THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #252 - April 23, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Wednesday, April 23 1997 Volume 01 : Number 252
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
Topics in this issue:
Opening Act/Double Bill
Brick analysis
Ben, Robert, and Darren in Lawrence
Covers
in the dark
One at a time please
Lawrence Show...
Too bad, so sad. . .
the bf5 experience...kinda long (sorry!)
Conan O'Brien??????????
shows, covers
Armchair T-Shirts/Horde
brick
Multiple Multiple Messages? Messages?
RI show.
Woohoo! Just days away...
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 23:55:21 -0700
From: The Mighty Frozen Halibut <qreeus@uclink4.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Opening Act/Double Bill
I think a BFF/Pizzicatto 5 show would kick ass. I just can't imagine a
more fun night of music.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 8:22:08 +0100
From: "Simon Burrows INF-KB" <sburrows@madge.com>
Subject: Brick analysis
In response to Ben Davidson's mail which said "so please do us all a
favor, and whenever anyone talks with Ben, find out for sure, and then we
can all sleep a little easier at night", I'm reminded of a Billy Bragg
lyric:
'The temptation to take these precious things we have apart to see how
they work
Must be resisted for they never fit together again'.
Do we really need the 'definitive' meaning about this song? I think if
Ben were to nail down what it was about, then a lot of the songs magic
would be destroyed. It doesn't have to be about 1 concrete event, and
the fact that it has created so many different images in listeners heads
is a reflection of the songs ...er...depth.
I'll get me coat.
Peace, love, and cheesey peas,
Ced
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------
For more discussions about the fragile nature of pop, please mail
sburrows@madge.com
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 03:20:36 -0400
From: Carrie Shanafelt <LaRubia@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Ben, Robert, and Darren in Lawrence
If it weren't two o'clock in the morning, and if I actually had any
motivation, I would write a big-ass thing on how MUCH I adored my first
experience seeing Ben Folds Five play tonight. I'm the one who's waited two
and a half years to see them live, due to circumstances beyond my control.
I was so incredibly in need of seeing this concert -- you have no idea...
well, after Komeda opened (a quite listenable band, but no band you're
listening to when you know Ben's backstage is gonna be "the greatest" or
anything), there was a good (well not so good) 45 minute wait before
Robert, Ben, and Darren began with "Missing the War" -- I stood in the
second row, just fascinated by how much they ENJOYED playing this song and
watching the crowd smile. *Pop* bands get screamed for-- Ben Folds Five's
crowd smiles, almost in thanks for playing, before they start to call out
uncontrollably. I know I wasn't the only one completely overcome by
emotion or excitement with every song they played -- the audience was 95%
real music-loving people desperate to hear anything, so long as Ben set it
in motion. I have yet to cease from grinning... (I shook Ben's hand after
the concert... hee) Although I'd hoped to hear "Video Killed the Radio
Star" and all of "Satan is My Master", (the former was avoided, the latter
aborted due to technical difficulties) they did play "Theme Song from Dr.
Pyser" and the Flaming Lips' "Jelly" (really a fascinating rendition of a
pretty damn cool song to begin with, Darren sang the vasoline and magazine
verses, Ben finished out with tangerines.) They were very amenable to many
of the audience requests and gave great feedback. Ben, of course, threw
the stool and stepped on the keyboard, and did much of one song from atop
the baby grand; Robert appeared at one point wearing a large papier-maché
head (?!?!?), while Darren just kind of Satanically leered from within his
nest of drum set. Well, in total, I was more than duly bowled over--
despite the fact that I have always loved listening to the CDs, having
heard them live will definitely make me better appreciate what beauty and
talent these guys have. (OK, so it ended up being long...) Wowedly yours,
Carrie Shanafelt
PS -- is wowedly a word?
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 8:33:30 +0100
From: "Simon Burrows INF-KB" <sburrows@madge.com>
Subject: Covers
This isn't very christian of me, but I couldn't let this one pass:
I would sooner die than listen to Ben Folds Five lower themselves to
cover. "Don't You Forget About Me" and "Beds Are Burning". I can think
of few more tedious records.
