Barenaked Ladies |
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Chat:
BarenakedLadies: Greetings from our hotel room in
Indianapolis, this is Steve from Barenaked Ladies! BlueBoxx : Why did you allow one week to be the first
release off of this album? BarenakedLadies: As soon as we wrote the song we knew
it was going to be the first single, so there was no question it
was going to be the first. Capitals37 : How is Kevin doing? BarenakedLadies: Kevin, our keyboardist, for those you
don't know has been diagnosed with Leukemia and is in the
hospital. He's doing well. He's in a lot of pain. But we look
forward to having him back when he's ready. G_dog1_98 : What is the movie about? BarenakedLadies: We're in The Wrong Guy starring
Dave Foley in which we play singing cops. Rmme_98 : Could you elaborate on the Bone Thugs
bathroom incident? BarenakedLadies: It was actually in the hallway of our
hotel in Nashville, and Tyler was running up the stairs, he had
to go to the bathroom badly. At the top of the stairs one of the
Bone Thugs was waiting and scared the crap out of him which
embarrassed us. Now we can't invite them to sing on our record. Blubar : Where did you find the
"Giles-mobile"? What make and model is it? BarenakedLadies: No idea. Bare_nakedlady : Who wrote the lyrics to "One
Week"? BarenakedLadies: Ed Robertson BNLJeff : Gentlemen, What can we, as fans, do for Kevin
to cheer him up and make him feel better and get him 100 healthy
again and back behind the keyboard? BarenakedLadies: Kevin has asked that fans make
donations to Leukemia charities. Particularly our Canadian fans
can donate to the Princess Margaret hospital. Taragon23 : Who are your musical influences??? BarenakedLadies: Everybody from Beatles to Beastie Boys
to Johnny Cash to Public Enemy. We love all kinds of music. BNLJeff : Why does your newsletter The Ladies Room
only come out every 4 months? As a fan I would LOVE to have one
every month. BarenakedLadies: Better than once a year. We're just
trying to get this thing together. Bare_nakedlady : I love you guys! How long have you
been together now? BarenakedLadies: Ed and I started the group 10 years
ago this October, but we've been a full band since 1990. Uncle_elwyns_neices : BNL what is your favorite
song or songs to perform live??? BarenakedLadies: I always love to play Brian Wilson
because I get a kick from the audience singing along. BNLJeff : What DOES it mean to "wake out of a
dream and be wearing someone else's shorts?" BarenakedLadies: You have to ask Ed, he wrote that
song. I never understood that part myself. BNLJeff : I love Stunt. Are there ANY plans for a new
multimedia album in the near future? BarenakedLadies: We're not sure, we decided not to do
multimedia, we wanted to get the album out by summer. Maybe the
next one will have some multimedia content BarenakedLadies: But if you hold it up to the light you
can see all kinds of holographic images dancing before your eyes. Monkeygyrl24 : Now that your popularity has increased
greatly in the U.S. in the past year, will you still be playing
smaller venues? BarenakedLadies: Only in the places where we are not
very popular. Carelesbuttrfly : Do you like punk or ska better? BarenakedLadies: As a teenager I liked both. But now
I'd have to say punk SKA seems more like a trend whereas punk is
more like a form of music. Punto_Bob_is_here : Do you enjoy working with the
Smashing Pumpkins? BarenakedLadies: I've seen them twice in the last
couple days, and although I was not a fan before, I've come to
like them. They have 3 percussionists, one of the best piano
players of all time, and Billy Corgan is a great guitarist. Shoebox209 : What do you guys think of the Dave
Matthew’s band? BarenakedLadies: We played a show with them in Colorado
and I was really impressed. I don't know much of his music but we
have a lot of fans in common. In that case he must be great. Shoebox209 : What’s more fun to play, the US or
Canada? BarenakedLadies: Right now the U.S. because we are more
popular. Canadian audiences tend to be more reserved. Although
there is something exciting about playing in your own hometown,
Toronto. Rmme_98 : What would you buy if you had a million
dollars? BarenakedLadies: Check the song lyrics. OksyMoron : Where did the ritual of throwing Kraft on
stage start? Who was responsible? :) BarenakedLadies: The first show I remember that
happening was the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Nov. 1991. Ted_the_Bug : Do most of your songs come from personal
experiences, or are you just really imaginative? BarenakedLadies: The magic of writing a good song is
when you can blend all of your stories and making them seem real.
