Grin And Bare It

By SARAH RODMAN, Boston Herald, December 30th, 2000.

BNL's Steven Page is ready to ring in New Year at the FleetCenter.

As 2000 comes to a close, Steven Page, the lead singer of one of Boston's favorite pop groups, Barenaked Ladies, reflects on a year in which the band released a new album, "Maroon," and a behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as embarking on their first U.S. tour since keyboardist Kevin Hearn beat leukemia. He also answers questions about the future and the Toronto-based quintet's decision to end the year in the Hub, with shows at the FleetCenter on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

On the phone from Buffalo, N.Y., Page is in good holiday spirits and is glad Aerosmith decided to take the year off.

Herald:

Why Boston for New Year's?

Page:

Everybody knows that Boston is our biggest place. It is the scene of the City Hall show that got things rolling for us, so essentially why not Boston?

Herald:

Does the band have anything special planned?

Page:

No, we kind of go by the seat of our pants so around 8 o'clock we'll probably be saying, "Jeez, we better do something special." It'll probably just end up being us dropping our pants.

Herald:

As a kid, how did you picture the year 2001?

Page:

Total "Jetsons." I imagined looking at myself out the side of my spaceship getting older and younger.

Herald:

Is there anything that you pictured that has actually come true?

Page:

I always imagined that there would be no president. (Laughs) I also always believed that the XFL was going to give the NFL a run for its money.

Herald:

What were your three favorite records this year?

Page:

1. Grandaddy, "Sophtware Slump." It's moody, totally interesting art rock. 2. Kevin Hearn, "H-Wing." It's incredible; he wrote it during his illness, recorded it during his recovery, and it's one of the most moving records I've ever heard. 3. Elliott Smith, "Figure 8." (He adds that Eminem's obsessed-fan single "Stan" blew him away: "It's one of the most incredible pieces of writing I've ever heard.")

Herald:

Do you have a hope for the world for the new year?

Page:

It would be nice to see a resolution in the Middle East. I'd like to see Israel and Palestine coexist. And I would like to wake up and see all handguns disappear, just no one could find them on New Year's Day.

Herald:

Do you have a hope for the band for the new year?

Page:

I hope that we can also learn to peacefully coexist and that all handguns will disappear from our band. (Laughs)

Herald:

What's the funniest thing that happened to BNL this year?

Page:

We got to meet Tipper Gore. It wasn't funny exactly, but it was a little bit odd to find out that she's actually a huge Barenaked Ladies fan. If Tipper Gore loves our band, does that officially disqualify us from being a rock band?

Herald:

What do you predict is next in music?

Page:

I think we'll be seeing more teen pop, more angry-funky-shouty rock music and Christian rock bands masquerading as real rock bands dominating the charts. I think we're going to start masquerading as a Christian rock band just to try and sell more records. People always love Christian rock bands with a Jewish lead singer.

Herald:

How do you feel about the way "Maroon" has been received?

Page:

It hasn't sold what "Stunt" did, but it's still doing pretty well. ("Maroon" sits at No. 64 and has sold 1 million copies; "Stunt" sold 4 million.) The bad reviews are just as bad as always, but the good reviews are better than ever. I can't complain.

Herald:

What gift are you hoping to get this holiday?

Page:

I'd like something really decadent like a $1,000 fur hat, so I can just feel shameful everywhere I go.

Herald:

But not a real fur hat, because that's cruel, right?

Page:

Absolutely.