Ben Folds Five

Ben Folds Five, led by frontman Ben Folds, challenged perceptions of rock music by rocking without guitars, carving out a niche as "punk rock for sissies" in the mid-'90s. Despite their split in 2000, the band's jazz influences and Folds' acerbic piano-based pop songs secured them a lasting legacy, with Folds continuing as a solo artist. Folds' journey from his North Carolina roots to forming the trio in Chapel Hill, signing with Sony, and releasing acclaimed albums like Whatever and Ever Amen showcased the group's unique, piano-driven sound in a guitar-dominated era.

Following their split in 2000, Ben Folds Five members pursued individual projects, with Folds contributing to soundtracks and releasing successful solo albums. The group reunited in 2011 for a retrospective album and officially returned in 2012 with The Sound of the Life of the Mind, their first studio album in over a decade. Known for their witty, offbeat piano-based music, Ben Folds Five's enduring appeal and artistic integrity have solidified their status as critical and commercial darlings in the music industry.