THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #499 - September 28, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Sunday, September 28 1997 Volume 01 : Number 499
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
One Angry Dwarf
BF5 Melbourne gig
My Boys in Melbourne!!
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #497
Melbourne Chisolm Gig.
Fate has got it in for me...
[none]
For Japanese readers(mainly)
Re: Drew Carey
schtuff! Losta schtuff!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 18:25:57 -0600
From: Bryan Hall <hallbros@rapidnet.com>
Subject: One Angry Dwarf
I just saw the OAD video on MTV for the first time. I think I had seen
part of it once, but I hadn't heard of BFF and I was probably thinking,
"One Angry *Dwarf*? What the ^$#%@ kind of name for a song is that?!?"
Now, I still think it's a kind of strange name, but I like it. And the
song obviously kicks a$$. Anyway, it was on eMpTyV Live, their afternoon
show, in which they have a celebrity on every day (or most days; I
haven't seen it much). Anyway, today's (Friday's) guest was Drew Carey,
for whom I don't much care, but he (as each celeb guest does) got to
pick a video to play, and he picked OAD. I was flipping through, and I
almost passed it by until I recognized the song. the video's kinda
screwy, but it's still great.
Anyway, that's all I've got to say. If anybody wants to trade BFF
bootlegs (even though I hate that word; makes it sound illegal to me),
check out my mostly DMB tapelist at:
http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6621/DMB.html
If I don't have anything you like, I'd be glad to do 1:1 blank(s) and
postage deal(s).
thanks!
- --
Bryan Hall hallbros@rapidnet.com
'cause the world, it's on an Upspin again
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 11:49:32 +1000
From: "Rebecca Gorrell & Lance O'Brien" <lotto@netspace.net.au>
Subject: BF5 Melbourne gig
I have to say that I was most disappointed having been a fan for
about 20 mths (we didn't hear of them here until early '96) and waiting for
that whole time to see them live. The band themselves were great with Ben
being the showman and the three of them seemingly having a fantastic time.
Some of the crowd was obviously quite unfamiliar with their stuff and would
start clapping and screaming prematurely during some of their fantastically
timed pregnant pauses assuming the song was over, but that is neither here
nor there.
The problem was the shocking mixing. Robert's and Darren's vocals
were often not heard and the bass was so distorted that the fantastic riffs
were "illegible". Darren sounded like he could only play the bass drum and
cymbals and even Ben's fantastic voice was overpowered by the piano at
times.
After feeling very dissappointed for the first few songs and
glaring at the mixing guy every chance I had (we were standing next to the
mixing station) we noticed that the sound chap had ear plugs in!!!! I then
realised that if you stuck your fingers in your ears the sound was a lot
clearer and actually quite fantastic. I felt like a first class dick
standing there with my fingers in my ears but that was what the sound man
was mixing for. It's very unfortunate but I now know to hear them at their
best I will have to take ear plugs to the Prince of Wales gig next week.
I saw Cake and Even the night before and they were fantasically
loud without any distortion (except a couple of Even's songs) so I know it
is possible to do a great mixong job and keep it loud.
Anyway I still think they're one of the best and am looking forward
to next Friday.
Cheers,
Rebecca
P.S. I was never really into "Best Imitation of Myself" but it was one of
the best songs all night with a great reggae feel and rapid time changes.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 13:41:54 +1000
From: "Cairns Family" <cairns@c031.aone.net.au>
Subject: My Boys in Melbourne!!
Hey Armchair!
Well, I have been in lurker mood for so long but now it is time to burst
out. BFF were just amazing in Melbourne. I had had the worst day at work
and really couldn't be bothered going but it was so worth it! I can't
remember the exact set list or what order they played things in but here
goes:
*Missing the War - I always think that this is a really unusual song to
open with, being quite a mellow song. Darren reminded me of Animal form
the Muppets. He just wanted to cut sick but the song wouldn't him. You
could see the energy radiating of him!
* Kate - How can you not love this song? Really enjoyed the piano
* Philosphy - My God! I wish I could have seen Ben's hands. I think they
played it too fast though.
* Selfless, Cold and Composed - I really sorta tuned out to everything
else and listened to Ben singing. Brilliant!
* Steven's Last night in town - I have not been able to stop singing this
song since the gig. Darren and Rob were fantastic!
* Battle of who could care less - This is such a fun song. Everyone was
very into it!
