THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #409 - July 25, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, July 25 1997 Volume 01 : Number 409
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THIS MAILING LIST
Send an e-mail message to armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl with
the word 'unsubscribe' (without the quotes) in the message body. Please
do not post unsubscribe requests to the list itself! If you are having
trouble, send mail to armchair-owner@maillist.il.fontys.nl and I will try
to help you.
TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Re: Obsession
Robert or Les?
For those of Ya'all who wanna know
bff at horde
Re: "SC&C" on radio / slap on the wrist for Sept67
lollapalooza
HELLLO!!!?!?!?!
Musical?
Musical?
Bootlegs
Best bass player???
Robert guests on great pop record
BF5 airplay in VT...
Re: Joel vs. Folds
Wow:BFF at HORDE in Kansas City
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #408
Kansas City HORDE
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #408
Amos 'v' Folds
Ben vs. Tori/ Bootlegs
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 21:51:56 -0400
From: percystar@cyberdrive.net (percystar)
Subject: Re: Obsession
I was reading a few back issues of the AC and Becca's post about overly
exubrant Ben Folds Five flip outs at any mention of their popularity or any
reference to them being awesome is totally true. I was up at GWU
orientation (I'm going to school there this fall) and a guy in front of me
at the Tower Records on campus was buying W&EA. I totally flipped. I gave
him a whole history of BF5 and started singing my fav tracks for him; I
think I scared him. But, in this day and age, it is great to be excited
about something as emotional and cool as our boys. Peace out all. Have a
super day!
Peanutt (Heather)
"When all words fail she speaks, Her mix tape's a masterpiece, Walks through
the garden, So the roses can see" -Ben Folds Five
visit my web site: http://www.cyberdrive.net/~percystar/
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 22:05:39 -0400
From: liz <lizrob@mindspring.com>
Subject: Robert or Les?
Ha! Someone had to do it:
Robert is an amazingly inventive player. Many people think there is a guitar
in the band because some of the stuff he does. His speed is comprable to
Les's (in case you consider speed an important attribute).
Liz
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 22:19:37 EDT
From: lkdasse@juno.com (Lauren K. Dasse)
Subject: For those of Ya'all who wanna know
Hi Ya'all!
This is in response to issue #405, when someone asked who sang "For Those
of Ya'all that wear Fanny Packs." When the HORDE tour was in Phoenix
(last Friday), I had the wonderful chance to talk to Darren for many
minutes after the CD signing. I asked him about who sings that song, and
he said that most of it was him (he was surprised I even knew about it).
He also said that Robert does most of the "New York City's" and "God
Damn's," while Ben says "Shit yeah it's cool." Great song. Darren is so
damn nice. What a great guy. The set they played was fantastic with the
strings-it was a definate highpoint of the Phoenix show. They also did
an interview that afternoon over the radio station 101.5-the station
played "Song for the Dumped" and Ben, Darren, and Robert coughed to cover
up the "fuck you too." Hope everyone in Phoenix caught it-twas classic.
Lauren
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Jul 1997 23:44:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: PhairTwo@aol.com
Subject: bff at horde
hi, i'm bess and i just got to meet ben folds five about an hour ago. i love
them. i love them lots. oh, by the way, if chuck still reads this, do you
have a cousin named mike? because there was a guy there claiming to be the
cousin of ben folds. i just was wondering. the setlist was pretty much the
same, except for one change. instead of song for the dumped, they played
smoke. i was sad. but i got one of the free posters that they were handing
out. i was one of very few to get one. and i had the boys sign my poster from
lawrence, right next to kate's autograph. so i now have two bff posters!!!!!
and i got to meet anna, a very wonderful armchairite. we got odd looks for
our frank maynard nametags, but robert saw mine and said "cool, frank
maynard" there's so much i want to say. oh, i remember, i gave darren some
armchairs so they'll have something to read on the way to st. louis. we
didn't get to talk to them much because of morphine in the background.
another thing. kc really loves bff. there was a line about a block long to
get autographs and i was smushed during their performance. anna and i think
that bff could have headlined horde in kc and drew an even huger crowd.
highlights: bff and morphine and snz. morphine should not be missed (even
though we missed their last song). i was ecstatic because they played my fave
song "sharks" anywya, enough rambling, you've probably started skimming by
now or just skipped this post anyway. but that's okay, because i love you
all!!!
