Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five (1994–2000) was a three member band formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They played what might be called piano-dominated pop/rock. Much of their work was influenced by jazz, evident in frequent improv-styled passages through bridge and/or ending. Members of the band were: Ben Folds, the lead singer and keyboardist, 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 1998, a ballad written by Folds 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 amicable breakup, 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.

Related Topics:
1994 - 2000 - Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Piano - Pop - Rock - Ben Folds - Robert Sledge - Darren Jessee - Brick - 1998 - Ballad - High school - Girlfriend - Abortion - International Orange - Hotel Lights

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Folds once described their music as "punk rock for sissies" — a reaction to the angst prevalent in 90s rock http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/listmania/list-browse/-/1S6EUB96G78DQ/102-5916884-4792950.

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When asked about his band's name he jokingly responded "you mean a trio isn't five?"http://www.benfolds.org.

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