Blog posts

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  Dec 24, 03:21 PM

  Sleigh Bells ring... Are you listening??!!! by Ed

  We're actually getting a light dusting of snow here in Toronto as we prepare for the arrival of the man in the red suit. It may not be a Green Christmas after all, as much as I love the song... That's about envy though. It'll be our first Christmas in the new house, which we're all looking forward to. Then we're going to take off to Vermont on Boxing day (The day when all Canadians rejoice in the pugilist arts). It's become a tradition for our clan to head for the Vermont hills, and spend a little time in the snow with our pals at Okemo, near Ludlow, VT. Who knows... I may even bring a guitar (Hint hint... possible solo show). I want to thank everybody who caught up with us on the December run. It was our first real tour as a four piece, and it felt great. The response was fantastic, and it's making us look forward to getting out there for real. So, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year everybody. If all goes according to our diabolical plan, you'll start hearing the first single on your local radio station sometime in January. Record will follow in March. We'll be doing a bunch of dates around the launch with proper touring (I mean old school, crazy BnL touring) to follow. I look forward to seeing you all in the new year... or perhaps on the slopes over the X-Mas break??!! May you all squeak on to the nice list... I'm awaiting a video reply for the official decision.
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  Dec 13, 10:04 PM

  As the song says: "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow" by Tyler

  OK, that was awesome!!  Special thanks to the 8,000 or so crazy winter-souls who braved frigid temps and big fluffy snowflakes to stick it out and see us rock Vail last Saturday night.  This show was such a blast from the get-go, surrounded by snow-peaked mountains and good, good vibes.  The Ski conditions were great, for a rock and roll show!  All through the night, our crew had to sweep snow drifts off the stage, not unlike our Ice Palace performance at the 2004 NHL All Star Game in St. Paul, MN. Kevin made a snow angel on the stage, and Ed had a Sno-Hawk going on.  I guess we're the go-to band for performing in adverse conditions.  Maybe this was training for the Whistler Olympic Show or just a case of "you guys are Canadian, you can handle it!!"  Whatever it was, it was a total blast, and the good people of Vail made us feel incredibly welcome.  Ed's side project, Yukon Kornelius , put on amazing show show the night before BNL's.  Dee Snider from Twisted Sister was truly incredible to behold as he massacred Christmas trees and bellowed the metal hits to 3,000 stoked attendees.  Special shout out to Chef Armando Navarro and the amazing staff atLarkspur restaurant for the best BNL band meal of 2009, as well.  If you go to Vail, you absolutely have to eat at Larkspur - it's absolutely outstanding. All in all, it was a beautiful weekend in Vail - I think we'll be back!

  Photo's by Roberto "Tiny" Menegoni - Click here to see them!
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  Dec 07, 06:42 PM

  A Blog from Boston by Jim!

  We played in Boston last night.  It was good to hook up with friends that I haven’t seen in a while.  We were getting all nostalgic with Greg and Mike from Mix 104.1.  We talked about the humongous turnout at city hall when Stunt came out, back in '98.  I like those guys.  I liked ‘em then, and I like ’em now.

  I don’t mind walking down memory lane.  It’s like a second chance to appreciate a moment that I couldn’t fully appreciate at the time.  The event was extraordinary, but at the time I was probably consumed ( as I usually am) with a small unimportant detail like: “Am I flying low?”, and “How do I pull up my zipper without 80,000 people noticing?”, “This is so Embarrassing”.  David Lee Roth wouldn’t do that though.  He would take the opportunity to say ”Guess what Boston,  my !*?#$in zipper's down!!  It’s time to reach down between my legs and ease the seat back!” The crowd would then go wild.  I’m not quite there yet, but I’m working on my DLR rock chops one car seat at a time.

