Pop Quiz: Ben Folds

Pop Quiz: Ben Folds

Aidin Vaziri | It's not easy being Ben Folds. After naming his last band Ben Folds Five even though there were clearly only three members, having the misfortune of releasing his solo album "Rockin' the Suburbs," on Sept. 11, 2001, and having "Weird Al" Yankovic sing backing vocals on his latest, "Songs for Silverman," now the disheveled singer has to share the stage every night with the exquisitely handsome Rufus Wainwright on the Odd Men Out tour, which reaches Davies Symphony Hall on Tuesday. He's like Garfield and every day is like Monday.

Ben Folds
Q: Do you worry that by calling it the Odd Men Out people are going to get the wrong impression about your sexual orientation?
A: Nah, I actually don't care. It doesn't make any difference to me. Tell them all I'm gay.
Q: So you got the "Odd" part covered and Rufus gets "Out."
A: I thought I got the "Men" part.
Q: No, Rufus gets that as well. The advantage to touring with him is that he has a dog's name, which makes you look better.
A: Right.
Q: But the disadvantage is he's really good looking, dresses well and takes regular showers, which I'm guessing you don't.
A: No. I'm not good looking and I don't dress well. He sings better too. Actually, he writes better songs, come to think of it. It's not really good for me all around.
Q: How are the audiences even willing to put up with you until he comes on?