THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #676 - December 5, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, December 5 1997 Volume 01 : Number 676
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
young crowds
people of all ages deserve bff!
is david letterman appearance old news?
current tour boots-
a love of music doesn't come with age
Chris M's show woes
missing the war chords
Carrying on up the charts
Virgin Megastore
real world again
In concert
BFF Popularity
I'm sure I'm in the minority, but...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 03 Dec 1997 22:57:31 EST
From: mike.lange@juno.com
Subject: young crowds
how can everyone complain about young crowds? They, at age 13, are
finally starting to think about what the music they listen to means, and
we're lucky that they found Ben and his Boys as opposed to Puff Daddy and
the Family. They go to shows, and due to complete concert-going
inexperience, they jump around and don't know how to act. Are we denying
that we were all at this stage at one point? I remember going to see
Greenday when i was 13 with my best friend and his dad, and its probably
still one of my favorite adventures in life. Sure, i've moved past the
music, but I still love the fact that i completely worshipped them in the
way only a 13 yearold can.
Mike
- -the well hydrated
"Who's got the looks, who's got the brains, who's got everything?" - Ben
Folds Five
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 00:03:54 -0800
From: amanda adomaitis
Subject: people of all ages deserve bff!
>next concert should be 18+, dammit.
>
>dave-o
i just wanted to say really quick that i think that it sucks to say that
only 18 and over people could possibly deserve to enjoy ben folds five. i
don't think that it is right to limit an audience like that. even though
they are minors, they can still be fans and deserve to see the show as much
as everyone else.....everyone should get a chance to see bff.....they are
truly one of the best bands around and in my opinion, put on the best
concerts....why shouldn't everyone be able to get a taste of that? sorry
but i was really upset by that post. ben folds five is an amazing band
that appeals to all age groups. i just saw them at the LA show and the
audience there ranged from 13-year-olds with their parents and up to like
60-year-olds and i think that that is truly amazing and speaks very well
for their talent that so many different generations can get into them. my
advice......next time you go to a show....concentrate on the show and not
so much on the audience....you'll have a much better time! just chill and
enjoy the positive energy at bff shows. sorry to everyone who had to sit
throughmy incredibly long and probably boring post....just thought it had
to be said.
-amanda ;)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 03:50:11 -0600
From: Eric Trondson-Clinger
Subject: is david letterman appearance old news?
this is probably old news, but i didn't catch anything about it in the last
few armchairs i've read, so i'll say it anyway. according to the local
radio station, ben folds five will be on david letterman on december 17th.
don't hate me cause i'm stupid. hate me cause i smell.
- ----------------------------g l o r y p r o s e---
H o l y b o y R o a d
http://www.pclink.com/holyboy/
h o o t c h
http://www.pclink.com/holyboy/hootch/
Eric Trondson-Clinger - holyboy@pclink.com
School aint shit, I read it in a book.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 17:08:42 -0500
From: aplauri@juno.com (Philip J. L.)
Subject: current tour boots-
just a reminder to all you tapers, i am still VERY interested in ANY
current tour boot you may have! i dont care what the quality, the
length, anything, i just want to try to get as many of these current
boots that i can get! i have many, many boots to trade, so i am sure we
can work something out. thank you for any kind of help.
philip
"who's got the looks, who's got the brains. . . who's got everything???"
