THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR

The Ben Folds Five Digest

Issue #1004 - May 19, 1998



Magical Armchair Digest     Tuesday, May 19 1998     Volume 01 : Number 1004



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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:

    bff in washington dc
    i need boots!!!
    age-ism runs rampant
    age limits
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002
    age
    Darien, NY - Survey
    Categorization of the youngins
    Sun Times Article
    MODERN ROCK LIVE
    Teenyboppers OH NO JOE
    Modern Rock Live  
    120 Minutes
    (no subject)
    SFTD video
    SFTD Video
    Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002
    Modern Rock Live Interview, May 17, 98
    those teenagers...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 20:56:01 EDT
From: Jessica237 <Jessica237@aol.com>
Subject: bff in washington dc

hey guys! long time, no post for me....i've been busy reading everyone's crazy
posts and arguements. anyways, i was just wondering if anyone is living
somewhere around the washington dc area bc i'll be living down there next yr
(gw!! woohoo!) and i needed to know what radio stations play ben folds five
and other good music and where is a good place to see them in concert? so,
just email me and let me know so that we don't get flamed for clogging up the
list space. 
anyways, song for the dumped tonight...set your vcrs!! --jess

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:19:11 EDT
From: SoNiKSpAm <SoNiKSpAm@aol.com>
Subject: i need boots!!!

nope im not barefoot....im just in search of bootlegs at a price that i dont
have to sell any kidneys/lungs/heart for....right now my bff boot collection
is um like NADDA but im willing to send the blank tapes PLUS the money that
its going to cost you to send me back the tape....please email me im like
desprate....(not for love for BFF)

Kerri 

" I'm going to appeal to Microsoft to give me a label."
- - -- Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, on how he has
   decided to make money on the alt-rock scene.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 18:35:49 PDT 
From: "Chandra Hicks" <chanfifteen@hotmail.com>
Subject: age-ism runs rampant

it is a dark dark day, when people want to restrict someone because of 
their age, not only is it a prejudice, it is also irrational.  i'm 16, 
and i went to a bff show feb5th, and was fairly unobtrusive.  i sang the 
whole time, but no one could hear me, i couldn't even hear myself.  i 
got pushed around by a bunch of brickheads who yelled at ME for being to 
close. (i knew they were brickheads because they talked to each other 
the whole time except when brick was playing) and all of these people 
were over 18.  i'm sure there are many obnoxious 21 and older people, 
but to restrict under-agers simply because of the fact that we are 
STATISTICALLY more immature than say a 65 year old woman.
also kudos to sean kiely who says: since when is there and age 
requirement to become a fan?
come on people, it's not age, it'd maturity.
chandra

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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:39:17 EDT
From: Vwbugn5890 <Vwbugn5890@aol.com>
Subject: age limits

i agree with all of you who have said that people put us in the "brickheads"
category just because of our age....just because i'm 16 doesn't mean i'm some
stupid trendy teenager just going to see BFF because i think ben darren or
robert is cute...i enjoy their music just as much as you over 21 people
do...it's not our fault that we got hooked on BFF when we were young...what
are we supposed to do about it? and i am so sick of people saying they're
"true fans" if i hear that term one more time i'm gonna kick some
ass....people make me upset...
shan

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 98 20:42:58 -0500
From: <bluejay@mail.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002

On 5/17/98 7:01 PM, owner-armchair@ford.il.fontys.nl wrote:

>I haven't seen the Five since the release of WAEA. Yup, at my last
>concert everyone was 21, OAD and Steven's were brand-new unknown songs


Actually, BF5 has been playing OAD and Steven's since their first tour, 
at least as early as 1995.  I saw them do both of those songs at a show 
here in Austin well over a year before WEAEA was released.

