THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #418 - July 29, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, July 29 1997 Volume 01 : Number 418
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Dwarf video
Hello to BEN, ROBERT, and, DARREN
Re: Bootlegs
St. Louis Horde
How Good Was It??
Anyone tape the Pine Knob show?
Looking for DAT audience recordings
One Angry Dwarf and 200 Mutant Ninja Turtles...(My take on the new video)
Angry Dwarf video...?
Sessions at West
Buffer Music sucks
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 97 10:18:13 EDT
From: "Jason Kilts" <Jason.Kilts@css.unc.edu>
Subject: Dwarf video
Pretty entertaining video. Not entirely sure what the hell it was supposed
to be about, but worthwhile nonetheless. Only one inaccuracy in the video -
the guy takes Robert's shoe (and is even shown walking away with it at the end
of the video), but Robert is wearing it in the musical clips after the guy
already took it. Oops.
Is it just me or are there any others of you who simply wouldn't have been
caught dead two years ago in any shirt that these three wear on a daily basis?
Good lord, they look like my father's closet from twenty-five years ago -
that's fantastic.
Two more notes: Ben shaking his butt in the camera while singing "kiss my
ass" was a riot, and there wasn't enough Darren in the video. Oh well, the
drummer sometimes gets the short end of the (drum)stick.
Jason
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 11:27:22 -0600
From: "Erik C. Lyons" <EPA8820@epa.state.il.us>
Subject: Hello to BEN, ROBERT, and, DARREN
Hi guys! Thanks for a great show in St. Louis. Ben, I truly hope Kate likes
the pictures and I hope you guys enjoyed the license plates. Jen was
disppointed she didn't get to give them to both you and Kate, but hey, there
is always NEXT time, right?? BTW, didja like my cowboy hat?? I think all
you guys would look fabulous for one song with cowboy hats on. . .Ben,
sorry I ran into you in my intoxicated state of being. I was really having quite
a good time at the festival. Oh, and Darren, you look good in ANY pair of
sunglasses you wear. Robert, thanks for the tip on the armchairs and it was
great to talk to ya for the short time we did, and I hope you guys get this
post. See ya next through this part of the country (unless, of course, I would
entertain an invitation to join ya on your trip down under!!!) You guys are
truely the best and thanks for the great music! Take it easy, Erik.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 14:11:29 -0400
From: shaun gilmour <sgilmour@pgh.net>
Subject: Re: Bootlegs
Don Mossi Wrote:
> First off, no band loses money because of bootlegs. Anyone who buys or
> trades a bootleg of a given band obviously would be a big fan of said
> band. It follows that that person has already bought everything that the
> band has officially released. The bootleg material fills a void that the
> band ( or at least it's label, has decided not to fill )
The band loses money if the bootleg is exchanged for cash. Because if
someone puts out a product (a bootleg CD) and sells it without
permission the band loses money on the royalties paid to them via music
licencing companies. It's like those stupid compilation discs of the
70's and 80's. A band is paid a royalty fee when their music is included
on something like that. If you make a CD bootleg and sell it, the band
loses their royalies.
Now you say, how much can that be? Not much, but if most of you don't
know
when a band makes an official CD they see, if they are lucky, 2 or 3
percent of the full sale price of each CD.
> The thing that I've noticed about Armchair traders is that you guys are
> WAY too smart. Calm down, this tape tree stuff is a bit extreme. Meet
> people at shows and via the 'chair' GIVE them some shows. They have to
> get started somewhere. Trading is just that, trading. You don't have any
> shows to trade?
What the hell are you talking about! You know, at the end of your post
you say you have 1200 tapes. You mean to tell me you've never been
involved in a tape tree? Who the hell do you have all these tapes by?
John Mellencamp? Almost every band I've ever got a tape of has done a
tree. Now that's not to say that I've got tapes of every band on the
planet, but just about every band I've been involved with has done one.
It's an easy way of distributing the tape to a mass of people. Plus if I
went to a BFF show an started passing out tapes of them I know that I'd
be hauled off by security in a second if they caught me. They have a
no-see, no-enforce policy.
> One more thing - these 22 foot tall mic stands with omni directional
> mics attached to an 8 channel DAT recorder running off of 3 Diehard car
> batteries are a bit much. In my day ( now I sound like my dad ) after
> walking to school barefoot in the snow uphill both directions, I would
> SNEAK a Sony Walkman R2 into the show.
Well, I don't hear anyone bitching when they hear my tapes! I'm no
quality snob, but if I'm going to spend the money on tape and postage, I
damn well better get something back that sounds superbe. Not like
something from some dork who borrowed his daddy's micro-cassette
recorder and stuck it down his pants, got his pubies all knarled up in
the condenser mic, then stands with it chest high and commenses
recording while singing out of tune at the top of his lungs!
> Sure I got caught a time or 2.
