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: I live not five minutes from my local community center. Which is, honestly, one reason I frequent this place more than other options I have for exercise. At least that was the initial reason—along with the fact that it’s $3 a visit—that I started going to a boot-camp class held there. I began to realize, the more I went on a regular basis, that this is such a great place to have in our community. Not only do they have a whole array of workout classes to choose from, but they have a basketball court, indoor and outdoor track, a pool, a gym with weights, community garden and so much more. I’ve always taken for granted that these places existed up until the last few years as I’ve become a regular in my own right at the boot-camp class there. One of the beauties of regularly attending this class is that I have gotten to know and befriend a group of people that I otherwise would never have the opportunity to meet. We encourage each other and root each other on in our workouts and in the circumstances going on in our personal lives. I truly believe that centers like mine fill a much needed void in our communities. I have always believed that they are a good place for youth to be to stay out of trouble. What I never realized is that they’re a great place for adults to frequent also. The problem is that there is so very little funding to maintain these places. The boot-camp class was nearly a budget casualty until the decision makers came to their senses in the 11th hour and decided not to eliminate my favorite class. They also have a difficult time keeping up with basic maintenance issues, for budget reasons, such as air conditioning in the summer and general cleaning and upkeep. To me, it’s worth putting up with these drawbacks in the hopes that my contribution will hopefully be a part of the budget solution to keep a wonderful resource afloat. My hope is that this article brings more awareness to people about a place that intermingles different ethnicities and is a safe place for people of all ages to grow. I also believe that if places like mine continue to teeter on the brink of losing funding our whole community is done a disservice.
