THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #584 - November 4, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, November 4 1997 Volume 01 : Number 584
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Oh... to have a Ben Folds Five song book....
Stuff
stuff 'n stuff 'n stuff
Weird places
Ypsi show...
magical armchair
ben folds five
Skip this unless your name is Sarah
Philosophy Markings
BF5
Ithaca, NY show
Bhagavad Gita
my ben folds story
Ben, sexy MF
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 16:47:43 -0500
From: "John A. Binhammer"
Subject: Oh... to have a Ben Folds Five song book....
I am just dying to get my hands on that song book (or copies of) as well!
And now I find out that that "temporarily" has mutated into "permanently".
I am très pissed. Can anyone who can hook me up please write back?
Donkeychains,
Lyndie
I admit it would be really great to get my hands on that. I want in!!! Please, e-mail me too if you know anything!!
"No profit grows where is no pleasure taken." --WS
Great quote, by the way. ;-)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 16:57:40 -0500
From: "John E. Fahey"
Subject: Stuff
Well I was thinking about the 'new' album coming out in January when I
thought of somehting else. Wouldn't it be kind of cool if BFF released a
box set of all the singles from the S/T and WAEA? It would be kind of
like the box set that the Smashing Pupkins released about a year ago
that included all the singles from their album as well as a little book.
*WARNING* The Following is not related to Ben Folds Five *WARNING*
On this list and the Nancies, quite often I see people mentioning The
Might Be Giants. I feel a bit dumb because I've never heard of them. I'd
really appreciate it if someone could fill me in on who they are. For
example, what type of music do they play?
Thanx!
cheers,
john
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 16:29:17 -0600 (CST)
From: Elizbeth Hackett
Subject: stuff 'n stuff 'n stuff
Whoever said that since Counting Crows, or as my brother (who is also a
BFF fan) and his friends call "Grunting Cows", plugged BFF in "Monkey"
we can't say that the Cows suck. I don't think that's right. Why? An
example...
The Spice Girls promote Pepsi. I like Pepsi. I hate the Spice Girls. Does
the fact that they promote the product make me not hate them any more?
Hell, no!
That's my two rocks.
Also...
From the Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary (a banned book, I might
add):
Bhagavad Gita n [Skt Bhagavadgita, lit., song of the blessed one
(Krishna)] (ca. 1785): a Hindu devotional work work in poetic form.
And to all the other teens out there, has anybody else's parents overheard
the music when you blast BFF out of your speakers and actually commented
positively on it?
Beth H.
http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/2029/
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
"There's something in the unity
What's coming over me
Go fuck humility
We're Awesome"
- -Veruca Salt
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 14:15:10 PST
From: "wilson lo"
Subject: Weird places
Since everyone is posting their "weird places where I heard Ben
Folds Five stories" I decided it was high time to post mine. I was
sitting on the sofa doing my homework and my sister was watching TV.
Suddenly I hear One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces, I look up and I
see fashion models parading back and forth. It turns out she was
watching Fashion Television. Very cool I never knew dumb show like that
acutally played some cool music
Are any armchairer on ICQ I'm sick of talking to my friends about
Ben Folds Five and then they think I'm a psycho. My email is
inane@hotmail.com add me to your list if you want
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 97 16:32:05 CST
From: amit_saha@VNET.IBM.COM
Subject: Ypsi show...
Hi everyone,
I was at the Ypsi show on Saturday night and loved every minute of it.
I won't bother gushing about Ben since I'd be preaching to the converted.
But a few comments...
Verbow - man, I can't believe people are dissing this band! I saw them
open for Brad and thought they kicked Brad's ass. I thought they played
a really good show. My girlfriend and I were certainly converted. Let's
face it - when a band is produced and mentored by none other than
Bob Mould, then they must have something pretty good going for them!
Give these guys a chance!
Heh....ever noticed how an increasing number of BFF fans are parodies
of the very people Ben writes about (this is not a good thing :) :)).
OK....Shannon - that BFF tape you gave me is awesome! Do you (or anyone
else know) where the Japanese version of Song for the Dumped was recorded?
Has Ben played it on more than one occassion?
I've worked out One Angry Dwarf, Fair, Brick, Kate, and Song for the
Dumped (solos, too, for the most part). Is someone compiling tabs for
for an online songbook like the excellent done for the first album??
Or is this a moot point since Ben claims one will be sold?
back to lurk mode....amit.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 17:28:49 EST
From: luckyday6@juno.com (Jason A Masi)
Subject: magical armchair
I want to go to a Ben Folds Five concert it is part of a christmas show ,
but its 18+ and I am only 16 and I love them to death and want to see
them anyone have any advice. So what singles do they have out that
everyone is talking about? Well Steven's Last Night in Town is an awesome
song ans that is a telephone at the end of the song. Thanks a lot
BFF all the way
Jason
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 17:36:25 EST
From: luckyday6@juno.com (Jason A Masi)
Subject: ben folds five
hey if u have the lyrics for underground or any lyrics from there first
cd please post them
thanks
Jason
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 16:44:06 +0000
From: Melissa Larson
Subject: Skip this unless your name is Sarah
SOrry to abuse the Armchair, but I have no other choice. I told a girl
by the name of Sarah, and the e-mail address titanaia@cybergal.com that
I would get her a Kate single. Well, Sarah, if you are reading this--I
have been trying to e-mail you for a week and I keep getting them back.
