THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #1105 - July 8, 1998
Magical Armchair Digest Wednesday, July 8 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1105
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
yamaha what?
no more armchair
covers.. wow!
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1103
covers, Conan
Ch ch ch changes
So Off-Topic It's Not Even Funny.
Doodley do dee doo doo doo
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1104
LEIGH!!!!!
weezer question
electric yamaha
BFF/Semisonic
Who's on the phone ??
A MUST READ! SAD AND SHOCKING TRUTH FOR BFF FANS!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 20:41:59 EDT
From: Dramatics@aol.com
Subject: yamaha what?
Hey everybody...
Jess, your brother was right - Ben was playing an electric Yamaha. Or at
least a Yamaha with some very interesting electronic equipment right smack on
the front. I must admit, I was really surprised when I saw that, and even
more surprised that no one on the chair mentionned it, what with all this
"Baldwin vs. Steinway" discussion. I'm curious as to why they chose to use
the Yamaha (or, if they even had a choice).
I enjoyed the Independence Day concert (I did tape it, e-mail me if you're
in dire need of a copy, and I'll try to hook my VCRs up. Last time I did
that, though, it ate the original tape...) and was ecstatic when Tori Amos and
Ben Folds Five were on back to back - it was like my two worlds colliding. It
didn't come on until 3:00am in Charlotte, and the only reason I knew it would
come on is because I visited ABCs home page. For future reference, ABC's site
usually does a pretty good job of listing local air times for most (if not
all) syndicates. Just a note...
This is far too much rambling. Time for bed...
one day i am gonna grow wings...
Lee
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 05 Jul 1998 21:07:46 -0700
From: "marhalik@erols.com"@erols.com
Subject: no more armchair
Please stop sending the armchair digest to Marhalik@erols.com . Thank
you very much.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 20:45:35, -0500
From: PFJH05D@prodigy.com (MISS JESSICA R BORASH)
Subject: covers.. wow!
okay, now i am being a bandwagoner. so, these are songs i think
would be good covers. since there have been many different ones
mentioned, i am sorry if these have as well.
- -"i think i love you" david cassidy (sorry- i'm the queen of
cheese)
- -"when i come around" green day. it just came to me
- -that song "berserker" that's in "clerks." that would be funny.
- -"hungry like the wolf" or "rio" duran duran
- -"centerfold" j. geils band
sorry about all the 80's songs. they are just my thing, though. i
hope many of you can agree with me. i could just hear ben's voice in
all of these. so, enjoy!
jeskuh =>
"can't do it, g, i'm in love."
- -holden mcneil (ben affleck), "chasing amy"
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 22:05:11 EDT
From: Ben4me123@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1103
I think if Ben and the guys were to do a cover song, it shouldn't be a well-
known song. then everybody who's not a BFF fan would criticize it and them.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:08:08 -0500
From: The Reverend Clayton Walker <revclay@cyberspace.org>
Subject: covers, Conan
Just Like Heaven, by the Cure...
I think Ben's voice suits the part great, and the guitar opening would
sound cool on a piano...
Also, I'll be in New York the 16th and have reserve tickets for Conan
(my dad is friends with someone at the local NBC affiliate...)....I just
have to hope I can pass for 16 (I'm 15.) I think getting together would
be cool, though I'm completely unfamilar with the city. Someone else
who's going, email me!
The Reverend Clayton Walker ICQ#: 12988514
revclay@cyberspace.org AOL Instant Messenger: Majors4711,
MajoshaBF5
QUEERIOS! - The Austin Rocky Horror Picture Show
http://www.kdi.com/~riffraff/queerios/
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 22:40:14 EDT
From: Beatles050@aol.com
Subject: Ch ch ch changes
Hey hey everyone-
Quick post. Hopefully this will be my last one which has a BFF cover
idea...cause I know they're getting old.
--"Changes" by David Bowie. I think that is right up the boys' alley. They
could kick ass at that song.
