THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #690 - December 9, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, December 9 1997 Volume 01 : Number 690
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
This whole youngster thing...
jeezus.
the posting of mr. Lee 13.
SCHNU BenFoldAreaGames
Favorite song?
Steve's show rules...
Brick single and picture page
BFF Concert
Multi-levelled greatness
Robert Says
Bits flying everywhere....
Dear...
BFF Interactive CD/CD Extra in Australia
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 00:56:14 -0600
From: "Dan Callahan" <dc089410@mailhost.sju.edu>
Subject: This whole youngster thing...
Hi everybody,
Just like to throw in my own $.02 about this whole "you have to be older in
order to understand the music" thing.
The first time that I heard Ben Folds Five was when I was 16 years old.
This would, of course, make me the scourge of the list today. That was two
years ago. Guess what the first line I ever heard by Ben was? "I was never
cool in school. I'm sure you don't remember me." Honetsly, how many kids
that are out there do you think identify with this line. The people living
that moment can understand it just as well as the person who lived it 10
years ago. So give the kids a break. Also, in case you haven't been paying
attention to the rest of the world (not to be confused with "The Real
World"), a person doesn't have to be a teenager to be annoying. Sorry if
this was long, but it needed to be said.
- -Dan
- ----
Dan Callahan
dc089410@sju.edu
ICQ UIN: 3533321
AOL IM: decaliv
http://home.sprynet.com/sprynet/djcall/
"Make a little birdhouse in your soul."
- -They Might Be Giants
"You are the greatest person in the world."
- -A fortune cookie I received from Shee Yuan Chinese Restaurant on 10/5/97
- ----
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 00:14:36 -0600
From: Brenna Reinhart <brenna@mesas.com>
Subject: jeezus.
- --we interupt this broadcast for a brief (?) announcement--
lots of negativity going around here...
ageism. lovely.
so you think the younger kids are the most annoying?
i was at the austin show, and i think the most annoying were the people
in their late twenties, early thirties... the pot-heads who kept pushing
their way all over the place in a stupor. hello? they kept passing the
damn thing right in front of us, almost burning us every time they'd
decide to hand it to someone else. i'd rather have a bunch of kids
bouncing around and excited about the music than the mass of stoned
trekkies that kept leaning back on us because they couldn't stand up
straight. or how about all the drunken idiots all over the place? i
think they make the most noise.
well?
should no one be allowed to go to a concert?
the bottom line is: DEAL.
people ARE annoying if you let them get to you.
if you lighten up and enjoy yourself, they won't piss you off as much.
or .. gee... you could *ask* them to not bounce around because they're
stepping on your foot or some nonsense. i think kids are a little more
agreeable when you ask them to do something. most adults cuss you out if
you so much as suggest that they are doing something annoying.
i'm one 18+ person who would be thoroughly pissed if she couldn't take
her little sister to a bff show.
and the girl screaming that she wanted to "fuck his brains out" is a lot
more original than yer typical middle-aged guy, beer in hand, screaming
"freebird!" and "play some skynard!" at the top of his lungs. ;)
i think it's nice that people younger than myself can appreciate good
music. i think it's wonderful that ben folds is being played on the
radio.
the songs that you get tired of hearing are usually the least well
written ones, anyway.
i want to see brick get number one. i want to see the guys go down in
history. i want our kids and grandkids to stare at us in awe when we say
we went to a bff concert way back when.
this silly slacker fad of instantly going against everything that
becomes popular is fading away. so what if things get popular? is it
really so wrong that other people like your music? do you think it makes
you less cool?
everyone is so proud when they find a band that no one has heard of. and
they get so mad when it becomes so popular that people who they don't
like enjoy the music too.
this kind of attitude is why so many bands have disappeared. the more
popular a song gets, the more money they get...
get it?
so instead of being against brick being played, why not call in and
request another song? why not make it a goal to have the radio play so
many different songs that eventually they're all popular?
