THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #386 - July 4, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, July 4 1997 Volume 01 : Number 386
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Fucking Exploding with Happiness!
Kate lines
calling all Kansas fans
MA #?
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #384
Re: Soul Coughing (off topic)
Just curious
T-shirt idea
Ma Bell
more on reverb
Sharing stuff you probably don't care about...
trades
Re: JBTV
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 1997 22:31:01 +0100
From: paul.leung@virgin.net (paul.leung@virgin.net)
Subject: Fucking Exploding with Happiness!
I am really really, oh, living on a high-you may have guessed it, I
went to see them at the Sheperd's Bush!!!!!!!! WOWOWOWOWOW!!!!! It was
the best night of my life(so far) and I'm sooooo happy!!!! My only
regret is that I didn't bring my tape recorder at the last minute
because I cold have made the BEst recording. (I was the Chinese one with
the Black bulls t-shirt at the front of the upper levels queue-I waved
to everybody who looked at me).
I didn't get to go on the mosh pit but by the looks of it, where I was
was the best place by far (well, 2nd best). I was on the 2nd level, on
one of the wings ( the wrong one-I couldn't see the Piano or the Strung
Quartet, ) right near the stage. The best seats it seems was probably on
the other side, 1st level, the pit being a smoky, sweaty hot sauna of
perspiration vapour and balloon-popping bastards. It was superb, anyway,
the atmosphere down there, and although they tired towards the end they
got rejuvenated by a wonderful rendition of Philosophy. Crowd surfing
took place regularly, and everything went fine, the security doing a
good job, apart from letting a girl on stage, but it was a wonderul
manoeuvre by her, though she wasted the opportunity by just standing
there like a ponce when she could have done a thousand things that would
have been sooo great, but Ben said she was cool, anyway. A waste,
though, I tell ya. The atmosphere everywhere else was a bit crap though,
on the upper levels, apart from our bit of the balcony-hi to the girls
sitting next to us who I got pushed into, and the girls behind one whose
foot I kept hitting with my back.
The security dampened the spirit a bit by telilng us to sit about
halfway through, but I got straight back up again for Philosophy. I
think the gig was sold out, as by the end everything was a bit cramped,
and damned hot. I made sure I got the best seats though as we started
queuing at 5:30-the doors opened at 7, they came on 9:20ish. Anyway, hi
to the people in the queue, even If I didn't know them, and maybe I
should have brought my guitar. Anyway, didn't see Alex with his 'zines,
but still, it was cool, even with people trying to tout and flog us
computer-shaped radios and makeup kits.
Ok, so we get in, and we find the best seats, and then we wait.
Eventually a support band stroll in, I don't even know their name, and
with a singer who modelled himself on Jarvis Cocker. Mediocrity and
unsuitability to the audience was instrumental in making them bad, but
their last two songs weren't bad at all. Another wait, then Ether turn
up, much to our disappointment. I know they're gonna make it, but I
thought they were crap. But hey, that's just me. Anyway, this is like,
really annoying, taking Ben Folds Five ages to come along. Anyway,
eventually they do, after an age, me risking going to the bog, and the
crowd cheering the technicians(they'd never seen Ben Folds Five before).
They came, the saw, and the bloody well conquered the show. Opening with
his really really expensive keyboard-that-you-blow-into, he followed up
the drum beat with Steven's Last Night in Town, which was fantastic,
then launched into one of my most favourites, The Last Polka. Superb.
Then it's all a bit of a blur, I regret. They did a slow intro to
Julianne which was really really really good, and then they did The Best
Imitation of Myself, sans piano, and really punk during the interludes,
and the bass drum was punctuated by Ben's butt and leg action ( you had
to be there) which was excellent, and then I reckon he did Dr. Pyser.
Anyway, he did it at some point during the show, and it was spiced with
a little of the Misirlou by Dick Dale. Superlative.
The Double Bass came out, The Sledge taking rather a long time to sort
himself out, and then Beno made up a nice song which went along the
lines of, Get on with it, shut the fuck up with it, Get on with it, shut
the fuck up with it, which was brilliant. Anyway, the Double Bass came
out and was used for Fair, oh, and I can't remember. A variation on for
those of you who wear fanny packs was done, and Brick. OH, yes, and One
Angry Dwarf, which was fantastic. Song for the Dumped got done, and man,
did those fingers fly during the call and response section!!!! Listen
out for it when My man Sledge with the bass in your face rips out a
phrase. He began the song using a hammer on pull off technique that I've
never seen on a bass, and wow. They did Missing the War, which was
really good.
They kinda agreed to do Underground during Fanny packs, and because it
was being requested. Darren wipes The Sledge down with a towel, then
plays around with the Fx pedals, after showing us his ass. Anyway, I
screamed were you ever cool in school at him, but he couldn't hear, I
reckon, and well, it started anyway. Superlative.
