Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #111 - July 3, 1996
Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #111
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Topics for Today:
BF5 at the Reading Festival
Re: Ben Folds Five Retail Displays
BF5: Highlights of Web conference
Baltimore, DC or New Orleans
stickers
store displays..
Lollapalooza review
Kansas City. MO (LOLLAPALOOZA!!!!!!!)
IRC? Anyone out there?
Sorry, just have to agree...
New to the List
Re: Ben Folds Five in Philly
Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #110
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 00:18:02 +0100 (BST)
From: Stanford Chiou <stanford.chiou@university-college.oxford.ac.uk>
Subject: BF5 at the Reading Festival
> Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 20:30:45 -0400
> From: Jessica237@aol.com
> Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five in London
>
> Hi all!
> Ben Folds Five are playing the Readings Festival in London in late August.
> The concert is sort of like Lollapalooza, but it's in London.
The Reading Festival takes place in Reading (kinda makes sense), roughly
an hour WNW of London.
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 19:51:55 -0400
From: Vicsen@aol.com
Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five Retail Displays
Watch out, Atlanta! There are a lot of stores that will be putting up
displays there in honor of their heros, BF5. The Southeast (natch) is a
hotbed of BF5 fans and the upcoming Neil Young dates (August 9-15) have
retail in an eager mood.
P.S. There's a guy in the sales department at Private Music (DarrenX), who
looks just like Ben. In fact, Darren told me that while he was at the most
recent BF5 show at the Troubadour in LA, someone came up to Darren and asked
him if he "needed a manager"!
[The thing is, they're not performing anywhere around here, although
it may have been a Lollapalooza-related display. I didn't take note of
the other bands represented in the window.
There is a guy that works at the grocery store in town that looks
just like Robert. Maybe they should get together and form a band... -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 20:33:36 -0400
From: PowerVegan@aol.com
Subject: BF5: Highlights of Web conference
I got to the web conference too late to participate in the chat, but I copied
down some of the more relevant dialogue. I've inquired about getting a full
transcript, and I'll pass it along to Frank if I can get my hands on it.
It always hurts to discover that your idols are not perfect, and in this case
I learned that Ben Folds can't spell his way out of a wet paper bag. I'll
give him the benefit of the doubt and hope that he was just hung over, or
woozy from repeatedly slamming his head against his piano. Okay, he wasn't
that bad, but pretty good joke, huh? Anyway, here are some of the more
interesting comments:
FAN: [asked about playing large vs. small venues]
BEN FOLDS: We have been playing some pretty big places in the last six
months and I think we are getting a little more adjusted to it. But I have to
say there is nothing I like more than playing for a hundred people who you
feel you are communicating with on some level. When you start playing the
bigger places like this, you feel like, sometimes you feel like you are doing
a little dance in a shoe box and they are watching you.
FAN: Have you had *any* experiences on the Internet or WWW?
BEN FOLDS: No, I don't have a computer. So no, but I do know of a kind of
fan club on line thing on America on line I think it is, I'm not sure. It's
called Ben Folds Five digest and people give it to me at shows and I read
them. It's a hoot.
FAN: Are you romantically involved with someone?
BEN FOLDS: Yes.
FAN: Do you care to expand on that?
BEN FOLDS: No.
FAN: What do you think about tori amos?
BEN FOLDS: I love Tori Amos, I think SHE is the best. I mean I really think
she is the best piano player going in pop music. I listen to her all the
time. I think she is great. The guys, I don't know if it's because they are
not piano players or what, she just hits me I love her singing and her songs,
I think I'm the big fan in the band.
[Thanks for the transcript. I've asked the moderator for a complete
copy of what went on, and I'll put it on the web page.
I can understand if it's hard to read what he types -- you've watched
him work the piano keyboard, right? -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 21:19:44 -0400
From: Schmooze1@aol.com
Subject: Baltimore, DC or New Orleans
are BFF going to be around any of these three locations anytime soon. I am
not going to Lollapalooza so I am looking for alternative ways to see BFF.
[How about Philadelphia, Aug. 26? -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 2 Jul 1996 21:47:07 -0400
From: Shan111111@aol.com
Subject: stickers
A friend of mine brought me a *free* BF5 sticker that he found at Waterloo
records in Austin,. TX......I'll try to go get a bunch later if anybody wants
one....
shan
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 22:28:23 -0500 (EST)
From: borcheva@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu
Subject: store displays..
frank- you mentioned a really nice display where you're at. Here in
Cincinnati, I also found the CD with the special large divider (am I
making sense?) Also, I went to a used CD place called Disc-Go-Round;
they had the CD set up in the CD player (tho when I walked in it was
playing something else) and had I not already owned the CD, I would have
bought it.
anyway, that's all I really had to say.
-Vicky
btw- their concert here was great! I was standing straight in line with
the piano so I could get a good look at Ben's hands as he played! He's a
talented musician to say the least!
Also, did someone mention something about a song book coming out?
-------------------------------------
**Vicky**
MSTie #37366
email me@: borcheva@miavx1.muohio.edu
CommSign@aol.com
-------------------------------------
[A couple of the local shops, like Borders, have a listening system set
up with maybe 100 or so titles on several listening stations, but I've
never seen Ben Folds Five on it. I should say something...
