THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #557 - October 24, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Friday, October 24 1997 Volume 01 : Number 557
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
HELP ME ARMCHAIR!!
Re: Can someone settle an argument for me?
Chicago
"Kate" rhythm, Hearts, BF5 dreams
Pass the Cous Cous
Which album and covers
BFF in Jacksonville
WPB show, telephone ringing, (more) meaning of Brick
JJJ not the only one in Oz
kate
Magical Armchair Digest V1 #554
nothing much
Bootlegs
BF5 Down Under
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #554
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 21:25:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: Znice@aol.com
Subject: HELP ME ARMCHAIR!!
i am in desperate need of some armchair help from NY!
i finally found someone to roadtrip to the city with me for the show on the
6th. i tried to get tickets from ticketmaster online but there were none
left, oh no! i just spent 2 hrs searching for ticket brokers in NYC or
anyone that might have 2 tix, but no luck. does anyone know where i can get
2 tix? i'm willing to pay more from a ticket agency or scalper or whatever,
but i need help. (i know one of you must have overbought tix in an effort to
later help a distressed fan!) Please email me at Znice@aol.com if anyone has
any ideas or miracles...
" i was thinking about respecting your work for Steven and...ONE, TWO, THREE,
FOUR!"
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 18:37:12 -0700
From: Janet
Subject: Re: Can someone settle an argument for me?
Hey--
We just had this ongoing, endless argument of what Brick is about on the
Armchair. I'll just set it straight so that the whole thing doesn't
start up again. Please, please I beg you people don't start it again
(sigh)...
It's your choice what "Brick" is about.
The two main opinions are that it's about abortion, or it's about AIDS.
But I hear that the video will be coming up soon and that will
supposedly make it all clear.
If you want more info read the previous copies of the armchair on
Frank's page, there should be plenty of info there.
Take care.
Janet.
- -Why don't we pitch it to the Franklin gosh-darn Mint?-
- --
Serenity Now!! --> http://members.tripod.com/~peachfish/sparkie.htm
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 21:15:47 -0500
From: m
Subject: Chicago
Now that the Chicago show is less than ten days away, I'd like to
know if any of you are going to be there....Just curious. Later.
m
"When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school,
it's a wonder I can think at all..."
-Paul Simon
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 23:37:06 -0400
From: Rebecca.Cole@mail.cc.trincoll.edu (Rebecca Cole)
Subject: "Kate" rhythm, Hearts, BF5 dreams
Ok, see, the thing with "Kate" that tweaks it is that the rhythmic emphasis
is on beats 1 and 3 instead of 2 and 4, as in most pop music. Like the
opposite beats of where you'd snap with the music, assuming you have rhythm
(which not everyone does, and that's ok...rhythmic deficiency happens to a
lot of us). What's great about it is that it's really quite hard to do, but
the boys, of course, pull it off seamlessly. (Though, as an aside, I've
heard them screw up in concert...like I said, rhythmic deficiency happens
to a lot of us...)
To the girl who plays Hearts with Ben, Darren, Robert, and Satan: you rock.
That made me laugh out loud.
And on the topic of Ben Folds Five dreams, last summer I dreamt I saw them
in concert and Robert was wearing nipple clamps. This, I'm sure was a
direct result of my listening to Soul Coughing's "Casiotone Nation" over
and over that day, alternated with WAEA, and I don't even really know what
nipple clamps ARE, but whatever. Then we all went to get cheeseburgers,
which I don't even eat. Their tour bus was an 82 dirt-brown Honda hatchback
that had no hubcaps and had bumper stickers that advertised things like the
Mystery Spot and other cheesy tourist attractions. Not too exciting, but I
like the nipple clamp bit.
One question...we all know that Ben's birthday is in September. What about
the other two? I need to know their birthdays because of this sick problem
that I have lately with astrology. If anyone knows, please help me
out...Thanks for feeding my addiction.
Each tablet provides 416% of the U.S, Recommended Daily Allowance,
Rebby
***
"What, is there no baseball field in heaven?
-Kristin Franczyk, on Field of Dreams
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 21:28:31 PDT
From: "Courtney Knopf"
Subject: Pass the Cous Cous
Strange subject line, I know, but it's the title of this cool song by
this swing band called The Last of the International Playboys. They sent
me their CD and I decided that I can play that song back to back with
"Steven" on my radio show 'cause they've both got the Klezmer thing
happening.
Anyway, as far as Northwest dates go Doron, Max,I feel your pain...I'm
from Portland too, but I go to school in L.A. (with Brant- hi!). so
we're lucky to get to see 'em play the El Rey 11/30. But I'm REALLY
hoping that they'll play a Portland show after they finish across the
pond. But I would wilingly drive to Seattle to see em--carpool anyone?
Frank, do you know anything about possible northwest dates?
Oh and Max, give a say hey to Camille and stuff!
