THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #1084 - June 25, 1998



Magical Armchair Digest    Thursday, June 25 1998    Volume 01 : Number 1084



                          THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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   It seems that the off-topic chatter has gone way beyond the
acceptable level. Any discussion that is not related to Ben Folds Five is
not permitted on the Armchair, and this includes replies to other
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   I did not want to have to do this, but I have started unsubscribing
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    Got Media One?
    BeninEW
    kate
    i feel like a quote out of context...
    Re: New "official" bootleg 
    Re: Ben's solo album
    RE:Singles
    Re: My two cents and other Re's and stuff
    fav piano solo
    RE:Next Single
    Responding to Ms. Barbon's question
    LA Live
    weird little thing i noticed...
    Instruments
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1077
    Fave Harmony Closing Date
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1083
    Underground Single
    Muzic.com article
    Re: stand up bass and that nasty little post
    Detroit Show Feb. 16. 1998 @ Clutch Cargo's
    Brick, and a lack of Radioplay

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 20:21:30 EDT
From: Soccer172@aol.com
Subject: Got Media One?

Hey folks~

Anyone who has Media One cable probably saw BF5 on the cover of their cable
guide, Total TV.  I was so pumped when I got home from work, opened the
mailbox, and saw the boys staring me in the face!!  Who would have thought?

Anyways, on the cover, it reads, "Rock's Newest Sensation, Ben Folds Five,
headlines a sizzling summer music preview."  The actual story about them is
not that long, however.  It basically just says that BF5 hates playing for TV
shows because it's impersonal.  No big revelations there.  It does confirm,
however, their ABC July 4th special and the VH-1 show in August 7th.  

I definitely dig their picture on the front, though -- matching Zebra striped
shirts, shiny black pants, and white cowboy boots -- yee ha!

Denise

"When money talks -- I hate to listen.  But lately it's been screaming in my
ear."

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 20:40:08 -0400
From: jaedonely@juno.com
Subject: BeninEW

I really liked Bens picture in EW-is it a new photo session thing? It
looked cool.
Is my friend Liev Schrieber in one of those KIA ads?
~Elisabeth

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 21:50:27 -0400
From: bf5 <bf5@SURRY.NET>
Subject: kate

<<Long before Brick made it big, Kate came out on a single.>>

Thank you Steve...I've tried to say this before, but some people thought I
was making it up.  It did come out, it's even got a video with it.  The
video is hilarious; Ben, Darren, and Robert are laying in bed together
singing.  I wish I had it on tape.

<<you should know it (brick) was written by Darren based on an experience>>
 
huh?  have i missed something?  The chorus was written by Darren, the verses
were written from Ben's experience.  I don't know why I'm even bothering to
argue on this one.  sigh

- -Whitney  =o)

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 22:25:05 EDT
From: SmilesGLH@aol.com
Subject: i feel like a quote out of context...

hello chairers,

i'd just like to say that i have no clue how you can choose the best piano
solo from a ben folds five song. it's just IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!! the man is
amazing, that's all there is to it. i must put a fraction of my vote in for
the solo at the end of philosophy... i love that. but then again there's one
angry dwarf... goodness, i could go on all day! oh, there was some girl that
wrote like two letters ago that said that she's liked bff for 3 months or
whatever...well i'd just like to say sorry hun but you're gonna have to go
through me if you think you're gonna marry ben...what can i say? i'm not
trying to be mean, just setting things straight b4 there's trouble. if ben
read this stuff he'd probably be scared to death...if you're reading ben i'm
sorry, kay? well, i'm tired so i'll talk to yuns guys later kay! 

bubye,
:) gretchen

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 19:26:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: punx@psnw.com
Subject: Re: New "official" bootleg 

>	Has anyone heard anything of the new bootleg called Schroeder's Last 
>Night?  It is of one of the Philly concerts in February.  I have not 
>seen it or heard it yet - I only saw it offered as a "pre-order" item in 
>a local bootleg store.  Anyone know anything??