I'd rather not say which is which. Bozak27 : What made you decide on the name Barenaked
Ladies? BarenakedLadies: When we were teens Ed and I were at a
Bob Dylan concert bored out of our minds and we started making
fun of bands that did not exist. One was Barenaked Ladies.
It made us laugh and reminded us of when we were 8 years old, and
would look at the women’s underwear section of the Sears
catalog. When Ed got us our 1st gig he told them we were called
Barenaked Ladies, and after that there was no backing out.
Because if we changed our name how would the 7 people that were
there find us again? Capitals37 : Why did Jim not write anything for the new
album? BarenakedLadies: I think because he had more time
between records to work in Creeggan Brothers Records with his
brother. So a lot of songwriting energy went to writing on that
project than on Barenaked Ladies. Creepoh : Are any of you guys married and do any of you
have children? BarenakedLadies: Both Ed and myself are married and
both of us have children. Ed's daughter is 2 1/2, and my son is 1
1/2. Jpaul34 : Will you headline your own tour after you're
through with HORDE? BarenakedLadies: Yeah, our own tour will begin Oct.
1st. Movinfast_98 : What is a typical day like for you guys
when you are not touring? BarenakedLadies: I don't know when that is. We're never
not on tour unless we're making records. _LastChild_ : Do you remember Cheryl form Shoppers Drug
Mart on Spring Garden Road? and did you ever give her sweater
back? BarenakedLadies: She told me I could keep it unless I
found her. When we played in Halifax the other day it was
freezing cold and I did not bring a jacket. We stopped there to
see if they sold anything like sweatshirts etc. but they
didn’t, so Cheryl was nice enough lend me her sweater. Which
was very small, but I still have it at home. CHICKITY_CHINA : Are you Guys Sad about Geri
Leaving the Spice Girls? BarenakedLadies: Um, sadder about that than we are
about Jerry leaving Seinfeld. I think now the Spice Girls
can really party now that their mum's gone. She was 60 wasn't
she? STEVE : In The Car is a really great song. It seems
like it could be very well based in fact. Is it? BarenakedLadies: I think most of us have had experience
groping in the car when we were teenagers. But for me the song is
about the details we use in songs and how they impact other
people in their lives. Burleyo : I've been listening to you guys for years on
Zed95 (even though I'm from the states). Despite your newfound
U.S. fame, do you still consider yourselves true-to-heart
Canadian musicians? BarenakedLadies: We are first and foremost a Canadian
band because that is where we live and how we identify ourselves.
We know that most of our fans identify us as a Canadian band and
we are proud to be one. Johnny_boffo : Are you involved in any of the
fan pages? Cause your label page, is so outdated! BarenakedLadies: Although we are not associated with
the official pages be sure to check out bnlmusic.com or
repriserec.com, or a great unofficial fanpage bnl.org, or our
management website nettwerk.com. Rcgcpa : Do the "ladies" ladies travel with
them on tour? BarenakedLadies: Very rarely because it's pretty dull
unless you are playing. Most of the time we are doing interviews,
so it's pretty dull. So they stay home. Shoebox209 : Do you have a strong Jewish identity
Steven? (from a fellow Jew) BarenakedLadies: I certainly identify myself as a Jew
but I'm not the rock n' roll equivalent of Philip Roth but
perhaps someday I'll be. For better or for worse. Kb2swc : What is the little guy on the front of STUNT
represent? BarenakedLadies: We've been calling him the stunt man
but he is a composite of five of our body parts. For one he has
my hands and lips. Carelesbuttrfly : What’s the kewlest fan you've
ever met? BarenakedLadies: I would hate to alienate all of our
other fans but it was cool finding out Jason Priestly was a fan
and that he was famous. Johnny_boffo : What jobs did you have before you became
"Stars?" BarenakedLadies: Most of us were pretty lucky to have
been students with part-time jobs, so we were able to commit to
the music. However, Tyler did have a part-time job as Super Dave
