Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #102 - June 19, 1996
Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #102
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Topics for Today:
Relief.....
Rolling Stone review
Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #100
Re: (Every Night Is) Geezer Lake's Last...
Re: BF5 and jellyfish
sticker idear.
recordings
A little upset
UK Singles
ugh. covers.
Underground Cover
ben folds on space ghost: coast to coast
Re: BFF @ SXSW
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Date: Sat, 15 Jun 1996 23:52:36 +0100 (BST)
From: D W Logan <bs5dwl@bath.ac.uk>
Subject: Relief.....
Hiya,
I was most relieved to find that the release of Where's Summer B has been
posponed 'cause i have spent the last week running around every bloody
shop in Bath looking for it. I reckon a trip in early on Monday could be
in order.
I think the sticker idea isn't bad, but how about something more subtle
such as colour co-ordinated clothes or something?
Finally, if i may be permitted to stary from BFF for just a second, could
i thank all the people who emailed me privately concerning Barenaked
Ladies. I went out and bought Gordon today and you were all absolutely
coorect they are very good indeed. Once again, Thanks.
Darren
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 13:06:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: Devon Copley <copley-devon@CS.YALE.EDU>
Subject: Rolling Stone review
Haven't been able to dig up the review, but as I recall, the reviewer
started out with a paragraph talking about how while the cool kids in
school played guitar, the geeks learned piano -- totally ignoring the
fact that Ben started out as a *drummer*...
In any case, after dissing on piano players a little more, the reviewer
finally got around to mentioning (in the final paragraph) that the album
was "perhaps the debut of the year..."
I think it was in the issue with the half-naked actress on the cover --
oops, I guess that describes *every* issue of RS.
Anyway, has anyone heard this German bootleg, "Ben Folds Live"? I just
ordered it and I'm curious as to whether it'll be worth my $30.
Lots of thanks to Frank for running this thing.
Devon
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Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 17:09:11 -0400
From: Gollipol@aol.com
Subject: Re: Ben Folds Five Digest, Issue #100
In a message dated 96-06-14 16:43:44 EDT, you write:
>what groups influenced BFF and Jellyfish? Any suggestions?
>
>
A Jellyfish fan here. I have heard that Jellyfish once sang all of XTC's
"Big Express" to a interviewer once. That's the reason I bought my first
Jellyfish album. I've heard Ben say that he was influenced by Carole King.
Also a little Gershwin I would imagine. Maybe Ben is an XTC fan also?
just thinkin'
pop girl '
64
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 21:00:19 -0400
From: Rahoolio@aol.com
Subject: Re: (Every Night Is) Geezer Lake's Last...
My girlfriend and I were in Pittsburgh Thursday, seeing BF5 for the third
time, and it never gets old. (Sorry you couldn't make it, Mr. Fail; damn
those liquor laws.)
It was the last night in the opening slot for Geezer Lake. The first
minute or so, I thought they were gonna be kinda like the Feelies, but they
soon developed their very own deeply textured, screamin', evil-nerd
thing...and I still don't know whether I liked 'em.
Ben still opens with Liz Phair's "Chopsticks," and the other covers were
again "Video Killed..." and "Hava Nagilah." Ben also used some guy's
portable recorder to sample the crowd doing backup vocals for a song for the
next record. If it makes the cut, you'll know that was us...
Robert was cranky about his monitor, and there were a few other technical
problems. In fact, Ben kept a running list of "Things We've Learned":
1) "Pianos break." (The club was upstairs, so Ben used their piano
rather than dragging his up. He then proceeded to stomp one of the pedals
right off.)
2) "Speakers blow."
3) "Hooters break." (He was referring, fortunately, to his ailing
melodica.)
4) "Piano players are stupid." (He admitted this after losing count of
the Things We'd Learned.")
Good show, in short, despite the distractions. I guess it's off to
Lollapalooza for the boys now, and if list subscribers are loath to spend $40
to see the band, please be advised that some other interesting bands are
playing the second stage--including (last I heard) Satchel and Cornershop.
That is, if you're into that sort of thing...
Funny all the Jellyfish references started popping up around the same
time someone suggested BF5 cover Supertramp's "Logical Song." I always
thought it was cute the way Jellyfish's "New Mistake" cribbed certain
elements of the Supertramp hit's arrangement. Anyone else catch that? I'm
also surprised to find so many Tori Amos fans on the list; I guess it's the
piano connection. IMHO, Ben's appeal lies largely in his smartass lyrics and
monster hooks, neither of which typify Tori's delicate, personal style.