I pre-ordered it. I probably won't get it for a month or so but I'll post
the info on my website when I do get a hold of it.  I started a little CD
bootleg discography even though there's only two out not counting
Schroeder's Last Night.  if anyone cares for info on Domo or Live from
Underground, they can go to www.psnw.com/~punx/ed

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 19:56:42 -0700
From: Brian Chan <gokou@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Ben's solo album

At 02:09 AM 6/24/98 +0200, you wrote:

>IT IS VERY REAL. It's called "Fear of Pop". He's been working on it for a
>WHILE now. I spoke to his brother, Chuck about it today. He's already heard
>most of it. It's not at all what you guys would expect. He said that it's
VERY
>experimental. He said the only thing he could think of to compare it to was
>The Propellerheads. Although he said that wasn't even a great comparison. He
>particularly likes it b/c it reminds of him of the kind  of stuff Ben used to
>screw around with when he was like 15. Another interesting note. For the
>voiceover stuff...he's getting Mr. WIlliam Shatner! I for some reason find
>that DAMN amusing. No official word when it'll be released. But he's
>definitely gonna work on it this summer. He hasn't met with Caleb on it in
>some time now. But to answer all those questions..YES Ben's doing a solo
album
>and NO he's not quitting the band. It's just a little side experiment. Hope
>this clears everything.

Woah.  William Shatner.  Heh, this should be cool.  By the way, I listen to
very little electronica (I don't like most of it), but the Propellerheads
are really great.  I'm not even sure if they should be classified in that
genre at all.  Well, if it's anything like the Propellerheads' CD
"Decksanddrumsandrockandroll" then that couldn't be a bad thing.  Plus,
it's from Ben.  (Where could he go wrong, heh?)  Anyway, thanks for the
info and clarification.

On an unrelated note, the question was brought about other bands that BFF
fans like from that list of bands (forgot the post)...well I think
Pavement's really cool.  

Brian Chan

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 23:03:17 EDT
From: TarintinoQ@aol.com
Subject: RE:Singles

I heard that they are going to release KATE which is probably my favorite song
on the album.Maybe they wont realease it because of the divorce but whatever


mcgregor

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 23:09:00 EDT
From: Pianogtar@aol.com
Subject: Re: My two cents and other Re's and stuff

I will admit that that Summer Sounds was an awesome show, I went both days and
had a good time. Squirrel Nut Zippers, SCOTS, Cowboy Mouth, Spacehog, and Live
gave some really good performances. That and the fact that their were very few
teeny-bopper or redneck crowd surfers (like music midtown) or Too many people
overcrowding everything (like music midtown) made it a very good show.  Also I
noticed a post about song for the dumped on M2 I thought it was cool to see it
and 2 skinnie J's Riot Nrrdd back to back on M2 oh and before I forget to tell
you it is channel 265 not 256 that M2 is (though you probably sent it at a
typo.  And before I forget David Holmes is now a regular vj on M2 so if you
don't have M2 call up your cable operator.

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 23:09:41 EDT
From: TarintinoQ@aol.com
Subject: fav piano solo

Hola me amigo's,

             Well I'll give my $.02 on the piano solo thing and I believe that
Philosophy
             has the best solo. At the end of the song.I think its so genious
and fast and 
             kick ass




mcgregor

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

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998 23:16:08 EDT
From: TarintinoQ@aol.com
Subject: RE:Next Single

<<<<Whoever it is that said Kate should be the next single and then went on to
say that 
those who listen to BFF just because of Brick kinda contradicted him/her self.
You 
see, long before Brick made it big, Kate came out on a single. It may have
even been 
the second single after BoWCCL came out last summer. Therefore you must've
started 
listening somewhere in between.

Adios,
Steve>>>>

Steve,
       we all no that they realeased Kate back in the day but you can always
re-release singles squirrel nut zippers have done it. But thats the word on
the street that they are releaseing KATE again infact i have heard it a couple
of times on the radio!!

mcgregor

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 00:10:28 EDT
From: DmBweiL@aol.com
Subject: Responding to Ms. Barbon's question

I heard once that the way that they got the name Ben Folds Five that it was
just a standing name until they thought of something better, but nothing
better did come.  i am not sure on this though.  I also have heard once that
Ben Folds, the lead singer, started the band with 4 others--but i think that
is just a rumor.   Andrea

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 00:30:20 -0400
From: "Leigh Nelson" <leigh13@mindless.com>
Subject: LA Live