> Maybe I took it back to the car, maybe I tried again. THAT'S HALF THE
> FUN!!!
> It's supposed to be fun, remember.
Since when is being a taper NOT fun?
"Oh, god! I have to lug all this stuff in here and tape this god damn
band again! Oh, I hate this. Why do I do this to myself? I can't do this
anymore! But, Oh God, I have to do it for all those little people out
there who need to have this show!"
Hmmmm. I don't think that I ever recall that scenario ever running
through my head.
- --
Later,
Shaun
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaun Gilmour Visit my tapelist on the web!!!
sgilmour@pgh.net http://www3.pgh.net/~sgilmour/tapes.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 14:26:49 -0600
From: Tina Archer <EPA2324@epa.state.il.us>
Subject: St. Louis Horde
Hi everyone, just thought I would share a few thoughts/ comments/
ruminations on the St. Louis show. I know my good friend Easy E, Erik
Lyons, will post a detailed review, so I won't belabor how great the show
was. So, here goes (in no particular order):
1) it was hot.
2) To Robert's girlfriend, he says you read the Armchair and think we are
a bunch of freaks. . guess what? he's right!
3) Darren calling his girlfriend. .surprise, surprise. Hate to see his phone
bill. Hey Darren, can you break dance too??
4) Dancing up and down yelling lyrics at the top of my lungs, sorry to the
guy ahead of me with the "Cool in School" t-shirt and the Jester's hat for
running into him all the time.
5) Jumping up and down and showing my friend's Illinois license plates
"BFOLDS5" to everyone, as well as pictures from Milwaukee and the
Galaxy show.
6) Sandi Shortcake- -sorry I missed you, Erik said you were cool.
7) Scott Marshall- - where were you? We kept yelling your name.
8) Fish- - you missed it, how was Indy? E-mail me already.
9) Hi to my new friends Tony and Larry- -e-mail me
(epa2324@epa.state.il.us-- I have been having trouble with my mail, so
keep trying).
10) Last but not least, Ben thanking my friend Erik for the pictures we
took in Milwaukee of him and Kate. Kate, we missed you.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 15:34:56 -0600
From: "Erik C. Lyons" <EPA8820@epa.state.il.us>
Subject: How Good Was It??
Man-o-man was it good. It was all good.
July 24, 1997, the HORDE festival unpacked for a day at the Riverport
Amphitheater outside of St. Louis. Little did I know I was to be treated to
one of the best days of music in a very long time (okay, just since the last
time I saw BFF in Milwaukee). But seriously, I cannot describe how much
energy Ben, Robert, and Darren had for the show that day. Forget the 100
degree temperature. Forget the drunks (me included). Forget the fact Kate
couldn't be there.*tears* Ben Folds Five took the second stage and put on
a show like I haven't seen. . .ever. The energy level was HIGH, high,
high!!!! Thanks to my wife and our friend Tina, I was able to secure a good
spot near Ben's side of the stage. If you were there, I was the only person
with a cowboy hat on (out of 16,000+ people). I am not a cowboy, just a
rebel. So anyway, I was always able catch the eye of Darren as he beat
the shit out of those drums of his. Exchanging grins was hilarious. He is so
cool (but not in school). Ben was in the zone, as was Robert. I get chills
thinking about.
I hope everyone who has been, or is going to future shows enjoys Ben,
Robert, and Darren as much as I have this year. Three shows in three
months so far and I am farfromstopping. Sandi, it was great to meet you.
Sorry I didn't catch up with ya after the show. I'm sure she will have
something to add to the highlights.
I most importantly, thanks to Ben for thanking me on stage for the photos of
him and Kate. It was really great to hear it because we think a lot about you
and think you, Darren, Robert, and Kate are some of the most genuine
people we have crossed paths with. And if you ever decide to move to
Illinois, I will gladly transfer my B FOLDS 5 license plates to you = )
A special thanks to Doug, the guys tour manager, who made it all possible
by giving us access at the show in Milwaukee which enabled us to snap
such great photos of the band (and Kate of course!).
Hope to see all of you soon!!!!!!!!!
- -Erik.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 16:53:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: Frank Maynard <maynard@mail.oeonline.com>
Subject: Anyone tape the Pine Knob show?
I didn't get a recording at the Pine Knob show. If anyone has a good
recording of their set and are willing to spin me a copy, please e-mail
me. Thanks!
-fjm
Maybe he wasn't mad, but we felt very strange
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 17:00:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: Frank Maynard <maynard@mail.oeonline.com>
Subject: Looking for DAT audience recordings
Alan Wolmark, Ben Folds Five's manager, told me today that he is looking
for high-quality (DAT preferred) original audience recordings of any of
the HORDE shows with the string section for possible use as "b-sides" on
future singles. They can reimburse costs and give you credit if your
recording is used. If you can help out, please e-mail me
(maynard@oeonline.com) and I'll pass the word along. Thanks!
