Warning: The Following Article May Contain Small Amounts of Freaking Out
So it’s been nearly a full decade since Ben Folds Five disbanded after their last release, The Unofficial Biography of Reinhold Messner. Since then, titular musician Ben Folds has gone on to even more massive success, especially among the college and MySpace crowds, releasing several albums since the Five disbanded. Drummer Darren Jessee has played primarily with Hotel Lights, as both their writers and vocalist, and bassist Robert Sledge played briefly with International Orange. Yet despite their busy schedules and ten long years of separation, Ben Folds Five is back again.
OK, so seriously now that I got that first paragraph of real information and facts out of the way, I can spend another one absolutely freaking about this occurrence. I may have hinted at my Ben Folds Five obsession several times here at HearYa, but it honestly probably never was fully expressed or understood. I listened to Ben Folds Five, and nothing but Ben Folds Five from 11 until 17 and they can still be found regularly in my iTunes playlist. Simply put, they are the Genesis of my musical life. Sure sure sure, everyone has that one thing that sets them down their path, but damnit, this is my one thing, and damnit, if Whatever and Ever Amen didn’t change my life, then nothing has. Phew, I’m sorry.
Regardless, Ben Folds Five, yes, the full lineup of Ben Folds Five, will be playing one show, September 18th, in their hometown of Chapel Hill, NC. The aforementioned Reinhold Messner (which is easily my favorite) will be played “Front to Back” according to their website. Whether this turns into a tour, which we can only hope for, or not, this one show will certainly be one for the ages.
For those interested in attending (myself included), tickets will go on sale the 8th on etix.com. And also, for those Ben Folds solo fans out their, his newest album, Way To Normal is due on the 30th of this month which he’ll be promoting heavily through tours as well. Whether the Five will be there as well, remains to be seen.
Ben Folds Five - Song For the Dumped (Live)
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
seconding the freaking out! i tried to stay a ben folds fan, but he just got so… so… i don’t even know. once he started his ben folds and a piano thing, it just got so boring and repetitive. i gave up.
last year, i picked up the sessions on 54th st. dvd - it made me so happy - i remembered seeing BF5 at SXSW and at the electric lounge in austin and just how great they were. but when it was over, i ended up hating ben more - how could he have broke up such a great band.
please ben. please bring back the 5 permanently and do a tour (or at least come to chicago). you’re just not the same without them
And in other news, I brushed my teeth this morning.
For everyone’s sake, including your own, I hope this isn’t the first time you’ve brushed your teeth since 1999.
And why you gotta bring me down like that, Woody?
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