(Please don't stone me, Tori fans; I can't help what sets off my BS
detector!)
One mo' thing, regarding influences: About 15 years ago there was a band
called Black Randy and the Metrosquad; they were from San Francisco, I think,
but they had the British pub-rock attitude. They were clever, terse, snotty,
and piano-driven--AND they covered the theme from "Shaft!" I believe their
album was recently reissued on the Sympathy For The Record Industry label, if
anyone's interested. AND, if there are any Too Much Joy fans out there,
Black Randy's "I Tell Lies Every Day" is remarkably similar to TMJ's cover of
LL Cool J's "That's A Lie."
Best wishes to all,
Rahoolio
"I can't come to work today; I've got eye trouble. I just can't see
comin' in."--Black Randy
[To the list should be added: No matter how much you soundcheck,
something always goes wrong: loose mic, messed-up foldback, etc. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Sun, 16 Jun 1996 23:38:14 -0400
From: Kymberleyh@aol.com
Subject: Re: BF5 and jellyfish
In a message dated 96-06-14 16:43:46 EDT, you write:
> my friend and I spoke with Ben between his set and Barenaked
> Ladies' set. Being big Jellyfish fans, we asked him if he listened to
> Jellyfish. He said he hadn't heard them, but people had told him that they
> are similar in style and that they were probably both influenced by the
> same groups.
> So what groups influenced BFF and Jellyfish? Any suggestions?
First of all--how lucky could you be? BF5 and Barenaked in one night????
talk about super overload of super great live acts!! all you needed to top
it off was El Vez!
Second of all--jellyfish's influences--the beatles, the beach boys, and queen
are obvious examples i think. possibly some t rex and gary glitter (though
those are obvious mostly in imperial drag)
Kym
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 01:04:32 -0400 (EDT)
From: "DAVID A. MEYERSON" <davidmey@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu>
Subject: sticker idear.
> you shouldn't need worry about the future of the band. Sony has enough
> clout to get heavy rotation of whatever they want, so Ben Folds Five will be
> supah huge one day.
that kinda irks me in a spooky kinda way.
> After BFF played the Hard Rock Cafe out here in Newport Beach last
> December, my friend and I spoke with Ben between his set and Barenaked
> Ladies' set.
NEIN!!! lucky so-and-so. BFF and BNL. argh. and i was just at the HRC in
D.C. and i didn't see no BFF or BNL
> > we get those "hello" stickers and write underneath the hello:
> > "I'M ON THE MAILING LIST, FOOL"
>
> I read this, and a little sinister grin came over my face when
> I pictured all of us walking around concerts with stickers
> that say "hello my name is...FRANK" ...Then I thought, let's
> not harass the man who so generously provides us with a BF5
> lifeline.
i get sinister little grins all the time. but usually they're all about
my plans for world domination with processed cheese spread.
> > * What exactly was the rating that they received in Rolling Stone?
> [They called it "the debut album of the year" or something like that.
that's exactly what rolling stone called it and for the first time in my
life, i actually agree with that trash driven mag that isn't much better
than rip or spin.
> "I'M ON THE MAILING LIST, FOOL" woud be good,
> unless they would happen to read:
> HELLO MY NAME is
> I'M ON THE MAILING LIST, FOOL
which is why my contingency plan was only for those "HELLO" stickers. but
if you can't find those, then write "Alice" (if you're a girl) and
"Childress" (if you're a boy).
aren't i just the idea machine.
> We have seen this list reach issue #100 and an increase in
> membership to beyond 500 devoted fans. All wonderful! I just want to take
> the time to thank Frank on behalf of all of us (if I may be allowed to
> speak for all of us...) But just who is Frank Maynard??? Who is this
> man who makes our fandom just a bit kooler and stuff??? I guess it
> doesn't matter. What is important is that he does this. Alright, so I
> guess I'm not so much a spokesman but who cares......thanks Frank!!!
amen. but my curiosity about the man behind the list has also peaked. i
think there should be a "Frank Maynard FAQ" to explain all.
