THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #1006 - May 20, 1998



Magical Armchair Digest    Wednesday, May 20 1998    Volume 01 : Number 1006



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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    wheres summer b? import, and SFTD
    Bootlegs and Such
    Screaming at shows
    SFTD video review
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1005
    brick, teenagers, and other apparent problems
    i wish it was last september
    New Single.
    Midday Show video
    London Forum gig
    Air?
    DAT of BF5 on Modern Rock Live
    Hello!
    Air, Brick airplay, "teenyboppers"
    I got your concert etiquett right here!
    air:my opinion
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1003

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 21:38:23 -0400
From: aplauri@juno.com
Subject: wheres summer b? import, and SFTD

i am looking desperately for the wheres summer b? import.....  i will do
just about anyhting for it!!  if you really beg i may be able to pull out
a poster (HUGE maybe!!!) i have a quadzillion bff tapes
(http://come.to/bffboots), promo stuff, and i can clip articles and
such.....  i have a lot to trade.   please hook me up!!  thank you....

secondly, the song for the dumped video brings a whole new aspect fo the
band in to prospect.  it is a very worthy video.  you saw the more
serious low, down and deep side w/ "brick", you see the earnest yet
gambol side in "battle...", and you see the virtuos, pixilated side in
song for the dumped......  an amazing release!!  much credit to john
flansburgh, and ofcourse ben, darren, and robert.....

lets hear it.......
- -philip


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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 21:59:49 -0400
From: Gregory <ggregory@kingston.net>
Subject: Bootlegs and Such

Hello Fivers:

I kinda need a hand picking up a few bootlegs.  I've got no BFF stuff to
trade, but I do own quite a few Matthew Sweet boots that I could dub for
somebody in exchange for BFF tapes.  If there aren't any MS fans on the
list (but you all should be) then could some kind soul hook me up with a
two for one?  Thanks a bunch, 

Scott (who offically became a fan on 04/29/98 at 8:38 PM)

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 22:00:20 EDT
From: YourPalCM <YourPalCM@aol.com>
Subject: Screaming at shows

In a message dated 98-05-18 21:36:20 EDT, you write:

<< a few year ago i was one of those
 teenagers...screanming "closer" at the top of my lungs at madiosn square
 garden so that trent could hear me...if everyone thiks hard enough...you've
 done it too...yeah sure its annoing to hear the group of 7 teenagers singing
 the "big hit" but you look back and think...that was me X(fill in #)X years
 ago...i dunno which is worse though...the adult who is there because they
only
 know the big hit...and are probably going through a mid-life crisis...or the
 little kid who leaves as happy as a pig in shit...goes home buys the
 album...and becomes a fan...think back...you were that kid...whether you were
 8, 12, 18, 25, or even 35...
 
 Frank >>

That's funny, I'm thinking back X years ago and I don't ever remember annoying
everyone around me by screaming as loud as I can at a concert.  And even if I
was obnoxious in my youth, that wouldn't mean that it was OK for everyone else
from that point on to be equally as obnoxious.  As they say, two wrongs don't
make a right.

And to answer your question which you posed, "Which is better, the adult who
goes to the show only because they heard one hit song, or the screaming little
kid who goes home happy as a pig in shit?" (as you put it).  Clearly, the
adult who goes to the show only because they heard the one hit song.  I'm
sorry, but even if the screaming kid goes home happy, everyone around the
screaming kid did NOT go home happy.  (Was this not obvious to everyone else?)
While, the adult who heard "Brick" maybe learns to appreciate the rest of the
songs PLUS - guess what?! - everyone AROUND the adult goes home happy too!
(Crazy concept!)

