THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #701 - December 12, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, December 12 1997 Volume 01 : Number 701
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS MAILING LIST
Send an e-mail message to armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl with
the word 'unsubscribe' (without the quotes) in the message body. Please DO
NOT POST UNSUBSCRIBE REQUESTS TO THE LIST ITSELF! If you are having
trouble, send mail to owner-armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl and I
will try to help you. To change your address, first unsub yourself from
your old address, then subscribe using your new account.
ARMCHAIR FAQ
To help you be a better citizen of the Armchair, Mark Piper has
compiled a list of Frequently-Asked Questions just for subscribers to the
Magical Armchair. Please check it out at
<a href="http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/listguide.html">
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/listguide.html
</a>. There is also a link at the Magical Archive homepage,
http://oeonline.com/bff/list/
SCHOOL VACATIONS
If you will be away from your e-mail account during school break, you
might wish to unsubscribe until you return to prevent your inbox from
filling up.
TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
"Im Missing an Armchair!"
Oh it's HER again...
Dr. Beck's remarks...
Random thoughts
Kate? (Ska Remix)
BFF on SNL
ConnecteD and Netscape Communicator 4.0
9x interview with BFF
KATE!!!!!
/\/\/\/\arc
bff to me
first time and christmassongs
Rob likes to smell his own farts
Hey Rebby
Armchair #690 Re: Brenna and Carrie's wise words--sorry, this is long.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 20:53:45 -0500
From: jaedonely@juno.com (A A DONELY)
Subject: "Im Missing an Armchair!"
"Bababa baa!
Im missing an armchair! #694
missing an armchair-its like I never know what people are talking about!"
Someone please help me!
~Elisabeth
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 21:20:44 -0500
From: Jessica Brandt <jbrandt@kent.edu>
Subject: Oh it's HER again...
Okay so the first time I REALY listened to Ben Folds Five, this is kind of
funny and well it's just weird...
I had "heard" Underground a few times on the radio but never the whole
thing. My friend Brad was telling me about them being "Punk rock for
sissies" and told me they were on CMJ etc....So i remember I was driving
down Rt. 8 towards Akron and I finally heard it, and they sang
"everything's heavy underground" and i thoug (i kid you not) "you know,
they're right. The closer you get to the earth the heavier things are" and
that is what I got out of the song the first time I heard it.
I am serious and ashamed but it's kinda funny! hahaha.
jess
"All the boys are monsters;
All the girls are whores.
But when you lose the one you love,
There's always plenty more."
-Squirrel Nut Zippers
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 22:35:23 EST
From: BenFolds J <BenFoldsJ@aol.com>
Subject: Dr. Beck's remarks...
Heyas all,
I don't think we can hide them from the country, but I DO think the
Armchair should be removed form BFF's webpage. If we don't, it'll turn into a
list that people just join, and eventually in turn that means we'll have a
bunch of 15 year old girls who just them for one song and think Ben is a
hotty. Personally, I always found the Armchair to be a source for serious BFF
fans to converse about really cool topics. I don't want to turn this into a
"MY GAWD!! I WANT TO SCREW BEN!!" Not to say that that hasn't already
happened, but those people not only find themselves sexually attracted to
Ben, but also musically for more than one hit.
If ya get my drift...
~jordan
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 22:43:13 -0500
From: Richard Challen <rchallen@clemson.campus.mci.net>
Subject: Random thoughts
1) Patrick from W-S is dead-on right about opening with "MTW" and
encoring with "Boxing." Heed his words, my children.
2) If anyone knows what the hell "Kate (Ska Mix)" is, or how it differs
from "Kate" with strings on the Jap "Brick" single, please let me know.
3) Speaking of ska, doesn't "Sell Out" by Reel Big Fish sound
suspiciously like a response record to "Underground"? (Or not.)
4) Food for thought: If any members of the Five actually took any of
their young fans to the prom and the usual prom stuff happened, they
would probably be arrested on charges of statuatory rape (depending on
the state).
5) "I wish it was last September." Because I always wish it was last
September.
6) Is "Kate" any less of a head-over-heels love song now that the song's
namesake is divorced from the song's writer?