> [Well, we made it to 100. Thanks to everyone for participating and
> making this little group so successful. -fjm]
you're welcome. it's been our pleasure.
may the force be with us for the next 100
daniel
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 08:22:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: John F Caccamese <jfcst14+@pitt.edu>
Subject: recordings
i recently saw ben folds in pittsburgh(6/13/96). they played three or
four songs that weren't on their album, and i can't remember their
names. i know that two of them are on soundtracks("mr. wrong" and "the
truth about cats and dogs," neither of which ben recommended buying in
their entirety), one was a cover of "video killed the radio star," one
was a liz phair cover, and the other one was about a guy named
"stephen." i'd like to get copies of these and anything else out there
if anyone has any recordings. e-mail me and i'll send you a tape. as far
as trades go, i don't know if i have anything worth trading. by the way,
the show was outstanding! i can't remember ever hearing a better new band.
we talked to ben a little during the show, and he said that they'd be working
on a new album in september. until then, they'll see us at lollapalooza.
cac
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 11:07:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: Marge Bouvier <mjt7742@is2.NYU.EDU>
Subject: A little upset
Hi,
I think that the excuse "we were sick of touring" is not a good one.
That's what the club in Providence (at which the trio was supposed to
play) told me when I asked about the show on the 15th. I don't know
whether that's the real reason or not, but if it is I am truly
disappointed in a band that I was so excited to see perform live. Maybe
one of them was sick or something like that... But cancelling a date
because you're sick of touring? I just don't know...
Love,
Marc
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 12:11:56 -0500 (EST)
From: jpinkos@lakers.lssu.edu
Subject: UK Singles
Can anyone in the UK get me copies of 'Uncle Walter' and 'Where's
Summer B?' singles. I'll buy or trade. Whatever you want. Let me know
at jpinkos@lakers.lssu.edu. Thanks-Jared Pinkos
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 1996 15:46:49 -0400
From: J <jraab@itsmail1.hamilton.edu>
Subject: ugh. covers.
I know that the covers dialogue is getting a little old, but I guess I just
want to throw my 2 cents around. =)
Any Replacements cover would be pretty excellent, especially "The Last".
Good call on that one. As far as Joe Jackson goes, I don't really hear as
much of a connection as others seem to. JJ just never sounds as happy as
Ben does. But a Joe Jackson cover, now THAT could be the bees knees. How
about "I'm the Man"? I think it would rock.
periodically,
J
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 13:32:43 -0500 (EST)
From: jpinkos@lakers.lssu.edu
Subject: Underground Cover
Did anyone else notice that the cover of the 'Underground' single
is the same picture used in a CMJ(and probably other mags) print ad back
in August? The picture is of Darren doing a flying elbow drop on Ben's
baby grand. Also, I think the button someone mentioned last issue is
also used in the ad(round and black w/ a white piano). I never sent my
card in from the CD cover, but I did send an email and a postal letter.
Do you think I'll still get the button?
Jared Pinkos
"Who's got everything...?"
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 13:00:36 -0500 (CDT)
From: stephanie j nahas <nahas@rci.ripco.com>
Subject: ben folds on space ghost: coast to coast
ben is appearing in a rather odd (even by scg2c standards) episode of
space ghost: coast to coast this week. keep your eyes peeled -- he's
sure to flash by real quick. 23 guests inside of 15 minutes or less.
the episode airs on the cartoon network at 9 pm wednesday, 11 pm friday,
and midnight saturday. (all times eastern.)
and if you're not already a regular viewer, become one! you'll be glad
you did.
[I saw the list of all the guests but didn't pick out Ben's name.
I'll have to look again! -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 18 Jun 1996 20:59:44 -0400
From: DEERLICK@aol.com
Subject: Re: BFF @ SXSW
This may be old news, but I'm new on the net + to the mailing list. I drove
from Milwaukee, WI to the SXSW music conference in Austin TX to see BFF,
20/20 + The Plimsouls in March. BFF were great live! One of their encores
was a song I hadn't heard - I over heard someone say that it was by a band
named Built to Spill. Any info on the song or the band??
[It was probably "Twin Falls". BTS are a band from Idaho that the guys
listen to a lot. They're an indie pop band on the Subpop label and their
music is warm, sensitive and thoughtful. There's a link to the Subpop
artist page on the BFF pages under "More Information." -fjm]
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