In the post-Page era, Barenaked Ladies are rock-solid

[barenakedboy]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/music/in-the-post-page-era-barenaked-ladies-are-rock-solid/article1521241/

A few days old, but this article covers all the bases fairly well. There's even a comment (or lack thereof) from Steve saying,

“I'd rather not make any more comment on the guys' new album at this time. I wish them the best in this new chapter, and I'd like them to have this moment as their own.”

That's class in my opinion.

[garyrulez]

Wow...hands-down the best article I've read on the band in the last two years: completely fair to both parties, gets the details right, quotes a wide variety of sources, correctly notes the friction during the last cruise, and the first article I've seen that sprinkles a little bit of hope on a future BNL w/ Steve...excellent piece.

[McGerkey]

Wow...hands-down the best article I've read on the band in the last two years

This.

10 characters.

[garyrulez]

This.

10 characters.

I don't get it.

[therealshell]

I don't get it.

Me, neither.

[Shardith]

A most excellent interview that is worth saving. Why can't more be like this one?

[McGerkey]

I don't get it.

I was agreeing with your post, but with too few letters, apparently.

[garyrulez]

Gotcha, thanks. The 10 character thing sometimes takes clarity and removes it.

[garyrulez]

A most excellent interview that is worth saving. Why can't more be like this one?

I know this is sort of a rhetorical question, but I'm dying to answer it. Too many writers are lazy. They don't look into something, they just go with their standard pre-supposed notions and biases instead of doing what this guy did and actually researching a story.

[Shardith]

I know this is sort of a rhetorical question, but I'm dying to answer it. Too many writers are lazy. They don't look into something, they just go with their standard pre-supposed notions and biases instead of doing what this guy did and actually researching a story.

It was a rhetorical question, but I think it's fun that you answered it! :D

[Philip]

An interesting article, but, wow, a couple of the comments that follow it are very silly.

[Lacey]

An interesting article, but, wow, a couple of the comments that follow it are very silly.

Welcome to the Internet!

[garyrulez]

An interesting article, but, wow, a couple of the comments that follow it are very silly.

Comments that follow anything written on the internet can be broken down into 4 categories:

1. Over the top praise ("OMG! This is there best album 4eva and Ed's totally hot!")

2. Misguided criticism/insults ("They've sucked ever since they did the Malcolm in the Middle song".)

3. Completely out of place political attacks ("Steve left because Obama is the worst president of all time").

4. Attacks on people who have commented previously ("Hey, BNLgirl115: Your retarded and your post is f*cking stupid!")

[Kawltie]

Love the article! Thanks for posting! :)

[Ellen from Saint Louis]

Wonderful - an article that mentions the music as well as the drama.
But - one picky point - " The Apartment Song "
Really?

[therealshell]

Wonderful - an article that mentions the music as well as the drama.
But - one picky point - " The Apartment Song "
Really?

Makes it sound like its the theme tune from the old Billy Wilder film.

[bayouBNL]

That indeed was a great article. Thanks much for the link.

[TequilaMockingbird]

Comments that follow anything written on the internet can be broken down into 4 categories:

1. Over the top praise ("OMG! This is there best album 4eva and Ed's totally hot!")

2. Misguided criticism/insults ("They've sucked ever since they did the Malcolm in the Middle song".)

3. Completely out of place political attacks ("Steve left because Obama is the worst president of all time").

4. Attacks on people who have commented previously ("Hey, BNLgirl115: Your retarded and your post is f*cking stupid!")

OMG BNL is the best band evurrrrrrrrr-uh-hurrrrrrrrr-uh-hurrrrrrrrrrrr!!11!!11!!!!!

Sorry, couldn't resist especially since that kind of praise - usually anything with the phrase "best ___ ever" - is a HUGE pet peeve of mine. The best thing ever is living; the worst thing ever is dying. Everything else falls in between.

Anywho, the article is very well-written, although I had no idea things were that tense or awkward on the last S&D cruise? Can anyone who went verify the weird mood the article refers to?