7) The twin peaks of restrained remorse and unabashed ecstasy are the
main reasons I listen to the Five. Expect the difference in the peaks to
be even more pronounced thanks to 6), above. Just a feeling I have...
Man, this divorce thing sucks...
8) Lastly, the best piece of advice I could give: Never name your songs
after women. Or, if you must, never play the song for the woman in
question. Just because.
Trust me.
- --rICH
p.s. the bf5 should cover the "Charlie Brown Christmas" record from
start to finish and just be done with it.
Visit The RICH Homepage and check out the brand-new CD,
LIFE/DEATH... 15 songs of romance and retribution...
Available independently from Desperate Man Records.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stage/9035
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 22:42:39 EST
From: mike.lange@juno.com
Subject: Kate? (Ska Remix)
is this true? there's a ska remix of Kate? Has anyone heard this? I was
pretty involved in my local ska scene until it was invaded by thousands
and i was turned onto jazz. However, my mind hears this remix as being
the best ska song ever written! can someone write to me with some info on
this heavenly track!
mike
"Who's got the looks, who's got the brains, who's got everything?" - Ben
Folds Five
I LOVE THE ARMCHAIR! IT'S CIVILIZED AGAIN!
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 23:29:47 -0600
From: "Dan Callahan" <dc089410@mailhost.sju.edu>
Subject: BFF on SNL
Hi everybody,
I've been thinking about this whole thing about the guys being on Saturday
Night Live. One of the biggest gripes about this whole "Brick" thing is
that, while the song kicks @$$ (censored to protect the young scourges of
concerts) on its own, it isn't indicative of what BFF's music is really
like. Most of their other songs are very upbeat in tempo and lyrics and all
that. Well, I'm not positive, because I haven't watched SNL in a long time,
but doesn't the musical guest play two songs during the show? If so, that
means that they have a chance to show the rest of the world what they're
really like. I think chances are good that they're gonna play Brick, but
what about the other song? What do you guys and gals all think about this?
What other song will they probably play? i'd imagine they'd play either a
song that's already been released or their next single (I'm placing bets on
Stephen's Last Night in Town, but that may just be wishful thinking). I
think it would be great if they played either Underground, Angry Dwarf, or
Stephen just because they're all the exact opposite of the kind of tone and
mood from Brick. That way the people will get a taste of the variety of
BFF.
Hey, at the very least, it's a happy thread to follow (and its one that us
guys can respond too, 'cause I in't taking a member of BFF to any kind of
prom)
- -Dan
"There was this girl who passed me by
She gave a smile but I was shy
I looked down, so down"
- -Ben
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 23:38:31 -0500
From: Dan <sweetums123@geocities.com>
Subject: ConnecteD and Netscape Communicator 4.0
Hey all..
Just wanted to say that the ConnecteD DOES work on Netscape 4.0 -IF- you
use Shockwave 6.0
Trust me.. It took me 3 hours to figure this out :P
Not anything else.. not the new 6.01... just plain old 6.0... ok? ok...
thanks fer the bandwidth
Dan
***LOOK-A POST WITH NO GRIPES- WOW*** ;)
(Btw Carrie [cds9@po.cwru.edu] your video is finished.. Sessions is on
its way with my 3rd batch of Xmas cards)
- --
Did you get my other letters?
Sometimes I think I oughta call..
Cause you know I often wonder if you open them at all..
Every couple nights or so you know you pop into my dreams,
I just cant get rid of you like you got rid of me..
Ohh.. but i send my best- cuz God knows youve see my worst
All is fair..
All is fair in love....
Ben Folds
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 00:19:25 +0000
From: mark brown <brownmm@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: 9x interview with BFF
Hey Everyone!
I am a lurker who finally has something of interest (I hope) to post.
When Ben and the boys played in Richmond last month my husband, Mark,
and I interviewed them for 9x Magazine, a monthly publication put out by
Plan 9 Music. Plan 9 is independently owned and has stores in Richmond,
Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg. Mark manages one of the Richmond
stores.