Your Pal,
Chris Mal

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 22:21:01 EDT
From: SunfireQT <SunfireQT@aol.com>
Subject: SFTD video review

Chairers:
   The SFTD video was just great.  To be honest with you, I thought it was
awesome of Matt Pinfield to give us those little tidbits of info before the
vid played.  Like how the dolls were custom made for the video and to watch
for the verse sang in Japanese.  He also mentioned that there is a live
version of SFTD in which it is sung in Japanese.  Way to plug DOMO!   I know
he was really talking about the Japanese version of WAEA, but still, if you
want the song in Japanese you get it on Domo.  
   And I thought the best part was when the Ken doll's head was melted under
the iron.  Can we all tell I'm a feminist???

The Texas Yankee

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 23:06:42 EDT
From: Rysabuvit <Rysabuvit@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002

okay kids, here's the deal.  i missed most of BFF on Modern Rock Live...which
i really wanted to tape, but have nothing before "Battle of Who Could Care
Less" so if anyone has the entire interview/songs on tape, please Email me...i
would be happy (thrilled perhaps even) to pay for the tape and postage if you
would be so kind as to make a copy for me :) thank you very very muchly:
RYSABUVIT@AOL.COM
                                                                              
...hannah...

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 23:15:01 EDT
From: Rysabuvit <Rysabuvit@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1005

BFF was awesome on Modern Rock Live (even though i missed a lot of it) but
what blew me away was sean lennon...that is a disc that i gotta pick up.  
                                                      have a good one kids :)
                                                                    hannah

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

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 21:21:11 -0700 (PDT)
From: "E. Helzer" <oh_fine@yahoo.com>
Subject: brick, teenagers, and other apparent problems

I guess I'm a little confused...

>From what I've heard so far (and I'm a new subscriber), you cannot
possibly be a TRUE Ben Folds Five fan if you like the song Brick.

I would be willing to BET that if brick had not gone big time, people
on this list would recognize that it's a good song with great lyrics
and wonder why it doesn't do better.  I personally think Brick is
good, but because of listening to Brick (it grows on you real quick) 
and a general interest in other songs by BFF, I have not taken it to
hero status like some radio DJs.

While I agree that there are many other great songs by BFF that are
better and more original than Brick (Evaporated), don't be angry with
it because it's popular.

I may be way off the mark because, well, I'm not a real fan (only 15
years old- which is WAY to young to be a fan of music [huh??]).  but
let me just say that most teenagers are not the stereotypical ones
that some think of.  We do bathe, keep clean, and my God, some of us
are intelligent.  Not only do I enjoy listening to BFF's music I also
enjoy (gasp) playing it on PIANO!!  So lay off the age thing, alright,
how many of you over 20 can analyze a song by chord structure?

Thanks,
Erik





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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 03:04:33 EDT
From: SASH37 <SASH37@aol.com>
Subject: i wish it was last september

my life was at its peak last september......i met karen.....was done working a
bad bad job and was going back to college where i am happy and i met my love
karen that month.
too bad by 2 months later i had no school and no girl and my father is
bitching about me going back to the shitty job.
for all this i wish it was last september.....and tears are in my eyes when i
hear that line.

tommy....(dont mean to depress anyone)

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 10:28:24 +0100
From: Toby Jenkins <toby@hereford.ac.uk>
Subject: New Single.

Y'know there's this new single coming out soon off that soundtrack ...
does anybody know how long it'll be until it comes out in the UK?
Please send info if you have it.

<<  there was a fleet of battleships and one reclining chair...  >>

toby-boy

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 20:40:38 +0930
From: "Ben Williams" <ben@tne.net.au>
Subject: Midday Show video

Hi all you armchairers.

I live in Adelaide, Australia, and i am spewing that i missed the
infamous Midday show incident (i didn't even know they were on!). I have
heard all about it from a mate of mine, but i was wondering if there
were any other Australians (pref. Adelaide) who have this on video and
would be willing to tape it for me if i sent them a video+postage?
thanks.