  Anyway, in sound check yesterday, Kev and Ty started playing some of our favorite Biz Markie songs.  It’s started a snowball effect, and overnight, we’ve launched into a full on Biz Markie renaissance.  Ingrid Michaelson is on the show again, tonight in Worchester.  I caught her set in Boston.  Great singing.  I also fell in love with her band so I'm  looking forward to seeing them tonight.

   

  Jim

  Watch the video here!!
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  Nov 19, 08:13 AM

  I Am Writing This Aboard a 747... by Kevin

  hi everyone,
  
  i am writing this on board  a 747 heading home from a trip to Prague, and Paris..
  
  I went to Prague to perform with Lou Reed at a very special event .
  
  It was a gala event celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and the fall of the Iron Curtain.
  
  It was held by former President Vaclav Havel, who invited Lou, Joan Baez, Suzanne Vega and Renee Fleming to perform.
  
  It was quite a thrill and honor to be a part of this evening, and the people of the Czech Republic were very passionate and celebratory. 
  
  We performed Lou's songs "I'm waiting for my man," "Dirty Blvd.,"  and "Guardian Angel," as a trio (along with Fernando Saunders on bass).
  
  We then played PERFECT DAY with Renee Fleming and the orchestra..
  check it out : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4iGlVyXoDU
  
  So now back to Toronto to rehearse with Ty, Jim, and Ed.
  
  We are getting ready for these upcoming Christmas shows.
  
  Should be fun.
  
  i hope we see you somewhere along the way...
  
  bye, kev
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  Oct 28, 04:29 PM

  Worcester's XLO Acoustic Xmas - December 7th - Ticket Information

  Barenaked Ladies will be performing at the XLO Acoustic Xmas, December 7th at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, MA!

   

  This exclusive show will feature sets by Barenaked Ladies, Kris Allen, Ingrid Michaelson and Josua Radin.

   

  A special online ticket sale for XLO E-club members only will take place this Friday, October 30th at 10am est.  If you haven't already joined the XLO E-club, sign up today:  http://www.wxlo.com/goout.asp?u=http://www.wxlo.com/els/elsSignupFrm.asp?newmember=1

   

  On Friday, October 30th, you'll go to www.mechanicshall.org to purchase tickets online.

   

  Tickets will go on sale to the general public via Mechanics Hall on Monday, November 2nd, at 10am est.  On Monday, you'll be able to call 508-722-0888 for ticket sales.
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  Oct 26, 04:50 PM

  BNL to rock Jingle Jam 2009

  Barenaked Ladies, All-American Rejects, Five For Fighting, & more!
  Wednesday, December 9, at the Murat Theatre
  Doors @ 6:00pm, Show @ 7:00pm
  On Sale Friday!

  Live Nation Pre-Sale Tickets Available 10/29

  
  Reserved Tickets:  $39.99 & $29.99.  A limited number of four-pack tickets available for only $99, while supplies last.  Tickets on sale Friday, October 30, at 10:00AM from the Murat Centre Box Office, charge by phone to 877-598-8703, or buy online from Live Nation - don't forget about No Service Fee Wednesdays!
  
  Freeloaderz can buy the best tickets before everyone.  Check your email for the VIP pre-sale link to buy advance tickets from 12:01AM Wednesday 10/28 through 9:59AM Friday 10/30.
  
  Follow WZPL on Twitter @wzpl for #JingleJam updates, or Friend them on Facebook.
  
  Listen to Z99.5 to win free tickets, backstage passes, and even be the Official Photographer of Jingle Jam 2009!
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  Oct 25, 01:59 PM

