20 Questions with Steven Page

Jam! Showbiz, November 4th, 2001.

Steven Page and the Barenaked Ladies have to be wary of writing songs containing catch-words that encourage fans to hurl projectiles on stage. Shows are now punctuated by flying underwear and boxes of Kraft Dinner. Someone could put an eye out. As a result, you will not hear their great new song about deadly ninja stars on Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991-2001), in stores Nov. 13. They can't be too careful.

Here's a look inside the mind of the frontman of Canada's beloved pop jesters:

1. What was the last movie you saw that you loved?
   I just rewatched Stardust Memories by Woody Allen and it blew my mind.
   
   
2. What was the first album you ever owned?
   The first one I bought with my own money was Get the Knack. Still one of my favourite albums.
   
   
3. What was the last book you read?
   I'm reading Atonement by Ian McEwan right now.
   
   
4. What's your favourite hangout?
   My kitchen.
   
   
5. Do you have a pet peeve?
   Indecision.
   
   
6. What's your idea of the perfect Sunday?
   Underpants and booze.
   
   
7. What's your favourite food?
   Anything with mushrooms.
   
   
8. What was the worst job you ever had?
   Cleaning up puke from the lawn at the Kingswood Music Theatre. I was a maintenance worker.
   
   
9. What gadget or gizmo can you not live without?
   My G3 Powerbook.
   
   
10. Do you have a hobby or habit that you think would surprise people?
    I'm a gourmet cook — Italian and French are my fortes — and I fancy myself a wine aficionado.
    
    
11. What's your favourite piece of clothing?
    My little black suit.
    
    
12. What would you change about yourself if you could?
    My breasts — I'd reduce one and enlarge the other.
    
    
13. Do you have a favourite quotation?
    I'll paraphrase a Leonard Cohen poem: "All the 15-year-old girls I wanted when I was 15, I have them now. It is very nice. I suggest you all become rich and famous."
    
    
14. Whom do you most admire?
    Leonard Cohen.
    
    
15. What is your greatest extravagance?
    I have a stupidly expensive car — a Lexus SUV.
    
    
16. Have you ever been mistaken for another celebrity?
    Yes, Drew Carey.
    
    
17. What is your greatest weakness?
    I'm trying to quit smoking and I feel very weak right now.
    
    
18. If you are reincarnated who or what would you like to be?
    An elephant in India — large, sought after, admired, frightening.
    
    
19. If you had to go back in time to live in another decade, which one would you choose?
    I'd want to live in New York in the 1950s.
    
    
20. If you had to rename your band, what would it be?
    Barenaked Ladies U.K.