>From Ben.
- -------
Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 12:14:39 +0100 (BST)
From: Tony Haile <th7@st-andrews.ac.uk>
Subject: London Forum gig

	I remember some talk about armchairites meeting up before the
forum gig for a wee drinkie as we say up in Scoortland. Could someone
remind me when and where?
		Cheers
		   Tony

*****************************************************************************

	International Lover			World Traveller
	Casual Hero				Bon Vivant
	All Round Good Guy			Soldier of Fortune
	Philosopher				Oppressor of Champions

			     Tony P.J. Haile
		         A LEGEND IN HIS OWN MIND

	Wars Fought				Tigers Tamed
	Revolutions Started			Bars Emptied
	Alligators Castrated			Virgins Converted
	Uprisings Quelled			Orgies Organised

*****************************************************************************

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 12:42:30 EDT
From: Gunther256 <Gunther256@aol.com>
Subject: Air?

Everybody suddenly seems to be talking about Air...... is there anyplace i can
get it besides the GZ soundtrack?

If not, what else is on the soundtrack?  I haven't been able to get to a music
store for a while....

And, oh yes, I'm definitely beginning to agree with 'Jaki' from issue #1005.

- - Rob
INIGIMA'S PLACE
Moving soon to inigima.ml.org !

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 12:36:58 -0700
From: plpalmer@ix.netcom.com
Subject: DAT of BF5 on Modern Rock Live

Did anyone get a DAT of this show?  I have shows and Promos to trade.

Peter

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 15:35:33 EDT
From: BlueJellow <BlueJellow@aol.com>
Subject: Hello!

Hello everyone!

I would just like to ask *could we please stop talking about brick? Please?* I
know a lot of people like it, I used to REALLY like it.  That was a year ago.
Anyways, I know that a bunch of people are going to someone's house in Atlanta
for a BFF pre party. I can't go. Besides I'd feel really weird being an
outsider and all. Plus being 15 doesn't help much.  I was wondering if people
my age wanted to get together before.  No bricksters please.  There is nothing
wrong with being 15, but there is something wrong with being a brickster. I
think we can at least agree with that.

can anyone tell me how early the Tabernacle opens and when people are going to
stake out their front row? Cause I'm there. Whatever it takes.  My last
concert I couldn't see Ben's head.  But when Ben peers over the piano with
that giant smile and mad dimples and he looks at you for a SPLIT second, you
just want him to know you are the biggest fan in the world and you sat next to
a cup of piss for 3 hours JUST TO SEE the band.  That's love...jk :)

Oh yeah, Atlanta looks promising.  A LOT of cool people are gonna be there.
Let's stomp the obnoxious ones. :)

Lucy
"how do you think that I survived the other 25 before you?"

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 12:45:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leigh <emaline5@yahoo.com>
Subject: Air, Brick airplay, "teenyboppers"

First of all, I just want to say that "Air" is amazing,  and the rest
of the soundtrack is great too.

Okay, for all of you who complain about "Brick", I see your point, how
dare these radio stations play something that's on their playlist and
not play Natalie Imbruglia every 5 minutes.  I guess they play "Torn"
every 5 minutes anyway, huh?

Because of all this debate on "teenyboppers" soon you guys are gonna
frieken put a age requirement on Ben Folds Five fans!!  God forbid
someone like Ben Folds Five that are under 16 years old.

Also, what's up with these REALLY long complaints about people
complaining!!  You say they trash the armchair with those posts, but
what about you?  I guess now I'm complaining about you guys
complaining about others complaining.  Oh gees.......

~Leigh


The Page That's Uncanny To See
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/BenFolds5/index.html

"But this ain't my first ride it ain't my last ride, just got to keep
moving on, if they catch me ever they'll throw me back
forever"-Bleeders, Wallflowers

In my cd player:

Feeling Strangely Fine, Semisonic
Before These Crowded Streets, DMB
Godzilla, soundtrack
Self Titled, Ben Folds Five
Naked Baby Photos, Ben Folds Five




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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 15:50:21 EDT
From: SouperDv <SouperDv@aol.com>
Subject: I got your concert etiquett right here!