ANYWAY, the band and their crew were absolutely the greatest. They
really are the nicest guys. (Hey Doug!) We got a chance to speak with
Ben, Darren and Robert and have over an hour's worth of tape which had
to be edited a bit for space. Missing from the published interview are a
few gems like the fact that Robert's instrument in school was the viola,
which explains how he seemed to pick up bowing on the double bass
without "having any lessons."
Those Armchairites interested in reading the interview can find it at
Plan 9's web site www.plan9music.com Just click onto "ninetimes."
BFF are on the cover of the Dec./Jan. issue. If you are in the area,
you can just pick an issue up at one of the stores. They're free.
Since I'm finally here, I just have to comment on a few of the current
threads.
RE: /\/\arc's question @ "the first time": I have to admit to being a
bit of a neophyte. Mark brought home the Sony "potty mouth" video (as in
"It's not THE Ben Folds Five, motherfucker!") last winter when WEAEA
came out. It was love at first sight and sound. I've been a addict ever
since.
RE: prom dates - I went to a hippie high school back in the days when
there were actual hippies and we didn't have a prom. I graduated in 1975
before most of you were born. HOWEVER, since this is a fantasy, given
the opportunity I would go with all three to the prom. Why limit
yourself?
RE: the age thing - I am really old. Perhaps I shouldn't comment on the
age thing. Maybe we can just talk about it sometime at a show. I'll be
standing in the front row singing along. (Though not TOO loudly and
ALWAYS on key.)
Check out the Plan 9 site!
Mikell B.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 97 06:37:14 +0100
From: Bengt Stenstr=?ISO-8859-1?Q?=f6m?= <bengt.stenstrom@swipnet.se>
Subject: KATE!!!!!
Heeellpppp!!!
I can't stop listening to KATE!!! It's such a gorgeous song. I downloaded
an mp3 version a couple of weeks ago and I been listening to it
constantly, uh, 15-20 times a day!!!! What am I gonna do???? I just can't
stop!!!
Anybody know why it was released in the UK only???
Sorry, new to the list and we don't see much of BFF over here in Sweden -
looking forward to the Letterman Show performance, though!!
Bengt Stenstrom
bengt.stenstrom@swipnet.se
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 00:42:12 -0500 (EST)
From: Tidal Wave <el266071@hvcc.edu>
Subject: /\/\/\/\arc
i walked out of my job screaming tonight. jackson cannery,
indeed. :> i got it back though..its christmastime and i have a credit
card bill to the floor and a snowboard on layaway..i dont think anybody
can afford to be w/o a job this time of year.
other than my relateing that story to jackson cannery, it has
NOTHING to do with ben folds five, but dont worry, theres content here. i
saw a thread about "where did you first hear ben folds five" and while i
mailed this list with my lil ditty way back when, i love telling these
stories :) so i will agin :) hehe :) and btw, THANKS to everybody who
replyed to my "what bff song is your life" thing..makes me feel not as
stupid as i normally do ;)
anyways, i first heard (or saw rather) the name Ben Folds Five
when i went to lolla 96 in vermont...i saw their shirts @ the second stage
booth..(nowadays, i would KILL for one of those shirts..it was the cool in
school one) and i thought it was so fascinating because, WHO the hell was
ben and WHAT the hell was he folding? and WHY is there Five of them? why
not six? :> however (and i could kill myself for this) i didnt check the
band out when i was at lolla..i was ther efor soundgarden and god damn it
i didnt bother to check out ben folds five ARGH that kills me. and i saw
the free lollapalooza mag they were handing out, and they gave a pretty
good description of bff, saying somthing about ben playing piano with his
elbows and feet and butt cheeks :) i really wanted to check that out..but
alas..it wasnt until in oct 96 when i had ten dollars burning a hole in my
pocket and i was in strawberries checking out the tapes and i came across
a ben folds five one...and id been craving some good piano music and i
remebered that bff had piano and they had some pretty damn good reviews so
i bought the tape..and popped it in..and presto. popcorn. well, not
really, but i dug it. and i got to underground and i said HEY I HEARD
THIS BEFORE because it'd been on the radio, but i never even knew it was
ben folds five until i had the cassette..i didnt grow to apreciate the
second side of the tape though until after whatever & ever amen came
out..for some weird reason..i dunno..im done
And now, some things to ponder:
"It's unpleasantly like being drunk."