* Jackson Cannery - Just about the highlight of the gig! Everything about
this song is cool. The bass and the drums were particularly fantastic.
* Fair - This is a song that I don't particulariy like on record, but live
I thougt it was amazing. Rob was doing some very cool things the bass.
* The Last Polka - I have been waiting so long to see this song live.
Just amazing! I love th way the bass and drums just sorta kick the song
along. Again, I thought it was a just a bit too fast.
* One Angry Dwarf - What a great song live!! Everything in it is amazing.
I love the way Rob makes the bass sound like a lead guitar.
* Best Imitation of Myself - I don't know if Ben normally does this, but
he came off the piano and sang it almost entirely (except for the middle
bit) out the front. Was totally blown away by the huge sound Rob and
Darren were getting.
* Musical Interlude - The guys played two instrumentals, the first tune I
recognized but I can't think of what it is, the second was the theme from
Pulp Fiction which was very cool! Darren then came off the drums to have a
chat and asked Ben if he knew "When the Saints come marching in". You see,
St Kilda are playing the Adelaide Crows in the AFL Grand Final today. The
only thing worse, for a Melbournian, than an Interstate Team winning our
Grand Final would be Adelaide winning our Grand Final. So everyone is
quite pumped for it! (the night before I was at the "Cake" gig and the
crowd just burst into "When the Saints" in between sogs. The guys had no
idea what was going on as we all moshed to our little song for a minute).
So the played "When the Saints" and we had a bit of a singalong.
* Underground - With "When the Saints" chucked into the intro for good
measure. I didn't think I could enjoy this song anymore than I already
did. I do now!!
* Julianne - With the pseudo-clypso intro. Again, I was really impressed
with Darren and Rob. I mean, I was thought they were great musicians, but
now I think they are fucking awesome!
ENCORE
* Boxing - Sooooooo impressed that they played this! Ben is just amazing.
The words, his voice, the piano - another sing that I just sort of tuned
out for!
* Song for the Dumped - Excellent. Such a pumped song. Rob's bass was
amazing! What a song to end on!
There were some songs which I really wanted to hear but were missing (Uncle
Walter, Brick, Evaporated). But, it was just sooooo cool. I know I keep
saying cool and amazing, but they were the only words to describe it! Now
I know why all you guys in the States winge that ou have only seen them
four/five times! This could get addictive!
I would love a copy of a boot if anyone got one. I will pay, of course.
So, so PUMPED for next Friday! I can't imagine how good they will be in a
smaller space!
Cheers, Janelle
P.S Anyone got any facts on Darren (particulary the matrial staus bit). I
think I am in love with him. He's such a nut!
_____________________________________________________________________
Oh when the Saints go marching in - GO St KILDA
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 00:13:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Yardbirdzz@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #497
In a message dated 97-09-26 21:09:23 EDT, you write:
<< punkerboy@webtv.net >>
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 14:16:29 +1000
From: Sarah <titania@cybergal.com>
Subject: Melbourne Chisolm Gig.
Wow, what a concert! The guys absolutely rocked! I've been waiting soooo
long for BF5 to tour here, and it was worth every minute of waiting :} The
playlist was Missing the War, Kate, Philosophy, Selfless, Cold and
composed, Jackson Cannery,
Steven's last night in town, Fair, Last polka, Best Imitation of Myself,
One Angry Dwarf, an instrumental that I didn't recognise, Wipeout, When
the Saints go Marching in, Underground, Julianne and as encores, Boxing
and Song for the Dump
ed.
They did Best Imitation as mostly acapela and slowed down a bit. Most of
the other songs sounded pretty much as they do on the albums, but they
played around with things here and there, I'm just too spun to remember
very much ;-} When the Saints go Marc
hing In was a special tribute (I think...) to our Premier sporting event
which is happening tomorrow. The Saints are playing in the Afl Grand
Final, and if they win it will be their first Premiership since 1966, so I
hope BF5 bring them extra luck by play
ing their theme!!!
I'd like to say a BIG thank you to Doug and Alan, who helped me to meet
the boys after the show. Thank you guys for taking pity on a poor lowly
little fan ;-} Ben and Darren and Robert were really friendly, and it
absolutely made my evening to be able to
thank them for the fantastic music that they write and perform so
brilliantly. Oh and of course to get my c.d. signed!!!