--One last thing: I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to make me a
tape of the ABC "In Concert" show. (The whole show...cause I want to see Tori
Amos as well.) I'd be willing to send money or whatever...as long as you
don't try to rip me off. (Meaning that I'm not ready to pay like $30 for it.)
I really have nothing "cool" to trade with...so I'm kinda just looking for
someone to be a nice guy. Please E-mail me privately. Thanks!
Daryl
"My Mom's good she got me out of Twin Falls, Idaho." (God, I love that!)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 22:42:46 -0400
From: Richard Challen <rchallen@clemson.campus.mci.net>
Subject: So Off-Topic It's Not Even Funny.
Hmmm, guess it's two cents' time:
- --Semisonic. Good, catchy, pop band. Well worth buying the CD even
though MCA jacked up the retail price $4.00 in the wake of "Closing
Time." (Hey, ya snooze, ya lose.) Wonder where everyone (radio, MTV,
usual suspects) was when "Great Divide" sold a measly 10,000?
- --Rufus Wainwright. Good, maybe even better. Very smart, very literate
songwriting, I actually prefer his stuff over his dad's, and you really
can't say THAT about Sean Lennon, can you? Whoever mentioned his name on
the list sounds way cool and probably gets all her CDs before the label
pulls the ol' price increase.
- --Harvey Danger. Goofy song, but the "WHOA!" at the end of the
"Paranoia, paranoia" verse is rockin'.
- --Fl. Oz to Ben Folds Five. As Days Of The New is to Alice In Chains.
Sorry, just my opinion... Give the boys time to get out of school and
develop their own style.
- --BF5 Covers. C'mon guys... Billy Joel? Elton John? You think the men
who've graced us with "She Don't Use Jelly," "Crosstown Traffic," and
"Video Killed The Radio Star" would pick something so OBVIOUS?
Personally, I'd put the smart $ on more off-center songs -- I choose
"Rock The Casbah" by the Clash, if only to hear Ben sing, "Says it's not
kosher!" -- but it's not our call to make. I guarantee the next BF5
cover will be based on the input of only 3 people--Ben, Robert, and
Darren--and probably not anyone who contributes to the Armchair.
- --BF5 Covers Part 2. Believe it or not, I actually saw the Verve Pipe
(!!) cover "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" at a soundcheck,
mostly 'cuz I goaded them into it. :) It was me, the sound guy, and some
older yuppie type at the bar asking me, "This is good, do they do all
Elton John?" (You know, maybe "The Freshmen" IS "Rocket Man" backwards.
Or not.)
- --BF5 Covers Part 3. "In A Gadda Da Vida" received the ultimate cover
version on an episode of the Simpsons where Bart replaces the hymn in
church with "In The Garden Of Eden," by I. Ron Butterfly. (Homer: "Hey
Marge, remember when we used to make out to this hymn?") No other
version should ever be attempted by anyone, ever again.
- --Shameless Album Plugging. Yeah, Dag is good. Yeah, Jump Little
Children's new one should be good... if they don't get struck by the
Breakin' Records curse. (Remember Treehouse? Or Treadmill Trackstar?
There ya go.) But you know what you should REALLY do?
BUY MY CD!!!!
IT'S CALLED "Life/Death"!!!
IT'S BY "Rich" AND IT ROCKS!!
SO BUY IT!!!
Sorry, I'm in one of those "pay-the-rent" modes and I could use the
cash even more than Semisonic. Um, all the info's on my web site [below]
and you can click on "Orders" and get it that way or you can click on
"Lyrics" and see how I write or you can click on "Sound Clips" and check
out the new MP3s if you have time. (Or RealAudio if you don't.)
BF5 similarity? Well... Some A&R weasel said my voice sounded like
Ben's, but that's probably just because "Brick" was on his radio at the
time... and it's not like he put a big fat contract on the table or
anything. :) Shouldn't a well-written pop song be enough? (Wait, don't
answer that...)
