Our Lady Peace chat about their new album, "Happiness Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch," their love for their fans and their musical influences.

SonyMusicCanada: Thank you for joining the Our Lady Peace Online Listening Party. Raine, Mike, Duncan, and Jeremy are happy to welcome you this evening to the official Online Listening Party for Our Lady Peace's new album, "Happiness Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch." And now, chatting with us, Our Lady Peace.

Congressman: Where did the name of the album come from?

Duncan: It came from a lyric in a song called "Happiness and the fish" and once you get a chance to live with the record, you'll understand its meaning within the context of all the songs.

Neeta: Worst joke Jeremy has ever told?

Duncan: He just told one, he's been living with the record for a couple of weeks and it still hasn't cleaned up yet.

Neeta: How would you describe your latest experience in the studio?

Jer: This one, in terms of execution, was the easiest to make and in terms of song writing was the most mature.

Fatima: What was Woodstock '99 like?

Duncan: Smelly

Jer: Great and smelly

Duncan: Our performance was very, (thinking) there was a neat vibe about it cuz it was in the middle of the afternoon, lots of Canadian flags, lots of people trying to sing along with the new music. But the smell of the port-o-lets was pretty awful.

Drummer99: Percussion wise, it sounds like more than drums were used. What else did you experiment with?

Jer: Sheet metal, pots and pans, fruit shakers, gasoline cans and Elvin Jones' head.

Luckybum: Jeremy, what's up with the number 7?

Jer: Micky Mantle was my hero because of his batting prowess. The number seven means a lot of different things; it's also open to interpretation just like everything else we do.

Dude98: Aside from playing a blowout show in Ottawa, what are your plans for the year 2000?

Jer: We're starting a tour across Canada right after the blowout show.

Peace In: What/who are you a fan of?

Mike: Flaming Lips and Japanese food.

Raine: PJ Harvey.

Jer: Frank Lloyd Wright.

Duncan: Reunion tours.

Kelly680: Are you going to be doing a Canadian tour?

Mike: Of course!

CC-EdgyTheFish289: Did you guys see American Pie? What did ya think?

Raine: Forget about American Pie, go see American Beauty.

Jer: It was a little bald on jokes but Eugene Levy took it to the top.

OLP 1485: How was it to make the OMA video? Was it difficult to get the effect that Raine was flying?

Mike: We sat and played for a couple of hours and then Raine got tortured for the next couple of days.

Raine: I threw up profusely.

CC Ams335: Are you aware of this fish conspiracy taking over the Canadian music empire?! Mother Earth's Scenery and Fish, your Happiness and the Fish, Moist's Fish, just to name a few! (Yes us Congressors have actually thought this through!)

Mike: You need to get out more.

Jer: It has something to do with the salmon thing with US and Canada.

CC SmilinJoe207: Hi Guys! I think you guys rock so much. My question is that I saw you guys at Summersault in Barrie and you played a song I think is called "Yourself," also, in Windsor Ont., you played a song called "Trapeze." Both were Awesome! I was wondering if these will be on any future albums in the future?

Mike: Maybe on the reunion tour.

Raven: Hey OLP, I was wondering if the man on the cover on all three albums is the same person. If so, why do you use him all the time?

All: Yes

Raine: He represents many things for the band.

Cc Cq: Where did the idea for the "Confused Little Drummer Boy" postcard that was available on OLP.com around Christmastime come from?

Jer: That's Mike and his digital camera tricks, although I am quite a festive person.

CCOskarLadyPeace: What song did you work the hardest/longest on for this album?

Jer: Gotta be "One Man Army."

Raine: Happiness took a long time.

Duncan: All of them got their day.

Sunny: And I also want to know who had the idea for the concept of the new video? And how it was for Raine to be able to fly?

Raine: It was Mark Kohr's idea for the video.

Darcy Gallagher: Hey guys, I have a quick question for you. What's the most touching story a fan has ever shared with you about their personal connection to one of your songs?

Raine: Another video director remaining nameless hasn't spoken to his father for 5 years and 4AM made him call him.

CC Jeros Teletubby: Jeremy, who do you think will win the World Series?

Jer: The Yankees! And Duncan's gonna pay me $300!

Jim Fish: I like the addition of a keyboard player - who is he?

Jamie: That's me, Jamie Edwards. I'm from Boston, a friend of a friend of the band. I was a musician in the Blue Man Group.

CC OLPmaypole: Were any fish harmed in the making of "Happiness?"

Mike: That fish was gonna be someone's dinner before we took his picture.

Ccdenied: You guys have always been known for your dedication to your fans. What inspires you to show such kindness and openness? It is much appreciated by us all!

Raine And Mike: Comments like that one.

CC BruisePristine: You guys have said you sing about "dark Optimism," is the new album a continuation of this?

Mike: Yep.

Raine: Pretty much.

Geojello: How does working with A. Lanni effect your sound?

Mike: It determines it.

Raine: A. Lanni is the one person that we trust for honest feedback. Always on the same page as us, it seems.