- -BEN FOLDS
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 03:23:00 -0800
From: edahn01@sprynet.com
Subject: a love of music doesn't come with age
I take great offence to the post by dave-o saying that younger fans of Ben Folds
can't be true fans. I first got into Ben Folds of my 15th birthday. It may
not be the hippest way of finding your favorite band, but I first heard them on
the CMJ samlper (that my mom bought for me as a present) which had Underground
on it, and from there on I was hooked. Now let me think, if I'm seventeen now,
and my birthday is in August, that would mean I've been a fan for roughly 2 and
a half years. That brings me to my younger brother, who is fourteen now, and
was eleven when he first got into Ben Folds through me. He loves Ben Folds as
much as anyone. I first got onto this list when it was at number 54, and was a
very small personal list. The first time I saw Ben Folds was at Lollapalooza,
and that ended up costing me over $100, and they were the only band I wanted to
see there. Before the show I talked to Robert and Ben for about 45 min, and the
next time I saw them they remembered me. I've been collecting b-sides and
rarities, which anyone will tell you isn't the cheepest way to go, and have
enough now to fill up more than one side of a 90 min tape (which, if someone
wants copies of, they can send me a blank tape and $3 for postage). The most
recent (of the three) times I've seen Ben Folds there was a mix up with the
amount of tickets that our friend's dad bought (he had to buy them because he
was the only one with a credit card, and he had to drive us to the show because
he was the only one who could drive past nine) and I had to drive five hours in
the pouring rain at 80mph (which, here in NY, at my age, would have cost me my
license if I were stopped) just to get tickets, and then make the same trip the
next day. So I guess my point is that age should not determine weather or not
you're a true fan. I remember when I was 14 it was really annoying to have to
bring my mom to any show I wanted to go to at the local club because it was 16+,
and then when I turned 16 I found that I still need my mom to come 'cause the
club bands like Moxie Fruvous like to play at is 18+. I'm sure when I turn 18,
the same problem will exist. The love of music doesn't come with age, it's
something you always have. I've been playing guitar since I was six, and at the
age of eight I was making my parents take me to every lounge that my favorite
local jazz band played at. so there.
KRTZDN
sorry for being so wordy, but this sort of thing has always bugged me, because
music has always been my love.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 07:23:55 EST
From: NJDRUMMER
Subject: Chris M's show woes
Hey everybody.
I just wanted to reply to Chris M's post.
He writes:
I paid good money to hear Ben Folds sing,
not them, (the crowd) and so I should get to hear him. There's a reason he's
on stage
and they're not. I tend to sing along under my breath without thinking
about it when I'm at shows, but I would never just belt it out along with
the band because, well, unless it's a sing-along, that's just plain rude.
Also:
The third and final issue that ruined the show for me, and this is by far
the most bizarre and unprecedented aspect of all this, is that people in the
crowd around my girlfriend and I kept bouncing into us. I'm not talking
about moshing, I'm just talking about kind of bouncing around along with the
music and bumping into everyone around them, hard enough to cause other
people to stagger.
And:
What do you guys think? Has
anyone else had a similar experience? Agree? Think I'm just overreacting?
I'm curious to hear.
Yo Chris!
NO and YES! Lighten up! Enjoy yourself! Life's too short! I'm 40 and both
times I saw the band The crowd was mostly under 21. I was standing at the
stage directly in front of Ben and didn't have any problem with people around
me enjoying themselves in any manner that they saw fit. Maybe it was because
I was probably singing along with the band the loudest. It wasn't rude at
all...probably the two best times i've ever had.
Looking forward to more pushin', shovin" and singin'.
Steve
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 09:54:57 +1000
From: ljd128@psu.edu (firstname lastname)
Subject: missing the war chords
enough people requested it, so here it is.
missing the war - tabbed by len damico (jumpingcow@psu.edu)
i play this with a pseudofingerpicking style: i strum the upbeats in eigth
notes on the skinny strings with my fingers. the downs get the thumb on
the fat strings. full strummin on the chorus. you get the idea.
here are the chords shapes i used. i prolly missed a few colour tones here
and there, but i play guitar. one of you pianists should figure those out!