[garyrulez]

I'll give you just one example: during one of the ad libs at the first mainstage show, Steve did the whole ad lib and a guitar solo and Ed just stood there. Not just that he didn't pick up the ball and contribute to the ad lib, he didn't even play his guitar. Just stood there with his arms resting on his guitar. It was really a weird moment.

[Amicustoall]

Tequila ... it was awkward at many times, icy at times..............definately not the BNL of the past.

[Suebee42]

I'll give you just one example: during one of the ad libs at the first mainstage show, Steve did the whole ad lib and a guitar solo and Ed just stood there. Not just that he didn't pick up the ball and contribute to the ad lib, he didn't even play his guitar. Just stood there with his arms resting on his guitar. It was really a weird moment.

And when Steve was late for the Ships & Dip Covers show, the irritation was pretty apparent in the rest of the band... I wasn't even in front of the stage... I was off to the side, behind it. :/ I was in denial at the time, but looking back, it was so palpable it was chewy at times.

[garyrulez]

Absolutely. And "so palpable, it was chewy" is incredible.

[Amicustoall]

Suebee that is a good description. We saw the last main stage show and five minutes in I looked at my hubby and said "I think this is the last time we will see all five of them together."

[Jolena]

I think all of us on board sensed that something was not right. I agree that I also had a feeling that we would not see all of them together on stage again. I wasn't shocked when the announcement was made that Steve had left.

[Liam]

I didn't notice it too much at the time, because I was so over-awed at the experience I was having - it was a very exciting time for me. But now, looking back, I can see it. The 2 examples given above are probably the most noticeable, unless I'm missing any other things that went on?

[BillVanDusen]

Good to hear all the positive comments about BNL. I think that they still have a lot of music left in them. I wish the bet of success to BNL and Steve in their new chapters.

[swiss lady]

I thought all 3 main shows on S&D V were great and honestly, it did not seem to me like anything was wrong during these shows.

But still, during the entire cruise I felt like something was wrong.
Somehow I was certain, that there will not be a cruise in 2010.
But I could not really figure out what it was, that seemed wrong.
I know I talked to other people about it, everybody had a feeling there will not be a cruise in 2010 but somehow nobody could explain me why they think that.

There where a couple moments that I sensed something is wrong though;
- The fact that Steven was late for the covers show did not really worry me, as it was a really loose atmosphere and this was kind of a fun show (many people were not even aware that BNL would perform). The thing that really seemed strange to me is the fact that non of the guys (BNL) made a joke about Steven being late though. At some point he just went up on stage and nobody said anything.
- During the late night Odds shows, Steven was never seen on stage together with any other member of BNL (besides BNL shows, I think the only time Steven was on stage together with any other BNL member, was with Kevin & Thin Buckle)
- After the final "Odds & friends" show the last night, I was talking to Liam in the Atrium. Ed walked by and said (really overly happy) "Hi guys". Honestly, it seemed to me then, that Ed was extremely happy and relieved that the cruise is finally over.

After the cruise I was worried that BNL are in a similar crisis like they were in around 1994. I hoped that they would survive this crisis as well.

When the announcement was made of the parting with Steven, I was (after an initial shock) relieved because I thought that's probably the only way they can survive.

[Den of Antiquity]

We had the good fortune of having a young one with us and got to the Snacktime show REALLY early. Got to watch the band rehearse, which was fun for me since I'm in a band and got to see how real professionals had difficulties around the same types of things we do (odd transitions, uneven measures, intricate backup vocals, etc.) As much fun as it was to watch, it still gave the appearance of being a rehearsal of four guys and, oh yeah, Steve too. After that, I started seeing all the other signs of a band on the edge of a breakup, like the less-than-natural, forced feel of the on-stage ad libs, the far lesser presence of Steve around the boat vs. what we saw in S&D1, and then the Vanity Project show where Steve and his girlfriend (?) played together and it seemed like a different happier Steve than I'd seen the rest of the cruise.

I was standing next to Ed during the Luke Doucet show on deck and was DYING to ask him if something was going on, but couldn't figure out how to ask without pissing him off. None of my business anyway, I'm just a fan right? Funny how being such a fan of this band makes you feel like a part of one huge dysfunctional family and dammit, you have a right to know what's going on here!!

