SCENE SCRIBE
By Michael Swanger scenescribe@mchsi.com
Barenaked Ladies find life with four to be fab
The Barenaked Ladies took a short look in the mirror more than a year ago after mutually parting ways with founding guitarist-vocalist Steven Page before deciding to press on. Then the remaining founding members — Ed Robertson (guitar, vocals), Jim Creeggan (bass, vocals), Kevin Hearn (keys, vocals) and Tyler Stewart (drums, vocals) — went to their bass player’s home studio and churned out their 11th studio album, “All in Good Time,” which reached No. 23 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart and No. 1 on its Independent Albums chart.
“We really judge the success of this record by the fact that we had such a good time making it,” said Stewart. “It’s our first album without Steven and something we really needed to do to galvanize the group.”
As it turns out, “All in Good Time” not only galvanized the band, it made it stronger, according to Stewart. It opened up songwriting doors that were previously closed to other band members and allowed the group to explore new sonic possibilities — a change in tune from the days when schoolmates Page and Robertson started as a duo in 1988.
“It was a total group effort this time, and we were really excited about that,” the 42-year-old drummer said.
Most importantly, Stewart says, the band continues to draw legions of longtime fans who still want to hear them perform hits like “One Week,” “Pinch Me” and “If I Had $1,000,000.”
“The fans have been very supportive of us. Our first concert without Steven was in Florida in front of 14,000 people and they wanted to rock out and have a good time, so we went out and gave them a good time and sounded good,” he said. “We learned that people want to hear their favorite songs and see an entertaining show. They don’t really care too much about the band’s internal politics. We’ve moved on from that as well and feel like we’re past that point of uncertainty. Now we’re a band firing on all cylinders.
“I think the band is tighter, and there’s more space to improvise. We still sound like the Barenaked Ladies, but we have more opportunity for expansion. We don’t feel limited at all.”
Now in their 20th year, the Barenaked Ladies not only are forging ahead with some new creativity, they are also taking stock in what they’ve accomplished, having sold more than 14 million albums, won eight Juno Awards and earned multiple Grammy Award nominations.
“Twenty years ago, I dreamed of being in a rock for a living,” Stewart said. “The fact that we got to do it and be really good at it was a dream come true. I’m loving it.”
Stewart and his bandmates, all of whom have young children, are also finding ways to balance their careers with their families.
“We want to spend time with our children and see them grow and make more time for that. But sometimes you have to make concessions for the time you spend away from them, so we try to plan our touring a little better or bring them on the road with us,” he said.
Along the way, Stewart said he is counting his blessings.
“I’m trying to notice things more and enjoy them as opposed to feeling overwhelmed or resentful. Mostly, I try to savor the gig. I wasn’t always able to do that in the past. I really treasure the time on stage and performing,” he said.
Stewart said that he and his bandmates want the audience to do the same thing: kick back and enjoy the show.
“This version of the band may be more appealing to more people because we’re still putting out great music and yet we have a more democratic and exploratory approach,” he said. “The key for us is getting people to see our show. Once that happens we usually snare them for a long time.” CV
caption: The summer’s final Nitefall on the River concert, featuring a performance by the Barenaked Ladies, will be held Thursday, July 29 at 7 p.m. on the Walnut Street bridge. Admission is $12.
