Table of Contents
Part I: About The Band
1. Chronology and Personnel
a. Who is in Ben Folds Five?
b. What is the origin of the name?
c. Have any of the members been involved with other artists?
2. Who have Ben Folds Five toured with?
3. Is the band on the Internet?
4. What can be expected if I see the band live?
Part II: Album Questions
1. D-Tox Jackson Cannery 7"
a. What are the track listings?
b. Is this still available?
2. Self-titled album
a. General information
b. What are the differences between the tape and CD versions?
c. Why is there sometimes talking at the beginning/end of tracks?
d. Who is Anna Goodman?
e. Who is Alice Childress?
3. Whatever & Ever Amen
a. General information
b. What are the songs about?
c. Okay, so what is "Brick" *really* about?
d. Was that a phone that I heard in "Steven's Last Night in Town"?
e. Crickets in "Cigarette"?
f. What is this "Bhagavad Gita" thing mentioned in "Kate"?
4. Naked Baby Photos
Part III: Live shows
1. What's that miniature-keyboard looking thing that
Ben plays in "Steven's Last Night in Town"?
2. It that piano the same one...
3. Are soundboard plug-in recordings allowed? What about hand-held boot-legged recordings? Cameras?
Part IV: Miscellaneous
1. How can I contact the band?
2. Are band t-shirts available if I didn't go to any of the live shows?
3. The Magical Armchair mailing list
a. What is it?
b. How do I join?
4. Has the band made any television appearances?
5. Where can I get ahold of some sheet music?
Part V: About this document
1. Who wrote this FAQ?
2. Newest versions
3. How do I make a submission?
4. Can I re-distribute this FAQ?
5. Misc. legal information
Part I: About Ben Folds Five
1. Chronology and Personnel
A. Who is in Ben Folds Five?
Ben Folds, piano & vocals
Robert Sledge,
bass & backing vocals
Darren Jessee, drums & backing vocals
B. What is the origin of the name?
According to Ben, Ben Folds Five received it's name (despite the fact that the band only consists of 3
members) because it "sounds better than Ben Folds Three."
C. Have any of the members been involved
with other artists?
Yes, and a whole slew of them, too.
Ben--Began in a band called Majosha, which
later evloved into Pots & Pans. Gillmer Derge sums up the whole Majosha/P&P controversy: --- Around
early 1988 Majosha formed and played their first gig at Duke University's Battle of the Bands. They won.
At that time, Majosha was Ben on bass, Millard Powers on guitar, some guy named Dave on drums and
a fourth guy (Rob?) who was never heard from again. For the purposes of historical completeness, it
should bem mentioned that at that time, Majosha was spelled with an accent over the o. At some point
that was dropped, mostly because people were too stupid to realize that the accent didn't mean it was
Muh-joe'-sha (it's Muh-jah'-sha). They played bars and frat parties for a while and eventually put out a
self-produced EP sold at a few local stores called "Party Night: Five Songs About Jesus." There were 4
songs, and none were about Jesus. I think the 4 songs were: Get That Bug (Outta Your System),
Kalamazoo, Where's Bohemia and Cool Whip. I'm not so sure about Where's Bohemia. Gradually their
popularity grew and they played larger and farther flung gigs. Some time in 1989, they recorded "Shut Up
and Listen to Majosha." That's about the time Dave got the boot and was replaced with Chris (Hound).
They also borrowed Evan Olsen from Chuck Folds' band, the DT's at about the same time. Various
tracks on Shut Up feature Dave, Chris or Ben on drums and/or Evan, Ben or Millard doing vocals. Shut
Up contains, among others, the 4 songs from Party Night (remixed and/or rerecorded), Emaline and
Video. At about the same time they did some sort of dance mix of Get That Bug that was released
somehow in Japan. As a promotional CD? At some point, Hound got sacked as well, and was replaced
by Eddie Walker, who I think was also in the DT's with Chuck and Evan (all 3 of whom eventually
became Bus Stop with Snuzz). In early 1990 Majosha broke up, and Ben formed Pots and Pans with
Snuzz and some other guy. Ben played drums. They disappeared soon after. --- Ben's name also
appears on the band Barry Black's debut album, playing either piano or drums on 9 out of 14 of the
tracks. Barry Black's music is a serene, jazzy-style; mostly instrumental. Ben also plays drums on a
few tracks on Fleming and John's debut albom, "Delusions of Grandeur.". He makes a cameo
appearance in the video for "I'm Not Afraid" as a drummer atop a huge cake. His name also appears in
various places on CDs by his brother Chuck's band, Bus Stop.
Robert--Used to be in a band called Toxic
Popsicle. Their album is still available from D-Tox Records.
Darren--In a band called In Limbo, based out
of Greenville, NC. It was a decidely pop band, in which Darren came on in 1989 to replace another
drummer who "didn't work out". They released a CD entitled "What?".
2. Who have Ben Folds Five
toured with?
Neil Young, Jewel, Counting Crows, Gin Blossoms, Majosha, September 67, and that
whole "Lollapalooza" second-stage thing, to name just a few...
