THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #970 - May 2, 1998



Magical Armchair Digest     Saturday, May 2 1998     Volume 01 : Number 970



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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #967
    I love this band!
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #969
    Post for the dumped....
    oh no! a swear word!
    favorite concerts
    Re: Meeting the Boys...
    WHAT THE HELL?! 
    dat trades?
    Re: PUHLEEZ
    Song for the Dumped
    couple of things...
    LOUISIANA ARMCHAIR-ITES!

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 21:04:28 EDT
From: Zyah <Zyah@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #967

Hey everyone, this is my first time posting, just so you know.  Also, if
anyone wants to write for an online zine about music, movies, sports, stories
(real-life and fiction), poetry, etc. please e-mail me for more info.
Currently it's being sent through e-mail, so it will only really look right if
you have America Online, but soon it will be on the internet. 

- --Steph (sbjanda)--
Hey, you have great taste in music.  It's really weird, because no one I know,
& no one I've talked to online, comes even close to liking the music combo I
like.  My 5 favorite bands, aside from BFF, are Radiohead, Third Eye Blind,
Kula Shaker, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and G. Love & Special Sauce.  Other bands
I really like, though, are Everclear, The Verve, Athenaeum, Our Lady Peace,
Semisonic, Chris Stills, Fuel, Goo Goo Dolls, Better Than Ezra, Gin Blossoms,
and more.  anything that sounds good basically.

- --sjoson--
<the best show(s) you've ever been to>
Well, if I were to pick one, it would be the Third Eye Blind show in Philly on
2/28/98.  Smash Mouth was there too, I don't like them, but 3eb made up for
it.  I have yet to see BFF live, but I'm going to the y100 FEZtival, so I'm
happy. :)

Lauren

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 21:15:38 -0400
From: jaedonely@juno.com
Subject: I love this band!

Hey guys! Whats up? Its pretty disappointing to hear BFF playing the KISS
108 show- theyre only going to get time for Brick.  Theyll be lucky if
they play four songs. I had a dream I was on stage with them at Foxboro
when they played, but Darren had horrid scraggly dirty hair that was long
and unwashed! AA!AAA!!
My five favorite bands? God I dont know.
Radiohead!
Matthew Sweet 
Beastie Boys
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion
Los Pixies!
The Amazing Royal Crowns
The Warped Tour looks really good-too bad Ill be in Sweden.  Any chance
BFF playing Sweden in July? Its my dream.  I dont "get" the Dave Matthews
Band.  Never have.  If a long time fan could email me and explain why
theyre so kickass, Id really appreciate it (Ive got to know some of their
stuff)  Im so disappointed in the Counting Crows song,"Goodnight
Elisabeth" Finally, a song with my name...and its really mediocre!
~Elisabeth
"Be like the guy in the rated R movie...not too sure you like him yet..."
I recite lines from Swingers for fun

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 20:41:57 -0500 (CDT)
From: Andrew David Ashcroft <senkid@owlnet.rice.edu>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #969

> If "Song For The Dumped" becomes a big hit, I'm not looking forward to future
> BFF concerts. My guess is that the type of person who would buy a ticket just
> because they heard that song on the radio and liked it, may not have the
> intelligence or patience to appreciate a song like "Selfless, Cold and
> Composed" or "Evaporated".

I was initially agreeing with this post, as to the quetionable value of
putting an unedited Song for the Dumped on the radio, but, the last
paragraph (see  above) really ruined it for me.  The bottom line is, I'm a
relatively intelligent person.  This is not to blow my own horn, but
rather to say that I was really first turned onto BFF by hearing Song for
the Dumped.  It was that same bitterness and "verbal abuse" that attracted
me to it because, aside from the obviously high level of talent
deonstrated by the band musically, they actually had the chutzpah to write
a song that was totally unpretentious. With so many bands around presently
that take themselves way too seriously, its refreshing to encounter a
group that can write songs like Song for the Dumped, Uncle Walter and
Steven's Last Night in Town.  That said, I don't think that in any way
lessens the degree to which I can listen to, comprehend, and appreciate
their other, more serious works.