in austin, i've actually heard them on the radio for a while. i think
one angry dwarf was the first one i heard on the radio, probably back in
april. it was wonderful and i shrieked when i heard it, sitting in the
car in the parking lot where i work, waiting for the song to end. and
yet so many people still have no idea who they are and it's so much fun
to hand them a cd and say "enjoy!"
good music is becoming popular. maybe this will start a trend. maybe
people will think about their lyrics before they sing. i guess i just
enjoy it anytime i hear a band like squirrel nut zippers or bff or
something out of the ordinary being played on the stations that usually
only play hanson and backstreet boys.
be happy for them. the more popular they get the more chance of them
producing even more wonderful songs.
they can't be a fad or a pop band. the music is too well written, the
lyrics too honest. they have fun on stage, they love their fans. they
don't dress up in strange garb and pretend that they're
holier-than-thou. they're real. and the only way for them to disappear
is if you try and hog them.
k. i get off my soapbox now.
- --and now back to your regularly scheduled programming--
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 07 Dec 1997 22:53:17 -0800
From: brad crum <bcrum1@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: the posting of mr. Lee 13.
This is for Lee 13:
Yes, the above is my real name.
And I suppose that "13" after your name indicates your age.
That could just put you about at the right emotional level to be wasting
your time making fun of people's names. But if you find it amusing,
enjoy yourself.
What I really need to point out is your selfish short sightedness in
hoping that Ben and the Boys don't "hit critical mass" as a band. You
don't want them playing in larger venues. You want to keep them real...
Well, Lee 13, just how much longer do you think these guys' record
company ise going to pay for and distribute new CDs--real or
otherwise--if they don't start to see some real return on their
investment? The cut-out bins are full of lost records from bands that
deserved better.
If BFF is going to escape that fate, they're going to need a lot of
helping hands.
If anybody can keep it real, it's Ben. I'm not worried about that.
But if he doesn't keep progressing, it's a real worry whether Sony will
let them hang on to that major label recording contract long enough to
put out another full studio album.
Trust me on this one...Lee 13.
If you love the BFF--do everything you can to widen their appeal.
Brad Crum,
or as my hispanic friends call me, "Micajas de Pan". (g)
It would be about right
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 00:03:12 -0700 (MST)
From: SJ@ASU.EDU
Subject: SCHNU BenFoldAreaGames
one step two wacky mutts stick, slap matt, jaws is fat
rappy tap titty tat on the belly shows his nuts
just for you, the sidewalk too, across the line and punch it out
gobble gick, that hurt my dick
ALTMAN OUT
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 9 Dec 1997 00:04:01 -0800
From: Angela <adepace@itsa.ucsf.edu>
Subject: Favorite song?
To pick up the "Which BFF song epitomizes your life" thread...
It would have to be Underground, but not because of the lyrics. This song
was on endless repeat during a trip I took with some friends of mine in
college - we were on a road trip to Graceland in the middle of winter,
having just gotten back from Christmas break and wanting to usher in the
new year with a pilgrimage of some kind. There were five of us crammed
into my Toyota, surviving during the two and half day drive by consuming
exclusively food that you can buy at gas stations (ie chips, gum and soda).
I drove most of the way, getting us lost multiple times and insisting at
one point that we get gas at a truck stop called Big Big Man Truck Stop
because I wanted a picture of myself with the sign. BFF provided perfect
'keep me awake by singing all the lyrics' music - when I got truly
exhausted, my friend Troy actually pretended to play the piano parts on the
back of my seat. To wrap this up - this song reminds me of my friends.
- --angela
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 09:23:11 +0100
From: Janniek van Walsum <vanwalsum@wxs.nl>
Subject: Steve's show rules...
Steve, you should calm down. Pretty sad that you have to spend the time to write down a list of rules for BFF show goers...
What the hell is your problem? No singing along to songs, isn't that what EVERYONE does at a concert for their favorite band?! Touching, YOU ARE IN A CROWD-HELLO!!!
Just be grateful that BFF has pulled so many fans from so many age brackets. It is a compliment! They are being culturally enlightened.
