THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #848 - February 25, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Wednesday, February 25 1998 Volume 01 : Number 848
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
RE: Robert and Darren laughing
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #842
Prison
the cure id thing
BF5 culture; please read...
Could I get some help?
Am I...
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #841
Pyser
(no subject)
so now there's an age requirement?
Popularity of Brick
120 minutes
DC show
I've been a Ben Folds fan for over 30 years
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:03:53 EST
From: NeshX@aol.com
Subject: RE: Robert and Darren laughing
In a message dated 98-02-23 20:22:49 EST, you write:
> I think I noticed it during "Boxing" when Ben was playing alone. I saw
> Darren and Robert smirking at each other, and I somehow picked up on the
> fact that they were laughing at the crowd. Maybe I was just projecting the
> fact that I was laughing at the crowd onto them, but my friend said the
> same thing. I felt like they were laughing at the absurdity of playing for
> 5000 14-year-olds who weren't moving at all, nor, at that point, paying
> attention. But we'll never know. They could have been laughing at Ben
> because he had food in his teeth or something.
>
> Anyone else pick up on this?
Oh, I definately saw that... that was when they were smoking, correct? Hmm...
I never really thought that they were laughing at us... I had just figured
they were just joking around with each other about some, I dunno, private joke
or something. But yeah, we'll never know. Oh well-- they still put on a
great show, which is definately the most important part.
- --Nesh
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:38:07 EST
From: Snowwite67@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #842
I have to agree with Rachel, <<I'm kinda getting tired of this "brickhead"
stuff...>>. Even though I complain about all the 13-year-old fans and crap,
if it weren't for the popularity of "Brick", we may not have had a Ben Folds
Five anymore. If anyone read CMJ New Music Monthly with BF5 on the cover, I'm
sure they remember Ben's statement, " I've wanted to quit this band more than
anything I've ever wanted to quit before." I'm not saying that Ben would've
quit if "Brick" didn't make it, but hey it sounds like it was a strong
possibility.
Also, if it weren't for "Brick", none of my firends would've shelled out
the $22 to see them with me! :)
- -Lauren a.k.a the complainer :)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:04:27 -0500
From: santonan@student.umass.edu
Subject: Prison
Do you think they let prisoners out for good behavior to go see live
shows? Right now I'm about ready to kill my sister, again. Again you
ask...why yes, again. This all begins last year, or maybe a little before
last year when they boys were on 120 Minutes...I dont' get MTV at school,
just MuchMusic, so I lovingly asked my sister to tape it for me. Did she?
Of course not. This past winter break they were going to be some radio
show..I think it was just Emaline from NBP, but still, it owuld have been
nice to have on tape...did she tape it for me since I had gone back to
school that day? Nope. I figured I'd give the girl who's a** I cart around
all summer in my car another chance to redeem herself. I asked her last
week to tape 120 Minutes again for me..not a hard request. I called her
last night..to make arrangements about her picking up my car from school
so she could use it to get to her school (confusing and long story..it
involves moving, me going to NYC..yadda yadda yadda) and happened to ask
her if she taped it. Guess what..she didn't. Needless to say I'm quite
pissed off at her now. Basically this is a post imploring a kind soul out
there who may have taped it to perhaps make me a copy. I have a bunch of
their other tv appearances on tape..perhaps a trade could be worked out.
Email me if you're interested. Oh..and HiGeary, I think I might make Ben's
seat into a seat of my own..for now it sits on my bed, I use it as an arm
rest at night :)
Sarah :)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 13:28:44 -0600 (CST)
From: danelle <dpayton1@bigred.unl.edu>
Subject: the cure id thing
i too couldn't believe that pinfield made the cure-id remark, AGAIN.
he said it when they were on 120 mins. last year. and i didn't think
the guys were on long enough. the segment with james iha seemed to go
on for ev er. maybe it was just b/c i wanted to see bf5 so much. and
robert's remarks about the "radio fans" was very very rad. i wish
they would've played more of their videos, like uncle walter.