~Courtney
The Sultraness of Swing
______________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 14:31:48 +1000
From: Ben Hodson
Subject: Which album and covers
Hi again I will just add my 5 cents to the ablum debate (we don't have 2
cents in Australia anymore) personally I prefer the first, not by much,
because I can sit and listen to it all the way through in one sitting but I
can't with the second. Not that it doesn't have great songs on it, but they
start to depress me a little to much, and also having to look for hidden
meanings in them!! Until I started reading the armchair I thought Brick was
just about the lonliness within relationships, I guess I was wrong.
I saw a while ago people put up songs they would like to see BFF cover,
well here are a couple I would love to see:
*Operation Ivy- Knowledge
and/or
*Reguritator- I sucked a lot of cock to get where I am
I think Ben could see the funny side to that song, well who can't!!
If I had a changer what would be in it
BFF-S/T
Operation Ivy-Energy
iNsuRge- Power to the poison people
Green Day- Dookie
Rancid- ...And out come the wolves
+----------------------------------------+
|BEN HODSON |
+----------------------------------------+
|"At the party at the bus stop at the bar|
| your looking at women cause your score |
| is under par." Jesse (Operation Ivy) - |
| "Smiling"
+----------------------------------------+
|EMAIL-benh@powerup.com.au |
|EMAIL-storm.boy@mailcity.com |
|WWW-http://www.powerup.com.au/~benh |
+----------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 02:06:14 -0500
From: Jason Cooper
Subject: BFF in Jacksonville
Got my first taste of Ben Folds Five live in Jacksonville last night. It
was even more bueno, because I went with a good friend from high school I
had not seen much of in awhile. As an interesting side note, she had not
even heard the band before yesterday, but owns the second album already. A
convert. Cool. Okay, the show. First off, I am not a big rock concert goer,
so my ears are still ringing from how LOUD they played. And I was in the
very back. I have no idea why a piano led trio needs to be loud, is this
normal? My friend could not even understand most of the lyrics. But, that
was a minor detraction. They opened with 'Missing the War', which I thought
was a strange choice, but it rocked and got the crowd (not a sellout, but
fairly enthusiastic) in the mood. They played just about everything from
the albums. Noticably missing were 'Sports', 'Uncle Walter', and
'Evaporated'. I think they played everything else. The only non album chart
they did was Dr. Pyser, with the cool Dick Dale quote at the end. They
screwed around with the intro to 'Fair' and 'Jackson Cannery'. The intro to
Song for the Dumped has to be seen to be believed. Robert used something to
slide on his strings, and Ben stroked his mike on the piano strings, while
holding down a few keys to provide some sort of tonality. I tried this
today with one of the Steinway grands here at the prestigious Florida State
University. My conducting teacher asked me to stop. Pretty cool. I mostly
just watched and tried to soak in the general good vibes. It was cool being
there with my friend. She really digged the band. I wasn't sure if she
would. If anyone wants anymore details, I will attempt to provide. Nothing
seems too salient at the moment.
Jason
In the 5 disc
NIN - Broken
Archers of Loaf - The Speed of Cattle
Stravinsky - Firebird Suite
Violent Femmes - self titled
BFF - Whatever
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 02:02:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: Calmdown20@aol.com
Subject: WPB show, telephone ringing, (more) meaning of Brick
Hey everybody, I just got back from the West Palm Beach show and boy was it
pumped. I had an opportunity to ask Robert and Ben some short questions and
I asked Robert if the telephone ring on Stevens Last Night was on-purpose or
not. He said, nope it was totally by accident, but since it came in at such
a perfect time they left it in.
Then I asked Ben if Brick was about abortion or not and he said, yeah
it was. He said when he wrote it he thought it would be totally obvious to
everyone (not to brag or anything, but I knew it was about abortion the whole
time) So I hope that ends the debate. I know other people have cited
different times when Ben said that it was about Abortion, so all you people
that refuse to believe it...believe it.
Now, for my two cents on the Brick aspect. I think through the whole
song Ben is basically saying that the guy in the situation is not handling
the situation to well, killing a baby and all (Im drowning slowly). But the
girl seems to be taking it rather well, like she doesnt care, its just an
abortion. Hence, shes a "brick".
Its also shown at the end when he says, "as weeks went by, it shows
that she was not fine", like, she really wasnt as cool about the whole thing
in the first place. She just showed on the outside how strong she was (like
a brick) but she really wasnt, she was "drowning" (not taking the abortion
well) just like he was. And after weeks of trying to hide her misery, it
starts getting to her and she acts depressed all the time and wont tell
anybody why. So people go to him and say "listen, we know you know why she is
acting like this, just tell us" So they both breakdown and now she is not a
Brick anymore, shes drowning, just like he is.
Anyway, I dont know if that makes sense to you all, but I dont know a
better way to explain it. I hope it does though...cause thats my take on it.
I would really like to know what you guys think about what I said, so email
me privately if you have any thoughts.