 -- Michael Bluejay  *  ICQ #3749849

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  http://pobox.com/bluejay  | Home of AUSTIN MUSIC, KING CHEESE, 
                            |  BIKING IN AUSTIN, VEGETARIAN pages, & more
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:44:28 -0600
From: Deidre <a0028897@airmail.net>
Subject: age

Okay,  let me clear the whole age thing up real quick.  I didn't mean to
classify anyone.  Sorry to offend if I did.  But the fact remains
that..on average...a younger crowd doesn't seem to "enjoy" the music. 
Hell, everyone around me was yelling along with the band & you could
plainly see that that was a bit irritating to the guys.  I know not
every person is this way,  and the people on the Armchair most likely
aren't either.  If they are,  they are the types to join the list &
unsubscribe 2 weeks later.  I was making a statement that applied to the
people around me at the show.  I felt like I was at a Hanson concert. 
When I go to see BFF,  I go to hear them..not people in the crowd.  And
if you have a problem with this post,  please Email me personally at
MozFan@iname.com and not crowd up the list with a bunch of posts.  

Always,
Deidre

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 19:44:13 PDT 
From: "Jeff Jackson" <j940651@hotmail.com>
Subject: Darien, NY - Survey

Hey Chairpeople:

Just a quick show of hands and then its back to lurking.
How many (any) of us going to Darien Lake's Edgefest June 9th to see Ben 
and his hired goons perform? (hired goons?)
Perhaps you should e-mail your response.
Thanks,
JJ
j940651@hotmail.com

"habit is the ballast that chains a dog to its vomit"


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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 22:58:25 EDT
From: BobaFet142 <BobaFet142@aol.com>
Subject: Categorization of the youngins

I agree that 18 and younger should not be categorized.  I'm a fifteen year old
fan.  Definitly not a bandwagoneer.  Considering that all I hear is ridicule
for liking them.  IN fact, I don't even like Brick that much.  I'm offended by
the generalization, but we're all BFF fans, so you folks are forgiven.
~Jim

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 23:08:01 EDT
From: FragleRoc1 <FragleRoc1@aol.com>
Subject: Sun Times Article

For all you Chicago-ins or anyone else interested... there was a kick- ass BFF
article in the Showcase section of the  Sunday May 17 Sun Times newspaper.
The article is rightfully titled "We don't need no stinking guitars" I would
give it to you all  but im not in the mood for typing out a novel.  Plus, it
has a very good, but kind of lobsided in that Ben sort of way picture with
everyones hands in their pockets- so check it out!

~~Jenny~~

"I'm turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so." -if
anyone watches pop up videos, they will get the quote!

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 23:37:30 EDT
From: JGreenb106 <JGreenb106@aol.com>
Subject: MODERN ROCK LIVE

Hmm...all in all, a pretty good show, but I was dissapointed by some of the
interviewer's questions (i.e., "Why only three members?", "What is 'Brick'
about"?).
Oh well.  Then the one request was for"Brick"...which is OK, but I was kinda
hoping for Crosstown Traffic.  Anyway, in any case I got it on tape if anyone
didn't and wants to trade...sorry for rambling.

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 20:48:29 PDT 
From: "Polly Prissypants" <excandescent@hotmail.com>
Subject: Teenyboppers OH NO JOE

:) ...

     Just wanted to comment on this, again.  I know it's being run into 
the ground kinda, but lemme have my moment.  I don't post that often.

     Myself, I started listening to "good music" at the tender age of 
13.  The first band I consider good, that I'll admit listening to, is 
DRI. :)  Then I heard Soundgarden and I was absolutely blown away enough 
to become a longtime fan.  I don't listen to them too much anymore 
unfortunately, I can't really explain why, but I still thoroughly enjoy 
their music.  BFF is the same way, except I listen to them more.  And my 
first concert experience was Soundgarden with Eleven and Tad (all in 
all, three excellent bands) at the Rochester War Memorial in '94.  Well, 
I must have been the most annoying person in the entire crowd, I tell 
you.  It's embarrassing to admit...BUT I was SCREAMING along to "Slaves 
and Bulldozers" at the top of my lungs.
Then I heard, or thought I heard, somebody else scream, "SHUT UP!!!!"
I learned my lesson right quick.  Nowadays, if I want to sing along at a 
show, I do so quietly.  People paid to hear Ben Folds (or Chris Cornell 
for that matter), NOT me, and so, SHUT UP are two very useful words of 
advice.