I don't think I saw this posted yet, but if it was, forgive me.  I stopped
by the LA Live web site today (http://www.lalive.com) and they have an
interview with Ben recorded before the cybercast from L.A.  There's some
good stuff, like my new favorite quote from Ben:

"People say [The Magical Armchair] is getting to be a pain in the butt." -
Ben Folds

That's not quoted verbatim, because I last listened to it about 12 hours
ago.  But I thought he put it rather accurately. :-)

- - Leigh 13

p.s. Favorite instrumental break has to be Where's Summer B? (2:30 - 2:59).
Awesome!
==============================================================
Leigh13@mindless.com aol:thirteen2k http://www.easysoft-usa.com/13
"Kick, Punch, Block, I got the funky flow / M. I. X. the flour in the
bowl!" - PaRappa
==============================================================

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 01:53:17 EDT
From: Shnib10@aol.com
Subject: weird little thing i noticed...

my friend linda and i were watching the late 80s movie "troop beverly hills"
today, long story....anyhow there was a scene that was kinda sad, if you're
interested in which one the one where the dad takes his new girlfriend to the
cubs game i think, anyhow they play this piano music and linda and i look at
eachother and scream "BOXING"  it sounded just like the beginning to boxing,
well thats all i have to say

love,sarah

"this ones a real stadium rocker, its called Selfless, Cold and Composed"

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 10:57:32 +0100
From: Toby Jenkins <toby@hereford.ac.uk>
Subject: Instruments

Hey there!
Does anybody know what make of instruments the five use? eg: Yamaha
Pianos (?) etc
mail me 
thankx :)
toby-boy
<<  she plays wipeout on the drums  >>
					(Ben Folds Five)

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 07:59:03 -0400
From: Allison Stombaugh <alsst37@imap.pitt.edu>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1077

Leigh,

If you really want that Brick import I would suggest checking out CD world (www.cdworld.com). That's where I ordered
mine. They have all the BFF CDs and they aren't that expensive. Hope the info helps.

Allison


>    ------------------------------
>   I was wondering if anyone had an
> extra copy of the "Brick" import featuring "She Don't Use Jelly"?  I
> don't have that many things on tape to trade, so I'll pay good money.
> Thanks,
>
> Leigh
>

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 13:29:55 +0000
From: "del" <prs14097-001@popmail.prestel.co.uk>
Subject: Fave Harmony Closing Date

Thanks to everyone who has voted so far their favourite harmony. I 
have roughly 30 votes.  At the moment it's a close run thing between 
"Eddie Walker" and "Missing the War". If you still want to vote 
either shout it in your post "MY FAVOURITE HARMONY IS" (It's easier 
for me to spot it) or  send it to 

faveharmony@bloomfieldsup.prestel.co.uk

CLOSING DATE : Sunday 28th June.

I will post the results Monday 29th.

Del.

P.S           HEY LEESA 
 If you want to find out why BF5 are called BF5 and other stuff  goto 
http://bff.home.ml.org/bff_info.html
or try the  web page listed at the bottom of this digest.

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 09:47:01 -0400
From: Allison Stombaugh <alsst37@imap.pitt.edu>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1083

>
>
>         This question has been bugging me since I first heard of BFF, how did
> they get their name and what does it mean, if anything. If anyone knows
> the answer, please let me know, I have wanting to know forever!!!!
>

Leesa,

This may be wrong but I heard that they said in an interview that they chose the
name "Ben Folds Five"  because it sounded better than "Ben Folds Three" (ya know,
because there are 3 of them). It is a bit confusing. Everyone asks me "Oh, so are
there five of them?"  and then I have to explain that there are only 3 and why
they chose the name. If anyone has heard a different story, let me know.

Allison

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 07:40:40 -0700
From: "Kamp, Marcus S" <Marcus.Kamp@PSS.Boeing.com>
Subject: Underground Single

Many of you have emailed me directly & some have posted asking about the
UK CD Single for Underground.  Well, after compiling a list of 16
patient souls who offered everything from "uh, stuff" to human sacrifice
just for a copy of this most elusive beast, I schlepped into downtown
Seattle--not an easy task what w/all the Real Worlders roaming about,
not sure how to exist in the actual real world--only to find they were
sold out of all but 1 copy & no longer use the distributor from whom the
original shipment came.  So, in short (as opposed to Shorterese--that
most enigmatic of all code languages), you're SOL.  Sorry, kids...thanks
for playing!