-fjm
She broke down and I broke down 'cause I was tired of lying
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 18:24:27 -0400
From: Mandel Ilagan <ilagan@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: One Angry Dwarf and 200 Mutant Ninja Turtles...(My take on the new video)
Hi everybody,
I just thought I'd chime in with my views on the latest foray by Ben Folds
Five into the video music arena...
First of all, now we know how things would be if the Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles were instead three guys in rock band who played really snappy pop
songs and abused their instruments to no end! Either that or we now know
what would happen if Ben Folds Five got stuck in a well, like that little
girl in Texas during the 80s.
I really liked the video despite the fact that I was hoping to see a more
narrative video. I had visions of Ben (or whoever played the "dwarf"
character) emerging as this giant in a Godzilla-esque scene during the
"you'll be sorry one day, yes you will" part of the song. Then again, from
what I understand this video was filmed in the middle of the big tour, so
doing something overly complicated a la "Underground" may have not been an
option.
Like "Battle," I saw the video as a pretty straightforward one with the
occasional sight-gags here and there. The switches between the people in
the park to the band "underground" (yes, pun intended) kept things visually
interesting but not jarring. The best aboveground/underground sequence was
the guy pulling Robert's shoe off. Other highlights included the many
piano acrobatics of Ben, something which really hasn't been visually
showcased too much in past videos.
With the recent issue of "going mainstream" being bounced about, I'm just
curious as to what people think about this video in terms of its
"breakthrough" potential for the band. My prediction is that it will get
more airplay than "Battle" being a more upbeat and showoff-y song and it'll
probably gain 'em some new fans. However, as I listen to the album more, I
see "Brick" (if the plan is still to release it as the third single and
video) as the song that could really make them big.
In any case, it was great to see another good video by the band. I just
hope that they do a more narrative, madcap video like "Uncle Walter" in the
future. BTW, did anybody notice that the guy in the ascot looked vaguely
like Beck? Just another thought...
Mandel Ilagan
ilagan@fas.harvard.edu
http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~ilagan
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 19:18:24 -0400
From: Carrie Shanafelt <LaRubia@compuserve.com>
Subject: Angry Dwarf video...?
To all and sundry,
Ya know, I caught the video last night, and... I have to say... I was
slightly disappointed. I thought it would have made a kick-ass video for
"Underground" (besides the obvious fact they were, *ahem* underground)
because the video was like, "Hey, listen to these guys... not sure if I
like 'em or not, but it is wack music!" and that's what "Underground"
embodied as a song. "Angry Dwarf" begs to have a video with the guys
playing a show in an elementary Multipurpose Room (the "MPR" .. hee) or
facetiously digging through to the last page of a music mag to ecstatically
discover their names in small print... "Look who's tellin who what to do!"
It is all a joke in the first place. Yeah, we love 'em, but they're not
exactly stars of the small screen -- I've been trying to catch the PBS show
for quite some time now!! Anyway, maybe I think "Angry Dwarf" is an
inappropriate single -- to me, it's like an inside joke with their fans,
whereas "Kate" or "Steven" are more general-appeal. Anyway, the video was
cool, just went with the wrong song.
To add more!! I found a BFF poster in a downtown Kansas City 'rare vinyl
and poster' store -- I bought two of the three they had; I figure I'll pawn
one off to a friend, keep the other, and leave the remaining one to some
other poor soul who has been trying to find one forever. : )
Much happiness to you all,
Carrie
"And there I was asking everyone I knew if they'd heard of a TV show or
movie called Dr. Pyser! Little did I know, heh, heh..." -- me
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 19:26:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: Bnanakingg@aol.com
Subject: Sessions at West
Hi,
While I was on vacation, the lovely little segment of the band on Sessions at
West 54th came on and I was unable to record or see it. I was wondering if
any of you kids taped it and would like to make a trade.? I have all the
singles, the promo video, Reverb, Jenny McCarthy, a good copy of the Salt
Lake show in April, and the Conan show as far as BFF stuff goes. I also have
TONS of Tori Amos, some rare Dave Matthews as well as Sarah Mclachlan. Just
let me know. If you don't want to trade, I would be more than happy to pay
for a tape and shipping.
Over,
Bryce
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 00:59:12 +0100
From: paulmay@bigfoot.com (Paul May)
Subject: Buffer Music sucks
I'm tired of that troll Paul Schaeffer using Battle of Who Could Care Less
as Buffer music on Letterman, the band (a cast of hundreds) make it sound like
elevator music/supermarket music/the dentist's drill. Its like they try to
make it sound as bad as possible.
Anyway, thats my two cents worth...
______________________________________
Visit the People on The Armchair Page at:
http://www.iol.ie/~may
______________________________________
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #418
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