Osbourne's personal driver. Beth825 : After listening to your song "One
Week," I was wondering if you guys were big X-Files fans? BarenakedLadies: We are indeed big X-files fans. We
were hoping it would get us free tickets to the premiere of the
movie but it did not work. WashUfize : Was the album "Maybe You Should
Drive" in reference to the Trash Can Sinatra's song
"Maybe I Should Drive"? BarenakedLadies: I knew nothing of that reference. It
came from a song on the record that said "You drive",
which evolved into "Maybe you should drive" which was
inspired by the first paragraph in "Fear and Loathing in
Las Vegas". Fiznarp : Does anyone in the band go online on a
regular basis? BarenakedLadies: We have all succumbed to the
cyber-revolution, although I refuse to believe that the Internet
exists. AnnieKinsella : I read an ugly review of Stunt
in Details...are you all really insulting your audience in
"Never is Enough?" BarenakedLadies: We were certainly not trying to insult
our audience although it was something we discuss. We have enough
sympathy with our audience as we too have been in a position of
being overeducated and underemployed. No offense intended. DUTCHWMN_ELZOOL : Will your first two tapes, Buck
Naked and Barenaked Lunch ever be released
commercially? BarenakedLadies: No, Buck Naked was made in an
edition of approx. 150 in my basement. Barenaked Lunch,
about 1000 copies were made. Maybe we will release highlights but
they are not recordings we are particularly proud of, except for
historical reasons. Fiznarp : In "One Week", what is Chickitty
China the Chinese Chicken? BarenakedLadies: That is a reference to Chickity Chaco,
the Chocolate chicken as said by Busta Rhymes in the Tribe Called
Quest song "Scenario" But it is also a reference to the
Hong Kong Chickens which were contaminated and all had to be
killed. Teresa75_98 : Are you proud to be Canadian? BarenakedLadies: Yee-Ha, I'm a flag waving Canuck. T_bone115 : Does BNL Like Weird Al? BarenakedLadies: He was kind enough to invite us to his
show last year and it was fun. He was really nice to us. He's
very weird. Lea_14 : How were you as a teen, popular , geeky, what? BarenakedLadies: I was a "new waver" so I was
kinda geeky and popular with the small group of people, but most
people called me a fag. LilithBoy : Will you sing McDonalds Girl at HORDE
Festival in Atlanta for me? BarenakedLadies: Nope we haven't done that song in
about 7 years. we have nothing against it but we have lots of
other stuff to sing. SillySydd : Do ya'll ever hang with the Kids in the
Hall? BarenakedLadies: Well, I have hung out with them before
and we are good friends with Dave Foley and have hung out with
all those guys at one time or another, but since they broke up
it's harder to hang out with them all at once. But we are big
fans however. Rascal2099 : What is your favorite Beatles album? BarenakedLadies: My favorite Beatles album changes all
the time but it's usually The White Album. Although I love
Abbey Road and have a soft spot for the Magical Mystery
Tour album. The_reaper_62 : WHAT CYMBALS DOES THE DRUMMER PLAY?? BarenakedLadies: He is proud to play Sabian cymbals, a
Canadian company, I may add. Chaos345_chaos : Do younz like pro wrestling? BarenakedLadies: When I was in high school I saw Honky
Tonk Man wrestle because he had big sideburns. Last year we sang
an anthem at the WCW Championship. I really did not care, but
Kevin was excited. Missyunb : Who is your favorite Muppet and why? BarenakedLadies: I guess from Sesame Street my
favorite muppet is Ernie, and most people say I identity with
Bert, but they're wrong. I am truly Ernie. Does Al Jareau count
as a muppet? Belldandy15 : What's your guy's favorite cartoons? BarenakedLadies: Classic Bugs Bunny are the best. But I
also love Ren and Stimpy. Johnny_Rotten17_1998 : When you go on tour who is your
warm up band? BarenakedLadies: We will probably have different ones
in different cities. I know for sure some shows will be opened by
Chris Brown and Kate Fenner. Chris Brown is the guy that is
filling in for Kevin while Kevin is ill. Shoebox209 : What’s your favorite Hockey team? BarenakedLadies: Toronto Mapleleafs. Dfw_hoser : What High School did you and Ed go to?