     I know how annoying teenagers can be (what the hell am I talking 
about?  I'm 19!!  but then again I have quite a few gray hairs), but a 
lot of them can be very smart and very kew, too.  But, in the nut of a 
shell, what I came here to say is, do whatever that mystery guy at that 
Soundgarden show did.  If someone is screaming along to the top of their 
lungs at a show, ruining it for you, just yell "SHUT UP!!!!" (provided 
you won't get shot).  Yeah, it's rude, but if the person has any brains 
whatsoever they'll realize they're wrecking the show for those around 
them, and sing at a quieter volume.  I know I learned my lesson :)  (at 
least that's what I would do.  If you think my advice sucks ass, then 
don't follow it) :>

     One more thing:  I had NO IDEA BFF was on Modern Rock Live tonight, 
and it was a damn pleasant surprise to get outta work and hear 
"Selfless, Cold and Composed" in the car on the way home live.
I cranked it.  I had all those Delmar windows a-rattlin'.  Pioneer
audio at its finest. 


"Arrogant bastard.  I tried warnin him about the ice and he tells me 
to shut up!!!" - Cyril Evans
- ------------------
http://www.cowland.com/bigmac


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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 00:13:23, -0500
From: NPXK46D@prodigy.com ( KYLA   DORSEY)
Subject: Modern Rock Live  

Did anyone else who listened to Modern Rock Live cringe when Ben 
spontaneously invited that one guy  who called in to request any song 
he wanted and surprise surprise he's like: "uhh....Brick?"  
It made me feel physically ill. I was really relieved when they 
played Eddie Walker instead. 

I thought it was sort of boring mostly because I hate that host 
except Robert's schtick about the weather channel music made me laugh 
out loud. Also I didn't know about that whole Midday show or whatever 
it's called in Australia and the whole scandal with the piano. That's 
pretty funny..

KyLa~*

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 00:16:41 EDT
From: Emmaline20 <Emmaline20@aol.com>
Subject: 120 Minutes

To quote the band "Shit yeah it's cool" it's referring to their new video..my
god. Those videos are the reason I still watch mtv. It was *insert appropriate
expletive(gotta keep it clean for the kids)* AWESOME!!!...nice blue band aid
by the way on Ben. As for Modern Rock Live..I wanted to call in and find out
if there was any backlash by the dwarf population for OAD, but I guess we
shall never find out....

Sarah :)

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 23:12:49 -0700
From: andy <thoma@unt.edu>
Subject: (no subject)

If this is the tangueray talking than feel free to slap the living shit
out of me, but I just waited for the video and "shit yea it's cool,"
for all you all who thought that too many people liked them now, wait
until this video hits.  IT's Gonna Be Big!!!!

Seriously though, fuckit ....it is cool.  The part in Japenese,  cool as
shit.

andrew,
"Place memorable quote here"

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:28:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jess <julianne_5@yahoo.com>
Subject: SFTD video

The Song For The Dumped video was really cool!  It was kinda neat how
he sang one of the verses in Japanese.  The barbie dolls were funny. 
It was funny when the dolls head got cut off and was flying around. 
Well, it was a pretty cool video.  That's all I have to say.

~Jess





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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 21:37:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Leigh <emaline5@yahoo.com>
Subject: SFTD Video

Tell me, was "Song For The Dumped" the best BFF video or was it the
best BFF video ever!

I loved the barbie doll action when the guy's head got sliced off and
went flying across the room.  And when the two barbie dolls were
fighting over the black sweatshirt.  Loved it how Ben pulled Robert's
cord.  *Nice Touch*.  Also, loved the Japanese!!  Heck, I loved the
whole video!!


~Leigh


The Page That's Uncanny To See
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/BenFolds5/index.html





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------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 00:42:06 EDT
From: POWRPOPGRL <POWRPOPGRL@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1002

In a message dated 98-05-17 22:09:12 EDT, you write:

<<  it depresses me to think that they aren't enjoying their own concerts. >>

I recently posted about the 5/9 Palladium show in LA, and mentioned in my post
that, indeed, the boys were a little less animated than their last strut thru
town at the Palace. Others have contributed similar opinions recently.