Anyway, it was no shock to me to find out that there was a split. In fact, I was more suprised by the announcement that the four of them would continue. So glad that they did.

[Amicustoall]

Den I saw a lot of Steve on the V.........he was never with anyone else from BNL or related people, and I have to say he always looked sullen, never a smile. I did not see Vanity Project though. With the new Odds he seemed artificially goofy.

[Den of Antiquity]

Den I saw a lot of Steve on the V.........he was never with anyone else from BNL or related people, and I have to say he always looked sullen, never a smile. I did not see Vanity Project though. With the new Odds he seemed artificially goofy.

It may have just been luck of the draw that I never saw him. Big ship, lots of people. I did see way too much of Dave Foley, I must say. Even though I used to think he was hilarious in KITH.

[McGerkey]

Did anyone see Steve chillin with John Darnielle at any point on that cruise? When he announced he'd be splitting with BNL I got excited for a minute and thought maybe he'd join the Mountain Goats or at least write some songs with Darnielle for some kind of MEGA COLLABORATION FROM GOD AND THE LORD BABBY JESUS CHRIST AMEN or something.

[Amicustoall]

Den I saw Foley everywhere too............not a big fan, either then or now.

McGerkey, I think I might have seen Steve with John a couple of times, but not much in comparison to number of times I saw him.

[Cynful1]

Wonderful - an article that mentions the music as well as the drama.
But - one picky point - " The Apartment Song "
Really?

I enjoyed the article, but I have a couple more picky points:
You Run Away became You Ran Away the second time mentioned. Also he quoted lyrics to I Have Learned, but am I right he has them wrong? He wrote "Spare me the parlour tricks that address your fans" instead of "that impress your fans".

I also find it funny that Mr. Wheeler described Steve as "nasal-voiced" in the same sentence he uses "cocaine".

On a "high" note, he does say Ships and Dip is an annual music cruise! That means not only will there be one in 2011, but there's going to be one in 2010 as well!!!!!! Woo HOO!

Good article, though, seriously.

[bayouBNL]

I'll give you just one example: during one of the ad libs at the first mainstage show, Steve did the whole ad lib and a guitar solo and Ed just stood there. Not just that he didn't pick up the ball and contribute to the ad lib, he didn't even play his guitar. Just stood there with his arms resting on his guitar. It was really a weird moment.

I remember that - vividly. Just really struck me as odd at the time, but made perfect sense later.

[Ellen from Saint Louis]

Did anyone see Steve chillin with John Darnielle at any point on that cruise? When he announced he'd be splitting with BNL I got excited for a minute and thought maybe he'd join the Mountain Goats or at least write some songs with Darnielle for some kind of MEGA COLLABORATION FROM GOD AND THE LORD BABBY JESUS CHRIST AMEN or something.

OH my God add Allah and Moses to that list, please. Wouldnt that be wonderful?

[WeedMage]

I didn't notice anything during the show I was at - I think the guys are too professional to let something like this show during performances.

With Steve's marriage split, the hoochie girlfriend, and the drug bust I think we all expected to see signs of tension and the band split wasn't a surprise, but I still don't think they gave much away during the cruise.

I think people were looking really hard for signs so they may have interpreted some things as a sign, but I don't think the band gave it up as obviously as some of you seem to think :D

[Mobitz]

I didn't notice anything during the show I was at - I think the guys are too professional to let something like this show during performances.

With Steve's marriage split, the hoochie girlfriend, and the drug bust I think we all expected to see signs of tension and the band split wasn't a surprise, but I still don't think they gave much away during the cruise.

I think people were looking really hard for signs so they may have interpreted some things as a sign, but I don't think the band gave it up as obviously as some of you seem to think :D



They are only human. Accidents happen and they were not always professional. I still love them. But Detroit NYE 2008 was not a 'professional' night for Steve in the least. He fought with his girlfriend on stage after she got yelled at by a bouncer for bringing in her own bottle of champagne (she was front row). Steve tried to get the attention of the bouncer to say it was ok, that she's with him but the bouncer was not really looking up at the stage. Then a mini-argument happened between Steve and his girl. She took off for a little bit and Steve was a bit sullen for a song or two. He did bounce back. Through all of this he did not miss a word of any song.... but it was rather distracting/unprofessional.