- -bess
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 01:07:12 -0400 (EDT)
From: Steve Clay <fender@grove.ufl.edu>
Subject: Re: "SC&C" on radio / slap on the wrist for Sept67
Hey all!
I was thinking how dissapointed I feel that BF5 won't be doing FL
dates this year outside of the HORDE thing... But I *have* to give
resounding thanks to our local Gainesville radio station 97X for *always*
supporting them through airplay. When the s/t came out they were there
playing nearly every track, and when the guys came to town they put them
on the radio with Ben reading the local advertisements. I also won free
tickets to see them that night...undoubtedly the best show I've been too
and it was totally free! As for the new album, they've covered
everything *including* "Song For the Dumped" I believe. (I think I
remember the DJ having to ride the mute button for the f-word. After all,
a station supported by local businesses can't just put anything on.)
I'm not going to be able to go, but for those who can, go out your
way to see these guys. Will I *ever* hear "Emaline" or "Video Killed the
Radio Star" again live?...:{
Steve
PS. September 67's on my bad behavior list until further notice: Jerry
(DJ at 97X) was going to interview them today and ask about touring with
the five, but they stood him up. They'd better have a bitchin' excuse;
the station's been playing *their* stuff for quite a while also...
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 00:16:51 -0500
From: Lachesis@webtv.net (the anti-spice)
Subject: lollapalooza
just got back from the indy lollapalooza show. i went late, because
there were only two bands i wanted to see. failure was really good, but
tool was incredible! if there are any tool fans on here that haven't
seen them live, GO!! you will not be disappointed.
anyway, to make this related to ben and the boys, next to the second
stage there was this little booth selling cds. i was looking through
them, and what should i find but not one but TWO kate import singles!
one has bad idea and for all the pretty people, and the other has
mitchell lane and all shook up. where are these from? can anyone tell
me? i also found an awesome radiohead single with some great b-sides on
it.
if anyone else is going to lollapalooza, keep an eye out. i'm not sure
if this booth was just a local thing or not.
i'm so tired. off to bed. and on friday i'm going to horde!! yeah!!
dave
"you lived what anybody gets, bernie. you got a lifetime." --death
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 02:34:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: Kmrafter@aol.com
Subject: HELLLO!!!?!?!?!
Just wondering, but does anyone actually read these posts? Enough with the
Ben vs. stuff! We all know who kicks ass. Let's leave it at that.
Skinny
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:57:24 +0100
From: "Jennie" <starshaped@geocities.com>
Subject: Musical?
Hi BFF fans
My name is Jennie and I'm 15 from England. I was just wondering, does
anyone else think that 'Stevens last night in town' sound like it could be
in a musical.
I could just imagine Ben and his piano on one side and loads of
dancers...just a thought.
Jennie
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:59:55 +0100
From: "Jennie" <starshaped@geocities.com>
Subject: Musical?
Hi BFF fanz
My name is Jennie and I'm 15 from England. I was just wondering if anyone
else thught that 'Stevens last night in town' sounds like it's from a
musical? I could just imagine Ben and his piano to one side and loads of
dancers on their knees crwoding round the piano and occasionaly dancing all
over the place....just a thought.
Jennie
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:16:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: hfhgtown@philadelphia.libertynet.org (Habitat for Humanity/Germantown)
Subject: Bootlegs
Hi there!
This is my first post, but I have been reading for a while. As someone who
is also mad for BFF, I was wondering where I can get bootlegs? I live in
Philly and we have a lot of independent record stores, but I have seen no
sign of them anywhere. I have nothing to trade, but if anyone would be
willing to tape theirs for me, I would be happy to send a tape and shipping
costs. Thank you so much, and thanks to the people who posted about 120
minutes this Sunday. I will have my VCR rolling!
Jill
hfhgtown@libertynet.org
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:29:52 -0400
From: "Brian R. Kessler" <bkessler@btv.ibm.com>
Subject: Best bass player???
> << Now it's time for me to think up another stupid
> question like who's the better bassist: Robert or Les Claypool of Primus.
> >>
> I know this was a joke, but I can't help it. I know alot of you will be
> thinkin Robert all the way. I too am a much bigger BFF fan than a Primus
> fan. However, Les Claypool is a better bass player than Robert Sledge.
> Robert's quite good though. But, in actuality they play different styles.
> However, when you get down to it, Claypool could play Sledge's stuff but the
> opposite would not be true. See for yourself at Horde!!!!!!!!!!
