THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #180 - February 4, 1997
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #180
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Topics for Today:
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #179
Only me!
The Whole Jellyfish Thing
NME- miserable
Far flung guitars
Q
Re: Snicker and Fade
to zee magikul ahrmchair
PINK ON WHITE WALLS!!
Re: FAQ, info, and other such toys.
Counting Crows and Michigan...
Re: what alice childress means & a ?
NME
Whatever and Ever Amen - hidden track
Re: da postcards
Ben Folds coming to New Orleans
Majosha, etc.
"Break" on the radio
Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #179
hometown news/help wanted
Possible Japanese Import Avail
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 01:59:49 -0500 (EST)
From: FineExampl@aol.com
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #179
TO ALL OF YOU WHO NEED THE JAPANESE VERSION WHY NOT MAKE A FEW PHONE CALLS TO
THOSE OBSCURE RECORD STORES THAT ARE IN EVERY TOWN!! TO PROVE MY POINT, I
AM ORDERING MINE FROM JAPAN TOMORROW!! I FOUND A PLACE THAT IS GOING TO
ORDER IT ON THE CONDITION THAT I MAKE A SMALL DEPOSIT AND MAYBE PAY FOR THE
SHIPPING!!!! USE YOUR HEAD!!!! IF THIS DOESNT WORK, TRY AND MAKE A CALL
TO JAPAN! YA NEVER KNOW!
always,
JOhn Hartman
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 10:54:11 GMT
From: Mark Piper <pipermf@ugs1.ph.bham.ac.uk>
Subject: Only me!
Hello everyone,
Seems like such a long time since I last posted here, but anyway....
Frank mentioned that:
> ....[We don't have an FAQ yet, but the web pages out there are the next best
> thing. -fjm]
Actually (unofficially, granted), we do. Scott Schneider wrote one a while
back, and it can be found on his page at
http://www,globaldialog.com/~echo/bff/
or else on my page, Looks, Brains and Everything:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html
Steve wrote:
>
> Also: "Faffing" is that even a word!?
Oh, most definitely! Talking of which, what happened to Terry and his Pot
Noodles? ("It isn't faffy food!")
John exclaimed:
> thanks so much for the positive response to my little song list! i couldnt
> have done it without the folks who run the Looks, Brains, And Everything web
> page!!! we should all thank them for my list!! they made it!!
>
Aw, shucks, you're too kind >8) No problem (I think...)
Both Brad and Claire said generally the same thing, which was:
>
> What is this postcard, and how do I get one? Is this a mailing list of some
> kind? Have I offended the gods so that Ben doesn't want me to be on this
> mailing list?
Good point. Don't suppose there's any chance that Caroline will have
passed the mailing list to Sony? Does BFF HQ have it's own mailing
list????
Waiting, waiting, waiting....
Mark
------------------------------------------------------------------------
| mfp540@bham.ac.uk | pipermf@phymat.bham.ac.uk |
| Looks, Brains and Everything, the unofficial UK Ben Folds Five site |
| http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html |
| If you haven't found out already, it's gonna blow your minds! |
------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 08:55:46 -0500 (EST)
From: ADuralde@aol.com
Subject: The Whole Jellyfish Thing
When I originally bought the BFF CD, I filled in the little survey flap, and
mentioned that I liked the band because they struck me as "Jellyfish-ish."
"They'll love *that*," snarked my boyfriend, who shares my love of the
Jellies (and of BFF) but thinks that no one else does.
What a relief, then, to learn that there are so many other BFF/JF fans out
there! When I lived in LA I was lucky enough to catch Jellyfish at their
in-store Tower Records appearance, and their concert the following night at
the Palace.
After about a year, however, Ben and Co. still haven't come to Dallas (where
I live now)! I've sprung for the "Mr. Wrong" and "Truth About Cats & Dogs"
CD's for more BFF, but I want them live! And I want "Song for the Dumped" in
Japanese! And I want the new CD! And I want live stuff except that I have
nothing cool to trade for them! and .....
Okay, I've doused myself with some cold water and I'll stop ranting now.
Anyway, I'm really digging this newsletter and look forward to future issues.
(Fave BFF song, if anyone cares: "Where's Summer B?")
Alonso
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 03 Feb 1997 09:08:51 -0500
From: Jon Lax <jon_lax@grey.net>
Subject: NME- miserable
First off NME have been the joke ofg the music industry for years. They
made their name in the late 70's with the rise of punk and have helsd an
upturned nose to music ever since.
British music mags are notorious for being harsh critics for no good
reason.
If it is any consolation Mojo, another British music mag, rated BFF one of
the top 20 albums of the year so NME can have their opinion and...