**anyways, i got it on tape. so if anyone needs it, whatever, and if
i can get around to it...lemme know.
*danelle
dpayton1@bigred.unl.edu
- -or-
manicdepressive@hotmail.com
**** ** *** **** *** *** *** **** **** **** **** ** **** *** ***
"i'm crazy, but i get the job done..."
****** ***** *** *** **** **** *** ****** *** **** *** *
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 14:46:04 -0500
From: Heather Hurwitz <hhurwitz@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu>
Subject: BF5 culture; please read...
Hello Fivers,
I have been in hiding for a few months, but I thought I'd send a little
something on my thoughts about the show at the 9:30 Club. The venue is
way cool. I think it added to the coolness of the show. But, the crowd
was sorta lame. In Cleveland, where I am from originally, the crowds are
way wild. Maybe it was the DCness that made it sorta wierd. But, it
seemed like a chore to be screaming for the band sometimes. Sad, I know.
I wonder if they like random screaming and cheering and clapping or if
they are content with just a resounding applause after each song? It did
seem like many audience members were singing along to more than just Brick
and One Angry Dwarf. I was jumpin out of my skin at hearing Emaline and
Tom and Mary live! Wow! Joygasm!
Still, I think there needs to be more pogoing at the shows like
there used to be. Sorry to anyone's toes that I landed on while I was
pogoing, but I think more people should've been...
my toe stopping should've motivated more toes to not be on the ground for
stomping - they should've been in the air bouncing because that it the
best way to enjoy BF5.
As far as BF5 culture, it is developing! There
were so many armchairites at the show and we all had commonalities,
stories, and experiences to share. It was fun to talk about the armchair
in person with people that know about it.
Two thumbs up to the chics with the BF5 art, too. Here on the
armchiar, people have posted poetry about the band and obviously, there is
this literary culture through words (composed
emails) that has arisen about the band. There is a U of Maryland
woman, Jessica (?) who listens to BF5 and paints and her friend Amanda (?)
writes poetry while listening to BF5. I think it is a great social
breakthrough that BF5 and BF5's listeners have expanded the influence of
BF5's music into these other advanced forms of communication, art, and
beauty. Along with the complexity and originality of BF5's music, it is
the culture surrounding their influence that will maintain and promote
their presence as substancial musicians of today.
Although I have not been reading the armchair lately because it
has changed so much over the past year and I am just not inspired like I
used to be to be a regular contributer to the mailing list, I think that
the armchair has to stick
around because it is a substancial aspect of BF5 music and culture and
still is a wonderful medium for exchange. I do not want to ask all of you
out there reading this to go back to the way the armchair was before, or
tailor commentary to a different level or different perspective on the
band, but I beg you to realize that there is another level that DOES exist
about the band. There is really something magical about BF5 that people
are identifying so much with that they are tailoring their recreational,
educational, and artistic endeavors to include the influece of the band.
These are the achievements and happenings that should make up the
armchair; lately, they have not been present to the extent that the band
is appreciated.
Now, a disclaimer. For those of you who have taken the
time to read through this extensive email, I thank you. I know that some
of it sounds crazy because basically, I feel that BF5 is making a huge
mark on music and culture and that we are helping to make that stamp on
our times and this is something to be embraced and celebrated but is a
concept that is hard to fully comprehend without the perspective of time.
But, after being at the 9:30 club show and seeing first hand so many kids
jammed into that little place and they were all there for BF5 and they
were open to the wacky opening band and open to BF5's existential while
upbeat perspective on life and open to piano jazz in a newly filtered
form, I am confident that BF5 really is more than a band - they are
superior musicians and artists. True, I am baised because they are my
favorite band, but they are my favorite band because I recognize the
meatiness of what they do, how they approach music, and how they have
affected their listeners. Stay cool my friends. Uncle Walter for
President.
peace,
Heather
"I sing sometimes like my life is at stake cause you're only as loud as the
noises you make, I'm learning to laugh as hard as I can listen cause
silence is violence and women and poor people, if more people were
screaming then I could relax but a good brain don't mean dittly if you
don't have the facts" -Ani DiFranco
get your fill of peanutts on the www: http://www.cyberdrive.net/~percystar
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 15:08:40 -0500 (EST)
From: BenFolds88@aol.com
Subject: Could I get some help?