Andy Ashcroft
Rice University

P.S.  If you don't get anything out of SFTD other than bitterness and
abuse, I think your own level of musical appreciation can be called into
question.

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 22:19:55 -0400
From: RusBF5@webtv.net (Rusty Weiss)
Subject: Post for the dumped....

This is in response to the person who stated that they would not look
forward to any BFF concerts in the future if Song For The Dumped were to
become a big hit.
  
Just as you are justified in voicing your opinion, it is also important
that you respect the opinion of others.  To say that any one who likes
"Song For The Dumped" probably doesn't have enough intelligence to
appreciate BFF's other songs is ludicrous.  In fact, this statement
itself lends evidence to your own ignorance.  It's wrong to say that
somebody is basically stupid because they happen to like a song that you
don't.  

Song For The Dumped was written to capture the emotion of a particular
moment.  There are times in a man's life, no matter how intellectually
superior he may be, where he does become a "petty, bitter, and
vindictive person."  This is what we call the real world my friend.  Are
the people that enjoy Alanis Morissette's hit "You Oughta Know" idiots,
becuase they can relate to the anger of that moment?  Nine Inch Nails
song "That's What I Get" must make Trent Reznor a complete moron in your
eyes.  Perhaps the Toadies would have been a great band had they never
written the song "Quitter."

Voicing your opinion is fine, but putting others down in the same breath
for having their own viewpoints is clearly a sign of someone who sees
with tunnel vision.  Open your eyes, and open your mind.

Rusty

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 21:22:11 -0700
From: joeyk <z_kreidelrj@TITAN.SFASU.EDU>
Subject: oh no! a swear word!

About "Song for the Dumped":

<< Great.....I think I'm actually a little ashamed that some BF5 fans got
 organized and actually spent energy so we could bring swear words to the
 masses. Stupid song should never have been released as a single anyway...
 
To quote Groundskeeper Willie - "Ya wee Puritan pukes!"

Come on! It's a song, enjoy it, have fun with it, dance to it. It wasn't
meant to promote verbal abuse, it's a damn joke! Did you boycott "Brick"
because it dealt with abortion? And God forbid one of those wicked naughty
words get on the radio. What next, will they allow swear words to be
printed in books? Oh the horrors! Yep, it's all been down hill since Clark
Gable's famous lines. 

Best concerts (good idea, whoever!):

1. Ben Folds Five   Dallas, TX     Feb 11, 1998
2. They Might Be Giants   Moscow, ID     Oct 11, 1996
3. R.E.M./ Natalie Merchant/ Radiohead   Austin, TX Sept. 17, 1995
4. Blur/ Reel Big Fish  Dallas, TX   Oct 10, 1997
5. Junior Brown     San Antonio, TX    Nov 28, 1997
6. Wierd Al     Spokane, WA   Sept 10, 1996

I'm sure the May 15th BFF five show in Dallas will top them all! 

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

Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 23:41:31 -0700
From: Michael Nardi <"nardim@gvsu.edu"@gvsu.edu>
Subject: favorite concerts

i feel like i should contribute to the favorite concert poll...
1.) BFF - Clutch Cargo, Pontiac MI
2.) Mustard Plug - Kalamazoo MI
3.) H.O.R.D.E. '96 - Pine Knob MI
4.) Rusted Root - Muskegon MI
5.) Paul Simon - '86 i think, Salt Lake City

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 11:39:46 EDT
From: MeandMrRay <MeandMrRay@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Meeting the Boys...

In a message dated 4/30/98 8:41:35 PM Eastern Daylight Time, owner-
armchair@ford.il.fontys.nl writes:

<< Hey everyone! I was wondering how likely it would be that the band would
hang
 around after the show to, say, take some pictures with their devoted fans?? I
 am going to the May 9th show at the Palladium and I REALLY want to meet them!
 I went to one really small show at a restaurant in Burbank, CA, and we were
 supposed to meet them afterwards, but the show ran over and they had to catch
 a plane.  I was just wondering if they usually stuck around afterwards.
 Thanks a bunch!! >>