Jon
[Just thought of something .. Gin Blossoms' most recent album is
called New Miserable Experience. Wonder if they got a bad review and made
up an alternate acronym?? -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 16:20:51 +0000
From: "B.D.WATTS" <tl6304@qmw.ac.uk>
Subject: Far flung guitars
When Ben Folds Five played the Astoria in London last November, Ben
smashed up a guitar on stage and threw it into the crowd. I was the
lucky man who caught the top half of the said guitar and despite an
almighty battle which left my hands bleeding and my ribs bruised
needing hospital attention, I now have half of the guitar they
smashed on stage in my room. Beat that. Im going to see them next
month again, can life get any better than this?
BELIEVE ME, Im not scared of anyone
We could be KINGS, this planet is ours,
Your amigo benjamino
TL6304@qmw.ac.uk
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 16:36:28 +0000
From: "B.D.WATTS" <tl6304@qmw.ac.uk>
Subject: Q
The new copy of Q (uk) has a four page article on Ben Folds Five,
showing them on their tour of Germany taking the piss out of German
news reporters by substituting Robert for the Q reporter- its a must.
your amigo benjamino
tl6304@qmw.ac.uk
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 03 Feb 1997 13:14:59 -0800
From: Visual Purple <lmroger@netside.com>
Subject: Re: Snicker and Fade
I don't know if anyone else'll bite, but here's how I heard of BFF.
Graduation night, I was driving to some party and heard Ben & the others
doing an interview on WUSC, the college radio station. To make a long
story short, the played "Julianne" and I was hooked. I get to the party,
(it was some lame roller-skating thing, kids at my high school drink in
private) and it was LAME! So one of my friends had heard Jump, Little
Children (SC band, they rock) talk about BFF and wanted to go, so we did
and even though Rockafella's, the local "rock club" sucks, it was the
best show I've ever seen, bar none. </sigh> Ever since then, I've been
hopelessly looking on the Internet for when they'll come back to
Columbia, or at least the Carolinas, but alas, no luck yet :( Guess I'll
just have to wear the new CD out.
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 13:41:26 -0600 (CST)
From: Megan Hope Foster <mhfoster@artsci.wustl.edu>
Subject: to zee magikul ahrmchair
hello! i guess it's my turn to chip in. my name is megan and i saw bf5 one
year ago yesterday, at st. louis' side door. it was by far the best show i
saw in '96 (although the blur show 5 days later was a close second). by
the way, most of you probably saw a message from benjy in issue #179. go
to that site and read his interviews. he took some awesome pictures that
night and ben was goofing off especially for his camera. benjy also
published a good review of the show. (hey benjy, i was the one who thought
it was cool that you were wearing the jellyfish shirt.)
anyway, like most of you, i am desperate for any news of release dates as
well as a possible u.s. tour. i have a friend who is going to the
newcastle show over in the u.k., and he promised a full report.
well, thanks for reading!
megan.
mhfoster@artsci.wustl.edu
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 14:57:38 -0500 (EST)
From: Tucker Linda Lorraine <tucker5@server.uwindsor.ca>
Subject: PINK ON WHITE WALLS!!
Heh folks, Canadian crazed fan here with a question. I've heard of a
song BY Ben Folds Five called "Pink on White Walls!!"
Where is this darn song...nobody seems to know about it?!
help!! I've never heard it...just heard OF it hmmmmmmmm.
Also, am wondering why the North American release date is way the heck in
the middle of March when Japan gets in FEb 5th. HMMMM....obviously the
album is finished so why the wait??
not bitter..just curious...I mean how could I possible be ever somewhat
mad at Ben Folds Five,.. eh Shannon? (you rock!!).
bye bye
-Linda Tucker
tucker5@uwindsor.ca
"What means the most takes the most to realize"
-The Grapes of Wrath
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 97 14:16:06 -0600
From: "S. A. Schneider" <echo@msn.globaldialog.com>
Subject: Re: FAQ, info, and other such toys.
>We don't have an FAQ yet, but the web pages out there are the next best
>thing. -fjm
Sure we do, Frank... it just needs to be (heavily) updated...
something I'm trying to get done in my spare time. It's on my
contribution to the world-wide-bff-web, at:
http://www.globaldialog.com/~echo/bff/
Just click on the little "information" button. (BTW people-- I need
your help. Send (echo@globaldialog.com) me your questions, or tidbits of
information, so I'll have more to add to the FAQ and it can get the
decent update it deserves).
Oh yah, I've got concert photographs and a scanned discography
(including promos) at my site, too... so if you're at all inclined...
check it out.
