THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #1152 - August 2, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Sunday, August 2 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1152
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Wanted!! Home Product Assemblers!!
The meaning of Evaporated
Evaporated. A sappy story
14 year old fans
*sigh* I am so embarassed to ask
fanny packs
actual ChuckTent
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1148
ALL YOU PEOPLE!
(no subject)
Brisbane Show
Sessions at west 54th in Oz/Adelaide show
anyone tape brissie? + film of concerts
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 04:42:23 +0300 (EET DST)
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 22:03:38 -0400
From: Sean Kiely <seank@cybernex.net>
Subject: The meaning of Evaporated
I remember someone posting something a while back about this, but I'll
repeat it because I thought it was a really insightful way of looking at
it. The person wrote that they thought it's sort of a continuation of
Brick. If you listen to it, it's almost the afterthoughts to the loss in
Brick.
sean
"I'm just.... uptight" ...subterranean homesick alien - radiohead
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 22:19:11 EDT
From: BlueJellow@aol.com
Subject: Evaporated. A sappy story
In a message dated 98-07-31 21:22:55 EDT, you write:
<< Does anyone know what "evaporated" is about or at least who he is
referring to?
>>
That is so weird. I actually thought about this for an hour today. I'll show
you what I think.
When Ben was in high school, in some way or another, he was affected by the
abortion. I know he hasn't come out and said that it was HIS girlfriend (or
maybe he did, I really don't pay much attention to that stuff), but in some
way or another, he was involved.
I think most BFF songs ARE about this abortion. Maybe parts, maybe just a
verse or two. And sometimes not at all, but Evaporated I believe is very
similar to Brick.
I mean, the "Oh god, what I have I done" speaks for itself
My favorite line is "I'm sure back home, they'd think I've lost my mind" And
it pertains to the abortion. But I can take this song many personal ways
towards myself. I'm very scared of moving to New York when I graduate. I'm
planning on being an actress. I'm sure back home, they'll think I've lost my
mind. And when I get there, and am not doing so good, I'll be saying to
myself "Oh god, what have I done?"
BFF music helps me through it all.
Evaporated is my favorite song. It brings me to tears when I think about how
brave Ben is. I want to be just like him. I want to be brave enough to
handle something like that. Brave enough to deal with the pain of loss
through music, and sing it to the world. Brave enough to move to New York and
work Off-Broadway and fail. And then move and start over all over again. I
want to be able to do all of this. He helps me be more courageous. And
that's why I love him so much. I know a lot of people really can't fathom how
I love him or to what extent, but it's not in the teenybopper disgusting way.
It's the appreciative way.
And I'll always be grateful
Lucy
*The MISSISSIPPI Yankee*
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 22:56:47 EDT
From: JOECOOL215@aol.com
Subject: 14 year old fans
To the guy who said that said the 14 year old kids with there moms outside who
barely know brick, I wanted to say thats not really true. I am 16 now, and
bought waea when I was 15. Although I had heard of them before, I didn't buy
the album until brick was big. Then they came to Chicago, my hometown, and I
went, just a few days after I bought the CD. I didn;t know much, but after
then I knew I loved BFF. Now I know just about everything and have a ton of
bootlegs and all that, but I loved them just as much when I didn't know
anything, and yes my mom picked us up, how else were we supposed to get home?
I didn't feel like walking 30 miles!!
What can ya do?
Joe
**She's a Brick and I'm...uh..????**
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 20:18:06 PDT
From: "Lauren Talbot" <muffyhead98@hotmail.com>
Subject: *sigh* I am so embarassed to ask
I am so embarassed to ask this, because I haven't been a fan since 1995
and I didn't know there was an album before WAEA, I like Brick,
Armchairers don't like me because I am considered a "new fan", but what
the hell? Who in the hell is Geoff Harvey? And what is the Geoff Harvey
Fan Club? I get pissed off at some of you older fans that want to keep
BF5 your little secret and don't want to share their beauty and music
with anybody else. Just because we don't know every tidbit of info
about BF5 doesn't mean we aren't fans. Please email the answer of my
question to me.
The Website of Who Could Care Less
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Balcony/2078
Lauren Talbot
muffyhead98@hotmail.com or bf5freak@geocities.com
"I see that there is evil and I know that there is good
and the inbetweens I never understood."
~Ben Folds --"Philosophy"
______________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 23:25:57 EDT
From: Vwbugn5890@aol.com
Subject: fanny packs
<<4) When you point out the unrestrained brilliance of "Fanny Packs" to your
friends, they all scratch their heads and wrinkle their brows.>>
props to you for making the top 5 list...i tried to play fanny packs for my
friends and this confused/"what the hell is she listening to" sort of look
comes over their face :)
shan
Got Ben Folds on my radio ~ Counting Crows
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 01:06:23 -0400
From: Jessica Brandt <jbrandt@kent.edu>
Subject: actual ChuckTent
Hey all, the new issue of THE SHRUBBERY is up.