There was a break at one point, which allowed the String quartet to come
on, and one of the more prominent songs that involved them was Selfless
Cold and Composed, but maybe it was just me, but I reckon that they and
the piano were out of tune(you must remember at this point that Ben had
trode on it, leapt on it, elbowed it, hit it with a stool and played the
Last Polka on it, so maybe it was the piano. Other songs included Alice
Childress, Brick, Smoke, and I reckon the set included Cigarette with
different lyrics. Could be me.
The most popular songs were probably Philosophy, Kate and Battle of Who
Could Care less, the crown really jumping and singing like hell. You
could actually hear everyone shouting Kate at the top of their
voices-electric. There was no encore, even though we screamed for it,
but it was too close to 1100, and I reckon there was something legal
about it.
Anyway, feeling really sad, we left, then we bought some posters
outside, and then realised that they were gonna come out of the stage
door( I went with friends). Undeterred, by the constant moaning of a
couple of my companions, I waited, until, finally, they came out after
an hour! They were really nice guys and all, and signed everybody's
stuff, and wow, I've got 3 cd's with their names on them, and I am
sooooooooooooooo pleased!!!!!!!!!!!!!. WOw! The best night of my life!
Anthony (happy) :)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 01 Apr 1997 22:31:46 +0100
From: paul.leung@virgin.net (paul.leung@virgin.net)
Subject: Kate lines
On a more conventional note, but still happiness being the major issue
here, I asked the Maestro himself how to play Kate, as Master Clay
himself couldn't help, and so here it is:
F Fmaj7 Gm7 Bb Bb over a C.
There it is, and don't question it, because it came straight from the
horse's mouth, if you don't mind calling Ben a horse.
Anyway, the funny sound he makes on tracks like Smoke and Mitchell Lane,
is him scraping the microphone across the strings. Fantastic.
Anthony (happy):)
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 20:55:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ranvac@aol.com
Subject: calling all Kansas fans
calling all Kansas fans!! are you out there? well, if you are, here's the
plan. Bess and I are wearing "Hello my name is Frank Maynard" nametags to
HORDE. anyone who wants to join the party is welcome...we want to meet all
of you! but, if you're just too embarassed to wear one of these stunning
fasion statements, keep your eyes peeled for us and introduce yourself. we
won't hold it against you for too long.
thanks to all the Indiana fans (all 5 of you) who wrote to me. I'm now even
more frightened than ever...but at least i know i'm not completely alone.
anna
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 23:32:55 -0400
From: "Fred or Sarah" <fantonan@bcn.net>
Subject: MA #?
Okay...this information here is a bit old, but it just popped into my lil
noggin when I was reading someone's post about BFF being played on some
public radio station in Kansas or Kentucky...one of the K-states.
Anyhoo...last year, around the end of January, probably the last Sunday of
the month..and I know this because I was on my way back to school after
winter break..I was listening to "All Things Considered" on NPR, National
Public Radio...a really cool station, but that's besides the point...in any
event, the boys were the subject of an interview on there and they played
"Underground"...this was January of '96 mind you...so..well, that's all
really..except, I to say I'm bumming because I missed M2 last week because
of work and my sister "forgot"..and i use that term lightly mind you...she
forgot to tape it for me..I feel deprived.
Sarah :)
PS. Anyone going to the HORDE at SPAC...perhaps we could do something to
signal ourselves out to each other...
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 23:07:03 -0500 (CDT)
From: "Adam 'DeLicious' DeLisse" <adeliss@comp.uark.edu>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #384
wow, what a faq...i am really impressed with whoever did that (i was too
lazy to go all the way back up to look at the name). you covered quite a
bit, and certainly the most "frequently asked questions," hence the title
FAQ. i am also impressed that you used quotes from the armchair, and not
just cause you used mine, but it shows a good decency to give credit where
credit is due. new fans around the world owe a debt to you which you will
probably never hear, so i say it for them....thank you.
Adam DeLisse
.
/ \
/ V \
/ \
/ V V V \
/ V V \
/ V V V \
/ \
/ V V V V V V V \
/ V V V V V V \
/ V V V V V V V \
/ V V V V \
/ V V V V V V V V V \
/ V V V V V V \
/ V V V V V V V \
/____________________________ \
...............and people say there is no beauty in math..............
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 2 Jul 1997 23:06:21 -0500
From: punkerboy@webtv.net (JOHN SCHOLTES, Jr.)
Subject: Re: Soul Coughing (off topic)
If you're looking for a Soul Coughing List similar to this (well, sort
of) you might try Soft Serve. Go to http://www.coollist.com and put the
word "softserve" (without the "") in the box which asks whick list you
would like to subscribe to and your email address where it asks for
that. It's a brand spankin' new list so it's sort of dead right now, but
that will change over the coming weeks.
Later,
Johnny
"The cruelest lies are often told without a word.." - Ben Folds
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/1867/ High Velocity Online
http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/1187/ The Flannel Tubs online
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 00:12:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Soapscribe@aol.com
Subject: Just curious
Ben seems to have ties to both Duke U and UNC-Chapel Hill -- which is he a
grad of (if either)?
