The Features


The Features, perhaps more than anybody, were the band that provided the stylistic delineation between punk and post-punk in Auckland.

The band formed in late 1979, led by Jed Town (guitar) and James Pinker (drums). Both were members of The Superettes with Paul Kean (who had replaced Richard Stillwell in that band), and when Kean left to join Toy Love they pulled in Karel Van Bergen (vocals, ex-Primmers), and Chris Orange (bass, ex-Terrorways) to complete the line-up.

Karel Van Bergen, Jed Town, James Pinker, Liberty Stage/Reverb Room 1980
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
The Superettes play their final gigs at Auckland's Island Of Real, October 1979
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
Jed Town, 1979
Photo credit: Simon Grigg Collection
The Features: Karel Van Bergen, Chris Orange, Jed Town and James Pinker
Photo credit: Photo by Jonathan Tidball
The 2016 X-Features album, gathering together their two 1980 EPs and unreleased tracks
Chris Orange, Karel Van Bergen, Liberty Stage soundcheck, 1980
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Jed Town, James Pinker, Karel Van Bergen, Chris Orange
Photo credit: Photo by Jonathan Tidball
Propeller Records / Features business card, 1980
Photo credit: Design: Jed Town, Type: James Pinker
City Scenes
Jed Town's musician pass to Mainstreet Cabaret, Auckland.
Photo credit: Jed Town collection
The Features: Chris Orange, Karel Van Bergen, James Pinker and Jed Town
Photo credit: Simon Grigg collection
The Features in Grafton Cemetery, May 1980
The original 1980 master for the first Features EP. Note the fourth track, not on the 7-inch.
Chris Orange, Karel Van Bergen, Jed Town, James Pinker
Photo credit: Photo by Peter Cathro
Karel Van Bergen, Chris Orange, Jed Town, James Pinker
The original Propeller Records press release
Karel Van Bergen, Chris Orange at Liberty Stage, 1980
Photo credit: Photo by Murray Cammick
Mascot Studios, May 1980 - Steve Crane, Chris Orange, Karel Van Bergen, Simon Alexander, Jed Town, unknown
Photo credit: Photo by Jonathan Tidball
Trivia:

James Pinker is a senior arts administrator with the Auckland City.

James Pinker was a member of The City Slitz, a band better known for their 1978 graffiti campaign than any performances.

Labels:

Propeller

Members:

Karel Van Bergen - vocals

Jed Town - vocals, guitar

Chris Orange - bass

James Pinker - drums

Funded by

Partners with