a x02220 (you might want to play this chord with the second third and
fourth fingers to facilitate the change to...) c6 x32210
e 022100
emaj7 021100
f# 244322
f#7242322
bsus4 x24452
b x24442
bm x24432
esus4 022200
g#7 464544
g 355433
intro
a - c6 - e - f#
a - c6 - e - e
first verse:
e emaj7 f# f#7
all is quite his tired eyes
bsus4 b bm b
esus4 e g#7
see figures jotted down, and clothes all strewn around the bed-----room floor
e emaj7 f# f#7
now nothing's adding up, and nothing's making sense
bsus4 b bm b esus4 e g#7
she's sleeping like a ba---by, she doesn't know he wasn't meant for this
chorus:
a c6
i'm missing the war, i'm missing the war all night
e c#m f#
missing the war, i'm missing the war
(insert beautiful three-part harmonies over intro chords here :))
second verse: (same as the first, chordwise)
he drove home, again pissed and beaten
it's really no big deal, it happen's all the time, it's no big deal
chorus:
a c6
i'm missing the war, i'm missing the war all night
e c#m f#
missing the war, i'm missing the war
g
until beams of sunlight hit me in the morning
(here's that cool lick in tab)
- --------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------
- --2-h-4-p-2-p-0----1---2----4--
- ------------------------2---4----6--
- --------------------------------------
- ------------------------0------------
bridge: (i can't quite get the chords to this, just the bass notes)
c# b f# e a c6
so much time, so little to say
a - c6 -
third verse:
time may fly, and dreams may die
the shaking voice that tells him go; still thinks he might, he knows he won't
chorus:
a c6
i'm missing the war, i'm missing the war all night
e c#m f#
missing the war, i'm missing the war
g.......
- --------------------------------------
- ------------------------0---0----0--
- --2-h-4-p-2-p-0----1---2----4--
- ------------------------2---4----6--
- --------------------------------------
- ------------------------0------------
there it is. enjoy! feel free to post this on the web, just drop me a
line to let me know.
len damico jumpingcow@psu.edu
"supermarkets this large and clean and modern are a revelation to me.
here we don't die, we shop. but the difference is less marked
than you think." - don delillo
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 10:14:09 -0500 (EST)
From: Frank Maynard
Subject: Carrying on up the charts
"Brick" is listed at #14 this week (up from #17) on Billboard Magazine's
Modern Rock Tracks chart. The Modern Rock chart is taken from airplay
reported by radio stations, rather than unit sales as with most of the
other charts. So keep calling and requesting!
On the strength of "Brick," a February tour of the US is being planned.
(This is NOT a "Naked Baby Photos" tour.) As dates come in, I'll have
them at http://oeonline.com/bff/
-fjm
And I think that there's a soul somewhere that's leading me around
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 10:39:13 EST
From: Sweety Won
Subject: Virgin Megastore
Hey guys,
I just wanted to let you know that Virgin Megastore has TONS of B sides. I
work at the one in Dallas, so i have inside info. =) If they don't have them
in the store, you can special order them. Trust me, there are more than you
would think. And they are all great.
ust thought I would share that with you all.
Have a great day,
Deidre
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 10:29:39 -0600
From: "*danelle*"
Subject: real world again
speaking of hearing ben folds five everywhere...i caught brick being played
on mtv's real world...isn't this the second bf5 song that's been played on
that show?
*danelle
***********************************************************************
"being awake never felt like this before..."
-ben folds five
**************************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 1997 10:36:28 -0600
From: "Erik C. Lyons"
Subject: In concert
Just a short note to respond to the guy who was upset about the age of
concert-goers and their behavior (at the Austin show).
I agree that the age of the crowd for BF5 has declined in years since I have
been a an avid fan. But what do you expect with their air play on MTV and
more radio stations. Believe me, I am just as bothered as this guy is with all
the "strange" behavior at shows. But, I have resigned myself to standing in
the back of the hall or venue and just enjoying the show. I remember when
I was young, and yep! I can remember some very rude behavior on my part
which makes me more understanding of the rude behavior. However, total
disrespect for another person is unacceptable.
And as for the girl yelling, screaming, "I want to f*** his brains out!" Well, I
think I remember wanting bed a few of the Go-Go's, Pat Benatar(sp), Cher
(only when she wears that fish-net shit), Madonna (still do), Samantha Fox,
just to name a few, so hey. . .we are all human I guess. Man, did I say
Cher? I take it back. I was really young. Yuk.
In closing, you bet it sucks that us (dare I say) 'older' fans have to deal with
this concert behavior, but that is the way it is. BF5's music kind of lends
itself to the younger age group. Hell, the average age of the band is about
28-29 (not counting Doug, but if I was, the number rise dramatically. . .HA!),
so maybe as the band ages, so will the fan base (wishful thinking??)