I just would like to know if one of you BFF fans is willing to give some
bootlegs to a long-time BFF fan-- I had 12, but I let a friend borrow them,
and he left them out in the rain-- could you guys help me out? email me at
BenFolds88@aol.com-- thanks guys.
- -Ben (real name)
- -1234567 a.m. all alone again, but I've been through all this sh*t before--
spend my nights in self-defense, cry about my innocence, but I ain't all that
innocent anymore. (counting crows)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 20:27:52 +0000 (GMT)
From: Richard Cheng <richard.cheng@st-edmund-hall.oxford.ac.uk>
Subject: Am I...
the only one here who finds boxing to be one of BF5's least great songs?
Or am I just a freak?
rich
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 15:29:25 -0500 (EST)
From: "D . Hokanson" <hokansod@goldey.gbc.edu>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #841
> Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 22:08:01 +0000
> From: Hilarie Surrena <walflowr@Op.Net>
> Subject: Philly show
>
> I just wanted to agree with Donna on two BIG points that she made
> concerning the show in Philadelphia. First, I'm not big on the Electric
> Factory either. Could they have packed anymore people in there? I
> parked in a really shady area and that was $7 on top of the $45 I put
> out for 2 tickets. The show was worth it, but the service charges and
> Secondly, so many people were there strictly because of Brick. That
> meant that all those up front who were only there for the one song
> pushed their way through the crowd and left. The whole show was really
> worth staying for and I wish that more people had. The only song that
> they didn't play which is my second favorite live(Steven's is my first)
> is Underground. I finally got to meet the guys(thanks San!) and they
> were so friendly especially considering that the tour is practically
> over and they are exhausted.
Hi Hil. I was looking for ya at the show. Which side of the stage were
you on. I was about 4 rows back on the right side.
My faves are everything off the first record. Well most everything. But I
think my favorite is Underground, then Philosphy.
Next show we'll have to get the original armchairites together before
hand.
Donna
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 15:32:05 -0500
From: Bruce Taylor <kilmernock@compuserve.com>
Subject: Pyser
hey,
i'm new to the list and i've looked at the setlist people have been posting
from shows, what's the song called Pyser?? it must not be an album track
because I've never heard of it. i haven't got any bff singles so if it's a
b-side that would be why I've never hear of it. let me know, I'm just
curious.
and speaking of singles, does anyone have an suggests on which singles I
might look for first if I was going to start a collection?? which ones
have the best b-sides?
later
chris
christaylor@iname.com
toronto, ontario
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:06:22 EST
From: Star953@aol.com
Subject: (no subject)
auth 97db3c08 subscribe armchair Crew953@msn.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 15:29:20 -0500 (EST)
From: Judi Smith <jsmith@bc.seflin.org>
Subject: so now there's an age requirement?
> Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 00:21:16 -0500 (EST)
> From: connolly <mconnoll@emerald.tufts.edu>
> i noticed someone else posted about hearing brick in a grocery store...i
> was i a supermarket yesterday, and i heard it. that was frightening
> enough. but seeing 40 year old women lip synching along made it that much
> more disturbing...
ummmmm, speaking as a 41-year-old woman (who posted a few days ago about the
weirdness of hearing brick in the grocery store), this kind of remark is
"that much more disturbing". bff is my second favorite group; i get
crapped on all the time by other people "my age" who don't have a clue
who counting crows even is, let alone ben folds five, and i really hate
getting this shit from adolescent ageist armchairites. this is the one
place in the world i don't feel alone in loving bff. and i know i'm not
the only over-30 on this list. age doesn't mean we're braindead (though
some of our other parts are kinda creaky). hell, BEN is over 30, right?
so cut us a break, ok? thanks! :)
judi smith there are 2 things any person will watch
jsmith@bc.seflin.org with absolutely undivided attention: an
attractive member of the opposite sex,
why are all the girls so hungry? and a zamboni
and why are all the boys so lonely? -- jack runchey
--counting crows
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:35:49 EST
From: Mojique@aol.com
Subject: Popularity of Brick
I've been a little bit bothered by all of the "I hate Brick" and
"You're not a real fan if you like Brick" talk. Let's all try a
little exercise...