Some cover songs I'd like to see them play:
1. "Angry Young Man" - Billy Joel
2. "Gloria" - Laura Brannigan
3. "Cancer" - Joe Jackson
4. "Together We Are Beautiful" - Fern Kenny
Peace, love, and cheesey peas,
Ced
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------
For more discussions about the fragile nature of pop, please mail
sburrows@madge.com
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 20:43:57 +1000
From: Alex <belawan@parramatta.starway.net.au>
Subject: in the dark
Heya
Hmmm....seems ive been in the dark for sometime..i had no idea that
the lyrics/meaning to Brick was causing such controversy...and no, i dont
need a full update...
well this is my first post on the new look Armchair, and might i
just say, im feeling pretty darn good about it...except that no, we still
havent seen hide nor hair of the chaps down here on the Island (Australia)....
i hear alot about rare recordings and unreleased BF5 material from
all you northern heisphere fans...if you'd like to swap, i have mostly
Australian "alternative" stuff...but if you want to open your mind to some
incredibly fresh and no doubt never-heard-of-stuff, mail me...id love a copy
of anything anyone has...
take care
Alex ~ She the Go-er of Endless Gigs
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 23:02:36 +1000
From: Very Fruity Indeed <ad@healey.com.au>
Subject: One at a time please
I don;t know about anyone else, but I'd rather my digests one at a time,
not 5 at a time like now. It basically means that half the messages won;t
be read, coz there isn;t enough time... Ah well, anyone else care?
Ad.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
& Ironside &
& "...the 17th best band in the world" &
& http://www.healey.com.au/HomePages/ad/ironside/ &
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 09:25:55 -0500 (CDT)
From: Mike Payne <mikep@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: Lawrence Show...
OK, last night's show was awesome. The band played most of their
repretoire, plus a few little ditties which required little or no bass
while they were having technical difficulties with the sound. They played
this cool version of "Vaseline" by the Flaming Lips. Highlight of the
night: Ben wishing my best friend a happy birthday from the stage. Second
highlight: getting Ben and Robert to autograph my BFF cds. Incredible
evening. This band is soooo much fun (and nice guys, too). This show was
even more fun than last year's Lawrence show. Hope everyone on this list
gets a chance to see them in concert.
[ Mike Payne ]
[ (: 1918 Stewart Ave. :) ]
[ Lawrence, KS 66046 ]
[ mikep@falcon.cc.ukans.edu ]
[ http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu/~mikep ]
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 09:02:08 -0600
From: "Erik C. Lyons" <EPA8820@epa.state.il.us>
Subject: Too bad, so sad. . .
Sorry all of you couldn't be at the Galaxy last night (Tuesday). Actually, I
am writing this at 9am the day of the show. I just know that this won't get
posted until later on in the evening or tomorrow. I am sure I will have a
mouthful to report back manana. Take care all my fellow bff-ers.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 11:10:31 -0500
From: nancy <ndoodle@ou.edu>
Subject: the bf5 experience...kinda long (sorry!)
TWO SHOWS! yes, two shows! ha!
Also, wow, Ben Folds five....
Thursday morning, my friend Joe and I decided to just go ahead and drive
to San antonio (from oklahoma!) to see the bens folds fives and boy! was
it worth it! I got a speeding ticket on the way, so Ben put me on the
guest list
at the Dallas Edgefest (ha ha! beck was on the bill too...nevermind that
I saw him wednesday night in oklahoma!).
Anyhoo, saw them in San Antonio in the most ironic setting. a really bad
cheesy club called Sneakers that was home to the bad cock rock 80's gone
mainstream...the walls were this fake brick and there were band names
written everywhere in neon paint...um, lessee, ugly kid joe,
anthrax..NEXT to Hootie and the blowfish!, joan jett, for a good time
call....alice in chains, soundgarden, jesse james, the nixons..oh, it
was a sight to see! there was a raised dance floor in the middle of the
club! ack! and then the stage in the back of course,..um, and the
weirdest thing, they KEEP the id's of minor's in case they try to buy
alcohol, so they can go and look up there faces and kick them out of the
club (?!) um, yeah, so VERY UNFORTUNATELY (huge frown on this one :( ) I
missed Komeda, as we kinda got ass directions from a guy at a gas
station (after we drove to the opposite end of town), and were late to
the show, but FORTUNATELY, we made it about
one mintue (I'm not kidding!) before Ben sat down and introduced the
band and started with Missing the war. and then,....
battle
philosophy
selfless, cold, and compressed
last polka
kate
alice childress
brick
steven's last night in town
theme from dr. pyser
emaline
****y'know that metal silliness? ah, the medley thing too, um, he sang
*about the jungle boy and bruce springsteen and the blues explosion..um,
*and...bow wow wow, yippee yo yippee yay (um, never thought I'd type
*that to you eh?! ah, I never thought I'd type it at all!!!)
one angry dwarf and 200 solemn faces (HAD to type this one out!)