Yes, there are plans of putting out a songbook, but one of the
problems (discussed here previously) is how to transcribe some of Ben's
12-note chords. Watch this space for details when it's announced. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 00:48:08 -0700
From: Ben Jacobi <jacobi@earthlink.net>
Subject: Lollapalooza review
The BFF performance at Lollapalooza in Des Moines, on July 28, was by
FAR the most popular second stage there. Ruby did draw a considerable
amount of fans, but even their performance was pathetic compared to Ben
Folds Five. THe BFF performance was, in a nutshell, 3 things. ONE:
heavy, excessive, and vicious piano abuse. TWO: Songs filled with
hilarity, high voices, and (sigh) break-ups, and THREE: Ben Folds
shaking his ass on top of the piano!! That WASN'T this reviewer's
favorite part, per se, but rather funny. He DOES have a nice butt....
but that's beside the point....yeah... BFF, stationed in Chapel Hill,
NC, interacted with the audience during songs, kept them eiher giggling
or head-banging, and was WORTH missing the Ramones on their farewell
tour. I REPEAT: Unless you like fogeys in black leather yelling some
teen anthem from decades ago, you should skip the Geritol-fiends and go
for BFF. Ben Folds kept us surprised the whole show. Who would have
guessed he would: get on the piano (after announcing, nearly word for
word: "Now, this is the part of the concert where I shake my ass on top
of the piano!") just to do his, um, thing; break out that strange
instrument for "Steven's Last Night" (I haven't figured out what it is;
it's a mix between a piano, flute, and harmonica: you blow in one end,
and though it makes no noise, you make it make noise by pressing little
piano keys on one side of it... perhaps the honorable Ben Folds could
enlighten us?); OR that for the finale, after a great rendition of
"Underground", he would get up on top of some amps and throw his STOOL
at the piano?? Other songs played included, the Last Polka, Uncle
Walter and many others. See it if you can! If not, get the CD! If you
have seen them, get the CD! Everyone, get the CD!
El Fugitivo,
Planet Caravan
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 02 Jul 1996 12:53:00 -0700
From: Joel Mackey <jmacke19@idir.net>
Subject: Kansas City. MO (LOLLAPALOOZA!!!!!!!)
Hey everybody I just had to tell you that if Lollapalooza is coming to
your area you must go. BFF, was the best there. They were on 2nd stage
and at least half of the 1st stage crowd came over to BFF. I was at the
very front by the fence. Oh they were great. Ben looked at me and asked
me what he should do about a funny looking little piano thing he blew
into...because the pipe he blew into kept on falling off during the
performance, anyways, I just shrugged in ahhh... :-)! They are the best,
the beat up old piano has the richest sound and no matter how you feel
they pump you up to the extreme! GO IF YOU CAN.
jmacke19@idir.net in Bonner Springs, KS
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 01:52:09 -0400
From: Chad Sarles <csarles@venus.net>
Subject: IRC? Anyone out there?
I just thought that I would remind everyone that if they are on IRC (Efnet)
to go to #BenFoldsFive. I think this is the only room that there ever is
with talk about BFF, and there is hardly ever anyone there, so lets all try
to be on there sometime, so we can all talk!
Chad Sarles
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 02:15:36 -0400
From: Hotdoglove@aol.com
Subject: Sorry, just have to agree...
<<This is yet another installation in an MTV trend of playing bits of
wonderful songs whose videos they never play>>
Rebecca, I just had to say, "Amen, sister" This is especially true with Jeff
Buckley and Portishead (especially last year) Sorry, just had to throw in my
two cents. (And a Buckley mention)
Sara
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 07:49:16 EDT
From: JANET GROVE <ZJKG@AACCI.AACC.CC.MD.US>
Subject: New to the List
I think it was May or June of '95 I went to a club in Fells Point,
Balto, to see SONIA DADA (who I would die for). While waiting for
them to come on these surprising NC lads started playing. How
nice... I was really surprised. I liked these guys, they sounded
great! I actually didn't want them to quit playing... but on with the
show. Many many months later I heard my local progressive radio
station WRNR 103.1 (Annapolis) say BFF were coming to a club in
Annapolis. I rushed off to purchase tickets. They were fabulous.
Signed up for the mailing list... Nothing... No answer.
Does anyone know how to get on the tour list?
Sure do hope BFF returns. They should tour again and let
Sonia Dada open for them!
Janet
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 08:50:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Donna L. Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five in Philly
> Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 19:54:34 -0400
> From: IamFult@aol.com
> Subject: Ben and Mr. Young
>
>
> For those of you in my area (Philadelphia), The Niel Young show is
> scheduledfor August 16 at the E-centre...opening for him are the Gin
>Blossoms
> (bleech!) and Ben Folds Five!!! Is it worth the astronomical ticket price
> just to see BFF?
>
I'm not sure that Neil Young is playing. the radio stations have been
saying that the Gin Blossoms are playing the E-Center on august 16 with
no mention of either BFF or Neil Young. Maybe some others that play BFF
-- namely WXPN is mentioning BFF but the others are not. I've been
listening to WMMR the past couple days to find out info on a show they
are having in Cherry Hill with a great band called the Badlees. Thats
the only reason (usually I listen to Y100 or XPN).
I would love to go to See BFF but know that tickets will be at least $20,
if not more and also chances of getting near the front are slim -- I
think tix are already on sale -- not sure. And if I went to see BFF I
would want to be near the stage. I saw the Gin Blossoms back in April
from 2nd row and was not too impressed. Their songs all sounded the
same.
Donna
[According to the schedule it's Ben Folds Five and Gin Blossoms
opening for Neil Young. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Wed, 03 Jul 1996 17:41:04 -0400
From: Geoff Pitchford <edtoge@nr.infi.net>
Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #110
Just interested in any info on ANY upcoming BFF shows coming up
in NC. The guys used to play here all the time, now they are just too
popular. I read recently that they were playing in Europe, geez will I
ever see BFF live again?
==============================================================================
[Geoffrey McNulty reminds me again that he is willing to moderate any
Jellyfish discussion you might want to take part in. E-mail him at
gmcnulty@students.wisc.edu if you're interested. -fjm]
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