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Drab City / Job Satisfaction

Catalogue Number - PR01

Label - Progress Records

Year Of Release - 1978

Quantity Pressed : 500 Copies (Confirmed)

The Features formed back in 1976 at a time when the New Wave and punk rock scene was gathering pace. With Ian Fletcher on guitar and vocals, brother Tim on bass, Jerry Jones on guitar and vocals and Ron Large on drums. 

The Features had formed originally to play R&B and Rolling Stones covers, as well as their own material but had to adapt to the new fast and furious type of music that was sweeping the country. The band featured regularly on the club and pub scene, playing such venues as The Rock Garden, The Brecknock and the iconic Roxy Club. Indeed, it was at the Roxy that the band played one of its more memorable gigs which ended in a riot and a mass brawl involving the band members. 

The Features tried to continue sticking to their own more subtle material but found it increasingly difficult at a time when audiences wanted out and out energy rather than creativity. Nevertheless, the band continued and dipped into Putney Studios to record Drab City and Job Satisfaction. Apparently, the mixing desk was the last one in London to be driven by valves! 

The single was released with a blank label but with a striking black and white sleeve and was distributed, like most vinyl at the time, by Bonaparte's in Croydon. Drab City proved a popular number amongst audiences. Ron Large left the band soon afterwards, his place on drums being taken by Kevin Coney who also played in another local band The Tarts. 

The band folded in late 1979 when Jerry Jones left to join One The Juggler. Like many bands from that heady period The Features enjoyed a short but exciting existence, playing several memorable gigs, not all of them good! The famous Roxy brawl was certainly a low point but The Brecknock on Jubilee Night in 1977 was hugely successful. 

Ian Fletcher and Jerry Jones continue to make music today, with their solo efforts and in covers bands. Life after The Features goes on!

Ian Fletcher

March 2017

Thanks to Ian Fletcher & Jerry Thornton Jones

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