3. Is the band on the Internet?
Yes and no. There is an "official" web page being run by Sony/550 Records at www.bffweb.com, where there is a
biography on the band, sound clips, and merchandise ordering information. It's undisclosed how much
the band actually has to do with the page, though... And, although they have an e-mail address listed in
the liner notes of "Whatever and Ever Amen", it was cancelled a few months or so before the album
actually came out, and therefore doesn't yield much of a response.
4. What can be expected if I see the
band live?
The band travels from destination to destination in a U-Haul truck, carrying Ben's own Baldwin
baby-grand piano. During the show, expect Ben to be jumping around, piano-diving, stool-throwing, and a
generally fun and exciting high-energy show!
Part II: Album Questions
1. D-Tox Jackson Cannery 7" (Not
really an album, but a significant release)
A. What are the track listings?
1. Jackson Cannery
2. Eddie
Walker, This is Your Life
Recorded by Caleb Southern on March 25th, 1994. "Jackson Cannery" is a
different recording than on the self-titled album.
B. Is this still available?
No. As of April 1996, this limited
edition one-time pressing is out of stock.
2. Self-titled album
A. General information
The twelve tracks:
1.
Jackson Cannery
2. Philosophy
3. Julianne
4. Where's Summer B.?
5. Alice Childress
6. Underground
7. Sports & Wine
8. Uncle Walter
9. Best Imitation of Myself
10. Video
11. The Last Polka
12. Boxing
The Japanese version of the album contained the bonus track, "Tom and Mary," which can be found on
the UK "Where's Summer B.?" single. Released on Passenger/Caroline Records.
B. What are the
differences between the tape and CD versions?
The copies are identical with the exception of "Uncle
Walter" which includes the line "well fuck you!" in the lyrics.
C. Why is there sometimes talking at the
beginning/end of tracks?
The recording of most of the album tracks were done in a "live-show" style,
sans-audience. Fewer re-takes pushed a faster release date for the album.
D. Who is Anna Goodman?
Anna Goodman is a good friend of Ben's who also helped co-write "Alice Childress" and "The Last
Polka".
E. Who is Alice Childress?
Despite rumors, the song "Alice Childress" is not referring to the
author and playright Alice Childress, or the songwriter Alex Chilton. The name was evoked from a mental
patient in a hospital where Anna Goodman (the song's co-writer) worked. Alice supposedly threw mop
watter on Anna.
3. Whatever and Ever Amen
A. General information
The highly anticipated second
album from Ben Folds Five, titled "Whatever and Ever Amen", contains twelve tracks. The track listing is
as follows:
1. One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces
2. Fair
3. Brick
4. Song for the Dumped
5.
Selfless, Cold and Composed
6. Kate
7. Smoke
8. Cigarette
9. Steven's Last Night in Town
10. Battle of
Who Could Care Less
11. Missing the War
12. Evaporated
The japanese version of the album will
contain one extra track, "Song for the Dumped" as sung by Ben in japanese. It was released on
Sony/550 Records.
B. What are the songs about?
The following are explanations of the songs by Ben
himself, taken from the Sony/550 web site:
One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces: "This is basically
a portrait of a guy that has to succeed so he can tell off everyone who used to pick on him. It's a revenge
anthem."
Fair: "It's a 'dig-me-and-all-my-pain' type of song. Definitely for the self-destructive romantic
person. It came from a newspaper article concerning a domestic dispute which wound up in a death."
Brick: "It's really self-explanatory."
Song For The Dumped: "Darren, our drummer, just got dumped and
scratched out some angry lyrics and gave them to me. It was a joke, but it was coming from a real
place. I put the music to it in minutes. It's a satire on the obtuse male anger of being dumped, but still
caring about the girl who dumped you."
Selfless, Cold And Composed: "It's kind of about your average
middle-class white guy ? the kind of guy that can't express his emotions and has a hard time caring
about others. He's the antidote to the guy in 'Dumped.'"
Kate: "Really it's a song that's just cute and
adoring. I felt it was time for a song like that from someone. from our generation. It's a crush song."
Smoke: "I co-wrote this song with someone else, so I wouldn't want to speak for her, but what it means
to me is that you can't escape from your memories or your past,"
Cigarette: "It's a weird vibe song."
Steven's Last Night In Town: "A guy came to visit us in North Carolina and he hung out for a while, but
then he wouldn't leave. We must have thrown five or six going-away parties for him. So I wrote him this
song and gave it to him."
Battle Of Who Could Care Less: "This is like the notion that the more you care
about some thing your cat or whatever - the less they care about you. It's the same way in the world of
rock 'n' roll a lot - I wanted to get that across."
Missing The War: "This is a song left over from the first
album. It's really the sister song to 'Last Polka' on the first album."
Evaporated: "It's about loss."
C. Okay, so what is "Brick" *really* about?
It's been argued to the point of exhaustion, and people still
seem to disagree on this one. Ben hasn't ever really said, except in joke (ie: "This is a song about taking
your dog to the bet"), but the general theory is that it's about a trip to an abortion clinic.
D. Was that a
phone that I heard in "Steven's Last Night in Town"?