And the look of death that Ed gave Steve while that was going on! Wow. Seriously. I think I actually have a picture of it somewhere. I don't think I would ever want to be on Ed's bad side. It was a look from him I had never seen before and would never want to see again. (it was that look like, stop talking to her and get yout butt back her with us dude....) Granted. You have to understand. This was a month or two after his mother had passed away....not too long after he crashed his plane, the same year as the drug bust, they had to cancel the disney parade/festival because of Steve. So... I could imagine, at *that* moment... there was not too many warm fuzzies.


Funny thing. Some of my closest friends were at the same concert just on Ed's side of the stage not on Steve's side... and didn't see any of this.... So... it's funny... what can be 'missed' at a rock concert! LOL!

[yay4bnl]

I was at the Detroit show on Steve side too - and I definitely remember the look Ed gave Steve during that whole hoopla. I remember thinking that if I was embarrassed to have brought a BNL virgin to the show, with the unprofessional scene we were witnessing (which I fully believe was an exception instead of the rule, BTW), I couldn't imagine how the other band members felt... and when I looked at Ed, his reaction was written all over his face. Definitely wasn't Mobitz's imagination!

[goof]

I was at that show as well sitting behind Mobitz. I was appalled at Steve's and girlfriend's behavior. I could see Ed was pissed as well. I know ther are pictures of it as well. That was when I knew there was going to be a big change coming.

[Amicustoall]

Weed we all perceive in our own way, and some of us are more adept at observing people and their actions and body language etc. I guess it is wonderful that you did not perceive anything amiss on the last cruise, but that is not my experience. I was not looking for tension it was just there. Don't get me wrong we had a wonderful time on the cruise, but the "flavor" of the cruise was decidedly different than the flavor of the first two. The tension was not something that I only look back at and identify, I expressed my thoughts at the time.

[Den of Antiquity]

I don't think I would ever want to be on Ed's bad side. It was a look from him I had never seen before and would never want to see again.


Did he look anything like Martin Keamey from LOST?

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1424266240/ch0071915

[garyrulez]

Great reference! I got that before I even looked at the picture. Fun little coincidence: Kevin Durand plays Little John in Robin Hood.

[Mobitz]

Did he look anything like Martin Keamey from LOST?

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1424266240/ch0071915

Pretty much!!! LOL! (and I'm serious)

[Mobitz]

I was at the Detroit show on Steve side too - and I definitely remember the look Ed gave Steve during that whole hoopla. I remember thinking that if I was embarrassed to have brought a BNL virgin to the show, with the unprofessional scene we were witnessing (which I fully believe was an exception instead of the rule, BTW), I couldn't imagine how the other band members felt... and when I looked at Ed, his reaction was written all over his face. Definitely wasn't Mobitz's imagination!

Yes... that night was the exception and instead of the rule. And really... it turned out to be a great show. It just happened to be eye opening. (or heartbreaking...it's like watching mommy and daddy fight) But now all is good and I want nothing but the best for all of them. <3

[just blame craig]

On the cruise I did notice things were off. I didn't see the first main stage show so I didn't see Ed standing there. But I loved the Steve ad-lib. (I still listen to it a lot) Steve always had his people around him and didn't seem as approachable as the other guys except after his VP show. I saw him around the boat here and there, not as much as I saw the other guys. But Steve never had a smile on his face when I saw him. His interactions seemed forced, not natural like the other guys. I got the impression he was suffering in a huge depression. Not that far fetched of an idea really. When I was around him I felt like there was... (having trouble finding the right words without sounding like a freak) a dark cloud? And he was the one I was most excited to meet. But I didn't think (or maybe it was wishful thinking) they were splitting, just having a rough time. I mean, people that are depressed make it hard for people to be around them sometimes. That's what I thought was going on.