Okay, that's probably the most SHAMELESS plugging you'll ever see on
the Chair. But if someone gets turned on to the music it'll be worth it.
Um, I like Ben Folds and the new Chuck Folds/Bus Stop website rocks so
there's your on-topic. I think.
Whew!
rICH
Visit The RICH Homepage and check out the brand-new CD,
LIFE/DEATH... 15 songs of romance and retribution...
Available independently from Desperate Man Records.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Stage/9035
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 23:24:43 EDT
From: BlueJellow@aol.com
Subject: Doodley do dee doo doo doo
In a message dated 7/6/98 8:24:13 PM Central Daylight Time, owner-
armchair@maillist.il.fontys.nl writes:
<<
Hey, I was watching 120 Minutes last night, and the Sonic Youth video with
Macauley Culkin was on. Well, I know it's supposed to be some artistic
masterpiece and everything, but he just makes me sick, so I was half asleep.
>>
Lauren Lauren Lauren!!!!! I was watching that video premiere, and man was it
funny!!! I hope everyone gets to see this Sonic Youth video. It features the
young man himself in slow motion for the duration of the video. Wow. Not
only does he make out with this "wife" for quite a while, but he ALSO licks
his lips. It does make you kinda sick, but it's also quite uplifting.... what
a funny video.
All this speaking of BFF covers is really kinda making me sick..... ANY SONG
covered by the boys would be fantastic... I mean, they did "Hava Nagila" for
crying out loud. And that RULED. So whatever they do, it's gonna kick ass.
I want my MTV (back)
Love,
Lucy *Your little princess*
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 23:53:07 EDT
From: Ben4me123@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1104
The lyrics to Cigarette are as follows:
Fred Jones was worn down
from caring for his often
screaming and crying wife
during the day but
he couldn't sleep at night for fear that she
in stupor from the drugs
that didn''t ease the pain
would set the house ablaze
with a cigarette
Simple enough.
Lauren
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 00:05:06 EDT
From: Rachg53@aol.com
Subject: LEIGH!!!!!
Sorry to be BFF less, but LEIGH, please email me, I'm finally online again and
can't seem to reach you!!
Rachg53@aol.com
thanks!
Rachael
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 01:01:39 EDT
From: ShaunieH@aol.com
Subject: weezer question
--How about a cover of a Weezer song? (Whatever happened to those guys
anyway?) "Holiday" would be my first choice.
well with weezer being my second favorite band, i feel i am a strong enough
candidate for this question. Although no one actually knew it, they released
an incredible album in 96 (pinkerton) which got no airplay whatsoever. After
going through a line-up change, be prepared for a new album this fall.
JUSTINCASEYOUCARE.
-Shaun
"So the day Noah's Ark floats down the Park
My eyes will simply be glazed over
Or better yet I'll wear shades on sunless days
And when the sun's out I'll stay in and slumber"
-Rufus Wainwright, "Foolish Love"
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 02:41:17 EDT
From: KamalaICB@aol.com
Subject: electric yamaha
In a message dated 98-07-06 23:07:54 EDT, you write:
<< (note: ben is lookin' awful shaggy...and my bro swears he was playing an
electric Yamaha grand) >>
i noticed that today too while watching my tape of the performance....there
are buttons and a LCD display along the front panel....hmmmm
will watch again to investigate further
casey
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 03:32:26 EDT
From: FM3Red5@aol.com
Subject: BFF/Semisonic
I got the semisonic cd too...and after listening to it a bunch of times i
realized it was because of the piano i loved it so much...thats why i fell in
love with BFF...the album is really great...i would recomend it to any BFF
fan...
Frank
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 10:08:01 MEZ-1MESZ
From: "Christoph Reiffert" <reiffert@hrz2.uni-oldenburg.de>
Subject: Who's on the phone ??