These "Best Bass Player" debates, (even tho' this one was meant in good
humor), re-surface once in a while in most music newsgroups. One bassist
who should be on everyone's list is Barenaked Ladies' Jim Creeggan. In fact,
a "Best Bassist" survey was conducted on a bass players' newsgroup, and he
received many positive comments, and many people were even turned on to BNL
by asking "Who the hell is Jim Creeggan???"
And let's not forget the late Jaco Pastorius, arguably the best bassist ever.
Peace, skiing, & music,
Brian
np: Cracker - _Kerosene_Hat_
- --
"Never seem to get far enough / Staying in between the lines..." - Son Volt
- --------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 09:34:52 -0400 (EDT)
From: commander space dog <rvw@email.unc.edu>
Subject: Robert guests on great pop record
I'm new to the armchair, and while it makes me sad that I can't really
catch BFF around Chapel Hill any more, it does my heart good to see such
enthusiastic response to their work from everyone on the list.
I'm sure someone has posted a similar message, but I thought I would throw
my two cents in and say that the new Gladhands album, "La Di Da," on which
Robert plays bass for a few tracks, is incredible. Sure, there's guitar,
but they've got some great melodies and I could easily see them becoming
the next "big Chapel Hill band." BFF fans in NC, SC & VA have probably
already heard their song "Gore Girls" on the Record Exchange "Notes from
Home 4" sampler, which has Ben & co. performing "Champagne Supernova."
ross
- --------------------------------TFt IS #1!-----------------------------------
COMMANDER SPACE DOG Ross V. White rvw@email.unc.edu
- ------------------------http://www.unc.edu/~rvw------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 10:22:19 -0400
From: "Brian R. Kessler" <bkessler@btv.ibm.com>
Subject: BF5 airplay in VT...
Hey,
Every time I turn on WNCS (104.7) in Vermont, I hear another BF5 song. First,
"Battle..." was played quite frequently, then I heard "Steven's..." a few
days ago, and last nite, they played "Brick".
Sounds like the lads should *FINALLY* book a gig up here!!!
Peace, skiing, & music,
Brian
- --
"Never seem to get far enough / Staying in between the lines..." - Son Volt
- --------
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 10:47:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: TJBabinski@aol.com
Subject: Re: Joel vs. Folds
"But, you have to admit that (even though Ben apparantley does not like
joel) that Joel pioneered the "piano man" genre in pop music in the
latter half of this century clearing the path for bands such as BFF."
That's absolutely right. And, listening closely to Ben's music, it seems Ben
was strongly influenced by Billy Joel's music. Just listen close to Scenes
from an Italian Restaurant (during the faster part) and you will notice just
how close the two artists are.
Tom Babinski
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 11:36:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: Claire4815@aol.com
Subject: Wow:BFF at HORDE in Kansas City
Well I wasn't at HORDE but from what my brother said BFF was totally
awesome!He said the crowd really got into it and they were like the best band
there.He got a BFF shirt for them to sign,too!WOW!He got me a shirt ,too but
it's an Xlarge long sleeve so it's a night sirt for now but I love it all the
same.I really wish I could've gone!But their next concert,I'll be there.He
said Squirrel nut Zippers was good too.On the radio when sum1 from a station
here,the guys said they might play with SNZ but they didn't.Then when the guy
told 'em they were sweating like pigs they started oinking.THis is my 1st
post.Bye.CLaire
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 12:58:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: Scazmataz@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #408
In case they're any other BFF phreaks in the Philly area who listen to the
radio occaisionally and might want to hear BFF - try 88.5 WXPN. It's the
Upenn station and they really have no format, but in recent weeks have been
playing BFF. I've heard Kate and Brick on which is really cool. Just
thought everyone would like to know...
Later...
Scaz
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 13:07:04 -0400 (EDT)
From: HB255@aol.com
Subject: Kansas City HORDE
First time post here. I went and saw HORDE the other day and it was GREAT.
Started out with Medeski, Martin and Wood, pretty decent.. then came Toad,
which was really great.. a little later the Squirrel Nut Zippers, who REALLY
played a great set... but alll that doesn't matter. BFF was worth the PRICE
OF ADMISSION! I would have paid 32 bucks to see them for that half hour they
were there. The crowd of people at the second stage was unbelievable-me and
my friends got there 45 minutes early, and there were already about 100
people there! However, with a little serriptitious sneaking past people.. we
ended up about 1 or 2 rows of people back (my friend Jamie, being short, got
almost right next to the stage). And then they played. The list was something
like:
One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
Fair
and then these i'm not sure about the order:
Smoke
Theme From Dr. Pyser
And they closed with Philosophy.
