Words with: The Features

The Features could be named the favourite band of this section for reasons that need not to be explained further. They're another American band attempting to break through into the UK market and have actually so far done quite well on this side of the Atlantic. Get ready for a single release on May 24, a UK tour that starts from Liverpool the same date and a debut album later this year. Matt Pelham, singer and guitarist of the band, confesses his sins:

G: Back in the UK then in a week. Does it feel like home by now?
Matt: No, sometimes the scenery resembles home. But there aren't enough baby toys in the hotel rooms for it to feel like home.

G: Even though you hail from Tennessee, you are signed to a British label. How did this come up?
Matt: In 2002 and 03 we were doing lots of showcases, one of which was SXSW in Austin, Texas. Mel from Impressive PR saw our show, liked it, and took our music back with her to the UK. Simon Williams, who runs Fierce Panda, heard our music and was interested in releasing our EP. We thought that was a pretty good idea and it just so happened that he also runs Temptation which is through Universal. We were already signed to Universal in the States so it all just kinda made sense.

G: What do you think is the difference in the US-UK audience so far regarding your music?
Matt: The audiences in the US and UK seem very similar. I would say the UK is more likely to dance, and we appreciate that.

G: Would you consider your most significant influences as British? (Kinks, Elvis Costello, Jam, Apples in Stereo?)
Matt: A lot of our influences are British, but it is hard to say if they are more significant. We have too many influences, if that is possible.

G: Give me some infos about your first full-length album…
Matt: The album is called "Exhibit A." It's scheduled to be released August 16 and it's more or less a collection of the bands favorite songs from the past couple of years. There is no real concept like there was with The Beginning EP.

G: You are soon releasing your third single “A million ways to sing the blues”. Are there any other singles coming out before the debut album?
Matt: There's another single coming out August 3, about the same time of the album release. It's called "Blow It Out."

G: Can you give me a reasonable explanation why so many bands like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, My Morning Jacket, Kings of Leon, The Shins etc etc break through the UK market, when the opposite rarely happens?
Matt: I think UK radio is definitely better for rock music than US. There are some good radio shows in the US but they are generally college radio shows. Typically though college radio has a very small audience. Therefore those type of bands, whether UK or US based never really gets the same type of exposure here.

G: A Kerrang review describes you: “...like the Kings of Leon have shaved their beards and learned how to party…” How would you respond to that?
Matt: I can't grow a beard, and I don't like to party.

The UK tour of The Features is:

May 24 - Liverpool University
May 25 - Sheffield Fez Club
May 26 - Cardiff Clwb Ifor Bach
May 27 - London 100 Club
May 28 - Wolverhampton Little Civc
May 29 - Glasgow Barfly
May 31 - Middlesbrough Music Live
June 01 - Cambridge Anglia University

The Features are: Matt Pelham (vocals, guitar), Roger Dabbs (bass), Parrish Yaw (keyboards), Rollum Haas (drums).