How many millions of albums have the Barenaked Ladies sold by now? If their last release, Maroon, was any indication, these guys are certainly not wondering what they’d do if they had a $1 million anymore. With their yearly visit to Detroit, the Barenaked Ladies have never let their fans down with their energetic, charismatic and humorous live shows. If there’s one thing these guys are known for, it’s putting on one hell of a performance. Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn and Tyler Stewart have worked so hard to get to this point — they have become a popular culture reference point themselves instead of just singing about them — and it could not have happened to a nicer, more approachable group of musicians and men. The band, which has been releasing albums since 1992, will finally release their first greatest hits album this November.
Through keyboardist Kevin Hearn’s back-and-forth battle with leukemia, Steven Page’s bout with alcoholism and the pitfalls of being one of the most popular and "funniest" pop bands in North America, BNL has persevered well beyond their humble suburban Toronto beginnings. You’ve read the stories and heard the songs, many of them described in the band’s new authorized biography, Barenaked Ladies: Public Stunts, Private Stories, written by Paul Myers (Mike’s look-alike brother). The quirky Canadian group also released the documentary Barenaked in America (directed by Jason Priestly), and their latest video for "Falling for the First Time" has just started airing. The video stars comedian/actor Harland Williams who happens to be Kevin’s cousin. As you can tell, not much has been kept secret in this band, especially their fine skills as chefs. Bassist Jim Creeggan, tall and lanky as he is, loves his food, but he likes to make it a challenge. I bet you didn’t know he could cook almost as well as he can play the bass.
"I like to feel like I’m a hunter or gatherer. I like to go out and find it. A little forage," Jim said over the phone. "I chose the double bass as my instrument and I think it’s my nature to work hard for my food or for my music. Just the fact that one feeds my soul and one feeds my stomach." OK, Jim.
Recently Jim has discovered the Italian pasta dish gnocchi and his rules for making it should be strictly followed. "I can’t say I was fully successful on my first attempt. When I first made it, I really didn’t know what it was supposed to turn out like or look like," he said. "Since then I’ve started eating it, and it’s not an amazing food, but it’s a very nice textured food, it’s like mmm, num, num. These little num, nums. I think gnocchi is my favorite thing right now. You don’t have to pick bones out of it; you barely have to chew it. It’s a nice little snack." Jim’s had his practice now, the few times he’s been at home and had time to cook. "It’s made out of potatoes and flour. And sometimes you can make it with spinach but you’ve got to make sure the spinach isn’t too wet because the gnocchi will be too mushy. It’s got to have that spongy quality to it. It’s all about texture. I did hear the Italian moms and grandmothers, when they cook they don’t cook very fast. It’s all about all day, making the gnocchi. Slowly." Thanks, Jim.
And if that isn’t enough for you to chew on before you see BNL perform at DTE, you can revel in the fact that their stage set will be just as crazy as last year’s. They’ve still got the giant blow-up thing, which Jim swears looks like Tyler. "It looks like Ty back seven years when he had his dreads. He’s got a big head already, it’s really blown up," and the giant Kiss-like BNL sign. But still no pyrotechnics? Come on, guys. It’s the only thing you haven’t done on stage. We’ve seen you with your pants off enough times. "We’re learning from our mentor Michael Jackson," Jim said. "I think we’re realizing that he took one for the team, for the rest of us in the entertainment industry, when he got injured in the Pepsi commercial. We are just paying attention to our leaders. I also think we have not been modest in our BNL sign — it’s still with us but you have to wait for that to come out in the show. I can’t tell you when. It’s not always there — it kind of comes out in a specific moment — in a specific moment that has the initials R and R.
Shannon McCarthy is working on a book of rock stars’ recipes. Email her at shannon@getrealdetroit.com if you rock and cook.
Barenaked Ladies w/ The Proclaimers & Sarah Harmer
August 25 & 26 — DTE Energy Music Theatre.