Well, hi all the Chairers,
I have a difficult question for you.
The other night I was sitting together with some of my friends that I
infected with the BFF virus and we played WAEA. Right when the part
of the phone ringing in Steven's came on one of them asked
Do you know who phoned the that day ??
Well, as I doo NOT know about this, I just thought maybe one of our
BFF gurus on the MAD might even know who phoned that day... (not that
I am very optimistic about this).
It would just be great to know ;-)))
Wish you a nice day and a lot more wonderful BFF experiences !!
Chris
>>> I feel like a quote out of context, withholding the rest
so I can be for you what you wanna see <<<
(Ben Folds Five)
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 1998 04:19:27 EDT
From: JKFett@aol.com
Subject: A MUST READ! SAD AND SHOCKING TRUTH FOR BFF FANS!!!
I know this letter is long, but please, please, read all of it. Some of you
may have already had an idea about the current situation of BFF and their
fans. However, nothing could have prepared me for the actual truth of its
extremes.
I had the "pleasure" of talking with a Chapel Hill resident at 3 in the
morning tonight. And naturally I asked him what any other Armchairian would
ask: "Do you know Ben?" His answer and his story about the band would upset me
to no end and may shock a few others. I apologize for this letter's length,
but I feel it is a MUST READ for all on the 'Chair.
JK Fett: Ever hear of a local band in your parts called, "Ben Folds Five?"
Toadyrage: yea Ben Folds lives about 1 mile from my house
JK Fett: That's awesome!
Toadyrage: I have met him a few times
JK Fett: I wish I could live in C.H. so I could meet him! ;)
Toadyrage: LOL, he is actually a real jerk these days
JK Fett: How so?
JK Fett: Just "no time for you" anymore?
Toadyrage: His head is too big.... He thinks he is big time and won't even
say hello to people anymore
JK Fett: Sigh...that's way too bad.
JK Fett: So when people say, "hi" to him he doesn't even smile?
Toadyrage: Yea I used to like him and we talked a few times but now he thinks
he is Jesus Christ
Toadyrage: He ignores them or tells them to leave him alone
JK Fett: If you're Jesus Christ, why the hell are you still in Chapel Hill?
Tells them to leave him alone? Damn, he does sound like a dick.
Toadyrage: yea, he has a bodyguard now too, for what reason I don't know...
JK Fett: A bodyguard??? For Christ's sake!
JK Fett: What does he do? Walk around town with him when he goes to buy
groceries?
Toadyrage: Yea this big black dude that used to work at a bar I go to. He
keeps people about 10 ft away not that that many people go up to him. In
Chapel Hill we are used to famous types. Robin Williams was here for a month.
I met him too and he was much more relaxed and cooler
JK Fett: That is really a shame...
JK Fett: I've never heard such an account of him before..
Toadyrage: Well fame can change the soul
JK Fett: Everyone who meets him says how cool he is and all these people get
these pictures taken with him and he's all smiling and what not...party with
him, have a beer.
JK Fett: Hmm...what about the other two? Do you know how they are treated/act?
Toadyrage: yea he was like that last year
Toadyrage: They all flock around him, and act the same now, but he's
different.
JK Fett: One year changed him that much?
Toadyrage: 1 year ago he used to hang out he even bought me a beer once. Now
he acts like he never even met me. same for the rest
Toadyrage: FAME CHANGED HIM THAT MUCH
JK Fett: The other two members act the same way?
Toadyrage: Yep. They are big time now...The Squirrel Nut Zippers are about the
same too
JK Fett: God....that almost makes me sick...
JK Fett: I am still a fan of their music but from hearing your account I am
now less of a fan of the men themselves...
Toadyrage: Well don't feel too bad every band does it when they get big, look
at REM, Smashing Pumpkins Etc...
JK Fett: Well the Squirrel Nut Zippers are not even close to being as popular
as BFF...at least in my neck of the woods...
