THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
The Ben Folds Five Digest
Issue #501 - September 30, 1997
Magical Armchair Digest Tuesday, September 30 1997 Volume 01 : Number 501
THE MAGICAL ARMCHAIR
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TOPICS IN THIS DIGEST:
Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #498
DIOS DARREN
PERTH SHOW
Evolving popularity
SHOW REVIEWS
Syracuse University fan
Looking for Annie
Recoery show - IRC
UK
Armchair Melbourne Meeting
BF5 Melbourne gig
for Dave Hanson
bff in philly
Re: random thoughts
Ypsilanti ticket info
If your e-mail address has changed...
Piano Smashing
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Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 20:36:06 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mansuetude@aol.com
Subject: Re: Magical Armchair Digest V1 #498
We should get a meeting time set for #BFF on IRC (delnet). How about
thursdays at 8 pm? If anyone has a better idea, post it to the list. I
don't have ICQ, so I can't join that chat. :(
Kris
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 22:35:05 -0000
From: "idaho" <idaho@appstate.campus.mci.net>
Subject: DIOS DARREN
Alright. It's time again. I'm feeling a little maniacal and I just read
the Armchair and read heaps of praises to the Almighty Ben (not that Ben
doesn't deserve them), with only a passing reference to Darren. Now most
of the time I just lurk about the Armchair, unless I have been to a show
and need to tell, but every once in a while, I just feel the need to give
praise to THE POSTURE PERFECT PERCUSSION KAHN, DARREN JESSE.
I feel like I could just lead you all in a cheer.....
Every show I have been to, Darren is just a trip (and he's not a bad
percussionist either) and I just like to see him get a little recognition.
It is simply me, doing my part to perserve the equity which I hope abounds
within BFF and within the fan base.
Praise to Darren and Peace to all.
See you at a show in the near future.
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 19:51:42 PDT
From: "Adam Jeffrey" <mikado99@hotmail.com>
Subject: PERTH SHOW
Alright, I now believe the numerous posts from the Americans amongst you
when you say that Ben Folds Five are an amazing live band.
I totally agree with you!!!
Last Night at the Ozone bar, in front of about 400 people, BFF gave an
amazing performance!!! They rocked!! They lived up to my expectations -
and surpassed them.....
The set list was the same as the Melbourne gig - so I won't bore you
with those details.... They also played a country style song - something
about 'bottles', after establishing that it was Melbourne - not Perth -
that had the huge metal scene!!
Ben also gave an impromptue (sp?) theory lesson - telling us how
dominant seven chord were "evil" and that we don't want them. He also
demonstrated a tritone thingy (I didn't quite catch the name of it!).
The amount of energy eminating from the stage was amazing. Ben jumped on
the piano, threw stools at it and generally bashing it with a stunning
array of body parts. Robert was humerous as well as skillful on the bass
- - he made a couple of early entrances in a couple of songs - much to the
amusementof the audience. Darryn is, I have decided, a sicko! The faces
he was making as he played the drums were great!!!
Overall - the three of them outclassed all expectations.
Just a question - Does Ben always wear bandaids on his fingers??? He had
them on last night....to protect his fingers????
I must compliment them on the rapport between the band and the audience.
Heaps of grins and comments directed to numerous people in the audience
when they made comments or wierd noises.....
Well, I hope that I haven't bored you all. I am just glad that they came
to Perth (not the most popular of places for bands to include in their
tours....) and that I was able to see them live.
Until next time
Adam from Oz
______________________________________________________
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------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 97 22:13:52 -0500
From: Michael Bluejay <bluejay@pobox.com>
Subject: Evolving popularity
We all know that BF5 has been steadily getting more popular, but here's
an indicator that's particularly important to me: When I play BF5 on a
piano in public (usually in the student union on campus), people finally
know that it's BF5. Previously, for the last two years while I've been
playing this stuff, nobody had a clue. They'd often say something like,
"That sounds great! Did you write that?" (Of course, I was TEMPTED to
say, "Uh..... yeah! I wrote that! Listen for it on the radio soon.")
When I told them no, it's Ben Folds Five, they would all kinda just stare
at my like I was speaking Chinese. (I mean Japanese, sorry!) But
anyway, now people are clued in. In fact, recently in a dorm (I don't
live there, but they have a nice piano, so...), a student said, "Wow,
that's Ben Folds Five! Can you play 'Kate'?" Incidentally, this woman's
name was "Kate". :-)
Regarding Ben throwing his stool at the piano: Sounds like a G.G. Allin
show.
-- Michael Bluejay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://pobox.com/bluejay | Home of AUSTIN MUSIC, KING CHEESE,
| BIKING IN AUSTIN, VEGETARIAN pages, & more
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 21:18:33 PDT
From: "Petra Starke" <naturalselection@hotmail.com>
Subject: SHOW REVIEWS
Anyone who wants a review of the AWESOME, FANTASTIC, WICKED,
SO-FAR-BEYOND-BRILLIANT Adelaide show, write to me privately and I will
send you a copy of one I have written for a local paper. I can send
either TXT or DOC (Word 6.0) files, so please specify what you want.
