THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #413 - July 27, 1997



Magical Armchair Digest     Sunday, July 27 1997     Volume 01 : Number 413



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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    They just don't get it.
    Re: Bootlegs
    Aussie Update!
    "Brick"
    stickers and my lovely little brother 
    CheckChuck
    RE: Bootlegs
    Brick 
    singles...??? 
    Spooky "Fair" Coincidence
    Indy H.O.R.D.E.
    SPAC
    Brick 
    Ben vs. my left toe 
    HORDE in Indy 
    indy horde show
    tasty tasty hi-hat shit

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 19:52:22 -0500
From: "Mr. Plow" <Heyzeus@swbell.net>
Subject: They just don't get it.

I would like to address a problem that occurs for me and I'm sure a lot 
of you other Folders out there every time you wear your BFF t-shirt out 
in public.

Oblivious strangers come up to me and ask, "What (not "who," but "what") 
is Ben Folds Five?"

Now I'm all for the spreading of musical joy and tuning deserving 
listeners in to great music.  But ya know what?  It really pisses me off 
when somebody can't even put it together that it's a band.  So, I am 
starting a collection of responses to give when someone asks you what 
Ben Folds Five is:

1.  New painful breakdancing maneuver
2.  Trapperkeeper's latest model
3.  Delicious new breakfast cereal
4.  New sketch comedy show on MTV starring...eh, who cares
5.  The recently reunited Jackson Five, minus Michael, but plus some guy 
named Ben




more, anyone?
Josh

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 22:10:33 -0400
From: Leo Hernandez <hernandezl@Citadel.edu>
Subject: Re: Bootlegs

What is all this about bootlegs?
   The bootlegs that *I* would like to have aren't found at stores or
even bootlegs that you BUY.  I'm interested in bootlegs that fans like
you and I tape and distribute for FREE.  Please, don't get greedy people
mixed up with us fans who already own an artist's music and want to
enjoy unreleased tracks.

                                              Leo

========================================================================
Leo Hernandez                                     hernandezl@citadel.edu
725 Longfellow Road                        2hernandezl@citcs.citadel.edu
Charleston, SC 29407-7045                             Topher4091@aol.com
Check out my Jump, Little Children web site at:
                      http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/9086/jlc.html
========================================================================

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 10:00:58 +0800 (WST)
From: Jodie Poole <jpoole@tartarus.uwa.edu.au>
Subject: Aussie Update!

Just a quick one - Ben Folds Five  will tour Oz with Cordrazine as their
support group.  Yay!
Jodie

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 22:22:18 -0500 (CDT)
From: Elizbeth Hackett <ehackett@danenet.wicip.org>
Subject: "Brick"

I never realized that "Brick" was about abortion. Sometimes when people
point things out to me I think, "Oh, yeah." (Thanks, Russell.)
Contrary to Russell's opinion, I'm pro-choice and I think "Brick" is a
great song.

=====================================
"Novocaine our brains 
And we're out like lights."
- -"Video"
=====================================
Liz H.

http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/2029/

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 23:50:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alanica@aol.com
Subject: stickers and my lovely little brother 

Hello to All! 
 are the stickers that are being given out a "5" with Darren, Ben and Robert
in little squares placed on the 5? Or, are they different than that?
 Also, the other day I was standing in my kitchen making up some song because
my brother was gettign on my nerves, when all of a sudden my brother starts
laughing and says, " Hey! That's like that Ben Folds Five song that goes Give
me my money back you bitch!" I was so schocked!!!   I started jumpiing up and
down, and told him I was so proud of him. He finally is seeing things my way
and loving Ben Folds Five! I never even knew he had heard the song, but I
guess it's kinda hard not to hear it when my stero is blaring it all the
time. : )

take care,
Becca

" i've been thinking it over/it's all just a little to much/ see I've got a
four leaf clover/It's gotta bring a little luck" I forgot the person's name.
oopps : )

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 23:29:53 -0500 (CDT)
From: joshu@umr.edu
Subject: CheckChuck