[Mobitz]

On the cruise I did notice things were off. I didn't see the first main stage show so I didn't see Ed standing there. But I loved the Steve ad-lib. (I still listen to it a lot) Steve always had his people around him and didn't seem as approachable as the other guys except after his VP show. I saw him around the boat here and there, not as much as I saw the other guys. But Steve never had a smile on his face when I saw him. His interactions seemed forced, not natural like the other guys. I got the impression he was suffering in a huge depression. Not that far fetched of an idea really. When I was around him I felt like there was... (having trouble finding the right words without sounding like a freak) a dark cloud? And he was the one I was most excited to meet. But I didn't think (or maybe it was wishful thinking) they were splitting, just having a rough time. I mean, people that are depressed make it hard for people to be around them sometimes. That's what I thought was going on.

I blame you craig!

:p

[just blame craig]

I blame you craig!

:p

Many people do.

But I put out a memo when Steve left that I was not to blame for that one.

[WeedMage]

I shook Steve's hand as we boarded and I later got a pic with him when he had a small group of fans around him getting pics - he was very gracious and didn't seem "off" at all. It's the only picture I have with him (it's very difficult for me to approach them for pics - even in the "meet and greet" type situations) so I'm very glad to have that memory and that picture.

I've noticed some songs when Steve will look around while he's singing and it has often made me wonder what he's thinking about while he's singing, so I DO notice things like that :)

I'm not saying things didn't happen - I guess I'm just trying to say that when you're looking for something, it's easier to find it. You get what you expect.

[Amicustoall]

Weed I was not looking FOR anything. I was going on another fantastic music cruise to hear great bands and catch up with old friends. That was my only expectation boarding. What I observed is what I observed. I am pretty sure that no two people on the cruise observed the exact same things.

[dq_29]

Weed...of course hindsight is 20/20 but there was a definite weird vibe on the last cruise. We knew without a doubt that something was different between them from the two previous cruises. I had no idea that Steve would be leaving the band, I'll admit that, but I definitely noticed the lack of camaraderie between the five of them. And I could feel the tension from the fans at the presence of Steve's girlfriend. It was almost like he was flaunting her to everyone...like thumbing his nose at everyone. Giving everyone the finger, so to speak, kinda like she and her friends did before the cruise started (in the port).

Anyway... Hey, if you do have a photo of Ed standing there resting on the guitar while Steve does the ad lib, I'd love to see it. Also, I'd love to see the one of Ed with the 'look that could kill' if anyone knows where we might be able to see it.

[Mobitz]

I'll look for the picture, but it's on one of my old hard drives. I only keep a pic or two from each show and then archive the rest or else they fill up my current computer's memory too quick and I need that memory to fill up with pictures of my nephews! LOL! I'm quite certain that was not a 'keeper' and I archived it... but I'll check around this weekend for it.
It's so rare to catch him NOT happy!

[Amicustoall]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/09/entertainment/main6378968.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;c bsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines

[just blame craig]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/09/entertainment/main6378968.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;c bsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines

Well, Penny is a hot one, they got that right.

But I have to stand up for my state. The US tour kicks off May 8 in Atlantic City, not May 10 someplace else. Other than that, an entertaining read.

[Liam]

Interview with Jim & Ty (video): http://is.gd/bmfr2

[Mobitz]

Interview with Jim & Ty (video): http://is.gd/bmfr2


I enjoyed that interview very much!! thanks!!

[Kawltie]

Great interview!

"Lots of sex and cooking." The answer to all of lifes problems! :)

[Appleblossom28]

Great Interview. It's wonderful that Ty and Jim are getting into the light too!

[Mobitz]

Great Interview. It's wonderful that Ty and Jim are getting into the light too!

Right???

Jim's so quiet!!! I love to see him talk!! LOVE IT!

[steph_kuntz]