  I Got Stadium Loved... -Tyler

  This is 24 Hrs late, but courtesy of the fabulous Jimmy Shaw, I had my socks blown off last night at Massey Hall in Toronto.  METRIC were absolutely on fire as they burned through a tight set of angular and catchy songs, mostly from their latest album - Fantasies.  I've seen this band grow and develop over the years, and have always been blown away by Emily's stage presence and the ridiculously tight rhythm section of Jules on drums and Joshua on bass.  Joules is one of the most inventive drummers out there, with propulsive, funky beats almost always highlighted by off-beat hi-hats and cool accents. I always felt that METRIC are a stellar live band, but it's so great to see them perform what are easily the best songs of their career so far. Fantasies is full of incredibly rich songs, both lyrically and melodically. Two songs for me are battling it out for the fictional Pop Song Bridge Of The Year Award - Twilight GalaxyandCollect Call. Both we're performed immaculately last night, with Emily in great voice, moving through the slippery bridges with confident panache.  What more can I say - I love Metric - and I urge you all to check out Fantasies.  Big thanks again to Jimmy and the Band for an amazing night.

  Watch the video here
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  Oct 20, 06:30 PM

  Happy "Bring your dog to work" day! -Ed

   Ok, so it wasn't really "Bring your dog to work day"... but I brought mine anyway.  Scully accompanied me to rehearsal today, so she wouldn't be alone in the house all day.  Kevin LOVES dogs.  When they're around he immediately starts speaking a language no human (or dog) could possibly understand.  They seem to love him back.  Robin (Our front of house sound guy) was kind enough to bring in some dog biscuits for Scully, having gone home to grab something.  He placed the biscuits in front of Kev, and said "These are DOG biscuits".  Well, Ol' Kev was quite wrapped up in the discussion we were all having about what to call this record.  For some reason I took on the tone of the narrator of one of those old school Disney wildlife features.  That tone is gone now.  Sorry.  We may have decided on a title by the way... not telling.  Ok, back to the story.  Kev begins absent mindedley crunching away at the dog biscuits, then looks in his hand, and asks "Are these dog treats???!!!".  Robin says while laughing "Yes! I TOLD you that!!!", which Kev denies.  And then says genuinely, "They're not bad, actually".  I think he didn't ask until the second one!

  - Ed
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  Oct 14, 06:43 PM

  Good Fun! -Ed

  Spike Jonze took a masterpiece, and made it in to a masterpiece.  I just took my kids to see the Spike Jonze/Dave Eggers adaptation of the timeless Maurice Richard… Damn, I knew I was going to do that!  Maurice SENDAK book, “Where the Wild Things Are”.  It’s always a risk to take something that people have such strong attachments to, and change it in ANY way.  This adaptation was obviously done with love, respect, admiration, and a genuine sense of fun, and imagination.  I recommend it to anybody who likes things that are fun.

  - Ed
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  Oct 10, 09:50 AM

  Fill it to the Brim, with Primm!

  Just finished a really fun show in Primm, NV. Thanks to all the fans who made the trek. The shows are starting to feel REALLY good. Who’da thunk that rehearsing would work??!!! We spent a day in L.A. at the start of the week doing a photo shoot for the record. I think it’s our best yet. Relaxed vibe, and everybody felt good. It was a long day, but I think we’ll have some really great shots. There was also a really sweet version of “For You” that happened spontaneously during the shoot, and was captured on video. We’re going to try to post it soon.
  
  Looking forward to Thanksgiving at home (Which is this weekend up in Canadia!). There are a few shows shaping up for December that we’re all looking forward to. We’re all anxious to be playing. Especially the new songs. It’s always tough when you have new material, but people don’t know it yet. Even when a record is out in stores, it’s hard on an audience to hear a lot of new stuff… but that’s where the band is at, so naturally it’s what we want to play! We’re in a tougher spot, cause it’s not even out yet!! We’ve been doing 3-5 new songs per show. I look forward to being able to play more. We’re really proud of this record, and can’t wait for everybody to hear it.
  
  I really enjoyed playing “Leave” tonight. Kev rocked the S#!T out of it!!! It was a fun show all around. I think we need to take some live tracks from our Michigan show in the summer, and some like tracks from tonight, and release an E.P called Jim Creeggan in Primm Muskegon… Thank you, Thank you very much. Try the veal.
  
  tyler