fair
best imitation
song for the dumped
underground
encore...smoke, and SHE DON'T USE JELLY!!!! (flaming lips) ack! yes! it
was oh so
great! ha! (they were singing jazzy harmonies and it was just crazy
jazzy easy listenin' fun!)
um, so yup, that was THURSDAY NIGHT! ah, after the show, you know what
happened, and then we hung out with a couple of listies from the trash
can sinatras list (very cool folk indeed) at Jim's (I guess it's the
denny's of san antonio) and then Joe and I got ready for the trek back
to Sucklahoma, we'd nap at kevy kev's half way in Dallas. alright, got
back for classes and to pick up weekend stuffs to GO BACK to dallas.
Sunday afternoon....edgefest.
Ben was skeptical about the whole guest list thing working at a
festival, but lo and behold...I got in! took Kevin and his little sister
(aw, her first concert experience!) and we had no problems getting in!
no line no anything. THis is incredible to believe considering STarplex
amphitheatre. I think it's the biggest venue next to the stadiums. ah,
y'now, it's all half grass, half covered seats...well, I really didn't
think that I'd be able to get in. Not only did I get in with my two
guests, but I got covered seating! ack! I couldn't believe it! Even
bands that I have friends in don't always follow through with the whole
guest list thing..in small clubs! I got into the starplex amphitheatre
with two guests for free in COVERED SEATING! good seats too for the
venue and considering the festival was sold out.
The guys played a pretty short set, but I have to admit that we were
late, so we missed the first couple of songs. I'm really bad at
remembering sets, (clue: joe got the setlist from the SA show, that's
why I know it there) so of course, I don't remember exactly what they
played in dallas...philosophy, uncle walter (which was lucky for me,
since they didn't play it in SA), of course, battle, um, and they did
that crazy metal thing again! (I don't think more than 15 people out of
maybe 20,000 got it though. :( um, Ben started saying that they were
going to be playing "how can we be lovers if we can't be friends"
(michale bolton...yes! ha ha!) right after he BROKE, yes, ahem..BROKE a
piano string (I've done that, but really, IT'S A FEAT!, but I guess
piano diving and throwing your stool at the keyboard can encourage that
;)) , but then decided not to play that ol' tune. :( (I think it had to
do with a couple of fat guys from the side of the stage waving two with
their fingers at him. two minutes? two songs? ben two-ed back I think,
and he seemed bothered or confused or ah dunno...
Needless to say, the dallas crowd just did not do them justice :( and I
am SOOO glad I didn't have to pay to go to the show (although, I
probably would've for ben and the boys). Beck was really disappointing
especially so since we saw him wednesday at a much better show (but
again, I couldn't say much about the crowd..sort of a pre-pubescent
convention that was scheduled the same day as "look as much like a
muscle wound dolt" convention. ahh, you all know the story..) Um, he had
two horn players for a two date thing. He played LOSER?! man! I really
didn't expect that! and all the singles and beer can. and other stuffs.
You can tell he was the one all the kids came for.
well, after ben folds five played, I lead the gang to the I guess what
you call backstage door area (it was outside a fence outside tho-) um,
and I sat around, hoping one of the guys would poke their head out. ha!
darren, my pray! ha! I called his name, and he walked over. I introduced
myself again, held up my hair in those two stupid knots I tied them in
in san antonio (cos it was so darn hot) and reminded him of my traffic
ticket and then he said, oh yeah- asked him what he thought about
playing at edgefest (since I knew it really wasn't their thing) and he
replied, "ah, I didn't think!" I could understand. Thanked him for the
guest list bit, told him about a record store that the gang just HAD to
stop at, and chatted a bit. of course, I went into a blank (even though
it was my second chance to say something) and forgot to ask if they were
playing horde since I heard a little rumour. He said they'd be leaving
after beck played and was excited to go to Lawrence, Kansas. Says it's a
great music town. (college town)
I met Kate too! :)
thanks for the time, sorry so long...AGAIN!
nancy doodle! ;)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 12:25:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: "JOHN B. WELLS" <jbwell01@morehead-st.edu>
Subject: Conan O'Brien??????????
Could someone repost when BFF will be appearing on the Conan show? Thanx
very much.
JBW
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 13:48:40 -0400 (EDT)
From: Shan111111@aol.com
Subject: shows, covers
Hello listies
I've been on the list for more than a year now, but this is my first post in
quite awhile (I had the list sent to a school address that I don't check)....