"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
"You ask a glass of water."
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 00:44:57 -0500
From: srtown0@pop.uky.edu
Subject: bff to me
Maybe i am simplistic...
i learned of ben folds from a friend 2 years ago. i was just pianist, and i
loved it for that merely. 2 years later, the local alternative station is
giving away a BFF autographed keyboard for christmas.
Here is my opinion... I joined the Armchair hesitantly. I was right. Why
can you guys not just love the music and let others do the same. I know
that if I had been introduced to the Ben Folds Five when i was 10, i would
have felt the same as i do now. Let the fans be, music lovers do not have
to be a certain age. also, let the boys grow...if any band deserves
national/global recognition, it is this one. i am so proud of them. we
have no right to bitch.
i just hope that they keep putting out their signature stuff for years to
come and that i am blessed to keep enjoying it. from a musician and fan's
point of view, enjoy people....we are lucky!!!!
Scott T...
email me armchairites!
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 01:18:34 -0500 (EST)
From: Judi Smith <jsmith@bc.seflin.org>
Subject: first time and christmassongs
1) one of my fellow counting crows fans sent me a tape with red house
painters and bff on it. former was cool,i was listening and typing along
and BAM jackson cannery. WOW. what is THAT? what on earth is he TALKING
about ? why is he singing about a freaking cannerY? who sings about
this stuff? julianne? is he for real? i only feel guilty for not giving a
shit?! i LOVE this guy! ;) a helmet hat? visions of thor appear in my
head and i'm waving my torch while they finish the song for the first time.
wow.
that was it.
2) the christmas song they'd cover: little drummer boy. never liked this
song but can you imagine what darren would do to it? ;) can you hear
robert with him? and then... well, ben. ;)
sorry if i'm repeating, cause i haven't read a couple of followup
armchairs, but this just hit me.
judi smith would you catch me if i was falling
jsmith@bc.seflin.org kiss me if i was leaving
hold me 'cause i'm lonely without you
countingcrows-l@ -- counting crows
listserv.aol.com
"i'm not cheap, but i am on special this week"
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 23:06:51 -0800
From: Janet <LemonDrp@pacbell.net>
Subject: Rob likes to smell his own farts
Hi.
This is how Ben Folds Five came into my life.
It sounds really cheesy but it's true.
I was on AOL. Dave Matthews Band chat room (they were the big kahunas
in my life before BFF). Some guy comes in and we all start chatting.
It somehow comes out that he plays in a band called Ben Folds Five.
Some other people in the room seem to know who they are and I don't. I
look at his profile: "NAME: Ben, Darren, or Rob...HOBBIES: Rob likes
to smell his own farts" That's it. I ask the guy what instrument he
plays, and he says "the bass". So that's cool. I ask him about the
smelling thing and he laughs. I go into the record store couple weeks
later and find their cd. I listen at the bar and I'm hooked.
(Now, I'll probably get flames or something saying, "You're so dumb,
that was just some guy pretending he's Rob. Fine then. But that's
still the way I got into them. And besides, I've heard that the band
has been known to lurk around aol.)
Prom date: Ben. Cuz he's hunkster studly that's why ;). My friend's
friend took Weezer's Brian Bell to her winter formal. Ain't that weird?
Fun.
Janet.
"Wet t-shirt night? What?" --Ben
- --
My Mom Says I'm Cool. http://members.tripod.com/~peachfish/sparkie.htm
Ben Folds Five. http://members.tripod.com/~peachfish/BenFoldsFive/
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 01:41:26 -0600
From: Pluvius Dope <Policy@Mobsters.com>
Subject: Hey Rebby
You said that MTV chose to splatter Brick around, Oh Contrair Mon Frere,
Sony chooses which songs they want to release as a single.
Peace
Pluvius Dope
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 23:56:53 -0800
From: brad crum <bcrum1@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Armchair #690 Re: Brenna and Carrie's wise words--sorry, this is long.