But, if you are looking for an alternative outlet with an older fan base, visit
my webpage and read in the news section about it. Once again, that addy
is: http://members.tripod.com/~elyons/ben_menu.htm
I will be running a side project for all of us that are not quite baby boomers,
but then again, we aren't Gen-Xers either.
Take care all! Keep bouncing and dreaming about Ben, Darren and Rob.
- -Erik
well he shouted out his last word and he stumbled through the yard
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 07:50:02 -0800
From: "Kamp, Marcus S"
Subject: BFF Popularity
I've got to put my 2 cents in here (more like $2), because I love to
hear myself talk (read myself write?). I don't give a drowned-rat's
soggy ass who likes BFF, or how many people like BFF, or how old the
crowd @ a BFF show is, or whatever (& ever, amen). Success in music is
entirely too difficult & we, the "true" fans (whatever that could
possibly mean), should be pleased as spiked punch to see someone who
deserves it attain it. Just because they're becoming all the rage
doesn't mean they've sold out, or become Chubby Wubby (you know who I
mean), or are gonna be playin' Madison Square Garden any time soon.
These guys are our buddies-we should support them in every way possible.
The fact that a bunch of youngsters like them is a GOOD thing-it keeps
these kids from listening to Sugar Ray & provides some much-needed hope
for our future. The fact that your local radio station (KBFF) plays
them ad nauseum is a GOOD thing-turn it off if it bugs you. The fact
that it's getting harder to get tix to their shows is a GOOD
thing-swallow your selfish concerns about waiting in line, because
they're worth the longest wait imaginable. As a long-frustrated
musician, I plan to enjoy success vicariously through BFF, so I hope &
pray that this adulation lasts! Rock on w/your bad southern selves!
MSK
One thing kids like is to be tricked. For instance,
I was going to take my nephew to Disneyland, but
instead I drove him to an old burned-out warehouse.
"Oh no," I said, "Disneyland burned down." He cried
and cried, but I think that deep down he thought it was
a pretty good joke. I started to drive over to the real
Disneyland, but it was getting pretty late.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Dec 1997 12:00:43 -0500
From: Anne Lyons
Subject: I'm sure I'm in the minority, but...
Hello the 'Chair!
Well, I finished reading the last few 'Chairs and I wanted to add my voice
to those of the other Grey Panthers on this mail list. I'm thinking that I
will probably be in the minority, as I can imagine that the younger members
of this list are probably all up in arms -- screaming slogans like; "Shut
up, old people! We kick ass!"
Of course, I *am* being a little obscure, so I will explain just what the
hell I'm talking about. There has been a recent uptick in the number of
posts by us "old people" -- the 21+ crowd (or, as Marcus so deftly put it:
"147+ in Armchair Years") complaining in general about being made to feel
old, which culminated in the recent posts about the "lack of respect for
the music" at recent BFF shows. (And yes, that *is* a reference to the
"intro" to Song for the Dumped.).
"So, why the post, Anne?" I can hear those of my generation calmly asking,
while shouts of "Shut yer hole, Grandma!" and "Shove it where the sun don't
shine, you old bitch!" echo in the background. Well... us old folks don't
always have a reason for rambling on and on... but I guess my intention was
to let all the others of my generation know that there are those of us who
feel their pain. Perhaps we could form a support group for the elderly... a
type of Senior Chairitzen organization. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd
like to commiserate (that is, if your arthritis isn't acting up today.)
Alas, it is time for my medicine, so I must be off. It takes me a while to
negotiate the hallways with my wheelchair, don'tcha know.
Have a great day!
- -Anne
P.S. I also heard a rumor that Ben is on the cover of next month's "Gay
Crackhead" magazine... but that he only posed because he needed the money.
P.P.S. Also -- and this is actually serious -- Have you guys heard about
the proposed "Rating System" for concerts? Some body of governance (I think
it was something like The Committee of Concert Halls and Arenas...) is
discussing a rating system so that concert goers (and their parents) have
an idea about show content. (We can all thank Marilyn Manson for this
little development, btw!). So... what would BFF be rated, do ya think?
Personally, I'm getting verklempt: so discuss amongst yourselves...
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #676
**************************************
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