(I'm running on an IBM, obviously)
My birthday soon - can't wait till the future gets here so I can FINALLY
hear WEAEA!!!! I think I'm the only BF5 fan who hasn't heard Brick yet!
Cheers, Petra
"Give me my money back, you bitch, and don't forget to give me back my
black t-shirt!" - what a cool line, eh?
______________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 00:42:53 -0400
From: "kbpierce" <kbpierce@syr.edu>
Subject: Syracuse University fan
I'm a student there. I'd like to find someone to talk to about his stuff.
I'm actually looking for a drummer, a bassist, and a piano player. I'm
trying to form something here. I play all three, but I need some
specialists. Get back to me. I'm at Shaw Hall, room 280. My number is
315-443-7057.
"I feel like a quote out of context, witholding the rest so I can be for
you what you want to see."- Ben
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 09:28:19 +0100
From: David.J.Holloway@student.shu.ac.uk (David J. Holloway)
Subject: Looking for Annie
Hiya you folding fivers, sorry this is kinda non BFF related but I need the armcahir for my own
personal gain. Anne Lyons I know you still read this as I saw your post in #497. Could you mail me
at david.j.holloway@student.shu.ac.uk ? I tried mailing you but this university system is, frankly,
arse and nothing seems to work...
Thanks and hope to speak to you soon
Dave
"Life is short and hard like a body building elf" - Bloodhound Gang
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 18:39:25 +1000
From: "JazMan" <jazman@cottagecomputers.com.au>
Subject: Recoery show - IRC
Hiya, i also watched the show and they played great
but, the chat was actually working just that there were
a few technical difficulties at the start, as to what was
said in chat not much apart how cool they are and them
just trying to thank their fans.....
well thats it for now.
JazMan
jazman@cottagecomputers.com.au
http://www.cottagecomputers.com.au/~jazman
———————————————————————
Consciousness: that annoying time between naps.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 13:42:02 +0000
From: "B.D.WATTS" <tl6304@qmw.ac.uk>
Subject: UK
Elton John said today on the O-Zone (British music show) that he
would like to work with Ben Folds. Apart from that I have been away
all summer, so if anyone could let me know what is going on I`d be
grateful. New single?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 19:02:24 +1000
From: "Cairns Family" <cairns@c031.aone.net.au>
Subject: Armchair Melbourne Meeting
Hey Guys,
Well, there was obvoiusly a few more Armchairites at the Monash Gig then I
realised and it seems as though everyone is going to POW on Friday night.
So I was wondering if anyone going on Friday is interested in getting
together and having a bit of an Armchair Gathering. I was thinking we
could meet at POW or the Espie(or something similar), have a few Bevvies
and something to eat and then go to the gig.
The people I went to the Monash gig with were more BFF admirers, rather
than fans, so they didn't let me hang round to meet the guys. I would
really love to hang out with some hardcore fans.
Email me ASAP if you are interested as we are a bit pressed for
time(nothing like short notice)!
Boo Hiss to the Adelaide Crows (only joking, well done guys) and
Congatulations to the Newcastle Knights. WOW! A try in the last six
seconds to win the game. Fantastic!
Anyway, four days to POW! Cheers, Janelle
___________________________________________________________
Can't wait till the future gets here - Ben Folds Five
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 11:45:11 +1000
From: "Rebecca Gorrell & Lance O'Brien" <lotto@netspace.net.au>
Subject: BF5 Melbourne gig
I have to say that I was most disappointed having been a fan for
about 20 mths (we didn't hear of them here until early '96) and waiting for
that whole time to see them live. The band themselves were great with Ben
being the showman and the three of them seemingly having a fantastic time.
Some of the crowd was obviously quite unfamiliar with their stuff and would
start clapping and screaming prematurely during some of their fantastically
timed pregnant pauses assuming the song was over, but that is neither here
nor there.
The problem was the shocking mixing. Robert's and Darren's vocals
were often not heard and the bass was so distorted that the fantastic riffs
were "illegible". Darren sounded like he could only play the bass drum and
cymbals and even Ben's fantastic voice was overpowered by the piano at
times.
After feeling very dissappointed for the first few songs and
glaring at the mixing guy every chance I had (we were standing next to the
mixing station) we noticed that the sound chap had ear plugs in!!!! I then
realised that if you stuck your fingers in your ears the sound was a lot
clearer and actually quite fantastic. I felt like a first class dick
standing there with my fingers in my ears but that was what the sound man
was mixing for. It's very unfortunate but I now know to hear them at their
best I will have to take ear plugs to the Prince of Wales gig next week.
