THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #136 - September 2, 1996
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #136
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Topics for Today:
Punk Rock For Sissies: Further explorations
Uncle Walter and John S: Why MTV plays snippets
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #135
Another Recruit
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #130
PoBF5
Tenuous Connections
MTV Sighting
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Date: Thu, 29 Aug 1996 03:21:28 -0400
From: Rahoolio@aol.com
Subject: Punk Rock For Sissies: Further explorations
I don't expect this to set of the firestorm of genuflection that the mere
mention of Jellyfish once did, but I'd feel remiss in my duties as a BF5 fan
if I didn't make mention of another piece of clever, catchy, and joyfully
nerdy product out there that Armchair subscribers might appreciate. There's
this guy named Dylan Hicks, whose debut album "Won" features winsome tunes
like "I Just Want You To Like Me," "You Make a Much Better Door," and "Don't
Worry (Everything Will Turn Out Bad)" in a rollicking grab-bag of styles
ranging from loungy to folky to mock-Springsteenesque. I don't know how easy
it would be to find in your average store--not very, I suspect--but I think
most indie stores worth their salt probably received at least a promo copy.
(Mine did.) Bug the clerk to dig it up, listen to it, and maybe you'll want
to order one of your own. Hey, it's gotten ME through these long months
waiting for Ben's major-label debut. Anyway, I'd better go before y'all
start wondering if maybe I'M Dylan Hicks...well, I'm not. I'm Tori Amos...
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Date: Thu, 29 Aug 1996 08:26:49 -0800
From: JGRIFFITH@JUNGLE.POMONA.EDU
Subject: Uncle Walter and John S: Why MTV plays snippets
Hi everybody!
This is my first post to the Magical Arm Chair (but not similar
groups...I was an old grandfather on the early Blues Traveler and
Dave Matthews lists...)
I wanted to write back because what someone said about MTV. The
reason that cool music gets played in the MTV seque background at all
is because some shirt at MTV likes BFF and suggests/insists that it
get played. Often times it results in that band becoming a buzz
clip. Not always of course, but sometimes. Bands that currently get
played a lot in transition (or at least occassionally) include Self,
The Wrens, BFF, etc...
So it really isnt the brilliance of MTV that gets music we like on
the air, but ratherthe subversive insistence of a few interns, etc.
A good story eh? Guerilla warfare at MTV makes things interesting.
A little personal note/plug. I am a dean of admissons at Pomona
College in LA (which means yes I dont get to see BFF all that often).
I am also executive editor of an online music magazine called Jam!
I am hoping to have a album review of the most recent album and
interview with BF in the October issue.... If anyone has suggestions
for questions please let me know!
Thanks,
--JT Griffith
p.s. The address for the magazine is WWW.Jam-online.com
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Date: Thu, 29 Aug 1996 12:40:03 -0400
From: ZDarrah106@aol.com
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #135
I hope they dont play BFF on MTV...they ruined enough bands with their petty
production methods...they have the tendency to label bands in their own
little way and it ends up the complete opposite of what the band and the fans
expect from the wholeness and true nature of music...people, kill your
television...it's a mindless distraction...sorry for venting...zach
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Date: Fri, 30 Aug 1996 09:35:18 -0400
From: DMedsker@aol.com
Subject: Another Recruit
Just a quick note. I run a tape chain in the Trash Can Sinatras list, and
this is what one of the members had to say about my tape:
>>I liked your tape a lot. I have to say that it's not the usual stuff I
listen to. A bit more...rhythmic than I like. I have, however, noticed
that it makes EXCELLENT driving music. The tape has been in my car the
entire time I've had it. I do really like the Moev tune. I also really
like the ones by Pulp, Ride, Godley and Creme (?), and Ben Folds Five
(this one was particularly cool). <<
I gave him The Last Polka.
Spreading the gospel one person at a time,
David M
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Date: Sat, 31 Aug 1996 13:18:26 -0500
From: DAN FRANKE <deerlick@execpc.com>
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #130
> P.S. As for that "sign of the devil" thing, I don't think that was the right
> words...I don't remember what it's actually called.
I think it is called the sign of the devil...or the international heavy
metal symbol for "You Guys Rock!...dude. (made popular by bands such as
Ozzy's Black Sabath back in the 70's) You make a fist in the air and then
extend your index finger + pinky while pumping your arm to the rockin'
rhythms while blurting out catch phrases like "You Rawk" or "Yeah!".
>
> I have to agree with Robert Kochman's take on hearing BFF do a cover of "Lady
> Madonna." I'd like to hear a very different song
> covered: "ABC" by the Jackson 5.
Two great songs. I'd like to add the Badfinger song "Without You" only
because there has been soooooo many bad covers of this song...BF5 could do
it real justice. Plus they could do a little U2 type intro ..."This next
song Parriah Carrey stole from Badfinger...and now we're gonna steal it back"
Dan
"I was cool in school...Still am...sorry"
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Date: Sat, 31 Aug 1996 13:50:49 -0500
From: DAN FRANKE <deerlick@execpc.com>
Subject: PoBF5
> [Party of Ben Folds Five: I was wondering if anyone would notice!
> Guess we have more than a few Fivers on the list.
>
I too love the show. Now here is my really lame linkage to BF5. The
BoDeans play the theme song for Po5 and Sammy BoDean hangs out @ the same
bar as I do... and my friends The Wooldridge Bros had *two* songs on the
show last season "Star of Desire" + another one that I can't think of the
title right now...because I'm @ work and it's Saturday of Labor Day
weekend...and I don't have a computer @ home...and I can rarely get on this
computer for just the fun of it. Which leads to my appology about repling
to post that are dated by the time I get to them. (ie. The Devil Sign thing
that had already been answered in a later post that I hadn't gotten to yet.)
ps. Wouldn't it be cool if BF5 covered Piano Man? :)
Sorry
Dan
"I was cool in school...but not anymore...sorry"
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Date: Sat, 31 Aug 1996 14:08:27 -0500
From: DAN FRANKE <deerlick@execpc.com>
Subject: Tenuous Connections
> Subject: Tenuous Connections and that other thing
>
> I just wanted to point that this discussion connections is
> somewhat pointless after you realize that Chuck Folds, receives, received
> or at least posts to this list. Now if anyone has closer connections
> than his brother, let us all know...
I thought that the point was who had the *lamest* link to BF5.
> Besides all this I would never bother to watch it because I go to the gigs
of this >one guy, Wally Pleasant every Wednesday night...
I've got three words for you ...V C R
Post-Happy
Dan
"The music that you listen to is the soundtrack for your life"
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Date: Sun, 1 Sep 1996 23:01:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Marc J. Trachtenberg" <mjt7742@is2.NYU.EDU>
Subject: MTV Sighting
Wednesday... 1:15 pm... MTV's Power Play or something like that with
people doing pushups and exercise things... In the background....none
other than a quick piano clip from "Uncle Walter." I remember some kind
of contest, and I'm wondering if I win anything... If not, that's still
cool.
Love,
Marc
==============================================================================
[I'll close the Party of Five discussion, at least until if one or more
of the band members do a guest appearance, with a note I received from
Ken Topolsky, Co-Executive Producer of Party of Five. Ken said:
Sorry but BFF won't appear on the soundtrack. The album was
locked before we used the song. Anyway...
Oh well, there's always Volume II! -fjm]
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And I dragged you up the stairs and I told you to fly