Even though the Ben Folds Five broke up, it won't be a "Lonely Christmas Eve" for Folds and his ex-bandmates — they've already begun separate creative pursuits.

Folds recorded "Lonely Christmas Eve" for the soundtrack for the Jim Carrey movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," which is set for release November 17. The soundtrack comes out Tuesday.

The pianist/singer also contributed the song "Wandering" to the upcoming independent comedy "100 Girls." He's working with producer Ben Grosse on a solo album, tentatively set for release in the spring.

Bassist Robert Sledge is putting together his own group, and he has been touring with former Squirrel Nut Zippers multi-instrumentalist Tom Maxwell's group the Minor Drag. Drummer Darren Jessee has been playing the New York club circuit and also is assembling a new band, according to a statement, issued Wednesday (November 1) by the group's manager, Alan Wolmark, that also said the band broke up so

the three members could pursue other interests.

The Chapel Hill, North Carolina, trio's 1996 album, Whatever and Ever Amen, yielded their biggest hits, the ballad "Brick" and the snotty breakup tune "Song for the Dumped.