I saw Cake and Even the night before and they were fantasically
loud without any distortion (except a couple of Even's songs) so I know it
is possible to do a great mixong job and keep it loud.
Anyway I still think they're one of the best and am looking forward
to next Friday.
Cheers,
Rebecca
P.S. I was never really into "Best Imitation of Myself" but it was one of
the best songs all night with a great reggae feel and rapid time changes.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 09:43:40 -0700 (MST)
From: Stacy L Flatt <stacyf@U.Arizona.EDU>
Subject: for Dave Hanson
Hi! I got your message, but your return address doesn't work.. you wrote
me about the Refreshments. To keep it short on the Armchair, Ill just ask
you to write me again and maybe it will work this time!!
Sorry about the non-BFF content.
Stacy
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 97 13:33:21 EDT
From: nick <narleth@eden.rutgers.edu>
Subject: bff in philly
hey all...
i was wonder if anybody heard anything about the BFF show in Philly? when do
the tix go on sale? last time they came by the tickets sold out before i
could get mine. that was pretty rough. i just want to make sure i get my
tickets this time...
thanks a bunch...
nick
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 14:36:57 -0400 (EDT)
From: Scoota97@aol.com
Subject: Re: random thoughts
hey everyone,
I was just sitting here listening to BFF (of course) and I started thinking
about some of the lyrics I have messed up, a couple that come to mind are
"kate" (first couple times I heard "I wanna be Caked")..."Video" at the part
they sing "oh what fun,I can't wait till the future gets here" for the
longest time I thought it was "no one thought" instead of "oh what fun" and
one that I still don't think is right but can't figure out is "underground"
when they say "we'll be dressed in all black, spinnin' the ??? fantastic"
biff? disc? what the heck do they say there??? anyway, if anyone else has
any lines they have messed up..post em' (It'll make me feel so much
better....)
On to another subject...It is great to read the reviews of the "Aussie"
shows and if anyone has tapes of any of the shows or video let me know by
private e-mail and I'll make it worthwhile.
later all
~Scott
"Money talks, I hate to listen, but lately its been screaming in my ear..."
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 16:57:24 -0400 (EDT)
From: Frank Maynard <maynard@mail.oeonline.com>
Subject: Ypsilanti ticket info
For those who have been asking, tickets for the show at Eastern Michigan
University in Ypsilanti go on sale next Monday, Oct. 6. They will be $12
for the general public and $8 for EMU students. Call the EMU box office at
(313) 487-1221 to order or for more info.
The show is going to be at Pease Auditorium, which is a concert hall with
great acoustics. (Not much room to dance, though.) Presumably it's
all-ages, since it's not a bar or nightclub. E-mail me if you need
directions.
A few of the dates on the Eastern US tour are being handled by
Ticketmaster: Atlanta, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, Nashville and
Cleveland. Tickets are on sale on-line now for all of these shows through
http://www.ticketmaster.com.
-fjm
They told me "Son, it's time to tell the truth"
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 17:16:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: Frank Maynard <maynard@mail.oeonline.com>
Subject: If your e-mail address has changed...
If you:
Subscribed to the Armchair prior to April 19, 1997 (when the
Armchair moved to the automated server)
AND:
You were subscribed under a DIFFERENT e-mail address than you
are currently having the Armchair sent to
please send me e-mail with your current and former e-mail addresses
(whether or not your former address is still valid!).
If you currently receive the Armchair at the SAME address that you were
using prior to April 19, there is NO need to reply.
Thanks.
-fjm
All the things we've written in it never really happened
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 29 Sep 1997 16:27:00 -0500
From: "Johnson, Erik K." <EkJohnson@west.com>
Subject: Piano Smashing
Petra wrote:
>My theory is that rock stars have always tried to be controversial, ...
>trash instruments and whatever. But it seems to me ... the boys have
>been trying to be a little 'badder' than usual. ...Perhaps they are
>sick of the 'happy, friendly' image they gave with the first album
I have seen the band 4 times now. On the first tour in Atlanta,
Kansas City and Omaha. I saw them in Lawrence, KS on this tour.
Every time I have seen them, Ben has thrown his stool at the piano.
He is not trying to destroy it. He is attempting to get sounds from
his instrument that are unique. Listen to the first album. You'll
notice
that he pounds the keys with both fists quite a few times (@ the end
of Uncle Walter and Philosophy). He also throws the stool on the
album at the end of Philosophy. Critics (such as the two on this show)
say Ben has no talent because he just bangs and pounds. Listening
to the runs that Ben plays and the Gershwin bit at the end of
Underground tends to prove otherwise. I think Kerri Anne and
Jeff need to hang out with someone other than their 55-year-old
audience. If they want Frank Sinatra, book Frank Sinatra.
-Erik
------------------------------
End of Magical Armchair Digest V1 #501
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