I think the best way to get to the band after the show is with whiskey. I know
what your thinking: "Come on, good wholesome boys like these are big whiskey
drinkers?".  Yes, they are ... and they can become quite mean if you don't
bring enough.  Last time I saw them I showed up backstage with a couple quarts
of "Wild Turkey" and a bottle of "Jack Daniel's" for Darren (He's an old
fashion type).  Lets just say, when I broke out the shot glasses, Ben Laughed
at me. He said: "Put away those sissy shot glasses, and give me that bottle!".
He then proceeded to chug the bottle, while flashing the sign of the devil
with his free hand (you know, its that thing the rockers do at your favorite
metal concerts).  And get this: when I tried to get a little sip for my self,
Robert pushed me and said: "Back off city boy, this ain't the love boat!"  I
have no idea what that means either...  Robert is a little off his rocker...
Anyway, the boys proceeded to polish off the bottles, belched loudly,
exchanged hi-fives, and booted my ass out the door.  That's when the beautiful
women in Bikini's were showing up...  I wish I coulda stayed and saw what
happened...  Still, It was the best day of my life! I'll know next to bring
more booze, and keep an eye on Darren the whole time.... He's real big on the
sucker punches...

Greg.

Ps...  I taped the whole thing, And Its high quality....  Come on Michigan
Joe, you know you want a copy...

(Oh yeah, The disclaimer: "The above was my idea of a joke, albeit a bad one.
The incidents that occurred in the above text are purely fictional.  Any
similarities to actually people, events, or similar situations are
coincidental ... except the part about Joe wanting a copy ... he really would
... he's nuts!)

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 12:49:45 -0500
From: rcc35060@cmsu2.cmsu.edu (rebehka-christine-chrissy-meg-cramer)
Subject: WHAT THE HELL?! 

>Date: Thu, 30 Apr 1998 11:32:07 EDT
>From: Rod Henry <RodHenry@aol.com>
>Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #967
>
>, In Armchair #967, Michigan Joe wrote:
>
><< Great.....I think I'm actually a little ashamed that some BF5 fans got
> organized and actually spent energy so we could bring swear words to the
> masses. Stupid song should never have been released as a single anyway...
>
>I'm glad to hear somebody say this. I've been a big fan of BFF since the first
>album, and think that the majority of their lyrics are some of the most
>incredible I've ever heard. That's why I'm disappointed to hear so much
>attention attributed to a song that makes the writer sound like a petty,
>bitter, and vindictive jerk. There must be female BFF fans out there who have
>had ex-boyfriends verbally abuse them in this fashion. I wonder how much they
>like the song.
>If "Song For The Dumped" becomes a big hit, I'm not looking forward to future
>BFF concerts. My guess is that the type of person who would buy a ticket just
>because they heard that song on the radio and liked it, may not have the
>intelligence or patience to appreciate a song like "Selfless, Cold and
>Composed" or "Evaporated".


what? i cannot BELIEVE that you would say this! have you never been
impulsively angry in  your life? have you never been suddenly hurt?  what
is the deal with this? i think that this is a very good song and it shows
the other side of people and their natural instinct to defend their ego
with whatever they can. true it may not be pretty, but its real.

you are entitiled to your opinion and all, but...man. i dissagree.

oh and by the way i am female and unfortuntely i can say that i have seen
it and done it and its just human nature.  its a defense.  you have to pick
your heart up off the floor somehow and if you are swinging at the person
who threw there it is an instinct.  not a great one but an instinct.

and here we go again with the 'they werent there all along so they arent as
smart as us' rant.  if sftd brings more love to bff, then im all for it.
true some of them may not 'get it' but who cares?  you appreciate the
music, it means something to you, so what if you are a bit annoyed by the
fact that you cant get front row at the concerts anymore?! just because
they may not have heard of bff before does not make them stupid.

okay. deeeeeep breath.

no hate mail please.

hmmmmmmmmmm.  here we go again.

