Singer Steven Page leaves Barenaked Ladies

[JuanBolio]

Don't know if there are any other fans on here, but:

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 hits 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: enters the "It's the start of a new chapter for all of us. Here's to the future!"

I'm pretty shocked by this. Steve was a founding member of the band. A lot of their songs hinge on his vocals. Ed is a great guitarist and singer and a super-cool guy... I just wonder how things are going to go from here. They had 20 great years, I just really hope this doesn't mark the beginning of the end for the band.

Still, all good things... *sigh*

 

[DeafPoet]

This is relatively old news but it's still sad. I don't know how they're going to do the show live. One of the coolest things about the band were the disparate vocal styles of Robertson and Page. How do you do that with one guy now? It'll be interesting to see, for sure.

 

[JuanBolio]

Ed's a good singer, and he's only gotten better over the years. Still, as I said, so many songs not only hinge on having 2 lead singers but on Steve's voice specifically. I'm sure they can play new stuff and some old songs live... but I still wonder how they'll ever do some of my old favorites again.

As to it being relatively old news... I just heard of it. I can't help but wonder if it is in any way related to Steve's drug arrest late last year, which got bargained down to a very mild slap on the wrist in court.

 

[shivkala]

The AP reports that:

Singer-guitarist Steven Page says he decided to leave the Barenaked Ladies because his songwriting contributions were being diminished.

They also mention the recent drug charges against him were dropped.

 

[Timby]

From a quartet performance:

Old Apartment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SwPH1Hkjak

Maybe Katie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59quKgS6e2M

Sound of Your Voice: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJiLKLC6A5c

If I Had $1,000,000: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H09Fkk7hRdQ

All in all, Robertson, Hearn and Creeggan do a much better job than I thought they would, and it's all pretty good -- just different.

If you watch footage from Ships and Dip V, though, Page really is a complete and utter mess. No chemistry, bizarre outfits, forgetting the lyrics to every song ... he's always had some trouble with his well-being, but between the drug arrest (and constant drug usage), increasingly erratic behavior, abandoning his wife for a younger woman, etc., it seems like he's just gotten himself out of control.

Calling it now: Page's first solo album will be titled Fully Clothed Man.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I was so hoping there'd be some line like "Due to ownership disputes neither party would ever be able to perform 'If I Had a Million Dollars" ever again".

 

[Kryton]

Bummer...they also do the theme from The Big Bang Theory.

 

[Agent Richard07]

He'll be back.

 

[Ruaidhri]

No surprise considering all the problems he had. Makes it that much harder on the band when one guy can't pull his weight anymore.

 

[JuanBolio]

Those Page-less versions sound a bit lacking. Not the fault of any of the guys, Page just had a very powerful and distinct voice. Kevin's a great guy and a talented musician, but I've never really cared for his vocals much.

Here's a radio interview with Page himself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxoUzbUJonI
I like the bit where he seems to indicate he still might do a show or two here and there.

 

[DeafPoet]

Those YouTube vids are actually pretty good. "Old Apartment" in particular sounds as good as ever.

 

[Ashu]

Those YouTube vids are actually pretty good. "Old Apartment" in particular sounds as good as ever.

Yar. Good times, thanks to that song.

 

[JuanBolio]

I gotta agree about the Steve-less Old Apartment. Ed & co. did a terrific job.