SO, I am NOT neglecting you, its just that your inbox is rejecting me.
What should we do??
Sorry again to all the Armchairians...
- -Missy
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"The cruelest lies are often told
without a word...
...The kindest truths are often spoke
but never heard."
-Ben Folds
<<<<<<1215 30th St. Mail #66 G-K Hall Des Moines, IA 50311<<<<<<
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 17:46:50 -0500
From: Carrie Shanafelt
Subject: Philosophy Markings
To those of you whom I have sent sheet music to, or are getting sheet music
- -- take a look to see if I sent a page of clarification of the markings. I
think I've sent it with about half of them, depending on my mood for the
day, and counted on emailing the rest! So check to see if you have it, or
if you haven't got it yet -- remember to ask for it and I'll email them to
you. Otherwise the music is really really confusing (which it is anyway...
Oh, Ben!) Lemme know!
Carrie
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 17:52:41 -0800
From: roguesquad1@juno.com (Paul b Foundoukis)
Subject: BF5
Ben is a fagot
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 17:48:33 EST
From: sandishortcake@juno.com
Subject: Ithaca, NY show
I finally got to see them perform "Boxing" again, so that was nice. It
was a great show besides the fact that the seats went all the way up to
the baracade (front of the stage). Although my seat was actually like 3
rows back and to the right, I SOMEHOW managed to be 2nd row just to the
left of center (far enough over so I could see Ben's hands but still see
Robert and Darren as well), I had a great view. I hope someone posts a
set list because I can't remember it for the life of me...3 shows in a
row and I keep getting the shows mixed up. I know they did NOT play
"Kate" and I was pretty disappointed. They DID play this really cool
jam they made up which they referred to as the "Robert Sledge Sex Jam".
Very cool. This was Kim Fox's last show with them (and possibly Verbow's
too, but I'm not sure) and now Travis will be the opening act, so for all
of you Brit music fans, get there in time to check them out. Nothing
else really interesting to report (if you even consider the above
interesting). Hello to the people who were sitting in front of my
original seats, they said they're on here, but just lurkers.
Sandi
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 15:04:58 PST
From: "Jerry Maloney"
Subject: Bhagavad Gita
Actually, the Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu text, not Buddhist. (I know,
there's not a huge distinction, but it matters to those who are of
either faith.) Some pretty wild stuff, especially about the creation of
the world... not exactly Adam and Eve. It's pretty obtuse-- i can't
imagine someone handing it out on the street, but if Kate does, good for
her.
Jerry
I've learned there are three things i should never discuss with people:
Religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.
-- Linus Van Pelt
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 18:53:42 -0500 (EST)
From: GrnEgNham@aol.com
Subject: my ben folds story
A couple of people asked me to post my ben folds five story/ darren
interview. Here it is. *Note* It is not filled with too many quotes from
Darren because
a) I have to write another version of this story for my school newspaper
and
b) Darren, as much as I love him, didn't say too much in the interview.
He sounded really really tired (and told me he just got back from
Australia), so I totally understand. I'm sure he would have been much better
to interview, had he been in an actual good physical state to be interviewed.
Without further ado.......
Teaser on front page of section reads Ben Folds Five Bares All
Headline reads Finally, a truly different type of music
They've got the looks, they've got the brains, they've got everything. Most
people don't
realize that yet about Ben Folds Five, but they will, starting this Friday.
The group will be
performing at Lakewood Civic Auditorium at 8 p.m.
This three-member band from North Carolina includes pianist/singer Ben
Folds, bassist
Robert Sledge and drummer Darren Jessee. Formed in 1993, Jessee said they
met more or less on
the street and were playing together within a month.
He admits their formation was ordinary, but stresses Ben Folds Five's music
is anything
but.
"We're trying to offer something slightly different," said Jessee from his
home in Chapel
Hill, North Carolina. "We're aiming towards people who are especially tired
of the same type of
music."
These tired listeners are experiencing a wonderful awakening. Listeners
hear songs that
emphasize the piano and use the bass and drums only as accompaniments. Most
other bands rely
on their guitars, sometimes having two or three in one group. Ben Folds
Five's unique sound
incorporates melodies reminiscent of Cole Porter ranging all the way up to
the British punk-rock
group The Clash.
Ben Folds Five entered the music scene in 1995 with their self-titled debut
album, which
included the acerbically funny hit "Underground". The song received much
attention for its
mockery of people who try too hard to fit in. "Hand me my nose-ring. Show
me the mosh pit,"
Ben Folds Five begged. Still remaining upbeat throughout, the song's main
message is one of
self-acceptance. "We can be happy underground!" they proclaim.