CC-EdGEfest: Hey guys - first of all, the album sounds awesome! Lately, there seems to be more and more info coming out regarding your personal lives. Obviously, the fans in the CC are trying to stop this, but as you become more and more popular, there is going to be those people who have to know EVERYTHING. How do you feel about losing your privacy? BTW, Congrats Raine on your 'trip to Rome'.

Mike: That's why they call it private lives.

Raine: We refuse to lose out privacy.

CCjadedOLP: To Raine (Sorry guys.don't worry I love you all!), are your lyrics based on your own life experiences, imagination, or a little bit of both? And if life experiences, how did you deal with it?

Raine: Definitely life experiences and I deal with it by writing about it.

Starseed: Mike, I heard you read "The Fountainhead." I'm halfway through it myself. What are your feelings on Ayn Rand's philosophy, objectivism?

Mike: More than one sentence can portray. Nothing can be taken wholesale, but a lot of the elements of it are very appealing.

Neeta: When you guys spend a late night in the studio, what kind of pizza do you order?

Raine: Thai food.

Jer: No cheese and sauce, tastes like soup.

Tigger: What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever done to get near you?

Jer: There was some guy sleeping outside the studio for a while, in a bush even.

CCRaineyDayz548: With all the success you've had, and the success that is surely to come (what I've heard of "Happiness" is simply amazing), how do you manage to keep your feet on the ground and not let the fame get to your head?

Mike: Watch your toes.

Naveed: Did the fact that there are a lot of people (both critics and fans) counting on a great follow-up to an amazing album hinder your performance and/or creativity in the studio, or did you not let it get to you?

Raine: The only pressure we put on ourselves comes from ourselves.

CCTomcat: Hey guys I have listened to u since naveed. Jeremy how did u become so good?

Jer: My dad and Elvin Jones.

Cc DW: About how long does it take you guys to record one song?

Raine: It takes about a week a song.

Evilcastle: What was it like working with Elvin Jones?

Jer: I had it planned in my head as a total whim and the fact that it happened is totally inspiring and I'll never forget it.

Raine: I think it was one of the highlights for this band.

CCR2unit: I wanted to let you guys know that you are an inspiration to Canadian artists and that I have started an Our Lady Peace Tribute Band. What are your views on Tribute bands? Like them or hate them?

Mike: We're flattered.

Jer: It's nice to know that if we get fired we might be able to work for someone else.

Cc Chaos: I've heard you guys perform a great song called "Trapeze" at a concert. How come it hasn't been released on any records?

Mike: It didn't fit.

CCparty1864: Why did you choose the name 'BELLYFLOP COMMUNIST' for your test gig?

Mike: It was Jamie's idea.

Jamie: Actually it was Roger, a friend of the house engineer. He said something that sounded like that and I misunderstood him.

CCBreanna: If you could meet just one person, alive or dead, who would it be and why?

Raine: Mussolini.

Jer: Moe Howard.

Jamie: Betty Rubble.

Mike: Justin Sullivan.

Duncan: Alan Hale.

You: Our Lady Peace, will you guys play small gigs again at like schools and stuff like you did at the beginning of your career?

Mike: On the reunion tour.

Naveed718: Are you planning on doing a Summersault tour next summer, and if so, are you planning on extended it to the US ( at least NY state)?

Raine: Yes.

Out Of Here: So far the album sounds great - wait, better than great - awesome, fantastic! I was wondering how long did it take to make it?

Jer: Four munts. That's not a spelling mistake.

SexyOLP: Hey guys I just wanted to let you know I'm listening to Is Anybody Home and it's making me cry this is so wonderful thank you

All: Thank you!

Twitch: Where do you get your inspiration for new songs? What's your "muse?"

Mike: Life.

Naveed718: How was your experience at Woodstock? Did you get to see any other bands?

Mike: Yes, Rage were great.

Duncan And Jer: Willie Nelson was great.

CC BruisePristine: Okay emtee. What do you REALLY think about us CCer's?

Mike: You're interesting.

CC Olpgrrrl: Hi I just wanted to know if the rumours are true that you'll be releasing a B sides album to your fan club?

Mike: Not that we're aware of.

CClumsyIsis: I've had the opportunity to see you guys three different times, and each time the set list was dramatically different. Is it hard for you to decide what songs you want to play for a show like Summersault or Woodstock?

Raine: It is now. With the new record it's becoming very difficult.

Mike: It's getting harder.

CC-lightning30: Are you still going to do cover songs (i.e. Eternal Life) on the Creed tour? (See ya in Syracuse!)

Raine And Mike: Probably not, we want to focus on the new record more.

Starseed: I know that you got your name from the poem Our Lady Peace, I wanted to know what this poem means to you.

Raine: It's meant to stay interpretive and I want to keep it that way. I don't want to instill my view on anyone else.

CCOneManNavy: Is there any specific reason you guys have 11 songs on each album?

All: Yes, we can't tell you.

Ccadidas 80: I was just wondering. what's it like living on a tour bus? Don't you ever get home sick? Or do you consider that your home?

Raine: I love it.

Jer: You're home and home sick at the same time.

2OLPfreaks: Why did Jeremy ditch those stylin' glasses?

Jer: They're in the shop.