Hey.. a really easy way to check up on someone, example--me.
what do you know (without my email sig)... you know "joshu@umr.edu"
If you have web access.. the first idea would be "http://www.umr.edu/~joshu"
plus I have a shell with which to "finger" a user on a system
finger joshu@umr.edu

for my case, i dont think the finger option works.. returns no
information, but my web page returns a heck of a lot of info I've
volunteered.  Anyways, I think I have heard something before about Ben's
brother being a bassist in another band.  Anyways, the web page
corresponding to the email addy pretty much verifies that that email acct
belongs to Chuck Folds and it's not hard to fake an email sender but its
tough to intercept their mail and reply.  Gah, hoefully not to get anyone 
arguing to the contrary--but just for doubting people who didn't bother 
to investigate a little.

Um yeah also, I went to HORDE in StLouis.  Right up at the front at BF5 
with nothing but bangs.  First stage sucked... (center PP)
I dont think I've really "seen" squirrel nut zippers or primus yet
I still have no clue what they look like.  I was that far away, might as 
well have been watching a video tape.  Riverport Amphitheater charged $10 
for parking (just for that day, hmmmm), and they had a food/beverage 
overpricing monopoly... no outside food allowed in.  Beautiful.. I'm so 
broke.  Umyeah gotta go bf5 was good.. I heard from a girl who talked to 
them who talked to us in the crowd that "bff was gonna play main stage, 
and ben was really upset cause they changed at the last minute, and had 
them doing second stage" or something like that.  Anyways damn i'm glad 
they played second stage, in a way, cause i'd not have seeen them

okay bye now

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 00:41:52 -0400
From: shaun gilmour <sgilmour@pgh.net>
Subject: RE: Bootlegs

Josh Wrote:

> To my knowledge, selling bootlegs is not illegal. Selling them for PROFIT
> is.  

To MY knowledge a sale of any kind of non-band issued live recording IS
illegal. It doesn't matter if you are only charging materials costs. 

First of all where are you going to find a recording for sale that only
costs as much as the materials it took to make? Certainly no record
store that's for sure. Get something like that to a store and it's
automatically marked up so the store makes a profit from the recording.
I'm assuming that there are only a few people doing that kind of thing
over the net. I've been TRADING live material for almost 10 years and
I've never come across anyone who sells stuff just for cost. That's not
to say that it doesn't exist, but that in my many years of trading I've
never seen it. 

Secondly, if you pay someone for a cassette of a band, the person you
pay is a damn miser. How much does a cassette cost? $1.50 tops. 

Here's the deal (and I don't care how much I offend people who pay or
charge for tapes or bootleg CD's) if you pay for a live recording or
sell live unauthorized material you suck. There are so many sites up on
the internet now where you can find people who are helpful and friendly
enough to dub stuff for you for free or by sending blanks and postage
that there's no need to be paying for stuff.

> What bands like DMB object to is the fact that they play for a couple
> hours, let people plug into the soundboard, and otherwise put on a great,
> taper-friendly show, then somebody makes a living off selling something
> they had not part of creating. 

DMB does not allow board patches at all.

> People forget that allowed taping is one of
> the nicest things bands do. 

You are very correct on that one! Taping is a privilege not a right.

> I think we should be thankful,
> and try to trade for boots of bands that don't want them sold. 

Definitely.

> Or buy CD's
> that are reasonably priced (for materials and labor, not profit). 

Sorry, but I have to disagree with that one. But that's just because I
don't believe in the sale of unauthorized live material.

Later,
Shaun
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaun Gilmour                Visit my tapelist on the web!!!
sgilmour@pgh.net       http://www3.pgh.net/~sgilmour/tapes.html

quote of the month:
"I tried to write a song about the most perfect thing in the whole
world....it was a toss up between a beautiful evening and an all
you can eat buffet."
Edie Brickell - Houston 1989
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 21:40:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Aziza Tullia <depst@proaxis.com>
Subject: Brick 

<<The generally accepted theory seems to be that "Brick" is about 
abortion...I just can't imagine pro-choice people, or women's groups in general 
really liking this song much.  It really seems to give a exclusively 
negative slant to this very debated issue.>>    

I don't think it's a particularly negative song, just that it expresses how
he felt. Not politically, just human emotion. Pro-choice doesn't mean that
you like it, which obviously the narraitor didn't, just that you allow
everyone to make their own decision and not limit anyone's access to
services they might desire.