It took me some time to get my membership confirmed so I’m late to the thread.... any chips left?
Ok so this is my first post (for a band ‘first past the post’) and I’m not even sure if this is really relevant to the direction this thread is going at this point but here goes:
People were posting a lot about the road rash signs that the “mutual agreement” divorce was on it’s way and evident on the last cruise. I’d been curious what was going on with the ladies since BLAM and the track “Easy” which sure seemed to me at the time to be pointing to conflict. Now with the new release of the first single from AIGT the line for Easy ( “Easy to adore you though you want to run away”) seems prophetic (or other words that might rhyme with prophetic if my ideas are incorrect)
So I’m sitting in the kitchen tonight listening to my collection at random and what comes on but “One Week”... hmmm says I that’s telling.... but damn I even had to look up “obfuscate”... good word guys.
A few tracks later and I’m listening to “Bull in a China Shop” and am convinced that even without playing anything backwards you get “Page is dead, Ed is the Walrus”... no,no,no... sorry, wrong reference, my apologies to the Beatles... there are certainly enough songs about conflict and angst which could be attributed to the makings of the end and provide insight into the grief behind the scenes. Even “Bank Job” seems to speak to the themes of disorder in leadership and the ensuing problems. Then again “Maybe You’re Right” might be about something else entirely and doesn’t speak to issues with “anyone’s reservations, attacks or accusations”? Perhaps “Angry people, they try to make it alone”
I’m wondering if the ladies would ever comment on the chronicling of the conflicts in song leading up to the break (which by the way I think will only be a rest- call me naive if you must).
Perhaps we could put together a CD collection of songs written as address to the underlying conflicts? Bad Idea! But as a fan I would sure buy into it.
Any thoughts on songs that would indicate the break was coming down the pipes? Does the band ever read these posts? Am I gonna get in trouble for this post? Who’s that at the door.... damn... close the curtains! EEEK....RUN AWAY!

[garyrulez]

Steph, great insights on some of the BLAM songs. I'd never even thought of the fact that Easy- the first single from BLAM- has the title of the first single from AIGT in it...

I'm not sure I agree with all your hypotheticals; for instance, I think a lot of the "conflict" songs on BLAM have more to do with the war and the US government at the time than they do with internal conflict, but as Ed says, most of his lyrics come from a variety of sources, not just one thing. Great pickup on Bull in a China Shop, too! Now that I think of it, every lyric sounds to me like "I don't belong here anymore".

[therealshell]

I seem to recall in an interview that Steve added the couplet "You can obfuscate and manipulate but it’s only at your own expense" to "Easy," though it is mostly Ed's song. We need to ask HYPO, he probably knows.

[shakes1327]

Great pickup on Bull in a China Shop, too! Now that I think of it, every lyric sounds to me like "I don't belong here anymore".

Bull in a China Shop definitely took on a whole new meaning when I heard Steve singing it solo after the split. Then again, so did most of the other songs he sung. It's easy to interpret things differently in hindsight. If we didn't know about Steve's split from the band, I'm sure we would all interpret You Run Away in a very different sense.

I don't know if older songs are a direct chronicle of the split so much as they're a reflection of the changes the guys have gone through as they mature. I'm sure most of us can find songs that feel as though they were written about your life in a particular moment. Great songs reflect the conflict and emotion we all feel as human beings.

[steph_kuntz]

Ah yes, I must agree that hindsight is 20/20 (unless you’re wearing beer goggles) and the interpretations certainly could vary based on small things like George W’s reign of terrorism (not being the polite Canadian that I should... bad boy!)

HOWEVER.... this discussion will never be any FUN if we dismiss speculation and search for absolute truth.

I was listening to the Vanity Project 2005 (can I put that title on this board without getting a black eye?) in my car this morning and along comes “Hit and Run” (there’s that reference to running again damn it. I think for the amount of running that is going on in these songs Page should be pretty svelte by now eh?)
“Nothing matters, consensus scatters, it’s all irrelevant now, a soul redemption a last temptation, goodbye, farewell,caio”.
Was this the first public discussion about leaving the band?
The band could easily have been having difficulties that far back as the album (does anyone under 40 still use this word) Everything to Everyone as it “was the first under the band's new policy of keeping the writing exclusively within the band. This resulted in increased contribution from Jim Creeggan and Kevin Hearn (Wikipedia)” .

