Ben Folds is High on Altoids

Two years ago on November 11th, I saw Ben Folds perform at Grady Gammage auditorium. To set up for one of the songs from his then-newly-released solo record, Way to Normal, he presented the audience with two empty Altoids cans. When an Altoids can is placed over a certain section of piano strings, those notes make completely different sounds when played. A tinny, rattly noise is made - more percussive than tonal. And with Folds' ninja fast piano fingers, he can make some pretty interesting riffs. When that sound is passed through a distortion pedal, it takes on a whole new life. The following clip is from a different concert, but it's the same song, "Free Coffee," with an accompanying explanation (warning - F-bombs!).