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Archive for the ‘Barenaked Ladies’ Category

Steven Page Trio (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, April 22, 2025)

Posted in Art of Time Ensemble, Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, Kevin Fox, Philadelphia, PA, Steven Page, The Beatles, World Cafe Live on April 23, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 22, 2025] Steven Page Trio

I have loved Steven Page’s voice for decades.

I’ve really enjoyed his Trio shows, too.  I think I’d like to see him with a full band to really rock out, but even in this trio format, they can still rock.

The trio includes Craig Northey (of Odds) on guitar and Kevin Fox on cello.  I saw this same trio in the same place six years ago and it was great to see them again.

Like last time, they played a mix of BNL songs and Steven solo songs.  It was fun that they opened with It’s All Been Done (Steven acoustic, Craig electric) and the crowd Whoo hoo hoo’d along with them.  They followed it with Steven’s A New Shore (Land ho!) and the on to another BNL song, Jane.

The conundrum is that I love the BNL songs as much as anyone, but I feel a little bad that he doesn’t play more of his great solo stuff.  And yet, when he satted Alternative Girlfriend–one of my all time faves, it was a glorious moment.  The fact that it segued into Odds’ Someone Who’s Cool was a wonderful touch. (more…)

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Menno Versteeg (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, April 22, 2025) [STEVEN PAGE TRIO]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, Hollerado, Kevin Fox, Menno Versteeg, Philadelphia, PA, Steven Page, World Cafe Live on April 22, 2025| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: April 22, 2025] Menno Versteeg

Menno Versteeg is a Canadian musician who fronted the awesomely-named (but I’ve never heard or heard of) Hollerado.  I wasn’t aware of him until this show, and I’m not sure how “big” he is in Canada.

Menno was very funny–a lighthearted storyteller (even if the stories were kind of dark).  Sadly, we walked in during the first song (WCL can be a real pain to get to), but we didn’t miss much.

It was him and his acoustic guitar playing songs from Why We Run, his debut solo album–although he has released music under the name Mav Carlo as well.

His songs were about a rough life as a youth in Canada

We would to drink enough whatever there was
To kill a clydesdale every night
But we’d do enough drugs and punching,
To bring that same horse back to life  [from Videostore]

There was a country vibe, but like most of Canadian country music, there wasn’t that awful twang in the vocals.

I particularly enjoyed the two dog songs.  The 4o some second I Got a Dog which is (entirely):

My mother is dyslexic
Sometimes her letters switch around
She failed grade 10 like a good artist does
And passed those ğood ġenes down
She faints plowers, like she saints pun-sets
Haints her Peart when She bolds a hush
And she assured me I would rind my dog
When I wasn’t in a fush

And then Bad Dog was a funny song story about a real bad dog–but Menno loves him still. (more…)

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Trans-Canada Highwaymen (World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA, June 18, 2024)

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, New Odds, Odds, Philadelphia, PA, Sloan, Steven Page, The New Odds, The Pursuit of Happiness, Trans-Canada Highwaymen, World Cafe Live, WXPN 88.5 FM--Philadelphia, PA on June 18, 2024| Leave a Comment »

[ATTENDED: June 18, 2024] Trans-Canada Highwaymen

I was pretty thrilled when the “supergroup” of Trans-Canada Highwaymen formed.  I put that word in quotes because it’s likely that some (mostly non-Canadian) people don’t know half of the band.  But I was thrilled to have a guy from four terrific bands pooling themselves together.  And the fact that they were basically covering 70s AM radio hits was just a weird bonus.

I assumed they’d never tour the States.  But when they announced a show in Philly, I grabbed a ticket immediately.  I had no idea if it would sell well (it didn’t, really), but it there was a decent crowd and the people who were there were psyched (some a little too psyched).

There was no opening act.

We had seats in the third row (there were open eats in front of us).  But the row right in front of us was filled with about eight real keen Canadians who were crazy drunk and very loud.   It’s possible only we were bothered by them but I found them more annoying than fun.

But that’s fine, because the music was fantastic.

I’ve said before that I could listen to Steven Page sing anything.  So, having him start with an old BNL song was really fun.  It started with Steven and Craig Northey (from Odds) on guitar Moe Berg (from The Pursuit of Happiness) on bass and Chris Murphy (from Sloan) on drums.