“Too many cooks in the kitchen!” screams Page. “At least they didn’t drink all the cooking sherry” snarls Robertson as they roll over the snack table causing chips and dip to combine in an unseemly manner and inadvertently inventing the first all dressed chips with a package design by Hearn. ~I’m sure to get myself banned...or just nasty mail from the bandless one, who I totally respect but don't understand...especially his taste in Myspace friends....She can be his Yoko Ono... but I digress.... again.~

Then there’s BLAM and BLAME stuff (I just thought about ‘ME’ in the title... who is claiming that Bare Naked Ladies are ME?) .... that much material for one release? Perhaps putting all of the tracks out on the two discs was a solution to the problem of editing the stuff down: “Fine then boys. There’s no need to argue about this.... we’ll just put out two discs” squeeks Keegan while hiding behind his double bass to stay out of the flight path of Robertson who now has Page in his sights about to carpet bomb him causing rug burns on both his knees.

I’m thinking that as fans we should put out an album of songs we think are really thinly veiled arguments within the band and release it with a title something like “Soap Operetta” Any suggestions on the tracks that it should contain? Any further speculation on the existence of fight songs?

[Kawltie]

Great songs reflect the conflict and emotion we all feel as human beings.

This is so true. I think one of the reasons I've loved BNL for so long is that they don't just write songs about conflict/emotion I can relate to, but they write whole albums on these experiences. And it's not just the lyrics...it's somehow the way they go about presenting them.

Plus...they just rock. :p

[Philip]

Well, I saw this split coming really early, the Gordon ball being the big giveaway - Steve the red, left-leaning passionate half and Ed the blue, cooler more considered half, and then, well, the white line between the two. It was always going to happen.

[Suebee42]

What about "Couldn't Care Less" ? I mean, it's crystal clear that the fifth ingredient in Five Alive being piglet was a sign than one of the five was miserable.

[steph_kuntz]

Piglet.... LOL oh my.
Love these new speculative posts! That's the spirit. What's the good of all of this Page turning heartbreak if you can't turn it into a wholly fictional interpretation of events like in any good divorce: I reject your reality and substitute my own.... oh... I think that was someone else's line.

[Cynful1]

Piglet.... LOL oh my.
Love these new speculative posts! That's the spirit. What's the good of all of this Page turning heartbreak if you can't turn it into a wholly fictional interpretation of events like in any good divorce: I reject your reality and substitute my own.... oh... I think that was someone else's line.

Yes, but I KNEW, before anyone else knew, because I'm very intuitive about these things, you were going to use it! ;)

[Den of Antiquity]

Well, I saw this split coming really early, the Gordon ball being the big giveaway - Steve the red, left-leaning passionate half and Ed the blue, cooler more considered half, and then, well, the white line between the two. It was always going to happen.

Well put. And it was just as obvious in the follow up album "Maybe YOU Should Drive, You Pretentious Back Seat Diving Asshole Guitar Player". Although I seem to recall they shortened that a bit on release.

[steph_kuntz]

Yes, but I KNEW, before anyone else knew, because I'm very intuitive about these things, you were going to use it! ;)
Damn psychics with your intuition... stop with the mind reading before I slap you with some sort of copyright violation such as from downloading intellectual or artistic property.

[Cynful1]

LOL! Oh, baby, you know what a girl wants! Slap me! Slap me silly with your intellectual ways! And talk nerdy to me whilst slapping me!

[Den of Antiquity]

LOL! Oh, baby, you know what a girl wants! Slap me! Slap me silly with your intellectual ways! And talk nerdy to me whilst slapping me!

Hmmmm... somehow that post kind of got me, errrrrr, intellectually erect....?

I feel the urge to shout HUZZAH! for some reason.

[Cynful1]

Hmmmm... somehow that post kind of got me, errrrrr, intellectually erect....?


Then it seems Ed is not the only one who's "up", non?

[JaneInANutshell]

I have no idea what's going on in this discussion anymore but y'all are cracking me up over here. :D

[steph_kuntz]

OK OK, now drop the busting the pant zipper slap happy references for a minute here. So what is it exactly that is being referenced in this Creeggan line "I saw it, I saw it. We all did." Ok so maybe that line could work into the current focus on heightened states of arousal or perhaps locker room peripheral vision anatomy comparisons but I've a feeling that there's more to the story. Any Guesses?
I've still not received any suggestions to the BNL Breakup Songs release. I was thinking about the cover art work featuring Steven Page running headlong toward the camera stop motion style with the remainder of the band and his ex-wife in hot pursuit holding hand mirrors (complete with powder residue).

