So much to respond to...
frogman042 wrote:Actually I didn't hear that Steve Page had left.
It was just announced last month, on the 25th, I believe. Did you hear about his legal problems in New York last year? If not, here's what appears to be a pretty accurate and concise
synopsis (under the section entitled "Drug arrest"). Steve had recently gone through the breakup of his marriage and was dating a youngish hooligan.
frogman042 wrote:When I heard it a second time I went on the net and found out that the group was called Barenaked Ladies, they herald from Canada and they had an album out called Gordon. IIRC the only other album they had at the time was 'Maybe you should drive'.
MYSD was the second album, Gordon was the first. Before Gordon, they peddled self-produced cassettes at their shows, most notably the one now called
"The Yellow Tape". In a nod to Friday's SXSW thread on this Bored, this Wiki article mentions an appearance that BNL made there long ago.
frogman042 wrote:Getting back to Steve Page, is there anywhere I can read about the backstory/reasons behind the departure? Was it amicable? Different ideas on where to take the band? Steve just wanting to do something different? I hope there isn't bad blood between them - their stage presence, and not only in-between song banter (which was always fun), but 'in-song' banter was one of the things I loved about them and they (not just Ed and Steve - but the whole group) seemed to have a great personal relationships I would hate to see this result in bitterness. Any additional info or links to it would be great.
From every statement I've read, it was amicable. Not so much different directions for the band, but maybe feeling crowded out as far as songwriting goes, because the last 3 albums (not counting the holiday album) have been very collaborative efforts, with all bandmembers (Tyler not so much) contributing songs. Not sure if you're aware, but he did release a solo album about 3 years ago, titled (with a typical BNL wink) "The Vanity Project." That album was co-written by him and Steven "Tin Tin" Duffy, who was an original member of Duran Duran, but left before they exploded on MTV (Pete Best, anyone?). Duffy and Tin Tin had a big hit on KROQ (in SoCal) in the early eighties with "Kiss Me." They've collaborated off and on since the MYSD album, but this was a far bigger effort.
What's unusual is that the band is usually very quick to e-mail subscribers with news about them. Not so much for both the drug arrest (understandably) nor Steve's departure. I got an e-mail from them the day I heard he was leaving, but that was a notification that the music recorded during their third "Ships and Dip" cruise was available. No mention of the break-up, which had been announced a day or two earlier.
Here are a few articles I've collected for you:
BNLMusic.COM wrote:A MESSAGE FROM BARENAKED LADIES
By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall.
Page says "These guys are my brothers. We've grown up together over the past twenty years. I love them and wish them all the best in the future."
The band also wish Steven well in all of his endeavors. Ed Robertson says: "It's the start of a new chapter for all of us. Here's to the future!"
Everyone is looking forward to making new music and thanks their fans for their support.
Barenaked Ladies Plan Album, Call Split With Singer 'Positive'
Steven Page explains why he left Barenaked Ladies
Message Board linked from BNLMusic.COM
Two opinions from the Message Board linked above:
Turn The Page wrote:They are booked for a festival in July in Wisconsin - I think they open for Sheryl Crow. But that's not really a proper tour, just a one-off. Ed did say there will be a tour, probably in the Fall. The timeline he set forth was: Go into the studio next month and begin recording a new album. Release the album late in the Summer. Tour in support of the album in the Fall. Tyler also said a Fall tour was in the offing, perhaps late Oct - Nov - Dec, (dovetailing into a few Christmas shows, I'm sure.)
As for the 4 thing. I think if Steve had decided he could still compromise his schedule to the point where he would make time for BNL, they would have let him stay. As much as they say the situation was mutual, I have to believe Steve desperately wanted to leave. Even though they all have to recognize Steve's gifts, knowing that striking out on his own was long overdue for his personal growth, it had to shake them up to know they would have to carry on without his talents. Brave faces notwithstanding, Steve's departure has to be painful for all of the guys in the band - and Steve. As four individuals, the members seem to be showing their pain in different ways. Who are we to tell them how to process these emotions?
Tyler clearly responds with defiance and a bit of anger, recently stating that what they have was under the threat of being destroyed, or words to that effect. The "4" is reflective of that - and for right now, this soon after when emotions are running high - there shouldn't be anything wrong with showing that you're a human being. For Tyler to be quiet, reserved, or scared shitless about this would be completely out of character. Kevin seems a bit sad and concerned for his friend, Steve, but remains upbeat about the future, despite the daunting task ahead to step his game up vocally while trying to fill Steve's songwriting void. Ed carries on the brave fatherly front, saying all the right things, and being the standup guy that is Ed Robertson. He seemed genuinely touched by the support they received at Universal. Jim, well Jim seems to be dealing with it privately, as we've seen very little public commentary from him. This is probably the stoic, classy response some fans prefer. Again, they are unified, but their individual personalities effect how each of them cope with the situation. Tyler's extroverted response may seem a little crass to some of you, but hey, it's Tyler. The same Tyler we've loved on stage all these years. The guys have been through hell this past year. We should cut them some slack, and look forward to the new album, the box set, and that Fall tour.
BuckeyeBNL wrote:Completely agree with Turn The Page. A couple of other points I would add:
The fact is, none of us know any backstage discussion or issues which may have contributed to Steve leaving, or anything that may have caused any kind of ill-will between he and the rest of the band. I know we have the story about Steve wanting to pursue other opportunities and what have you, but there could be a lot more to it than just that which hasn't been publicly disclosed. And that's the way it should be, but I mention all of this because I don't want to hear anyone claiming that they know how how each member is dealing with this change. For all we know, Tyler may just be playing up his crassness or extroversion just for the sake of the public image of BNL; by that same token, Ed might very well be really pissed off at Steve and just not showing it. The opposite could be true as well - I could be wrong. The point is that, while we as fans can guess about things like this based on what's publicly shown, there's a lot to the story that we may never know.
In addition to all of that, I think the "4" symbolism is more about celebrating a new chapter/beginning for BNL instead of "sticking it to Steve." Imagine a sports team that changes its team logo, or a new season of a TV show with a few different cast members. These changes were and are most likely made out of necessity, not resentment. I think it also shows the BNL audience that they're confident enough to move on as "4" instead of pretending like everything's the same, no reason to think otherwise, la la la. I'm sure that as the band moves further away from the Steve-split as time passes, "4" will eventually become all the more synonymous with "BNL", and there won't be as much emphasis placed on it.
frogman042 wrote:I just may have to drown my sorrows in a bowl of Kraft Dinners with Dijon Ketchup!
Great reference! Make sure you put on a green dress and sit on a Chesterfield (or an ottoman).
I remember that around the tours supporting the 3rd or 4th album, they were getting pelted by so much Kraft Dinner whenever they mentioned it (a la Rocky Horror Picture Show) that they were actually getting hurt. They then came up with an ingenious solution. They started posting signs asking people not to throw it, but to place them into big collection bins in the theatre lobbies, and then they took it all to local food banks.
frogman042 wrote:I haven't gotten their more recent releases - but would like to.
They did a children's album last year, but much of it appeals to us older BNL fans, too.
Snacktime (CD and Children's Book Combo) - $15.99
Snacktime (CD Only) - $11.99
Another suggestion would be to check out the Holiday Album from several years ago, "
Barenaked for the Holidays." In addition to BNL versions of common Christmas songs, there are several they wrote for the album. There are also three Hanukkah songs. Two are common, but Steve wrote "Hanukkah Blessings," which is now one of my favorite holiday songs of all time.
It contains "One Week," "If I Had $1,000,000" and the FULL version of the "Big Bang Theory" theme song.