By the end of the night everyone had played drums for at least two songs. (more…)

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Barenaked Ladies / Del Amitri / Five for Fighting (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, July 19, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Del Amitri, Five for Fighting, Philadelphia, PA, The Met Philadelphia on July 19, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 19, 2023] Barenaked Ladies / Five for Fighting / Del Amitri

We haven’t seen Barenaked Ladies since 2017 (2016 was the last time on one of these Last Summer on Earth tours).

They always put on a good show, although I feel like I’ve enjoyed the last few a little bit less than the previous ones.  Mostly because they play the same big hits all the time.  I mean, you can’t be BNL and not play those songs, but it would be fun if they didn’t.

I always consider going to their Last Summer on Earth tours, but I typically dislike the other bands that are playing with them–usually 90s bands that I assumed were broken up. Which doesn’t really speak all that well of BNL (unless it speaks well of them trying to boost old bands).  Their new setlist mixes in a few different songs, so maybe if next year’s co-headliners are good, I’ll grab tickets.

What was such a bummer for me this time is I actually want to see Semisonic (everybody knows that one song, but they have albums worth of great stuff).  But instead they were replaced on this leg of the tour by Five for Fighting.

I had heard of Five for Fighting and I know his song “Superman” although I’m getting it mixed up with another one I’m sure.  I had no idea that it was a one-person operation

Vladimir John Ondrasik III, also known as by his stage name Five for Fighting, is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. He is best known for his piano-based soft rock sentimental ballads.

I also didn’t know they were known for their soft rock ballads. Ew.

I had of course known of Del Amitri, their hit “Roll with Me” is still played from time to time.  Although I had no idea they were Scottish.  I would have told you they were broken up, but I see they reunited in 2013 and again in 2018.  They might have been interesting to see but not worth dragging out for this tour.

Next year guys, find bands that I actually want to see!

 

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An Evening with Steven Page Trio (Newton Theatre, Newton NJ, April 30, 2023) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Craig Northey, Kevin Fox, Newton NJ, Newton Theatre, Odds, Steven Page on April 30, 2023| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: April 30, 2023] Steven Page Trio

I really like Steven Page a lot.  I’ve seen him and his trio twice now and I’ve watched a bunch of live from home videos.

Evidently this show had been announced since at least the beginning of the year but it just came on my radar about a week ago.  The Newton Theatre is just over an hour from me which isn’t out of my range (that’s how long it would take to get to Philly) but somehow driving an hour north to Newton, NJ seemed kinda far.  Plus we had just been out the night before for Placebo, so I just gave this one a miss.

Crash Test Dummies are playing Newton in a few months, so maybe I will get to this place and see if its worth the drive.

There was no opening band.

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We Were Promised Jetpacks / Breakup Shoes (White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ, October 30, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Breakup Shoes, Housemartins, Jersey City, NJ, We Were Promised Jetpacks, White Eagle Hall on October 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 30, 2022] We Were Promised Jetpacks / Breakup Shoes

I’ve seen We Were Promised Jetpacks a couple of times and they put on a ripping show.  I had seen them play White Eagle Hall back in 2020 and it was fantastic–the crowd was really responsive.

But recently one of their original members left and they seem to have changed their sound a bit.  I didn’t enjoy it quite as much.  But they tour around here all the time, it seems (especially for a band from Scotland).  I’m curious if their shows will be as intense.  However, this show was right in the middle of a bunch of shows–I had been to shows the four nights previous.  So I had to give up something and this was it.

So, I’m sure WWPJ will be back again.

Breakup Shoes reminds me of The Housemartins/non-funny Barenaked Ladies–soda pop sweet, surf-flavored indie rock but with dark lyrics that you might not pick out.  All of this wrapped in a more 90s sound–buzzy guitars and fuzzy production with guitar solos.

I rather enjoyed the few songs I heard.

 

 

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We Were Promised Jetpacks / Breakup Shoes (Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore PA, October 26, 2022) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Ardmore Music Hall, Ardmore, PA, Barenaked Ladies, Breakup Shoes, Housemartins, We Were Promised Jetpacks on October 26, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: October 26, 2022] We Were Promised Jetpacks / Breakup Shoes

I’ve seen We Were Promised Jetpacks a couple of times and they put on a ripping show.