[Ellen from Saint Louis]

So what is it exactly that is being referenced in this Creeggan line "I saw it, I saw it. We all did."

I'm so dull. I thought it was a song about bullying rejected from Snacktime.

[Cynful1]

OK OK, now drop the busting the pant zipper slap happy references for a minute here. So what is it exactly that is being referenced in this Creeggan line "I saw it, I saw it. We all did." Ok so maybe that line could work into the current focus on heightened states of arousal or perhaps locker room peripheral vision anatomy comparisons but I've a feeling that there's more to the story. Any Guesses?
I've still not received any suggestions to the BNL Breakup Songs release. I was thinking about the cover art work featuring Steven Page running headlong toward the camera stop motion style with the remainder of the band and his ex-wife in hot pursuit holding hand mirrors (complete with powder residue).

I figured the Creegan line had to do with the witnessing of Steve's self-destruction early on and ignoring it. "It hurt. I heard it. We all hid." But I'm not very good at interpreting music, so I don't know. I mean, geesh, I just discovered today that I was wrong about Kevin's "Another Heartbreak." Thank GOD a concert reviewer set me straight and revealed that the song is filled with references to Steve. I would have never realized what I was missing if it were not for that reviewer.:rolleyes:

Interesting cover visual. One suggestion, the mirrors should all be held shoulder high to Steve.

[Suebee42]

There's "getting in the spirit," and there's "openly mocking the ridiculous." You decide. ;)

[steph_kuntz]

One suggestion, the mirrors should all be held shoulder high to Steve.
Yes. That's the exact visual I had in mind.... I'm not alone in my absurdity after all.

There's "getting in the spirit," and there's "openly mocking the ridiculous." You decide. ;)
I'll more often than not choose openly mocking the ridiculous which usually means laughing at the preposterousness of being me.

[just blame craig]

As long as we are being ridiculous...

How about the lyrics "
(When Ed pushed me I) Wiped out down the stairs
I'll bet you there's a song in there (You Run Away)
I'm not sure I'm prepared to write it down (or leave the band yet)
That guy should be me
I'd look much better on t.v. (Steve's Up has a ring to it.)

[steph_kuntz]

Ohhhhh I love the lyrics! Even better is a concept album created by fans using BNL and original lyrics! We could do the Mama Mia thing and put out a stage rendition of the breakup starring Brent Butt as Mr. Page. This is beginning to take on Hollywood size proportions.
Actually, I wonder if the band would ever consider writing with Brett Butt.... Two Canadian Icons striving for the same unifying purpose: It would be a "gas".

[Cynful1]

I'm so dull. I thought it was a song about bullying rejected from Snacktime.

OH OH OH! I want to change my answer! I've listened to it multiple times in the car since Ellen put up her thoughts and I want to agree with bullying. But I don't think it was rejected from Snacktime. Although I could picture Ed and Kev asking Jim what he's working on for the kids album and he plays that for them. They look at him, then each other, then back at him and Kev says, 'Hm...got anything about pollywogs instead of playgrounds?'

[Liam]

Ladies over Page-less anxiety

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2549293

[WeedMage]

Ladies over Page-less anxiety

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2549293

Nice little article - written by someone who seems to actually know their music :)

[Liam]

BNL welcome you to your Fairmont Hotel room. A very random promo spot for a new CD, surely? lol http://is.gd/bGEFv

[Mobitz]

Cute!

Kevin's socks are classic.

[Kawltie]

BNL welcome you to your Fairmont Hotel room. A very random promo spot for a new CD, surely? lol http://is.gd/bGEFv

That was great!!! :D

[JaneInANutshell]

Ha! That was really cute. I love how they're all stuffed together on the couch and Kevin looks the most uncomfortable. :D

[katezilla]

We stayed at the Royal York when we went to see BNL in Toronto back in 08 at Massey Hall. Very cool!! :)

[Liam]

Barenaked Ladies bear up well after split; visit Missoula

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100507/LIFESTYLE/5070306

A few interesting lines.

[WeedMage]

Nice little article - thanks for posting it :)

Wonder if the fans in Buffalo and Detroit got a little ruffled, tho,,,