Steve, if you are having so much trouble going to concerts, maybe it is time you retired from it all. I am 32 years old and have been going to shows for 18 years. I must say that I have far more trouble with the grown-up assholes than any kid. Steve, you would probably be one of them! Isn't it nice to belong?!
To change to BFF content....When does the new CD get released in Europe, namely, Holland?
I am going to Shepherd's Bush Thursday, psych!!!!
Dearest Steve: Stop and smell the smoke....
LJ
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 00:36:48 -0800
From: Janet <LemonDrp@pacbell.net>
Subject: Brick single and picture page
Hi.
To someone asking about the Brick single, my friend and I got one at the
El Rey show. Some guy doing the display windows had some so he gave
them to us. It has the radio version and the album version. The
difference? Rob's bass is stronger in the radio version.
Ever notice how when you're used to listening to "Underground" at live
shows or on tape, they take the intro a lot slower. So when you listen
to the album version they just whip through the whole thing in a matter
of seconds and it blows your mind. Neat :)
I have pictures on my page! From the two L.A. shows. In the concert
section of my site.
http://members.tripod.com/~peachfish/BenFoldsFive/
The rest isn't really finished yet.
I like Bus Stop and Snuzz a lot too.
Take care.
Janet.
- --
My Mom Says I'm Cool... http://members.tripod.com/~peachfish/sparkie.htm
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 09:40:04 -0000
From: Richard Lee <roo@orb.org.uk>
Subject: BFF Concert
>Are there any British people left on this list???
Me me me me me!!!
>Six days to go.
>and eight hours.
>and three minutes
>not that Im counting mind
I am soooo excited, I've never been to a BFF concert before and
I've been heavily into the band for over a year now!! Only bad
thing is that I've got back row balcony seats, the bloke at Shepards
Bush assured me that I'd still get a good view of the concert but
he would say that I guess.
>Let he who casts the first stone cast it directly at Tony Blair,
Well it's got to be better than having John Major, at least Tony
Blair is remotely human.
Rich
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997 05:01:54 -0500
From: Carrie Shanafelt <cds9@po.cwru.edu>
Subject: Multi-levelled greatness
Ya know what I just love about Ben Folds Five? People love them on so many
levels. Sure, most of us first started listening to them because they have
an excellent surface -- catchy tunes, pleasant vox, etc. I mean, you heard
Underground (or whatever) on the radio, it made you giggle and you thought
"Hey, this is pretty cool!" Some people may never like them beyond this
level. The musicians of us heard the genius chord patterns; the poets of
us fell for the lyrics. But more than that, many of us slowly turned onto
one song after another due to life circumstances that made us realize it's
not just music, it's therapy. Do you think Ben, Rob, and Darren appreciate
those people any more than those who recognize them as catchy? Everything
they've done with their music appeals to someone. My roommate thinks it's
a shame most people can't understand how brilliant Ben is as a
pianist/composer. I think it's a shame she doesn't understand the living
value of it. But then again, we're all brothers here. : ) How many bands
do you know of that appeal on every level, that create foot-tapping and
musical/lyrical scrutiny and that sense of the common human experience, for
listeners from someone's little cousin to *gasp* my nearing-50 mother and
older, and give us all a common bond? Sometimes I force myself not to
listen to them for a month so I can press play and get that eerily
comforting feeling of coming home. I still get excited when I meet someone
on the street who digs the Five... start spouting anything that comes to
mind... I'm a dork, though.
Marcus Kamp wrote:
>1) I was quoted on the Armchair! God, I'm cool!
As if that would do it... :-)
Carrie
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 03:49:16 -0800
From: edahn01@sprynet.com
Subject: Robert Says
Ok, I guess it really doesn't matter, but durring the summer I asked Robert
about the band's feeling on crowd behavior. He said he got a real kick out of
people singing along, especially in Europe wheresomethimes they can't even hear
themselves in the P.A. 'cause they're so loud. The only thing that really
annoys them is when people are crowd surfing durring their set.