This month I've done an interview with CHUCK FOLDS, and it's pretty funny
if you ask me. There's some BenTent in it.
Also, there's a review of the new BNL album, and a review of Super Furry
Animals "Radiator" album by our own Luke Wilson. Plus, we have a new
feature, called a "Photodrama" which is like a movie, but it's still
pictures instead. The title of this little drama is called "Nude School
Girls" so if you're interested check it out ;)
Plus, there's our regular features- Angry Dan, Uncle Summy, Canadian
Content, some weeeeird stories, a lot of poetry, some other funny colums
(including my review of HORDE) and a tribute to Conan O'Brien's Oldy Olsen
(RIP).
So please check out THE SHRUBBERY, especially if you have enjoyed some of
my recent posts.
With that, i'd like to thank the MA for not only giving us a lot of hits
and fans, but for also giving me an outlet to hone my subtle sarcasm
skills. NI!
Jess
www.theshrubbery.prohosting.com
****************************************************************
I'm not just naked, I'm Naked for Jesus!!!
* --+-Read The Shrubbery-+-- *
http://www.theshrubbery.prohosting.com
--New Every Month- -Humor, News and More--
* Ben Folds Five International Fans Page *
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Backstage/6814/fans.html
--Get a "Ben" Pal- -Now Spans 11 Countries--
****************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 01:15:20 -0400
From: Ben Bradshaw <benshaw@mindspring.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1148
<Really people, I'm getting sick of reading messages just like this 10
times a day. "Oh, Ben Folds FIve is the best! I just bought WEAE and it
rocks!" Shut up! We all know they're good albums! We all know WEAE rocks!
Would we be on this list if we didn't? Why do some chairers feel it is
necessary to tell us when they get WEAE when every other chairer
doubtless has had it for at least a year? I see kids with Bf5 shirts on
every day, and they know almost nothing about the band. Half of these
shirt-wearin'
mom-waiting-outside-the-club-to-pick-you-up-after-the-concert 14 year
olds can barely sing "Brick". And I see enough of this type of ignorance
without trying, I don't need to be on a mailing list that shovels it down
my throat. Don't get me wrong, this list is usually interesting, but the
endless "bff is the best...love, Suzy the 14 year old" posts are really
getting old.>
I just got back from the beach so I'm still trying to catch up on my
armchairs, and I've just gotten to this issue. For some reason this post
irked me just a bit. I think it is great that more people are listening to
BFF, and getting taken up in the music and all that jazz. I know it may
not be the most informational content in these posts, but where else are
these people gonna be able to say stuff like that. I know that after
listening to Evaporated and being touched again just like the first time
I've heard it, I've tried to explain to my friends how much I love BFF.
Unfortunately, I had to stop because I sorta dislike those looks they gave
me.
So what if these "kids" want to express a little joy? It's like a dog that
pisses on the floor everytime it sees you because it's happy to see you.
Sure it may be a pain in the ass, but at least you know there's someone who
could like you that much.
By the way. As I have just graduated from the
mom-waiting-outside-the-club-to-pick-you-up-after-the-concert status, I can
tell you that I hated being that way just as much as you hate the concept
of me being there with my mom waiting outside.
<insert apology for ranting, and "my opinion only" here>
Ben
"I was out by myself in the grave yard, I was doing an interpretive
dane"-They Might Be Giants (That is just about the funniest line I've ever
heard in a song before. However, it appears that I'm the only one that
thinks that)
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 01:42:48 EDT
From: LIBJAD43@aol.com
Subject: ALL YOU PEOPLE!
Ok, I apologize ahead of time for the question that has me perplexed. It may
seem offensive but in reality it's not a bad quesiton. Now, please dont get
offended. Alright, here goes. . . Are there any black (African American) BFF
fans. . . ? There I said it. Now, don't think I'm racist, in fact I have a
thing for black guys. Thing is, I've never seen a black person at a concert
and since I love black guys and I love BFF i thought maybe someone has it all.
Although I've yet to find this person. Please just let me know if they exist
and if you are one I'd love to hear from you. Email at LIBJAD43@aol.com.
Thanks and sorry again to be a little off course. See ya later~.
- -Libbie
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 02:13:42 EDT
From: HndOfChaos@aol.com
Subject: (no subject)
Hello, it's the inevitable "going on vacation request":
I'm going to be on vacation in late August. I'll be passing through Detroit,
Chicago, Buffalo, Toronto, and Cleveland. Anybody got any recommendations for
music stores with BFF singles, rarities, bootlegs, etc.?
~Kathryn
THE STRANGEST THINGS
...a web site which only works if I want it to!...
http://members.xoom.com/HndOfChaos
````````````````````````````````````````
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1998 23:50:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mel <gumbi_s@yahoo.com>
Subject: Brisbane Show
Hey Chairers,
I just thought I'd wait to see some more stuff about the Brisbane show
before I added my bit, but now the time has come, so....