Just some thoughts.

- -Jessie

I really hope this doesn't start up a big abortion debate because that'll
NEVER end.  



- ------------------
"pardon my being sincere for a moment"

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/2605/

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 21:52:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Aziza Tullia <depst@proaxis.com>
Subject: singles...??? 

Just how many singles HAVE bff put out? I never hear them on the radio
because all the radio stations here suck, but from reading the list, it
sounds like they've released just about everything. Does anybody have a big,
long list ready so they can ramble 'em off? It would be much appreciated,
just for curiosity's sake.

- -Jessie



- ------------------
"pardon my being sincere for a moment"

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/2605/

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 00:58:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: Patrick J McDonough <mcdonpj@wfu.edu>
Subject: Spooky "Fair" Coincidence

Today I posted to the list about the funny version of Fair on the
liveconcerts.com site with the over-disco-atyzed bridge.  Tonight, I am
reading that post, and others on the armchair, trying to sing Roberts
part, and I turn to my left.  There's nothing on the wall, except a
barometer (I'm housesitting and I've never noticed it before) and the
needle is pointing to Fair.  I hope it wasn't gauging my
singing...weird....

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 03:24:15 -0400
From: Chad Sarles <wsarles@indiana.edu>
Subject: Indy H.O.R.D.E.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

   Well, I just got back from the Indy H.O.R.D.E. festival.  One of the
best nights of my life, indeed.  BFF were, to say the least, awesome. 
They played about the same set list as usual:

One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
Fair
Smoke
Theme From Dr. Pyser
Philosophy.

   Just to let everyone know, Pyser is pronounced "Peezer", and it means
- -penis- in Norwegian or something.  I talked to the fab three -briefly-
afterwards at the autograph session they had.  All the fans made a big
line, and at about 9, BFF came out.  There were a stack of really nice
posters.. you just grabbed one, and had the three sign em'.  Pretty
cool.  I had Ben sign mine with "shit yeah it's cool" (from Fanny Packs)
on the top!  Pretty neat!  I talked to Darren, and I asked him when the
new live album comes out and I got the following response, "Well, it's
not exactly -totally- live, it has a couple live tracks on it, and it
has some other stuff on it too... and it should probably be out in
March".  So, there you go!  Straight from Darren's mouth. I figured you
all would want to know! :)  I took a guy's picture with BFF, so if you
are out there, and you asked someone to take your picture with them, it
was me. :) Anyway, I have nothing else to say that hasn't already been
said.  

Later Cats, 
Chad

"Oh, Goddamn." 
- -- Robert Sledge, BFF.

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 03:34:03 -0400
From: "Fred or Sarah" <fantonan@bcn.net>
Subject: SPAC

Well...I"m quite depressed and I thought I would share it with all of you.
Seems that my friends are a bunch of pathetic losers who can't be counted
on for..well, I'll refrain from swearing, because right about now I could
go on and on and on probably using every word in the book. Oh...my hopes
and dreams of seeing BFF at SPAC on the HORDE tour have been virtually
destroyed. My pals decided that they didn't want to go, so now, I have no
one to go with except myself, and while that's alright, I did so want to go
with people. I still have a little hope left...but not much.
Hmm...umm....well, I'm looking forward to 120 Minutes on Sunday, finally
it'll be worth watching for five minutes. I guess that's all...oh..is
anyone from like Berkshire County going to HORDE by the way? Email me if
you are please

Sarah :)

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 03:54:54 -0500
From: Jason Cooper <jwc5051@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
Subject: Brick 

This is my hymen breaking post to the Armchair, so I hope it gets through.
Also, I just bartended for 11 hours, so forgive my complete lack of brain
power. Anyhoo, I thought I would give my own, possibly wrong spin on the
Brick lyrics. When I listen to the song, I can't say it has a pro-life OR
pro-choice slant. It has a very strong ANTI-abortion slant. I like that.
Maybe I'm reading too much of myself into it. Maybe I'm just full of shit.
Cool.