What else can I say? All fellow Aussie Armchairites... BEG STEAL OR BORROW
a ticket to their shows... there is nothing that can match them live. I am
going to try and get night off work to go again to The Prince of Wales
gig. And don't I wish I was going
to Livid now!
Well enough of my ranting... Thank you again Doug and Alan, and thank you Ben Folds Five for injecting something new into our faded and stale music scene :-p
Sarah
titania@cybergal.com
The essential conditions of everything you do must be choice,
passion, and love.
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 26 Sep 1997 22:53:08 PDT
From: "Petra Starke" <naturalselection@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fate has got it in for me...
Ok. Obviously Fate has decreed that I'm never going to see the Ben Folds
Five EVER and that I am going to die a very bitter girl. On top of
missing them on the Arias, and on Kerri Ann, and on the Today Show, I
missed them on Recovery this morning. And do you know why? Because my
VCR seemed to forget that I set the timer to record it and refused to
tape the show. With my luck I'll rock up to the concert tonight and I'll
find out it was actually on yesterday...
Crossing fingers that I actually get to see them at the ADELAIDE SHOW
tonight,
Petra
PS: Can someone please make a post about what the Recovery gig was like?
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------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 21:22:20 +1000
From: Anna <z2211303@pop3.student.unsw.edu.au>
Subject: [none]
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to mention that the Sydney Uni gig was excellent. I
managed to score a spot right in front of Ben. Along with fellow armchairite
Craig H (whom I accidently bumped into). I could not believe how lucky I
was. All those other Aussie fans out there, you all have somethng to look
forward to.
I also got to see them on Recovery this morning. As I'm sure a lot
of other BFF fans did. Weren't they great? They played Underground and One
Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces. I also tried to chat with them on IRC
during the show but it did not seem to work. Did anyone manage to connect
with them? If so, tell me what went on, please.
One more thing, Ben Folds Five Rule!!!
AnnaB
Apology accepted Matt.
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 20:48:00 +0900
From: Azusa Motohashi <EZC00110@niftyserve.or.jp>
Subject: For Japanese readers(mainly)
Hi there,
We haven't heard a news about Ben Folds Five these months
here(in Japan).No show ,no TV apprearance.
But I want you to know some news.
First, "Lounge - A - Palooza" CD(which MeandMrRay@aol.com
mentioned about on #494) has been released since 9/26.
"Lounge-A-Palooza" POCP-7253 (Polydor K.K.)
price:2,548 yen
Ben Folds Five's "She Don't Use Jelly" is in it.
With lylics and Japanese sleeve(?).
Second, in HMV Ikebukuro(Tokyo) they sell some titles of
Bus Stop's CDs at "Ben Folds Five".
I found that about one month ago ,but I've never seen these CDs
at any other CD store.
So if you want them NOW(I read Chuck's interesting
post before), go there and check them! And they still sell
some of U.K.and U.S. CD singles, Barry Black's CD .
If you live far from Tokyo and can't get them,please e-mail me.
Azusa Motohashi
EZC00110@niftyserve.or.jp
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 10:15:23 -0400
From: Heather Hurwitz <hhurwitz@gwis2.circ.gwu.edu>
Subject: Re: Drew Carey
Hiya Fivers!!
The Drew Carey posts were great! And, do you all know why Drew Carey is so
cool?..... He is from Cleveland :). He is actually from the small town
right next to me that I always go to. So, not only is he awesome for
liking BF5, he's double aws because he is from where I am from. Just
thought I'd plug my town. Have a nice day.
Peanutt
"I feel like a quote out of context" -Ben Folds Five
get your fill of peanutts on the www: http://www.cyberdrive.net/~percystar
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 18:40:47 -0400
From: jaedonely@juno.com (A A DONELY)
Subject: schtuff! Losta schtuff!
If Brick did hit it big,
I would think it would be a lot more like "Wonderwall" by Oasis.
excepting it would have a controversial subject.
my .02
Bess, I do not have your email address since my juno erased all of my old
letters and I have to say-its saturday, and I didnot recieve my tape from
the tape chain in the mail yet.:(!!!
For those y'all looking to give tax deductible donations-
I am traveling to Cuernavaca, Mexico in April to work with the poor-its
via school.
Im totally looking forward to it but so that I can go-I need donations.
If you want to help me, please write me.THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
Love y'all!!
~Elisabeth
"I am here to live out loud!"~Emile Zola
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #499
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