Barenaked Ladies Biography

In a world of mediocre melodies and less-than-inspired lyrics, the alternative pop genre has more than enough room for cleverly crafted double-entendres and grin-inducing wit. Although They Might Be Giants probably hold the reigning title as kings in this area, Canadian popsters Barenaked Ladies surely might be considered heirs apparent.

The germination of BNL began with lead singer Steven Page and guitarist Ed Robertson in the Toronto suburb of Scarbourough where the two grew up. Although acquainted as children, the real connection took place in 1988 when both worked as counselors at a summer music camp. Playing small gigs around town, the duo caught the ears of camp alumni Jim and Andrew Creeggan, and Barenaked Ladies suddenly had a bassist and keyboardist; the addition of drummer Tyler Stewart rounded out the line-up in 1990. 

The quintet recorded a five-song, self-titled cassette (known to BNL fans as "The Yellow Tape") that eventually made Canadian music history as the first independent recording to sell over 80,000 units. A deal with Sire led to the 1992 debut album Gordon, which set the tone for the group's tongue-in-cheek humor, youthful pop-culture lyrics and upbeat tempos. 

The 1994 sophomore album Maybe You Should Drive reflected both a musical and personal growth with more sophisticated (yet still loopy) content and sound. Though Andy Creeggan left the band to go back to school in 1995, Kevin Hearn was recruited as a replacement. On BNL's 1996 Reprise release Born On A Pirate Ship the band continued with more mature themes without ditching their irrepressibly playful style.

As they prepared to release 1998's Stunt, the Barenaked Ladies seemed poised to make their biggest commercial splash yet thanks to the omnipresent hit "One Week." But no one, not even the band, was prepared for the album to make an astounding debut at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling more than 140,000 copies in its first week and remaining in the top 10 for weeks to come.

However, the celebrating was dampened by the news that Hearn had been diagnosed with leukemia. Although he couldn't join the band on tour, after a bone marrow transplant, the musician was given a clean bill of health from his doctors.

BNL returned in 2000 with Maroon, which featured the hit "Pinch Me." The album scored the group a Juno award, while the single earned it a Grammy nomination.

With the cleverly titled Disc One: All Their Greatest Hits (1991-2001), BNL summed up the first decade of their career. The band returned with new material in October 2003 with Everything To Everybody.

Barenaked Ladies Links

Barenaked Ladies Official Website

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