Jason

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 07:49:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: TJBabinski@aol.com
Subject: Ben vs. my left toe 

Chuck folds couldn't have said it better.  It isn't about who is a better
piano player... its who you like better.  Ben may not be the best pianist in
the world (I'm not saying he isn't great) but his energy and creativity make
his music the best in the world.  

Tom Babinski

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 09:24:49 -0500 (EST)
From: Gant McCloud <mdawgs@dmrtc.net>
Subject: HORDE in Indy 

Hi all,

          This is my first post to the Armchair, although I've been reading
for some time.  I saw BFF at the HORDE show in Indianapolis last night.
They were amazing as usual.  Same setlist: Dwarf, Fair, Smoke, Kate, Pyser,
and Philosophy.  This was the closest I've ever been to the boys.  (I was
able to get all the way up against the retaining rail.)  The meet and
greet/autograph session was great.  It's just one more reason why these guys
are the best band on earth.  They didn't have to sign posters and talk to
all comers, but they did.  They sent a lot of people home very happy.  

P.S.--Dave (the anti-spice), I'm sorry I missed you man.  I looked for you a
few times, but we just didn't hook up.  I hope you had as good a time as I did.

Gant

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 11:34:13 -0500
From: Lachesis@webtv.net (the anti-spice)
Subject: indy horde show

- --WebTV-Mail-1437628698-3607
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

okay, now that i've gotten some sleep, i'll write my review of the show.  

incredible.  there you go.  everybody was great. ben and the boys (and
girls in the string section) did a great job.  fantastic.  too short, of
course, but amazing nonetheless.  i'd give an exact setlist, but it's
the same as all the other ones.  

and i'd like to announce (as everyone else who has met them has) that
they are all really nice, as is rob's girlfriend (hey, liz, stacy and i
thank you and the boys and everyone else we met for a wonderful time).  

and they like radiohead!  what more could you ask for from a band?

dave

- --WebTV-Mail-1437628698-3607
Content-Description: signature
Content-Type: TEXT/HTML; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

<html><p>"you lived what anybody gets, bernie.  you got a lifetime." --death</p><p>

want to find a place on the internet where we can all be happy and joyous and have lots of fun?  too bad. there is no such place on this plane of existence.  but if you like you can visit my site: <a href= "http://members.tripod.com/~lastpolka/index.ht
ml">atropos' lair.</a></p>
- --WebTV-Mail-1437628698-3607--

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 26 Jul 1997 11:34:47 PDT 
From: "toby oler" <mrtatemyballs@hotmail.com>
Subject: tasty tasty hi-hat shit

BFF easily kicked the ass of anyone at HORDE, whether it be the 40 
minute space jam of Medeski Martin and Wood, the great Canadian Neil 
Young, or the Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass of Lftover Salmon.

They had more energy than anybody, and I've heard most of the other 
HORDE bands talk about them.  Leftover salmon all commmented on how 
great they are and SNZ were on the stage watching.
Set List:
<<String Intro
                        One angry dwarf
                        fair
                        smoke
                        kate
                        Dr. Pyser
                        Philosophy
                        String outro>>

it was amazing, there was an enormous amount of stage banter and a croud 
bigger than Morphine's.
and Dr. Pyser was the most supercharged fuckin flatout best I have ever 
heard it.  The strings are just what it needed.
overall the strings were pretty cool, and added alot.

the best part was that I made a tape. it's a little treble heavy, but it 
will do, I also got MMW, Leftover, part of SNZ and Neil Young encore.
just goes to show what you can do with a tiny cheap tape recorder.

toby oler
mrtatemyballs@hotmail.com

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

------------------------------

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #413
**************************************


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