Ben Folds Five

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Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States (1994 – 2000, 2011 – present)

Ben Folds Five is a trio formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States in 1994, who until their breakup in 2000 were a mainstay of . Much of their work was influenced by , evident in frequent -styled passages through bridge and/or ending.

The members of the band are Ben Folds, the lead singer and pianist, who also wrote most of the songs; Robert Sledge on bass; and Darren Jessee on drums. The group enjoyed the success of the single Brick in 1997, a ballad written by Folds (with a chorus by Jessee) about his high school girlfriend getting an abortion. This song has, to a large degree, misrepresented the band to fans who aren’t familiar with their other work; “Brick” is a serious ballad, whereas most of their music is characterised by jazz inflections and witty, humorous lyrics.

After the band’s not-so amicable breakup in October 2000 over Ben’s over shadowing of Sledge and Jessee, Folds began a solo career. Robert Sledge’s subsequent band International Orange has broken up, while Darren Jessee is the frontman for the band Hotel Lights.

Folds once described their music as “punk rock for pussies” - a reaction to the angst prevalent in 90s rock. When asked about his band’s name he jokingly responded “you mean a trio isn’t five?”. In other interviews the band said that the name was simply because Ben Folds Five sounded better than Ben Folds Three.

Ben Folds has continued with producing music on his own, striking a subtler tone than Ben Folds Five’s earlier recordings.
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Popular tags: alternative, indie, rock, piano rock, piano  See more

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  • turtlesRmyFrenz

    bensy foldsy <3

    Wednesday morning

  • Nobodylikesyou

    New album. Eep.

    22 days ago

  • Nagsworth

    "the most hipsterious hipster band" - the hell you talkin' 'bout, man? Ben Folds Five aren't hiding anything behind any hipster facades. They are a straight-up honest-to-betsy awesome rock band. I just got their 'Sessions At West 54th' DVD today, can't wait to get stuck in to it!

    last month

  • Sturmverweht

    I'm so looking forward to the new album!

    last month

  • Nakkinak

    suburban fuzz bass piano jazz rock

    last month

  • Nakkinak

    the most hipsterious hipster band, I love it

    last month

  • Mrmario315

    House is music perfection, graaaaaa so good!!

    December 2011

  • Captainundead

    FUZZ BASS

    November 2011

  • Karmageddonx

    Loving the current default pic.

    November 2011

  • Criznittle

    Ben Folds Five "Song For The Dumped" is featured on Indie/Rock Playlist: November (2011) download here: theindierockplaylistdotcom

    November 2011

  • hereyoufocus

    Hey have you heard Ben Folds talking about one of the tracks on the album, "House"? Watch it right here! http://www.vevo.com/watch/ben-folds/the-best-imitation-of-myself-house/USSM21101757?source=ap

    October 2011

  • notquitetony

    HI! I recorded a weezerish cover of "Kate" listen if you'd like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqP_1-NRZU0

    October 2011

  • AlxenPanikovski

    ЕБИ ГУСЕЙ!!!

    October 2011

  • jesuisnina

    WOOOOHOO, If they ever come to Holland again I will demand a meet and greet.

    October 2011

  • TheKeenGuy

    Amelia Bright and Stumblin' Home Winter Blues are pretty good versions of great Hotel Lights songs.

    October 2011

  • Sturmverweht

    Love the "new" material on the Best Imitation of Myself: An Introspective (2)

    October 2011

  • JammyJulian

    Love the "new" material on the Best Imitation of Myself: An Introspective

    October 2011

  • naotas_forehead

    Holy crap they're reuniting. :D First band I ever got into... not my favorite anymore but they will always be very special to me.

    October 2011

  • ChudleyCannons

    AH. 2011- present! It might make me cry. My all time favorite band is doing shit together. Which supposedly would never happen. And I'm listening to a new song by them. And. This is the evidence I need of a higher power.

    October 2011

  • Karmageddonx

    I LOVE "House". If this new album happens, I hope this is indicative of the sound. It sounds like such a natural progression from Reinhold. And if Ben Folds Five tours in support of said tour, I would sell myself on the streets to be able to buy tickets. Seriously.

    October 2011
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