Once we got into the hall with black t-shirt, without camera we tried to
sneak in (damn the electric fence!) we had to sit on the floor for a
while
before Snout played. Having seen Snout before, I was ready for a fair
amount of action, however this was not to be... unfortunately the crowd
just weren't interested, & instead of dancing around & getting into the
music, ppl tended to stand with their arms crossed & looking
critically at
the band who were doing their best... I think Snout were just a little
out
of their element, because with the Superjesus they'd just gone off....
Waiting for the boys to come on stage & talking to the ppl around me
about
the black t-shirt bit (they all seemed rather impressed) got me used
to the
idea that chances are I wouldn't be able to move at all during the show,
but in some ways that was kinda a good thing anyway. When the boys
came on
Fair absolutely went off, & then there was a bit of a break as we
found out
Ben had cut his finger (He told us it was a problem with the piano's
they'd
been renting... the crowd put forward a yell of "HARVEY RENTALS!!!" to
which Ben responded with a grin & unbuttoned his shirt to show us the
Geoff Harvey Fanclub shirt underneath.) We decided that seeing as not
alot
was happening, we'd throw the shirt then, & when it landed just beside
Ben
he looked at the shirt, looked at me & gave me a great smile (ah, that
killer smile.... ANYWAY...) I can't remember the exact order of what
they
played, but it included:
Emaline
Jackson Cannery
Philosophy
Best Imitation
Selfless, cold & composed
Video "Written in high school ... i never thought i'd be playing it
about a
million years later in Australia..."
Julianne
The Last Polka
Steven's last night in town (with melodica, which later got swiped
from the
piano & ended up in bits on the floor, Robert singing chorus )
One Angry Dwarf "For all of you who had the shit kicked outta you in
school"
Underground (no intro, unfortunately)
Battle
Brick
Jamie (security guard.. this really rocked.. Jamie himself was standing
just in front of me, had a bit of a grin when Ben went to ask him his
name,
but then put on a face of divine apathy... he was a crappy actor....)
Tom & Mary
Missing the War
SFTD (mega long drawn out version, including stool toss {brilliantly
done,
from standing on an amp}, Robert with his lead on the palm trick, string
scratching w/ microphone, had the audience singing an entire verse,
where
he took of Geoff Harvey & WORE OUR SHIRT.... oh goddamn)
Evaporated <some complete idiot decided to crowd surf in this song....
no
respect I tell ya!>
There were cameras all over the place, for the sony doco I imagine so
the
show was very lively, the Five appearing to have a bit of a rocking good
time.
After the show the guys came out & Ben thanked me for the shirt & said
it
was really cool, as did Darren (yay!) I got to hug both of them, but
unfortunately had to go before I got to see Robert.
The whole thing was just fantastic, I think I'm still in a daze
~EVERYTHING"S HAPPY!~
Mel/Erin
'girl it's been a long, long time'
==
and i miss you like sleep
there's nothing romantic 'bout the hours i keep
i don't look so sharp
now i've got a heavy heart
_________________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 16:35:38 +0930
From: "Ben Williams" <ben@tne.net.au>
Subject: Sessions at west 54th in Oz/Adelaide show
well, i happened to be up friday night at 1am, and guess what i should
flick over to, but Ben Folds Five on Sessions! WOO-freakin-HOO!!! it was
by pure chance, and i didn't catch all of it. i turned on as they were
doing an interview, then they played smoke and OAD, and i watched the
rest of it up to when beck came on. (i though he was kinda crap, i like
his music but he really annoyed me for some reason. oh well.) what did i
miss?
I feel really sorry for all the aussies who probably missed it, as it
was not advertised at all, and i couldn't tape it. oh well. someone out
there must have taped it.
for my next act: did anyone on list go to the Adelaide show at the
thebarton theatre? i live in adelaide, but i wasn't able to go to the
show (don't ask) and i would love to read a review, set list or anything
about it! and if anyone has a tape of it, i would give my left eye to
get a copy...thanks.
>From Ben.
- -------
Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 01 Aug 1998 08:15:25 GMT
From: "taves -" <taves@hotmail.com>
Subject: anyone tape brissie? + film of concerts
did anyone tape the brisbane show? please email me if you did, or know
of someone who did.
I know the concerts in oz were being filmed for the doco thing, but does
anyone think tapes of the individual concerts would be up for sale at
any point in the future? Coz that would be just the best way to relive
the concert - damn they rocked!
(mind you, I wish I'd seen bff live when they still did intimate gigs -
there's a wonderful extra mission for the fan club! hint! :) -we love
you erik, just teasing!)
also, there seems to be lots of slagging lately - what's with you
people? Be nice! (its probably just the same few, I know..., but still)
i should stop lecturing ('but i don't wanna be a teacher....!')<g>
taves
'I never heard so musical a discord, such sweet thunder.'
(A midsummer night's dream ActIV Sc1 - but it may as well have been from
festival hall on thursday night)
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------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1152
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