This was the greatest show i've seen. Period. At "Dwarf" the crowd was going
absolutely crazy-by the time they started, there were about 2000 people
crowded around. But that's not the best.... they were signing! I got a "WAEA"
T-Shirt signed and chatted a bit with Ben and the rest. They were not happy
about the contract saying they only got 30 minutes. Oh, almost forgot one of
the best parts: The strings. They had a complete string quartet there,
playing in every song. Really added to it. Well, i've rambled on long enough
for now.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 14:07:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: Alanica@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #408
Are the stickers a "5" with pictures of Ben, Darren, and Robert on them, or
are they different from those???
Just Wondering.
becca
: ) "turn that frown upside down" - in the memory of Owen
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 23 Apr 1997 22:56:19 +0100
From: paul.leung@virgin.net (paul.leung@virgin.net)
Subject: Amos 'v' Folds
Another word on this subject-how could you compare anybody, yet alone
these two? I mean, Ben plays a Baldwin, while Amos plays Bosendorfer.
'Nuff said.
Anthony
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Jul 1997 18:00:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: Jack of All Parades <berlyant@eden.rutgers.edu>
Subject: Ben vs. Tori/ Bootlegs
Hi, it's Matt once again with my 2nd posting ever to the Armchair. First,
thanks to the people who wrote the stuff about Ben and Tori duking it out,
whether it be in the boxing ring or merely head-to-head combat (ala
Ultimate Fighting). Very entertaining. I gotta disagree with their
weights, though. Tori can't be above 120 just because she's so diminutive
and Ben at 162, c'mon? He's lucky if he breaks 125! Also, I must respond
to this comment regarding bootlegs:
<Date: Tue, 22 Jul 97 00:47:54 EDT
From: shultz@bme1.image.uky.edu (Jason Shultz)
Subject: Re: bootlegs
>Does anyone know where I can get a catalog of good bootlegs, especially
>bff bootlegs. Also, does anyone want to start trading tapes?
I don't know if the ethics of bootlegs has been discussed here lately.
The Japanese imports and actual cd's that are recognized
by BF5 are all right. BUT DO NOT BUY UNAPPROVED BOOTLEGS.
This only hurts the band and the fans. Since it is not illegal
to sell bootlegs in the US, only to make them, there are plenty
of European companies willing to ship them here. Don't give in
to temptation. If the selling of bootlegs becomes a problem,
Ben and the boys may object to people taping further shows.
Just trying to share my enlightenment ;)
>>>
If this was discussed previously, I apologize. However, seeing as I've
only been on this here Armchair a few months, I haven't heard this
discussed, so here I go. I never understood why the recording industry,
bands, and even a lot of fans are so hung up over bootlegs. Unless the
bootleg attempts to duplicate an album that's currently in print and
available through "official" avenues, the band and label loses ZERO (i.e.
NOTHING, NADA, ZIP) from 99.9% of bootleg sales since most of the fans who
are devoted enough to pay $20 (or more) for a questionable sounding live
CD, for ex., are usually true fans who have all of the official releases
already, sometimes in multiple formats, and I'm sure that there's many of
us who this definition applies to. So, with that in mind, the only thing
that the anti-bootleg backlash does is alienate a band's most ardent
supporters. Now, to be fair, I could understand not buying them because
of their very high prices, and for this reason, I myself prefer to just do
tape trading for rarities and live stuff, but I do own bootleg CDs, and
unapologetically so! Sorry for the length of this post, but I think I
have a good point. Also, I believe it is in fact illegal to sell bootlegs
here in the U.S. as well as to make them. Why, just last year, there was
a big bootleg bust off the shores of Florida where thousands of CDs where
confiscated and stores in New York took all of their boots off of their
shelves for fear of being caught selling them. And we can all blame Dave
Matthews for this one (sorry, I know that there are a lot of DMB fans on
this list, but I call em as I see em). If any of you are curious as to
why, e-mail me and I'll tell you. Since this is a BFF list, I don't wanna
spend TOO much time on other stuff, OK?
Best wishes,
Matt
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #409
**************************************
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR - The Ben Folds Five Mailing List
Submit articles to: armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl
Send administrative requests to: armchair-request@maillist.il.fontys.nl
WWW homepage: http://oeonline.com/bff
List archive: http://oeonline.com/bff/list/