I first heard of this band when Toronto Mayor June Rowlands banned them from playing in Nathan Phillips Square (I believe it was New Year’s Eve1991). And I must confess, my initial reaction was “Good!”. Then I heard and saw the band, and realized my first impression was wrong…they were funny, satirical and produced great music. The Barenaked Ladies became, and have continued to be one of my favourite bands. It is also one of the few bands that I will buy an album without hearing it first.
I got to see them open for Alanis Morisette in Columbus Ohio at the Germaine Ampitheater in 2004. Took my kids, who had become fans via osmosis, sat out on the grass, waving our giant Canadian flag and had a fabulous evening!
Steven Page talks about going solo in the video below, leaving BNL as a quartet. Hopefully this means we’ll have great music from two different creative corners now.