Dear Armchairians;
I read Brenna and Carrie's good thoughts in the same issue that my
venomous, vituperative, vehement little mash note to Lee 13 appeared.
First, I want to apologize to Lee. You didn't deserve it, even if you
did make fun of my name. I realize that the temptation must be very
great.
What had made me so angry was that I instinctively knew Lee's thinking
about keeping BFF a secret was mistaken, but I couldn't exactly
articulate why. That drivel about the big record contract, keeping the
band together so they could record more songs are all obvious reasons,
but they're really just means to an end.
Then I read this in in Carrie's post:
...we're all brothers here. How many bands do you know of that
appeal on every level, that create foot-tapping and
musical/lyrical scrutiny and that sense of the common human
experience, for listeners from someone's little cousin
to *gasp* my nearing-50 mother and older, and give us all a
common bond?
...and this in Brenna's:
i want to see brick get number one. i want to see the guys go
down in history. i want our kids and grandkids to stare at us in
awe when we say we went to a bff concert way back when.this
silly slacker fad of instantly going against everything that
becomes popular is fading away.
...good music is becoming popular. maybe this will start a
trend. maybe people will think about their lyrics before they
sing.
...they can't be a fad or a pop band. the music is too well
written, the lyrics too honest....they're real. and the only way
for them to disappear is if you try and hog them.
Whether you agree with every word they write doesn't matter. It's their
overall attitude of idealism and community. The truth is, even with our
little differences, Ben and the boys BRING US TOGETHER. We identify with
them---they accompany us through major life events (breakups, love
affairs, rejection, elation, yes, and even abortion.)
Those of you who just enjoy them on the surface are probably making fun
of my name about now..."What's this Crum guy talkin' 'bout?!" But the
rest of you---and I've met so many of you in the Armchair---people who
are serious, who get it, who really value the band as something
significant in their lives---you ARE my brothers and sisters.
Something is happening here, and it's beautiful. It could become
something much, much bigger.
Some people tell their dreams here, can i tell you mine? I see President
Clinton and Trent Lott and Jesse Helms sitting down together with a
couple o' brewskies, kicking back, and listening to "Jackson Cannery",
and "Video".Jesse would say, "Shit, guys, somehow I just feel like all
these disagreements we've been havin' don't amount to a hill o' beans.
Let's get together and make ol' Ben there Poet Laureate, and while we're
at it we could change the National Anthem "Philosophy"."
Of course that's never going to happen. Because major social changes in
this country don't come from the top down, they bubble up from below.
The whole Peace movement of the '60s was truy fueled by a handful of
songs from people in their twenties. The slackers of their day.
Is it so crazy to think that a truly significant social movement might
come of all this? Not peace....but brotherhood/sisterhood. True empathy,
making hatred impossible.
Ben brings us together and makes us aware of all we share. I think
that's why so many of you get so emotional when you see people (whatever
their age) doing things that are hostile and inappropriate at a BFF
concert. Because instinctively you know, "IF THEY REALLY GOT THIS, THEY
WOULDN'T BE ACTING THIS WAY."
And I think you'd be right. Ben excludes noone, makes fun of many, but
condemns none. In his "philosophy", young and old alike are welcome. We
all have the potential to share the love of great music, we can relate
to each other in our human condition...we can.
About now, some of you are shaking your heads and moving on, and to you
I say, "I love you, You're my friends...but you got no Philosophy."
How bout the rest of you? Are you ready to put on the helmets and raise
the torches? Are you ready to **Stop the Bus**, and quit accepting all
the old destructive ways of thinking? Ben has told us we can fly. Will
we ever believe him?
Your bro,
Brad
p.s. If you agree with me, do this. "6am, day after Christmas", light a
candle in your window (you kids, get mom to help!) Show the world that
you're one of us.(Go with me on this, and NEXT month our group activity
will involve "Sports and Wine.") -B
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #701
**************************************
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR - The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
Submit articles to: armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl
Send administrative requests to: armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl
WWW homepage: http://oeonline.com/bff
List archive: http://oeonline.com/bff/list/