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 11:36:46 -0400
From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@clemson.edu>
Subject: Muzic.com article

Folds Fine As Slimy Suit In Zippers' New Vid 
http://duke.muzic.com/cgi-bin/news/7e77ccca-0-0/daily.html/24Jun1998#3

Ben Folds, leader of the critically acclaimed Ben Folds Five, makes a cameo
appearance in the upcoming video by the Squirrel Nut Zippers. "Suits Are
Picking Up the Bill," the first single from the soon-to-be-released album
Perennial Favorite, is a zany take on the band's sudden rise to fame and
how the record industry left its impact on their collective psyche.
Directed by guitarist Tom Maxwell and cohort Norwood Cheek, the clip
features the band executing a daring escape after being trapped by a sleazy
exec played by Folds. Sources on the set say Folds gives a chillingly real
performance as the suit-and-tie-donning record mogul; he may have been
drawing on personal experience since becoming this year's indie darling of
the moment. Appearing alongside Folds is "Marcel," the fussy monkey from
the TV show Friends. Look for the video to air in late July. 
/=---------------- http://www.he-man.org/ctyner/ ----------------=\
             http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/ctyner/
The home of He-Man, "Weird Al", Yoo-hoo, Killer Tomatoes, and more!
   Demented music list admin           O-         MiSTie #67,326

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 11:51:45 EDT
From: Brad654@aol.com
Subject: Re: stand up bass and that nasty little post

In a message dated 98-06-23 20:12:49 EDT, Clayton Smith writes:

>  <<and robert doesn't use his stand up bass in any other song>>
>  
>  Brad: he uses the stand up in Evaporated.
>  

I know he does. I'm a bass player, G. I didn't write that shit, I was only
responding to it.

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 12:20:16 -0400
From: Mike Baltus <merlin@advdata.net>
Subject: Detroit Show Feb. 16. 1998 @ Clutch Cargo's

If anyone has a boot of this show please e-mail me or post about it.  I
would give anything to get my hands on it.  The show was awesome and i
would just like to relive it over and over in my head.  This seems to be
a real rare show so please drop me a line.
Thanks,

- -Mike

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

Date: Wed, 24 Jun 1998 12:24:15 -0400
From: Will Beckley <WBeckley@Mindspring.com>
Subject: Brick, and a lack of Radioplay

I have some theories about Brick and the lack of it and other BFF songs on the
radio these days....

First of all, you have to understand my basis. Chattanooga TN, (Sorryville USA) has
three radio stations that would consider playing Ben Folds Five. The first is the
college radio station. They are like any other college station I've ever heard:
They play great stuff as long as the DJ at the time has the same tastes as you.
I've heard that they play 1AD, SftD, and BoWCCL. The problem here is that the
massive variety of what is played by the various DJs leaves little time for BFF.
The second is "The Mountain." I've heard them play Brick often and BoWCCL 5 times.
They really don't play them very much, and when I requested BFF, they told me that
BFF was outside of their "audience" and that they were only allowed to play them a
certain number of times per day and that those times had been exhausted. The third
station is the Trendy station that plays whatever is trendy. They played Brick for
about 3 weeks and played it too often and suddenly they stopped. My sister listens
exclusively to that station, and told me that after they stopped, she requested it.
She was told that they only play music to support the single, and they recently
learned that the Brick Single was an import and cost $12.00 at the local music
store, it was decided that they would stop.

Now this brings up 2 additional points: The first is the 2 types of single buyers.
First, we have the type A people, like me and probably all of you, who buy singles
for the B sides that they contain. Second, we have the type B people, like my
sister, who buy singles for the one song on it, don't listen to the B sides, and
will buy all of that group's singles if they like the songs, but never the whole
album. If they ever do buy the whole album, they listen only to the songs that had
singles anyway. Which kind are you?

The second point is this: hy doesn't BFF release singles in the United States?

Well thats just my report on the Radioplay thing. Tell me what you think, or how it
is in your area.

Wiyum
WBeckley@Mindspring.com

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

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1084
***************************************


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