"ill send my best, cause god knows youve seen my worst"

this is my story both humble and true, take it to pieces and mend it with glue.

everyones favorite chrissy (the silly old bananafish)


                     *****************************************
"long ago," he said,  "long ago, there was something in me, but now that
thing is gone. now that thing is gone, that thing is gone.  i cannot try.
i cannot care.  that thing will come back no more."
- -dexter green from 'winter dreams' by f. scott fitzgerald

'new music scares and confuses me.  music is none of my business.'
- -marge simpson
                    ******************************************

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 14:04:03 -0400 (EDT)
From: rymann@sas.upenn.edu (Ryan Mann)
Subject: dat trades?

I'm trying to get my bff dat collection going, so if anyone out there 
wants to trade for a clone of February 21st in Philly, let me know soon.  
No requests for analog, please.

Ryan
rymann@sas.upenn.edu

- -- 
v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

	"If I had it in me to stop my random thoughts and dumb dreams
         I could deal with this nonstop spinning world.  But I'd rather
         sit back and just smoke cigarettes, be the one with the loudest
         mouth, be the most closed minded that I could get..."

                                                Less than Jake
                                                "sugar in your gas tank"     

v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^v^

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

Date: Fri,  1 May 98 15:48:10 EDT
From: mscott <mscott@stny.lrun.com>
Subject: Re: PUHLEEZ

>Great.....I think I'm actually a little ashamed that some BF5 fans got
>organized and actually spent energy so we could bring swear words to the
>masses.

hear, hear!  what kind of goal is that?

and, my 5 fave bands/artists (beside BF5):
Fiona Apple
Lisa Loeb
Des'ree
No Doubt
Dave Matthews Band
Radiohead (tho depressing)

oops, that's 6 oh well
michele

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 17:04:39 -0400
From: "Beckmann" <Beckmanns@erinet.com>
Subject: Song for the Dumped

Hey I just called a local radio station, 103.9 the X in Dayton, Ohio, and I
asked the DJ if he had Song for the Dumped on their playlist (I don't
listen to the reg. station often, usually I just listen to the college
station, or the high school's station).  He said that they did, and I asked
if they bleeped out the words on the song.  He said that thay had to, and
that it wasn't a matter of if they did or didn't, that they just played the
edited version that the record company had sent them.  I'm guessing that is
the same reason other radio stations have played an edited version, so
don't get too upset about it.  It really shouldn't have been a single
anyway, I think Kate would make an excellent single, but oh well, nothing
you can do about it now.  I agree with the guy that commented on if Song
for the Dumped became really big and there were fans who liked them only
because of that song, because they would have a real hard time appriciating
songs like Selfless, Cold, and Composed.  I just hope that doesn't happen. 
I'll be at the May 19th show in Cincinnati if anyone is interested in
meeting somewhere, you can E-mail me.  I won't drag this on any longer
so... Bye.     
- --Jill

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 17:20:33 EDT
From: LC54992 <LC54992@aol.com>
Subject: couple of things...

hey there....just was reading the armchair...wanted to respond to a couple of
questions....
  PAUL...you wanted to know where to get the kate video....you can download it
at the Ben Folds Five website....i have it downloaded if you have trouble with
the site...email me at LC54992@aol.com if you want me to send it to you. 

CAIT...you asked where to get a list of media appearances...that can also be
found on the BFF website....
    that's all for me...later!
                            Robin

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

Date: Fri, 1 May 1998 16:22:56 -0500 (CDT)
From: Skip Allums <mallums@tiger.lsu.edu>
Subject: LOUISIANA ARMCHAIR-ITES!

 howdy all!

 BFF will be at the New Orleans House of Blues on Cinco de Mayo (i'm
hoping for another lively-salsa intro to julianne!).
i was wondering if any other Louisiana people from the Armchair are
gonna be there (besides me and Rose).  ;D

 email me and maybe we can all meet somewhere before the show
(doors open at SIX!) 

thats what i like about these early-startin, all ages shows... ev'ryone
gets home in time fer Seinfeld...



Skip Allums...
mallums@tiger.lsu.edu                        www.collegeclub.com/~skeep1

  "I soiled my armor I was so scared!" - Sir Robin, Monty Python's Holy Grail
  "A thingy! A fiendish thingy!" -George Harrison, Help! (the movie)                  

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

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #970
**************************************


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