Jonathan
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 16:05:33 +1000 (EST)
From: lotto@netspace.net.au (Rebecca Gorrell)
Subject: JJJ not the only one in Oz
I just thought I'd remind Melbourne BFF fans how fortunate we are to have
radio station RRR (102.7FM). They play a lot of BFF stuff and also had a
phone interview with Robert before they toured and had the three of them in
the studio while they were here. Melbourne (and Brisbane with ZZZ) are the
only cities to have independent public radio stations that actually play
good music such as BFF, and Triple RRR were also giving away BFF concert
tickets to subscribers!!! With great prizes like that it is worth subscribing.
Sorry to all other states who have to put up with Sydney radio, while we in
Melbourne have a station with just as good music but also with the local
gossip and gig information.
Sorry to ramble on about Aussie stuff. It's only been a month but I'm ready
for another BFF tour already!!
Cheers,
Rebecca
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 23:10:12 PDT
From: "Flying Nun"
Subject: kate
hi all,
whoever wrote about Mrs Folds Senior - what does Kate look like??
And can someone enlighten me and tell me who sings what in Fanny Packs?
I just heard it from the real audio site and i can't really make out
who's who. Loved it by the way, it was so funny to hear!
Que
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------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 02:44:00, -0500
From: MZEH25B@prodigy.com (JAMES E OWSLEY)
Subject: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #554
in reply to Doron Rochartz................
I think, although it would be nice for them to come BACK to the
northwest...., that you shouldn't hold so much against them for not
including this area in their tour. Its not like you tried to hide
the tone of your post or anything....
......and, yes, their are other Ben Folds Five fans in the "little
old" northwest..... sorry to burst your bubble.
so there.
-the bokk
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 02:59:05, -0500
From: MZEH25B@prodigy.com (JAMES E OWSLEY)
Subject: nothing much
i just wanted to say something to the guy /\/\arc, who was
contemplating the mysteries of the song titled 'Where's Summer B' .
Personally I have always taken the more conventional way out,
and have gone with - its a girls name, and her last name is
abbreviated...... to tell the truth your other idea about the title
is, to me, flabberghasting (did i spell that right?) I don't
think I would, or could for that matter sit down and take the time to
derive that much meaning from a song's title.....but hey!!! that's me.
....
.......i just like to enjoy the song.......isn't that what
the main objective is!?! to enjoy his music???
Ok....heres a question for all you diehard fans.......
.........actually it pertains only to those who are currently in
posetion of any of the singles that Ben Folds Five has released.
I was wondering what songs are on what single.....
'Where's summer B'
'One Angry Dwarf.....Faces'
'Battle of Who.....Less'
'Kate'
and I think that's all................
.....so
get back to me.....because I am gonna get one of them and I want to
have an idea of which one has the best b-sides and such.......
thanks much,
-the bokk
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 05:29:36 -0400
From: Steffen Donath
Subject: Bootlegs
Hello everybody!
Anybody out there with a good quality (and I mean GOOD!!!) bootleg from
BFFs H.O.R.D.E. 1997 Tour with string quartet or their recent Australian
Tour?
If so, please contact me privately so we can arrange a trade.
Steffen
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/SDonath - BFF webpage (just
updated!)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 19:45:05 +1000
From: Murray Cole
Subject: BF5 Down Under
G'day to you all (just thought I'd adhere to the stereotypical Aussie
image). I'd just like to add to the comments made by Robyn (aka Ribbon)
on BFF in Australia. Like Ribbon, I find that no-one really knows about
Ben Folds Five here which is sad really because they're such an
excellent band. They don't get enough airplay here, except on Triple J
(where Underground ranked 3rd on it's Hottest 100 list for the year,
beaten only by Tool and Spiderbait---well deserved). However, friends
who've listened to my BFF CD are instantly transformed into die hard bff
fans like myself. If only commercial radio stations would play BFF, I'm
sure they'd be incredibly popular.
Off topic: If you like BFF, I recommend listening to The Whitlams
(aussie band). Most of their songs have the same kind of style. If you
want BFF-ish music, I wouldn't recommend their new album (Eternal
Nightcap) as it's very sombre and reflective (due to the death of a
bandmember).
I'd better shut up now.
- --Muzza
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 23 Oct 1997 13:22:48 GMT
From: "Mark Piper"
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #554
Brant wrote:
>This is something that Ben has admitted to in
>an interview within the pages of The Performing Songwriter magazine
>(July/August '97). Here's the brief transcript of pertinent info:
>If you'd like a copy of the whole interview, I'm afraid I am going
>to be a "pyser" and refuse to write the whole thing out on email and
>send it to tons of people--so don't ask me for one. But if you
>pick up the latest issue of Performing Songwriter, you can order
>back issues.
Or you could just head along to my web page and read it there...
Looks, Brains & Everything:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/perfsong.html
Mark
+------------------------------------------------------+
| mfp540@bham.ac.uk pipermf@phymat.bham.ac.uk |
| Ben Folds Five: Looks, Brains & Everything - |
| http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html |
+------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #557
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