In Pittsburgh, The Features played a show at Brillobox, a small local venue that music lover’s love. The lighting is bad but the sound is great and the band is basically playing just for you. Or at least that how it feels and that’s how The Features made it feel when they played there. I consider myself really lucky. I got to see a really great band in a really small venue.

As a longtime fan of what I consider to be one of the more underrated bands of their time, The Features playing this small venue wasn’t just great…it was perfect. And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. The crowd in Brillobox was packed in and the energy and love for this band was clear from the second they took the stage. Dancing, singing along and a general good vibe from band and fans was the tone for the show.

The set was full of energy and the sexy sound of indie rock mixing with a Nashville vibe that gives The Features their unique and utterly unforgettable sound. Everything about these guys is so sharp and so polished but so raw! Drummer Rollum Haas played with an energy one couldn’t ignore. His beats and cues, along with Roger Dabbs super-hot bass, made up the backbone that lead the band through a set laced with both new and known tunes.

The new tracks like “Content” and “Big Momma Gonna Whip Us Good” were great live and had the crowd dancing and singing along with just as much energy as earlier tunes they played. Singer, guitarist Matt Pelahm’s smooth cool is hypnotic to watch and listen to. His unflustered, easy style moves smoothly from rock to dance to that perfect hint of something that is exclusively The Features. Keyboard player Mark Bond brought tight drama and dance sensibilities to the set with his smooth work on the keys, tying the whole package together perfectly!

There’s not a single word to describe The Features. They seem forever caught between dirty indie rock and smooth Nashville roll, they’re really hard to classify and even harder to get out of your head!

The Features are touring now to support their new Album “Wilderness”, out this past July on the King’s of Leon’s label Bug Music/Serpents and Snakes. They also have a single out, “From Now On”, that’s featured on the Twilight: Breaking Dawn soundtrack.

Check out a show (or two!) while you can still see the guys in a smaller venue:
Tuesday, November 15, 2011 Schubas, Chicago IL
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 The Frequency, Madison, WI
Thursday, November 17, 2011 Micky Finn’s, Toledo,
Friday, November 18, 2011 Musica, Akron OH
Saturday, November 19, 2011 Pike Room, Pontiac

The Features are:
Matt Pelham: Vocals and guitar
Roger Dabbs: bass
Rollum Haas: drums
Mark Bond: Keyboard