Think back to when you first bought WEAEA and brought
it home, put it in your CD player and pressed play. After months
of playing the hell out of the first albvum...here was a new one!
And you're listening, loving it, and Brick comes on. You were probably
blown away. Here was something completely different, with that
mournful piano and the upright bass. So sad, so beautiful. You
LOVED the song, admit it. Hell, I remember all the talk about it on
the Armchair. What does it mean, isn't it goregous, they've outdone
themselves with this one....
Flash forward. If somebody sends a message to the Armchair
saying how beautiful Brick is, half the listees jump down his/her
throat shouting "newbie!" That doesn't make much sense.
Now I, and probably most of the people on here, have heard every
song on all three of BFF's albums probably hundreds of times. I don't
play the radio, I play Ben Folds Five. So it can't be that Brick has just
been overplayed. I've heard Jackson Cannery 10 times as much as Brick
and IT isn't overplayed in my mind. The reaction to Brick is simply due
to the fact that it's being played to EVERYONE and listened to by
EVERYONE. It doesn't seem fair that people can listen to some crap
top 40 or alternative station and get to hear this song that we had to go
to the store, put up with a "Ben Folds who?" reaction from the clerk,
pay money for, bring home and press play on our CD player to hear.
But, to quote another band, the song remains the same.
And it's a great one.
Clay
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:42:30 -0500
From: Whitney Smith <whittyp@SURRY.NET>
Subject: 120 minutes
Hiya,
Has anybody but me noticed that alot of desperate fans missed 120 minutes.
Me included....sigh. Hopefully I can snag a copy though.
Whitney
"Everything's happy underground."
-Do I really need to tell ya who that's from?
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:43:19 -0500
From: palmerjr@bellatlantic.net
Subject: DC show
Hey everyone!
I don't post very much and was waiting for other posts about the show in
DC 2/22. But, I saw none. Therefore, you all will get one from me.
Well, the show was great. It was at the 9:30 club, very cool place.
Almost everywhere you stood, you were still close to the stage compared
to some shows I've been to. The show started off with Ben having to
re-attach his finger nail with a bandaide! The little changes and
innovations made to all the songs made the concert excellent. They
played about 2 hours and had the crowd going the whole time, of course.
Well, I saw the boys were to be on 120 minutes the same night but I was
probably on my way home when it aired, if it did. I'm seeing some
evidence of problems of people missing it. Was it on or not?
Anyways, the show was really good and the 9:30 club is definately a cool
place to see concerts, check it out some time.
Eat, drink, and be merry,
Jackie
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 22:01:29 GMT
From: Jordan Erenrich <erenrich@mail.geocities.com>
Subject: I've been a Ben Folds fan for over 30 years
That's right! I'm a bigger fan than anyone else on the list.
I was actually the doctor who delivered Ben Folds into this world and have
therefore known him for his entire life. In fact, the moment he stuck his
little head out, I became a fan.
So, I will have no more of this "I've been a fan for over 3 years." Unless
you've known him longer than I have, I don't want to hear "I'm the biggest
Ben Folds fan ever."
I guess the Dr. Ziefkwa who performed the ultra-sound could conceivably say
that he is a bigger fan than I am, but that's a long shot as Ben was not
fully formed.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jordan Erenrich erenrich@geocities.com
My psychiatrist told me I'm going crazy.
I told him "If you don't mind I'd like a second opinion".
He said "Alright... you're ugly too!"
- -- Rodney Dangerfield
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #848
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