(Tyler went to Huron Heights) BarenakedLadies: We went to Woburn Collegiate. PantlessMan : What sort new music do you listen to? BarenakedLadies: I am a big fan of an Irish band called
the Divine Comedy. We also really like the Swedish band Komeda. X29pointhandx : If you could destroy one other band,
who would it be and why? BarenakedLadies: Hard to say, it might be The Verve. Bearnaked_Joe : What’s the best thing about
playing music? BarenakedLadies: Best thing about playing music is the
2 hours we spend on stage, being a room full of people doing the
same thing, having a good time. BNLJeff : Steven any truth the BNL book rumor? BarenakedLadies: Yes, we are planning on putting out a
book within the year. We were hoping before Xmas, but hopefully,
it will be before next summer. It's going to be a mix between a
autobiography and an activity book. Mredding98 : Are you insulted by the stupidity of most
of these questions? BarenakedLadies: I've heard considerably worse
questions from better paid journalists than you guys in this chat
room You guys are doing just fine. ILikeVanilla : Have you played at any Salmon Festivals
lately? BarenakedLadies: It's been several years since we have
played any salmon festivals, but the last one I can think of was
in California, and that was about 4 years ago. Ted_the_Bug : What advice would you give to someone
trying to write their own songs and having writers block? BarenakedLadies: I've had the same problem myself, and
I would say give it a rest, read and listen to other kinds of
music. Then come back to it. It's a craft, not just an art. You
don't often hear of carpenter's block. Arianna08 : Do you consider yourselves sexy? BarenakedLadies: I certainly don't consider myself
sexy, I won't speak for the other members of the band. Although I
do consider the rest of the world other than myself sexy. Spud9 : Will you ever do a version of Be My Yoko Ono
with Yoko??? BarenakedLadies: If she ever wants to sit in with us,
she's very welcome to. Jason_Huhn_ESQ : Regis and Kathie Lee? BarenakedLadies: I have no opinion other than I'd like
to be on their show. I feel bad for Kathie Lee, people just want
to see her fall, and I don't think that's fair. NWO_Sporty_Spice : What's the best free swag you ever
received? BarenakedLadies: We got to raid the Warner Brothers
record warehouse in Chicago. It was a dream come true, but I
buckled under the pressure. I got every box set I could lay my
hands on. LadiesMan_BarenakedHeaven : Who were your roll model
growing up? BarenakedLadies: Nell Carter, Charlotte Raye, and I'd
have to say Scott Baio from Charles In Charge. Nate_man_69 : What do you do to pass the time? BarenakedLadies: I read a lot, we watch movies on the
bus, the other guys do sporty and I pretend they don't exist. But
I've decided to take up golf, because if it will work for Hootie
then it'll work for me. Victor_2Q : A war between Canada and the US, who wins? BarenakedLadies: Canada because we are world-renowned
for our kick-ass army. Master_Mann : What's the worst piece of advice you ever
got? BarenakedLadies: I can't think of anything. All the
mistakes I've made have been my own. They've been big ones. Bloinkster_98 : Why don't you release the song that you
made for FOX in between cartoons about the Spaceman? It was
really cool. BarenakedLadies: I dunno, maybe it'll show up somewhere
sometime. JenNBox : What influenced you to write the song
"Alcohol." Are you an alcoholic or something? BarenakedLadies: No, but I enjoy a good alcoholic
beverage or seventeen I know when to say no, I just choose not
to. Rachey_baby : Any solo projects in the works? BarenakedLadies: No, not as of yet. Right now all out
time is consumed by Barenaked Ladies. Anterabae : When are you guys going to tour Australia,
now that you're getting airplay there? BarenakedLadies: We're hoping to go for Big Day Out
which is Jan or Feb of 1999. Spaceboy18 : DID YOU LIKE MY SIGN IN KANSAS "1
MILLION $ TO GET ME BACKSTAGE"? WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE ME? BarenakedLadies: Because I did not believe that you had
the cash up front. If you did I would have brought you back no
problem. N_Hexum311 : Will you guys play in next years Tibetan
Freedom Concert with the Beastie Boys? BarenakedLadies: If they'll have us, we'd love to do
it. MockbaMN : Can you think of a reason why your
popularity in Canada has severely waned at the same time that
your U.S. popularity has skyrocketed? BarenakedLadies: I think our popularity started to
decline in Canada way before that. I think we burned out in
Canada, we were overexposed. But we're back with a vengeance. FunkyGrooveThang : What do you think of censorship? BarenakedLadies: I love it. I think people have to
careful not to hurt other people. But it's a scary line if you
try to legislate what hurts and doesn't hurt other people and the
that they can make sensible decisions on their own. HydePark16 : Who is your best friend in the band? BarenakedLadies: I can't play favorites now! Although
Tyler and I hang out the most. Cagliostr0 : Has any band member been through a
relationship breakup lately? Many songs on this album suggest it. BarenakedLadies: There haven't actually been any
break-ups in the lives of the writers. That's that whole fact vs.
fiction thing I was talking about. Guinivere3 : I noticed Ed has lead vocals in more songs
on the past album do you guys talk about who gets to sing what or
do you flip a coin to pick who gets to sing it? BarenakedLadies: A lot of times the person whose
musical idea it is gets to sing the song. Occasionally, it gets
flipped around. Plus Ed paid $25,000 cash to sing more songs on
this record. BarenakedLadies: I'm going to go see a movie, so I have
to leave. But I look forward to seeing everybody out in the H.O.R.D.E
tour this summer.
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