I saw BF5 in San Antonio and in Austin last week...hee-hee :) The SA venue
was sososo cheesy, but BF5 seemed to have a good time. The SA show was more
laid back, BF5 joking around a lot more (the audience was really odd, yelling
out Springsteen!, Stairway!, stuff like that).
Anyway, the Austin show was really cool, too.Saw people running around with
nametags on, but I guess now I know why. I got a cool little standup 5
autographed to put on my TV; a friend of mine told Ben that he was in a
band, and Ben wrote a "review" ("I laughed, I cried....") and told him to
feel free to use it :) Funny stuff.
I wanted to hear Bad Idea, too!! Sniff. They said that it hasn't been
dropped, so maybe someone will catch it at a future show. Uncle Walter
didn't make it into either show, even though it was on the Austin setlist.
As for covers, last year someone suggested "Theme from Shaft"...oh boy, that
would be great! Just imagine...wow, I laugh just thinking about it.
Anything by Matthew Sweet would be neat-o (also suggested last year), since
he's my other favorite (besides BF5).
shannna
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 15:15:19 -0400 (EDT)
From: Smarshal1@aol.com
Subject: Armchair T-Shirts/Horde
I would be very interested in an Armchair T-shirt. Quite an idea. Also, if
it is true, I'm gonna get primo tickets to Horde Fest this year. BFV and
Neil Young! Anybody w/ more info on Horde this year let me know. Also
anyone that knows about a Horde web site let me know. thanx
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 14:49:37 -0400
From: Evan Chakroff <chakroff@ee.net>
Subject: brick
>Okay, I'm getting a bit tired of reading posts about the "Brick" Lyrics and
>it meaning. Isn't the whole idea behind art is that everyone derives their
>own meaning? "Brick" means a lot of different things to me because of my
>life experience and I bet my interpertation of it is totally different to
>everyone else's. But that's the point!! <snip>
Well, what is this list for, then? Everyone's just sharing their
interpretations. I suppose we could all not post a thing, and have lovely
disscussions about tour dates.
- -ec
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 14:43:50 -0400
From: Evan Chakroff <chakroff@ee.net>
Subject: Multiple Multiple Messages? Messages?
why is it that a lot of the posts are being repeated?
- -ec -ec
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 15:36:39 -0400
From: kjoaquin@eve.assumption.edu
Subject: RI show.
Hi there.
Not sure if anyone knows this because it doesn't appear to be posted on any
of their tour date lists, but Bf5 is playing at Lupo's in Providence on the
28th (for people who didn't get tickets to see them at the Paradise on the
27th) Email me if you like to let me know you're going.
- -Kendra
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 1997 15:45:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: clg6@po.CWRU.Edu (Christian L. Gindlesperger)
Subject: Woohoo! Just days away...
Wha's goin' down, sports-fans! I, myself, am quite pumped to finally
be the owner of tickets to the Odeon show this Saturday! It will be
my introduction to Ben Folds Five--Live! So, did any chair-heads orch-
estrate plans to rendez-vous? Did I hear someone say "Dick's"? Should
I ask for the "Mr./Mrs. Armchair, party of twenty" table? What's the
plan? Someone clue me in.
Personally, as far as armchair etiquette for meeting up at shows, I think
we should all invest in motorized, wheeled Lay-Z-Boys (tm) and cruise around
the venues in our easily identifyable vehicles. Well, it's just a thought.
How about when the band sings the lyric "and his magical armchair", we all
throw cigarettes and six-packs up on stage. I'm sure the boys would appreci-
iate the offering...
Lyric interpretations? Hey, they're all cool--as far as I see it, the more
ways that are presented to look at a song/lyrics, the more enlightened
an individual I have the opportunity to become. That sensitive, new-age
insight behind, if you don't like what your reading, SCROLL DOWN, or hit
the space bar, or the down arrow, whatever. Don't stop people from speaking.
The wonder of this particular forum is that it's not a conversation, you
don't have to smile weakly and nod your head when someone is saying something
annoying. Ignore to your heart's content. Just as I will continue to
ignore those posts which continue to complain about lyric interpretations.
All's fair in discussion of BFF.
Anyway, back to the daily grind, thanks for listening (or ignoring, which-
ever's your gig, man...)---mebbe see some of y'all on Sat.! Keep listenin'...
Until later.
As Always,
Christian
- --
"Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul, | In yon strait path a thousand
With all the speed ye may ; | May well be stopped by three.
I, with two more to help me, | Now who will stand on either hand,
Will hold the foe in play,-- | And keep the bridge with me?"
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #252
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