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 05:00:36 +0000
From: usagi@mail.inlink.com
Subject: T-shirt idea
Ok, this could be lame but hey....I like the idea at 5 am as I come
up with it.
I know that someone else mentioned something about t-shirts with the
Hello my name is: .......sticker actually on the shirt
Well how about on the front breast it says
"Hello my name is Walter"
and on the back is a stick figure of an armchair with "the magical
armchair" written directly below it.
just an idea
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The things every internet signature should contain (according to others):
The real name: William Lewis Burge IV
The nick name:Bill Burge
The internet address: usagi@mail.inlink.com
The self made funny name: Meat Guy, The
The non-self made funny name: Usagi
The Gus(ter) rep name: Potomal
The Gus(ter) quote: "Experience the luster of Guster!"
The personal quote: "Kill 'em all, that's my motto."
The other persons quote: "Genious is 99% hard ass work."
-Max Roach
The musical quote: "Humpty Dumpty was a big fat egg."
-Beastie Boys, "Eggman"
The movie quote: "On the run from Johnny Law, it ain't no trip to Cleveland."
-Bottle Rocket
If at any time you come up with anything that I've forgotten feel free to contact me.
After all, how could I not want a signature longer than most of my messages.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 13:13:25 -0400
From: David Kennedy <dkennedy@pli.edu>
Subject: Ma Bell
Hi. I'm replying to the following:
"when i did that interview with the band, I asked them about the phone
ringing, and I'm pretty sure they mentioned that it was just turned off
without answer. So I guess we'll never know who was calling."
Anyhow, what i heard when they were on Vin Scelsa back in April was that
it was one of their friends "Mike from Minnesota" i believe. My two
cents is that it was deliberate, kinda fits in with well it's "Steven"
calling at the end of the song. Whatever.
Dave
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 13:14:26, -0500
From: RFAA93A@prodigy.com (MR MARC FACTOR)
Subject: more on reverb
i happened to be expecting bff to play on reverb because i was at
that show and i saw cameras. reverb is known for giving indie rock
bands and small venues attention. i have the whole show on video
tape if anyone is interested. a couple of seconds are missing from
the first song they played which i think was kate. all in all
everything is on the tape.
brian
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 14:37:38 -0400
From: Anne_Lyons@BayNetworks.COM (Anne Lyons)
Subject: Sharing stuff you probably don't care about...
>RE: Random question
>>This is something that popped into my head today as I was getting
>>dressed. Everyone knows about how during Steven's Last Night.... the phone
>>rings. What I want to know is this: Who was calling? This question will
>>separate the fans from the fanatics.
_________________
Just thought I would share... the first time I listened to Steven's at home,
really loud, I kept having to run over, turn it down, and answer my phone.
I swear this happened three times before I figured out that it was not some
psycho calling me. And, no, I'm not all that slow (well, OK, maybe a little) ;-)
See, the ring is the exact same ring as our phone so I'm not TOO crazy... But I must admit I have NO idea who
was calling Da Boyz. Guess I'm just a fan (which is short for fanatic anyway...)
Also, I had my first BFF dream the other night... which is strange, since I
hardly ever dream about famous people (except for that one dream about
Tom Cruise and a Harley, but I digress). It is too boring to share it all, except
for these odd images... each is marked by a (?)... So, I was at this BFF concert
at a small venue... and I was right up close to the stage, and for some reason
Ben was scolding me (and I think Robert, too) (?). I really can't remember
why, except that I felt embarrassed and wanted to make it up to them (?). Later,
Ben came out into the crowd (which was really only about 10 people now (?)
and he and Darren were sitting down and hanging out with me (?) on an old car
seat (??) There was lots more... but as I said... it would be boring to y'all (but
was fun for me!). The car seat image just killed me though...
Anyway, just thought I would jump on the BFF Dream Bandwagon (hmmmmm...
Dreamwagon?)
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
"Anyone who isn't confused around here, doesn't really
understand what's going on."
-Vesty
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 1997 15:41:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: MasterAEPi@aol.com
Subject: trades
are there any soul coughing Squirrel Nut Zippers, cake, ben folds 5 ,
toadies, weezer, or alice in chains?digests and fan clubs or bootlegs???
how would i get their autographs, bootleg tapes, and videos (also of dave
matthews band)??
thanks
george
MasterAEPi@Aol.com
MasterAEPi's Home Page
http://members.aol.com/MasterAEPi/index.html >>
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 97 17:13:19 -0500
From: "Scott A. Schneider" <echo@msn.globaldialog.com>
Subject: Re: JBTV
Armchair-people;
I am interested in obtaining a copy of the JBTV airing of the Ben Folds
Five concert at the Metro in Chicago, IL. If anyone has a copy they are
willing to sell/trade, please contact me via e-mail at:
echo@msn.globaldialog.com
...and I'd be very appreciative. I attended the show and would love to
see it!
scott
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #386
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