The Features have deflected enough false starts and dead-ends to kill most groups. Absorbed in full, it’s quite the litany of misfortune: at least two unreleased full-length albums to close out the ’90s; a pair of fruitless label dalliances; the departure of three band members. It’s oddly fitting, then, that the Features’ new LP is a self-titled affair. And apparently they’re also late-bloomers, given the measurable bump in song quality and musicianship that propels The Features (Serpents & Snakes/BMG). With its four members now well into their 30s, the band sounds like it’s just now coming into its own. Singer/guitarist Matthew Pelham, keyboardist Mark Bond, bassist Roger Dabbs and drummer Rollum Haas will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our new Features feature.
Bond: Dan Patrick is a sports analyst on radio and TV. He came up as a sports anchor on ESPN. After leaving ESPN, he would go on to host radio shows in different forms with various co-hosts. Later, he would start his own show, The Dan Patrick Show, while, also, hosting Football Night In America. On The DP Show, he introduced a crew of four guys—Paulie, Seton, McLovin and Fritzy (“The Danettes”)—who each have their specific job and also contribute opinions and personalities. As the show has gone on, he has allowed the Danettes to take more camera time and has featured them more and more. This show is my favorite show on radio/TV. He gives intellectual and still very entertaining approaches to sports topics and how they relate to our lives in the real world. One thing I particularly appreciate and respect about Dan Patrick is his willingness to address the tough subjects who others may gloss over. In these instances I believe he really tries to shed an honest light and, as well as one can, impartial commentary to the topics of the day. While he is exceptional at that, he also has the ability to make me belly laugh out loud even while I might be listening alone. His mission seems to be to provoke people to think while also having fun in the process. After all, he does realize he’s in the entertainment business.
Everyone has their influences. While Dan Patrick is not necessarily a music influence, although he has championed musical acts such as Arcade Fire, he is to me a life influence who has challenged me to dig deeper into social issues and have a better idea of where I might land on an array of topics from social issues to sports.
Video after the jump.