Thank you, please drive through.
--- Scott A. Schneider
echo@msn.globaldialog.com
[Sorry, Scott, I hadn't noticed... I've updated the link on my web
pages with the new URL and mention of the FAQ. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 15:29:12 -0500 (EST)
From: berlinme@student.lansing.cc.mi.us
Subject: Counting Crows and Michigan...
Hi. This is my first time posting anything on here, so if I write
anything in here that's already been covered, PLEASE DO NOT KILL ME! I'm
very sorry.
Okay, about the Counting Crows thing. I am very upset that
the BF5 is not opening up for Counting Crows in Michigan! I would
definately go see them if they were opening, but I'm not sure I'd want to
pay a lot of money to see just Counting Crows. By the way, this has
probably already been established, but during the song "Monkey," Adam
sings the lines "Well, I'm all dressed up no place to go/got Ben Fold on
my radio." I was very happy when I first noticed that was what he was
saying.
One other thing. I see from scrolling through the other posts
that a couple of you are also from Michigan, including Mr. Maynard
himself. Okay, here's my question. Is anyone else familiar with Pots and
Pans, the band Ben was in back in the late 80's? On the album "Shut Up
and Listen to Majosha (does anyone know if this is their only album?),
there's a song called "Kalamazoo." Could this be Kalamazoo, Mi? Did Ben
live there at one point in his life? Am I on crack? Can anyone give me
soem insight on this? It would be much appreciated!
Melanie Berlin
berlinme@student.lansing.cc.mi.us
P.s. Yeah, I think they should play at the 7th House, too. That would
whup the llama's ass.
[Of course it's the one in Michigan... there is only one Kalamazoo in
the whole world. Actually, Ben lived in the Traverse City area for a few
months and probably passed through K'zoo at some point. I really like
that song too. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 13:07:22 -0800
From: bakerbunch@sprynet.com
Subject: Re: what alice childress means & a ?
Hi all!
Ok.. someone asked what Alice Childress was about. Well, Alice Childress is a
prominant contempary writer. I personally have never read any of her works, but
I hope to as soon as I am done with my musical production! I don't know if this
writer is who the song is about, you never know with Ben! Soo, that is my
answer.
I just wanted to ask (Sorry , I know I am being repetive, but.) WHEN ARE BF5
COMING TO THE EAST COAST? ARE THEY? IF NOT I WILL CRY & CRY & CRY.............
chrissy
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 03 Feb 1997 17:15:07 -0500
From: Jon Lax <jon_lax@grey.net>
Subject: NME
NME hasn't given anything a good review unless the band name is Oasis,
Blur, Pulp or the Stone Roses. Its a good thing that Mojo, another British
music mag, rated Ben Folds Five one of the top 20 albums of 1996.
Jon
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 18:28:14 -0500
From: Pat_Meusel@Sonymusic.Com
Subject: Whatever and Ever Amen - hidden track
Does anyone know the source of the hidden stuff at the end of track 12? It
comes in at 5:28 on Evaporated - someone yelling from what sounds like a
stage. Here's a transcript:
"Look man, I got yer hidden track right here pal."
(audience laughter)
"Right here. Listen - Ben Folds is a f***in' ass hole."
(audience laughter & claps to fade)
Pretty cool hidden track.
pm
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 21:17:09 -0500 (EST)
From: Aneehall73@aol.com
Subject: Re: da postcards
hey ya'll wondering about postcards....
i signed a mailing list when i saw them in orlando in may. so i'm assuming
that's how i got mine. maybe i'm just a lucky duck...:)
anyone read the rest of my post inparticular? anyone going to New Orleans for
that show, please lemme know.
peace and love...
==============================================================================
Date: 3 Feb 1997 20:24:18 CST
From: rosaliem@bbs.exoticomm.com
Subject: Ben Folds coming to New Orleans
Hey folks!!! If anyone lives near New Orleans, they are coming here to
Jimmy's on Thursday, February 13. My prayers have been answered!!!
The show has not really been publicized much at all, so I am trying to
get the word out to all of their fans in this region. Hope you all can
make it!
p.s. Counting Crows played here Saturday night (with Fiona Apple) and I
got to go backstage and meet Adam Duritz....not only is he a talented
guy with excellent musical tastes, he is also a VERY nice, sweet, gentle
person. (Life would only be more perfect if Ben Folds had been on tour
with them when I got to go backstage! oh well!!)
Bye, folks!!! I'll give y'all a report next week after the concert. Take
care!!!
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 23:07:46 -0500 (EST)
From: I'm a duck <msieffer@arctos.bowdoin.edu>
Subject: Majosha, etc.