Jessee realizes their music is often humorous but feels Ben Folds Five is so
much more.
"I don't think we're this crazy band that's telling jokes all the time," he
said.
In fact, they have an ability to take what seems to be a superficially funny
song and turn it
into a profound thought on life such as "Underground". "Philosophy", also on
the first album,
preached sticking to your own modus operandi despite others' comments.
After the success of the first album, Sony signed Ben Folds Five to their
first major label.
Despite having all the amenities of a big name studio, the trio chose to
record their second album,
"Whatever and Ever Amen" in Ben Fold's home.
"We were a little wary of going into a studio on our first major label
album," Jessee
explained. "We just wanted to buy ourselves a little more time basically."
Along with time, they bought themselves creativity. Fans have found many
surprises on
the album. A phone rings in "Steven's Last Night in Town" and uncut
conversations after certain
songs remain, showing yet another difference between Ben Folds Five and the
average group.
Any other band would have re-recorded the song, just to get rid of the
background noise. But
they left it in, and through that communicated their feelings on how the
album was made. When
he listens back now, Jessee finds tension in the music due to the recording
environment.
"It was a small house and we were in it alot," he said. "At times we felt
very
claustrophobic. I can hear that we were very tired of being in there all the
time."
With those types of sentiments it is no wonder Ben Folds Five enjoys their
live shows.
Jessee, who recently returned home from their tour in Australia, enjoys both
performing and
recording.
"If you just made records, you might lose perspective," he said. "Touring
allows you to
stay in contact with people."
The band members also bring their humor to their shows. In Dallas several
years ago,
Jessee was supposed to do a drum solo on "Sports and Wine" but opted to
improvise instead.
"I stood up and did some serious karate moves," he proudly said, adding that
was one of
his favorite drum solos ever.
Ben Folds also improvises with his piano-playing techniques. His trademark
"bang" on the
piano is made with his stool. Folds also enjoys sliding his microphone
across the piano strings.
All band members experiment with other instruments by using the bugle horn
and kazoo on tour
and in the studio.
Ben Folds Five delighted Cleveland audiences last year and the year before
when they
performed at the Odeon. The trio will be bringing their show to Cleveland
once again this Friday.
Jessee promises all concert-goers either a trick or a treat for Halloween.
"We'll do something good, I'm sure," he promised. "Last year, we were
KISS."
Jessee also wants everyone to know that they do not have to wear a costume
to attend.
"I don't want any people to feel pressured that they have to come in a
costume," he said,
speaking from first-hand experience. "I really hated growing up, feeling I
had to put on some
stupid outfit just to go to a party."
In the words of Ben Folds Five, do not conform. "We can be happy
underground," as the song says.
"Enjoy yourself. Be yourself," Jessee said. "That's all that matters."
IF YOU"VE MADE IT THIS FAR: Sorry about the spacing! I'm too lazy to fix it.
I've got a different version coming up soon, so I'll post that as well.
For all of you at the Cleveland show, you're probably wondering what the heck
is he talking about, hating costumes! I don't know either. He was very
adamant on not wearing one when we spoke, swearing and such. He even told me
he hates New Year's Eve because it's just another F-ing day. Whatever!
Maybe it was the jet lag talking.
Emily :-)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 1997 18:55:29 -0500
From: Rebecca.Cole@mail.cc.trincoll.edu (Rebecca Cole)
Subject: Ben, sexy MF
There seems to be this inexhaustable trend of Ben Folds Five performing
various versions of (and making various references to) "Sexy MF" as of
late.
I think I started this.
See, way back in March, at the gig at the London Astoria, I met some
Americans before the show. We wacky Americans thought it would be really
funny to make a fake set list for the opening (crappy) band, Ballroom. My
only suggestion on the list was "Sexy MF," since I am such an enormous fan
of the song. Somehow, during BF5's performance, Ben got a hold of this faux
set list and read the titles out. He scanned through "Mandy" and "Copa
Cabana," among others, before settling on "Sexy MF." The slow, ballad-y
version he did that night went something like this:
Sexy motherfucker is what I am
Sexy motherfucker, that's me
The girl from Shampoo said she wanted to shag the socks off me...or somethin'
Sexy motherfucker is me.
Later I heard reports on the Armchair of performances and references to
that same song in various other British and American shows. Later, in
April, my best friend, who had been at the London gig with me, went to see
them at St. Andrew's in Detroit. She made a sign that said "SEXY
MOTHERFUCKER" and taped it to the amp so Ben could see it. During "Steven's
Last Night In Town," he ripped the sign off the amp, taped it to his chest
and danced around, ending the song by singing "everyone knows now that
every night now will be Steven's....SEXY MOTHERRRRRRFUCKERRRRRRRR!!!"
And now this in Ypsilanti. I am so very proud that I started such a
wonderful trend in their shows. I have played a small part in Ben Folds
Five history. This is...beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I'm a little
choked up.
Shakin' that ass, shakin' that ass,
Rebby, sexy MF
***
"Community service and I'm still the Mack..."
-Beck
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #584
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