Jill, may I venture to say altho the band may be a little less energetic &
animated these days...I think it's clearly due to fatigue and NOT disinterest.
If the band was  being lackadaisical or nonchalant during performance you can
bet that you'd read about it here ... people would be posting with much more
biting words. 

If you'll notice with all the cross-country posts we get to read here, that
the band has consistently shuffled songs in/out of the playlist (such as Air,
Brick..et.al). This shows an effort by the band to keep things fresh for
themselves & for us as well. By opting to leave out Brick sometimes, it shows
that they refuse to give you a "canned" performance. 

Also, every recent digest of late has contained someone's happy tale of
getting to meet the band after the show..or someone gushing because Ben was
really cool when they met. It's pretty evident that the guys enjoy spending
time with fans & do it quite generously.

With these observations in mind, I think they're still interested in playing
for us. It's just that there are way more of us than they're used to be &
still only 1 Ben Folds Five. It's a big world they're trying to cover. 

- -Monica
powrpopgrl@aol.com

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 00:08:59 -0500
From: rh@apci.net
Subject: Modern Rock Live Interview, May 17, 98

Just finished listening to the guys being interviewed live here in St
Louis tonight (9:30p, local) on 105.7, The Point, on "Modern Rock Live"
(it's syndicated so hope you heard it).  They were wound tight... as
usual (that would be:  evasive, satirical, god damned funny and
absolutely fucking crazy -- they were great!).  They talked about an
incident in Australia on a TV program called "The Midday Show" with Jeff
Harvey and Kerry Ann (sort of a Kathy Lee and Regis thing -- wow, that
must have been a friggin' hoot).  Anyway, guess Ben did his
stool-toss-on-the-keyboard, which the hosts didn't expect apparently
(really did their homework, eh???), and it pissed-off the piano owner
(who was also one of the show hosts -- that's kind of weird).   He came
over to Ben and "said the fuck word a lot.  You fuckin' yank.  I ought
to take you're fuckin' head & rip down your fuckin' neck & stuff like
that".  Guess they cut to a commercial...  Really cracked them up! 
Tonight they played SFTD (prerecorded) and four songs live (Selfless...,
The Battle..., Eddie Walker, and One Angry Dwarf with no editing on any
of the pieces that I could tell).  Unfortunately, some of the callers
were the most dumb ass airheads in the entire galaxy but it didn't
matter, Ben and the guys still cracked me up.  Man, I tried like hell to
get through calling in (2 normal phone lines and a cell phone) but you
know how that shit goes.  They probably have 3 phone lines for the
entire country to call in on.  Robert got into a short discussions about
lesbians in the animal world which the host, Max, didn't seem to want to
pursue (I thought it might be enlightening :-) ).  And when one of the
callers asked them what the pinnacle of their careers had been Ben said
"we probably have different pinnacles... I really enjoyed playing the
Burt Bacharach Show, we did a special with him on television and I
enjoyed that... also one time <reverting to his/their infamous sardonic
wit> we played Nashville and Darren came out front and sang a song and
he drew a penis with a cowboy hat on it and on the back it said 'girth'
brooks and he turned around and the audience saw it and that was kind of
nice".  Anyway, hope you all caught it.


Ray

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 18 May 1998 02:40:03 EDT
From: FM3 Red5 <FM3Red5@aol.com>
Subject: those teenagers...

hey..
		well i'm 18...and when i saw BFF at hammerstein one thing pissed me
off...this 35 year old woman that turned around and said oh this is the only
song i know...and that was for "brick"...a few year ago i was one of those
teenagers...screanming "closer" at the top of my lungs at madiosn square
garden so that trent could hear me...if everyone thiks hard enough...you've
done it too...yeah sure its annoing to hear the group of 7 teenagers singing
the "big hit" but you look back and think...that was me X(fill in #)X years
ago...i dunno which is worse though...the adult who is there because they only
know the big hit...and are probably going through a mid-life crisis...or the
little kid who leaves as happy as a pig in shit...goes home buys the
album...and becomes a fan...think back...you were that kid...whether you were
8, 12, 18, 25, or even 35...

Frank

------------------------------

End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1004
***************************************


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