Anyone out there have tapes/CD's of Majosha or Dear Blarney Stone (I think
that's what they're called) or any other bands that Ben and co. were in that
would be willing to trade? I've got a handful of BF5 live and some other
cool stuff too.
Let me know.
Thanks,
Mark
==============================================================================
Date: Mon, 3 Feb 1997 21:17:17 GMT - 8:00
From: CAROLYN YOUNG <YOUNG@law3.law.ucla.edu>
Subject: "Break" on the radio
Hi all,
I'm de-lurking to pass on this cool tidbit: I heard "Break," a track
off the as-yet-unreleased new album, on KSCA in LA today. Its a slow
one, kinda Counting Crows-esque (sorry, but that's my opinion), and
really beautiful.
The station has really supported BF5, is the only one in LA I've ever
heard play them, and it was at KSCA's 1995 Christmas show that I first
heard the band (I went to see Barenaked Ladies and got this special bonus!).
Anyway, the DJ couldn't stop raving about the album, and explained that
she had to beg the record co. to let her play a track early. You see,
the sad part of this story is that the station is going off the air
tomorrow, having been bought out and turned into a Spanish language
station. I hope BF5 won't have trouble making its mark in LA now
that all we have left are alterna-grunge and pop-40 stations.
"I (had) Ben Folds on my radio,"
Carolyn
[That's too bad. KSCA really made a lot of otherwise-unheard artists
big in the immense Southern California market. For example, Barenaked
Ladies are popular in the LA area largely because of KSCA's influence.
I'm sure they will be missed, and hope some other station carries on. -fjm]
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 01:54:34 -0500 (EST)
From: Jacy33@aol.com
Subject: Re: THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR, Issue #179
I plan on seeing Ben Folds Five and Counting Crows in Berkely, Irvine and San
Deigo.
Can you say, "Mulitple Orgasm?"
-Tracy
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 03:32:16 -0500 (EST)
From: Talexprice@aol.com
Subject: hometown news/help wanted
I grew up in Winston-Salem, Ben's hometown, and went to the same elementary
school as he and his brother Chuck. Actually, it was an "Alternative"
school, which no doubt makes it the birthplace of his decidedly
off-the-beaten path style of music. Ben's a few years older than I am, and
when he was playing drums in the Wiley Jr. High School jazz band, they came
one fortunate day to play at our school. I was a young kid just beginning to
play the drums myself and all I remember is that Ben blew my mind on the
drumkit that day. I've spent most of my waking hours since that day learning
and loving music, playing drums and guitar in several bands, and writing
songs. I'm now a singer/songwriter/guitarist starting a new band and would
love to hear from any BFF fans like myself who may be interested in playing
or know someone who is, especially if they are a rippin' drummer like Darren.
Please write to this e-mail address(talexprice@AOL.COM) or call Jon at (704)
370-0949 and we'll deal with the geography later.
Oh yeah, I saw Ben play drums again at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem about a year
ago (he still rips), with Darren taking to the mic for some
four-letter-spoken word rantings.
P.S. hope you got your car fixed, Robin!
==============================================================================
Date: Tue, 4 Feb 1997 01:45:11 -0800
From: The Mighty Frozen Halibut <qreeus@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Possible Japanese Import Avail
Hey there, one of the local record stores here in Berkeley has a habit of
ordering the Japanese imports of albums. I'm praying to the Gods of all
that is Good and Just that they do so with BFF. If so, there's a *slight*
possibility they may order more than one (because of course the first will
be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine). So I figured I'd announce this to The
Armchair. If anyone is interested in getting this import *IF* it is
available, eMAIL me. I will let them know next Tuesday if it did or didn't
come in. i figure the first person that eMAILs will have first dibs on it
then it'll just go in order. So, if you're interested in the possibility
of getting an import, let me know at qreeus@uclink4.berkeley.edu
On another note, my roommate (a goth boy who would not enjoy the BFF
references to his hallowed band, The Cure) had to witness a shameless dance
of joy emminating from me when I read that BFF would be playing in
LITERALLY my back yard. The Greek Theater in Berkeley where they are
opening for Counting Crows is right next to me. I cut through it some days
on my way to class (It also provides a magnificent view of San Francisco).
I was annoyed, though, to see that they were opening for CC. I'd rather
not pay the astronomical price just to see an opening act. But then again,
it is Ben Folds and his 2 x 5 little fingers. Joy of joys I say. I was so
disappointed when I made the journey to sxsw last year to find that BFF was
playing a 21+ club. UGH! Catch you all after The Release.
Swingfully,
Nathan
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