Yup, sure is! If you listen really carefully, you can
hear what sounds like a cellular phone ring at or around 2:54 in the song. E. Crickets in "Cigarette"?
...and if you turn up the volume loud enough on "Cigarette", you can hear crickets chirping away in the
background! As to whether or not they are chirping to the tune of the National Anthem depends upon
what you're been smoking recently...
F. What is this "Bhagavad Gita" thing mentioned in "Kate"?
To quote Adam DeLisse, from the Magical Armchair: --- The Bhagavad Gita, once and for all, is an ancient
indian text in which Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, takes earthly form to teach arjuna the archer his duties
as a warrior, and he ends up having to kill all of his evil cousins to save his wife and brothers. It pertains
to the Hindu faith and was written to teach moral lessons on performing the duties of your societal class
without looking at the consequences. --- ...and there you have it.
Part III: Live shows
1. What's that miniature-keyboard looking thing that Ben plays in
"Steven's Last Night in Town"?
It's called a melodica.
2. Is that piano the same one...
The same one you
saw two years ago when they were playing small venues in front of tiny crowds? Yup. Same beat-up old
Baldwin...
3. Are soundboard plug-in recordings allowed? What about hand-held bootlegged
recordings? Cameras?
It all depends on who you ask. Soundboard plug-ins are generally not allowed,
but that doesn't mean that there haven't been any. Hand-held boots are alright by the band, so if the
venue complains, let them know! Cameras all depend on the venue rules, and whether or not you are
able to obtain a photo pass from the band and/or the management.
Part IV: Miscellaneous
1. How can I
contact the band?
Write to them at: Ben Folds Five PO Box 1028 Chapel Hill, NC 27514-1028 Or go to
their *official* web site at http://www.bffweb.com and get on their mailing list.
2. Are band t-shirts
available if I didn't go to any of the live shows?
Yes! Full ordering information is available on the official
web page at www.bffweb.com. A japanese-imported limited-edition signed songbook is also available for
ordering.
3. The Magical Armchair mailing list
A. What is it?
"The Magical Armchair" is a Internet listserv
mailing-list. It is where the bulk of the information in thie FAQ was found, and offers an in-depth look at
the band through the eyes of it's fans.
B. How do I join?
To subscribe to the Magical Armchair, send an
e-mail message from the account you would like subscribed to: armchair-request@maillist.il.ft.hse.nl
The Subject: field can be left blank. In the message body, put the word subscribe You will receive a
confirmation message and further instructions. To receive more information on the Magical Armchair
without subscribing, send an e-mail message to: majordomo@maillist.il.ft.hse.nl The Subect: field may
be left blank. In the message body put: info armchair Majordomo will send you a description of the
mailing list and information on how to subscribe. If you have further questions, please address them to
the listowner: maynard@oeonline.com
4. Has the band made any television appearances?
USA coverage includes the band's performance of "Underground" and "Battle of Who Could Care Less" on
Late Night with Conan O'Brien, "Underground" ABC's In Concert, and a live performance on Concerts at
West 54th aired on PBS. As far as MTV, they performed "One Angry Dwarf" on The Jenny McCarthy
Show, their videos (Underground, Uncle Walter, Battle of Who Could Care Less, One Angry Dwarf, and
Brick) have each aired once on MTV's120 Minutes, BOWCCL has been featured in the M2 early-morning
spotlight,and the band was also briefly featured durring MTV's Lollapalooza coverage. And of course
there are those frequent apperances as background music for MTV, Party of Five, and countless others.
Ben Folds also lended his voice for an episode of "Space Ghost: Coast to Coast". A video for "Kate" was
recorded in Japan in Ben's hotel room before a show. It will probably never see the light of day on MTV in
the states. UK coverage includes an appearence on the BBC show "Later... with Jules Holland" in which
they only played one song, Philosophy. The video for Battle of Who Could Care Less has appeared on
The Chart Show (ITV), Top of the Pops 2 (BBC2), and The O Zone (BBC2). An interview also appeared
on The O Zone. Japanese coverage includes some strange sitcom having a fixation with Ben Folds? 5.
Where can I get ahold of some sheet music? A limited-edition Japanese songbook containing transcripts
from all of the songs on the first album was available at one time off of the Sony/550 web page
(www.bffweb.com), but is no longer available. As of this time, it is no longer available, and no statements
have been made about a re-release.
Part V: About this document
1. Who wrote this FAQ?
Scott A.
Schneider (echo@msn.globaldialog.com). The following people also contributed in one way or another:
Frank Maynard, Mark Piper, Alex Torrance, Gillmer Derge, K. V. Sutton, Adam DeLisse.
2. Newest
versions
The most up-to-date version of this FAQ can always be found at
http://www.globaldialog.com/~echo/bff/bff-info.html
3. How do I make a submission?
Send questions
and/or answers to Scott at: echo@msn.globaldialog.com And they will be added to the FAQ.
4. Can I
re-distribute this FAQ?
Yes, as long as it is not altered in any form. A short e-mail is also appreciated,
but not necessary.
5. Misc. legal information
This document (both visual and HTML) is Copyright (c)
1996-97, S. A. Schneider.