 >> If you are considered tall, let the short people get in front of you!  I'm
5'9" and I use that as a general rule.  It's not their fault they're short.>>

Ok, listen...I am 6'2". At the last Ben Folds concert I was the tallest guy
for a acre, what with all the 10 year old kiddos bitching about the packed
bodies and heat.  I'm not going to trade places with the person behind me
because there is another short person right behind the one I trade
with...pretty soon I'm at the back of the club if I switch with every person
who is shorter than me...sorry, but get to the show early or your screwed.
Thats my philosophy.
SuperDave

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 17:24:19 EDT
From: Rocket no8 <Rocketno8@aol.com>
Subject: air:my opinion

today when i got home i walked over to the record store and picked up the
lovely Sean Lennon album Into The Sun and the Godzilla soundtrack.   one thing
i noticed about "Air" was the production.   the track was produced by Brendan
O'Brien, known for his work with innumerable big rock bands.   the song is
okay, i mean it's good, but i could do without it.   i hope that the next
album isn't produced by  O'Brien.   i prefer to hear the band in a more
stripped-down context, whether it's at home with Caleb Southern, playing a
club, or throwing down a four-track demo of a newly-written song.  i would
never call them sellouts, but i don't like the big shmaltzy production.  it
makes them sound almost like any other pop group.  that's just my opinion.
- -al

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

Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 17:44:22 EDT
From: Zyah <Zyah@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1003

WARNING: this post is kinda long, and i know some of you seem to hate that for
some reason, but I'm just telling you.

1.Someone brought up the cursing in SFTD...Well, the first time I heard it, I
didn't even notice the little fuck....the radio station here does play the
unedited version, though.  If anyone cares about that little comment at all.
:)   I figure, if it's written in the song, you either include the entire,
unedited version, or don't play it at all...It pisses me off so much when they
cut out entire verses at the end of songs, and you're left singing along to
nothing. :)

2.Anyone listen to Modern Rock Live?  Well, I taped most of it, but, due to
circumstances beyond my control (my mom turned the radio I had left on in my
room when I went downstairs to tape Reverb), I couldn't get all of it...But I
remember one part where this guy called in and asked them a question [can't
remember it]....Then Max Tolkauf said something like "how about you guys play
a song?" and they asked the caller if he had a request...He was like
"Uh....Brick?"  Ben said "That's the only one we're not set for, cause it
requires a bode base...try again."  So the guy, I think his name was Bryan (I
hope none of you are Bryan!), just sat their dumbfounded...He didn't know
any...He was like "Uh....um.....uh......[more of the same]" until Ben jumped
in and said "How about Battle?"  The guy, of course agreed.  :)  I thought
that was kinda funny.  This is a little off topic, but I listened to the Goo
Goo Dolls on MRL and this 12 yr old called in and asked about what was the
first instrument they played...after they answered, they said "what do you
play" and the kid said "electric bass."  So they made him play over the air
(he put the phone down)..He sucked, abd they made fun of him...The kid had had
lessons for 2 yrs, so they were like "hey, you had better get your money back
from your music teacher."  It was funny..At least I thought it was; but i
always think stupid stuff is funny...Ok, i'm babbling now, congrats if you're
still reading. :)

3.Also, stop putting everyone in categories (this goes out to anyone and
everyone).  You don't have to christen yourself an old fan OR a
brickhead....What's wrong with just being a fan now?

4. Sorry, I know this post is really long, but I thought I'd share that today
I took my walkman off, and turned the volume all the way up so my friend could
hear Underground...I wanted her to hear the beginning part...She thought it
was weird, but she liked it, although I don't see her becoming a fan anytime
soon.

oh yeah sean, i agree completely with your post about the "required age to be
a fan of music."

Lauren                    "Life is not to fear, life is to enjoy."  -3eb-

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

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1006
***************************************


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