who is deeply moved when on stage.
Despite Pelham’s enormous talents, The Features are not the type of band that consists of a wunderkind surrounded by faceless yeomen. Completing The Features energetic dynamics are drummer Rollum Haas, bassist Roger Dabbs and keyboardist Parrish Yaw.
Eschewing Neil Pert for Keith Moon, Rollum Haas might possibly be the best drummer alive under the age of 25. His clock-like precision and flailing appendages never cease to make jaws drop. Like a child starved for attention and fresh out of Adderall, his foppish stage antics are always entertaining to watch. He’s a diva trapped in a skinny white boy’s body.
Laying solid bass work over Haas’ rhythm machine is Roger Dabbs. His playing ranges from dub, disco, punk and all other kinds of stops in between over the course of a single song. When the band performs live, the big-bottomed low end he provides is the driving force is a sea of moving bodies.
The secret weapon in music machine that is The Features is Parrish Yaw. It’s rare in this day and age to find a rock band with keyboards, yet one that utilizes vintage technology. With a barrage of electronic instruments that includes a Fender Rhodes, Farfisa organ and Moog synth, on stage Yaw resembles an indie rock Page McConnell. Watching him play will make you kick yourself for quitting piano lessons at age 12.
The centerpiece of this band is obviously Pelham’s songs. Unlike his peers in the music business, his songwriting embodies originality. His lyrics are neither campy nor overly obtuse. On songs such as “Walk You Home,” “The Beginning” and “Thursday,” he sings of new love in such a fresh and endearing way that it makes it sound as if he is anxious about finding the right woman.
Other songs are tributes to the other love in his life, music. “33 1/3” and “Blow It Out” are both odes to the almighty stereo system not heard since Ronnie Van Zandt uttered “turn it up” at the beginning of “Sweet Home Alabama.” However, songs such as “Buffalo Head” (the a-side to their brand new single) and “God Save Rock ‘n’ Roll” (which I obviously stole for the title of this column) reflect Pelham’s frustration at being overlooked by the music business engine. Despite raising the proverbial middle finger with these two songs, it seems like the powers that be are finally paying attention.
I cannot divulge any specifics, but things are finally looking up for The Features. If there is any justice in the world, The Features will sign a very hefty record deal by the end of the year and become international icons by March. However Pelham just wants to get a full-length album out and tour behind it. It’s an absolute abomination that this band has never had the opportunity to release a full-length recording. Nevertheless, a five-song EP and two “on vinyl only” singles have kept fans anxiously at bay.
The Features were scheduled to play The Sophisticated Otter this Friday, but due to its mysterious closing they are not. On Wednesday they will be coming to The Gray Eagle in Asheville, and on Thursday will be wreaking havoc on Knoxville’s Fairbanks located downtown in Market Square. You will also be fortunate enough to see their current touring partners, Andrew Bird’s Bowl of Fire (see below). I cannot stress this enough. If you do yourself one favor this year, treat yourself attend one of these shows. It will be a wise investment, I promise.
During a recent phone conversation with Pelham, he had to steal off for a moment to appease his twin toddling girls’ cries telling them “I’ve got something that you’re going to like.” He might as well be talking to you. He does have something you’re going to like, and it will bring you back over and over.
See you this week …

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