Toadyrage: Yea but they were on Letterman
JK Fett: How big exactly is Chapel Hill anyway? Is there that many people that
they'll probably leave Chapel Hill you think? Any for sale signs on the Folds
estate?
Toadyrage: Chapel Hill is about 20 thousnad people but loads of money and a
big launch pad for new groups. The Cat's Cradle is a big gig here. It's
where Ben got started
Toadyrage: ben's place is a dive... Guess he will jam soon
JK Fett: Yeah, most BFF fans have or should have heard of that club
Toadyrage: yea its the Seattle type scene these days
JK Fett: So I've seen a couple pictures of it...do you think Ben's house is
too run-down for a "star" of his caliber? You are pretty sure he'll leave his
home and inspiration for all of their songs behind?
Toadyrage: Yes, he is getting out. Can't blame him, I would too..
JK Fett: Why would you get out if you were him?
Toadyrage: CH is a tough town, it leaves you lonely, forgetten and in despair.
JK Fett: Could you elaborate on that?
Toadyrage: Too much money, too many plastic souls here, no one cares about
humanity.
JK Fett: I mean, I am afraid that if he leaves his music will never be the
same...do you think Robert Sledge and Darren Jessee would jet too?
Toadyrage: it might do them good, or they will sell out more
JK Fett: But since you're saying BFF is so obssessed with the stardom they
have, you'd think they'd want to stay in C.H. with all of its plastic souls?
JK Fett: Next will probably be New York or something...
Toadyrage: Ben actually asked for a copy of some poems I have written, maybe
he might be inspired by them. i gave him 3 of mine. I am a writter.
JK Fett: Too bad you can't even get within 10 feet of Ben now to ask him what
he plans to do with himself, the band, or those poems...
Toadyrage: They will dissapear and or sell out, their last LP is the last you
will hear of them in the main stream
JK Fett: How long ago did he ask for them? I doubt now that any "mortal man"
could inspire his "Holiness"...
Toadyrage: it was a bit over a year ago when i met him at hector's down under
when I read him some stuff
JK Fett: You think Ben Folds Five is going to fade out and disappear?
Toadyrage: yea, they are too much of a flash
Toadyrage: Great at first, powerfull, but i don't think they have the material
to stay to 50
Toadyrage: for long
JK Fett: Hmm...a shame...
JK Fett: Especially since them inflating their egos may bring about their
demise even earlier...
Toadyrage: yea well thats what killed alot of bands
JK Fett: Have you seen the same thing before in other local bands like BFF?
Toadyrage: I think the Squirrel Nuts hit it the same way, they got on
Letterman and when was the last you heard of them?
JK Fett: They were never that big in Michigan...just the one song that got
some airplay on MTV...("Hell")
JK Fett: Have you ever personally met Darren or Robert? Or have other people
in town told you it was the same way as it is with Ben? I mean, those 2 don't
have bodyguards or anything do they?
Toadyrage: I have seen them all togeather and been ignored by all 3.
JK Fett: You've been ignored by all 3 even though you knew them each
personally before "Brick?"
Toadyrage: I don;t see them around much anymore because they are on tour or
know that most Chapel Hill people don't like them anymore.
JK Fett: They know that most of the people in C.H. don't like them? You think
they know it's because of they way they treat them? Their first real fans?
Toadyrage: yea or else they think they are too good for Chapel Hill these
days. I have not seen Ben for over 9 months now.
JK Fett: But have you seen the other two within that 9 month period?
Toadyrage: You never see just ben
JK Fett: What do you mean?
Toadyrage: Well its always Ben and his crew or none at all
Toadyrage: man it's been (no pun intended) good talking to you but I gotta
crash.
JK Fett: Well I appreciate you giving me all this inside info.
JK Fett: It has come to a total shock to me
Toadyrage: sorry man but that's how it is around here
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #1105
***************************************
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