CCOLPRaine20: Mike, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of guitar you used in the video for One Man Army.

Mike: An Ampeg Dan Armstrong.

CCDaenu: How many songs didn't make the "Happiness" album?

Raine: One.

Leaf: What is the most important thing that you have learned about yourselves, each other and being in the music industry since becoming a band?

Raine: You need to stick together.

Jer: Being a band is important and not a solo.

CCBDStarsky: Do you guys feel that there is a drastic change musically on this record than your previous two albums or is it just a natural progression?

Mike: The latter.

Raine: I thought it felt like more of a drastic change.

CCStArSeEdMRM: What kind of music did you listen to when you were growing up?

Mike: The Beatles

Raine: U2

Duncan: Kiss, The Police

Jer: John Coltrane

Jamie: Early B-52s

Ccadidas 80: What's the best prank you've pulled on another band?

Raine: Stink Bombs.

Duncan: We almost made Black Lab breakup from stink bombs and electric shock pens.

One Woman Army: How did it feel to be asked to play in Woodstock, considering that there were only 4 Canadian bands?

Jer: It was lovely.

CCstarshine: I heard you guys say in an interview last year that you don't really like music videos because they lay the song out and don't really allow the listener to interpret the song on their own. How do you feel your music videos are different from other bands'?

Jer: We pick and choose very carefully.

CCfuelgurl: Have u guys ever thought of retiring or quitting at a certain age or something?

Mike: I'm already too old.

Raine: This is probably the last record.

Missuluv: Do you like bigger crowds or smaller clubs for your concerts?

Mike: We like good concerts.

CCpeacechild7: What kind of books do you like reading?

Mike: I'm reading "Whale Music" right now.

Jer: "The Last Days of Summer" is a great book.

Duncan: I'm reading Salman Rushdie's new book and it's great if you like wordy.

Raine: The Utne Reader.

Happyfishgirl: Most bands that reach the stage you have in your musical lives usually think about putting out some kind of live/acoustic/b-side album. Do you guys have any future plans of putting out an album compiling such material?

Raine: No more records.

CCbananafish: if there was one thing that OLP tried to capture in "Happiness" what was it?

Raine: Added dimension.

Clumsy: Are your songs another way of speaking what's really on your mind?

Raine: Yes.

CClumsyIsis: The first two albums were tremendous, and I was wondering if you were a bit nervous about how the fans/critics might receive it?

Mike: No, we don't care.

Nethead: ClumsyCongress.com is a great idea, why do you put so much faith in your fans?

Raine: You're worth it.

Starseed: I've heard that you (Raine) meditate. Is that a good way to escape the pressures of fame?

Raine: It's a good way to escape.

Britishfan: Do you plan on touring in Europe for this album?

Raine: Yes, in December.

Mike: The first leg of the reunion tour.

Clumsy: What can we expect on New Year's?

Mike: The lights are gonna go off and we're all gonna plummet into chaos.

CCDaenu: Jeremy- How do you feel about always being in the back of the stage; do you feel left out of the action at all?

Jer: That's where it all goes on. I get to see everything.

Mike: Jeremy is the action.

Blindannivrsry: Which comes first? Lyrics or music?

Raine And Mike: Simultaneous.

CCdustball: What was the common food staple while you guys were recording?

Raine: Greek

Jer: Skewers

Duncan: Cookies

Ccsplendor Solis: Why do you guys like the Persian Writing?

Mike: We did, that was the first record.

Cchope14: What do you like to do in your spare time, other than writing music?

Duncan: We don't really get a lot of spare time.

Jer: I'm priming up for Ultimate Fight 2000.

CCDaenu: Jeremy, how did you feel about being on the cover of Drums etc?

Jer: I woke up and then they took a picture of me and then I saw it on the street the other day.

Argen: Are you guys into video games at all? If so, what are your favorite games?

All: Heavy Duty Playstation fans!

Jer: Game Day 2000.

Duncan: Twisted Metal 3 with analogue controllers only.

Ccsplendor Solis: Did you guys ever use weird instruments to perform your music?

Jer: No, not to perform it.

Duncan: We did some wierd stuff recording it.

CC-EdgyTheFish975: What are your thoughts on Y2K kraziness?

Jer: Store rations and salt.

Raine: And grenades.

Duncan: Maybe a generator and gasoline.

OLPgrandefan: What is your all-time favorite song not including yours?

Raine: "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong.

Mike: "Song to the Siren" by This Mortal Coil.

Jer: "India" by John Coltrane.

Duncan: "Dominoe" by Gene Simmons.

CC SmilinJoe207: What made you guys make "Happiness is not a fish that you can catch" an album about human obsession? Is it something you guys feel is an issue these days?

Raine: It's THE issue.

SonyMusicCanada: Thanks so much for joining us! Check out the new look on www.ourladypeace.com OLP thanks you all for joining us tonight! Look for "Happiness." coming soom Thanks for joining Our Lady Peace in their Online Listening Party. Their new album, "Happiness Is Not A Fish That You Can Catch," will be available in stores across Canada on September 21st. This has been a production of Talk City, copyright 1999.


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