So you want to know about Ben Folds Five..

(Who folds what?)

Ben Folds Five are a trio whose unique sound comes from piano, bass and drums being their core instruments. However the members are extremely talented musicians and on 1999's The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner they each branched out into other instruments as well. Darren used tympanis and a gong, Ben played a custom made tack piano, and Robert played a synthesiser type thing. There was also the guest horn section and strings too.

Their live shows have a great reputation for really being superb high energy experiences... do what you can to get to one. At the Adelaide show in 1999 they combined songs from all of their albums, working up so much energy that there were even some people dancing in the seats... it's advisable to get a floor ticket if you can. Seeing them live drives home how talented they all are with all three switching between instruments with the greatest of ease. In fact, Ben had his "tack" piano and baby grand facing each other so that he could swivel around and play both during a song. In fact, at one stage he was even playing both at once: sitting between them, facing the crowd with his left hand playing the baby grand and his right playing the "tack" piano... with a big goofy grin on his face!
After most shows the band members will talk to fans and sign autographs and be just generally great! The best ways to get an autograph or photo are to either get yourself a backstage pass (if you're lucky!), or find the back stage door and wait there (See Fig. 1). It's also a good chance to meet other fans. It may be a bit of a wait, but most of the time some or all of the band will emerge, after having seen friends and family inside. Then they are quite open to a friendly chat with fans, and will sign things (See Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) and pose for photos (See Fig. 4 and Fig. 5)!

The band was formed in 1994 from an idea of Ben's. They are called Ben Folds Five simply because it sounds better than Ben Folds Three, and because it seemed like a good idea at the time. There are a lot of other stories about the origin of the name circulating because in interviews the band enjoys making up a whole heap of crap on the topic. The three members (all aged in their early thirties) are...

Ben Folds. Pianist, composer, lead vocalist, piano thrasher.

Robert Sledge. Bassist, vocalist, fuzz pedal extroadinaire.

Darren Jessee. Drummer... nay, Percussionist, vocalist, stick throwin guy.

Ben does most of the songwriting, although all three contribute. Darren wrote Magic and helped with Brick (among others), for example.

The Ben Folds Five 'Frequently Asked Questions' is really useful for finding out all about them.