KRTZ
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 13:57:55 GMT
From: "Mark Piper" <mfp540@novell3.bham.ac.uk>
Subject: Bits flying everywhere....
Hi hi hi,
Bits and pieces everywhere, I'm afraid, but stick with it....
Rachael wrote:
> I just thought I'd let everyone who is so worried about BF5 getting too
> popular to stop worrying because there is no stopping it. I also subscribe to
> the Toad the Wet Sprocket list and for the past few weeks BF5 has been a main
> topic of discussion.
I've noticed BFF have popped up a couple of times on rec.music.rem
too. The word is spreading!
>Are there any British people left on this list???
Yes :)
>Six days to go.
>and eight hours.
>and three minutes
>not that Im counting mind
Six hours, 28 minutes.... :)
Marc wrote:
>I don't remember the exact set list, but It started off with Missing
>the war
I was thinking about this last night. I hope they don't open with MtW
in Manchester tonight. Last time I saw them they did that, and it
kinda caught everyone off guard. It's possibly one of my favourite
songs, but it doesn't seem right to play it first thing....
BTW, just for info (and seeing as it hasn't been mentioned
elsewhere), support on the UK tour is from Ether. No, I don't know
either..... Which reminds me. Remember Komeda? Ugh. But, I did a net
search on Alan Wolmark, and it turns out he's involved with the
Cardigans too (I think...). Now, in my opinion,
Komeda=Cardigans... Coincidence?
Chemweasel wrote:
>Any other perverts happen to catch Ben in this months issue of
>Playboy? What's left for the boys, Hustler?
Aha! The excuse I've been looking for! "Excuse me, can I have a copy
of Playboy?". "Hmm, Playboy?" [funny look, embarrassed queue]. "Yes,
there's an interesting, ahem, ARTICLE I want to read..." :). Do you
think they'd be so kind as to do Razzle too? (note: this is commonly
known as a joke. I can see the anti-porn flames rising now...)
As a final note, I'm sure most of you will have seen the Ben Folds
Five Webring by now. I haven't got round to emailing many people
about it yet, but if you have a BFF site and you fancy joining, pop
along to
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/webring.html
for more details.
Thanks
Mark
+------------------------------------------------------+
| mfp540@bham.ac.uk pipermf@phymat.bham.ac.uk |
| Ben Folds Five: Looks, Brains & Everything - |
| http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/5430/bff.html |
+------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 09:14:32 -0500 (EST)
From: marc s kaplan <mkap@wam.umd.edu>
Subject: Dear...
Some dumbass wrote:
>Dear Business Owner,
>
>IF YOU DON'T TAKE CREDIT CARDS YOU ARE LOSING MONEY!
>
>Find out how to setup your business to accept credit card. For more
>info call (401) 432-2216.
>
>Please US inquiries only.
Dear asshole,
If you write things that have no pertnance or relevance to this list they
you are a asshole.
-/\/\arc
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 09 Dec 1997 01:22:06 +1000
From: Jason Allen <jallen@pobox.com>
Subject: BFF Interactive CD/CD Extra in Australia
Once again, we Aussie's miss out :}}
Just got the offical word, the Australian pressing of the CD does not contain
the multisession/CDExtra data required for this baby to work :{
This can can be confirmed by going into 'My Computer', right clicking your CD
icon, and selecting 'Explore' to see the information contained on the CD. <sob>
No interactive data, just the audio tracks. :{{{ If you don't have Win95, see
http://www.cdextra.com/setup2.html for info.
I have contacted Sony Australia in the hope of obtaining the CD with the CDExtra
multisession data. Any US patrons with access to a CD-R willing to copy/make
and post a copy over to OZ should Sony Australia prove unfruitful??
{Un-}Cheers,
- - Jason
- --
Jason Allen <mailto:jallen@pobox.com>
Phone: 0419 34 35 88 (+61 419 343 588)
ICQ UIN=1533700
"You give little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give"
- Kahlil Gibran
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #690
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