Ben Folds Five(1994-2000) was a three-member band formed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, who until their breakup in 2000 were a mainstay of piano rock. Much of their work was influenced by jazz, evident in frequent improv-styled passages through bridge and/or ending. The members of the band were: Ben Folds, the lead singer and pianist, who also wrote most of the songs; Robert Sledgeon bass and Darren Jesseeon drums. The group enjoyed the success of the single Brickin 1998, 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.
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