But recently one of their original members left and they seem to have changed their sound a bit.  I didn’t enjoy it quite as much.  But they tour around here all the time, it seems (especially for a band from Scotland).  I’m curious if their shows will be as intense.  However, this show was right in the middle of a bunch of shows and I had tickets to see Band-Maid, who I’d never seen before.

I also didn’t quite think that Ardmore Music Hall was the right venue for them.

So, I’m sure WWPJ will be back again.

Breakup Shoes reminds me of The Housemartins/non-funny Barenaked Ladies–soda pop sweet, surf-flavored indie rock but with dark lyrics that you might not pick out.  All of this wrapped in a more 90s sound–buzzy guitars and fuzzy production with guitar solos.

I rather enjoyed the few songs I heard

 

 

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Barenaked Ladies / Toad the Wet Sprocket / Gin Blossoms (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, July 12, 2022) [rescheduled date] [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Coronavirus, Gin Blossoms, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Quarantine, The Met Philadelphia, Toad the Wet Sprocket on July 12, 2022| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 12, 2022] Barenaked Ladies / Toad the Wet Sprocket / Gin Blossoms [rescheduled from July 14, 2020 and July 13, 2021]

I haven’t seen Barenaked Ladies in a while.  They always put on a good show, although i feel like I’ve enjoyed the last few a little bit less than the previous ones.

I always consider going to their Last Summer on Earth tours, but i typically dislike the other bands that are playing with them–usually 90s bands that I assumed were broken up. Which doesn’t really speak all that well of BNL (unless it speaks well of them trying to boost old bands).

I never liked Gin Blossoms.

I liked Toad the Wet Sprocket for their name (which comes from Monty Python) but couldn’t tell you a single song they sang.

So, it was very unlikley that I was going to this one.  And I didn’t.

~~~~~~

As recent as mid-May this concert was still listed as happening in 2021, but when you clicked to buy tickets, the ticket pages said 2022.

I know that the whole “Last Summer on Earth” thing is a joke, but it’s getting a little creepy now.

I was kind of hoping they’d switch opening bands by now but, instead of this show, I think I’ll be seeing them at the Festival of Ballooning on July 24th instead.

~~~~

I have seen Barenaked Ladies almost more than any other band.  I’ve seen them from way back in the early days to a few times in the last few years.  They are reliably solid live (if not a bit predictable with their setlists).

We didn’t see them for last year’s “Last Summer on Earth” tour.  They have been using that name for the last several years, it may be time to think of a new name, especially given the current state of the world.  I wasn’t planning on going to this show mostly because I don’t really like the opening acts.  And, honestly, unless the show was something special and different, it would entirely depend on the opening acts whether I went or not. Maybe they’ll mix them up for next year.

Toad the Wet Sprocket got their name from a Monty Python skit which immediately made me like them.  I think I ha a cassette of their first album, maybe.  I haven’t really thought of them in years and remember them being kind of inoffensive.  Oh, wait, they had a pretty big hit with “All I Want,” a sweet slightly alt folk rock song.  I’ll bet there would be lots of lighters up for that song.

I really hated Gin Blossoms back in the 90s.  They were so overplayed and hardly qualified as alternative or college rock, but they were lumped in that category.  They had a number of songs that I probably know all the words to even though I never listened to them on purpose.

With a lineup change I’d consider seeing them next summer, especially if they changed the name of the tour.

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Barenaked Ladies (New Jersey Festival of Ballooning: Solberg Airport, July 24, 2021) [DID NOT ATTEND]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Branchburg, NJ, Hot Air Balloons, New Jersey Festival of Ballooning on July 24, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[DID NOT ATTEND: July 24, 2021] Barenaked Ladies

Ten years ago we saw Barenaked Ladies at New Jersey Festival of Ballooning and it was pretty cool.  Hearing them sing Light Up My Room as the balloons lifted off was a cool moment to be sure.

I didn’t intend to see them on this summer’s tour because I don’t really like either of the bands they are playing with (and I’ve seen them a lot already).  But when I heard they were going to play the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning again, I was totally in.

Until I realized we’d already booked a vacation and would be away.  It would have been an appropriate return to concerts since I have seen them so much.  It also would have been fun since it was their first show in a couple of years.  But it was not to be.

So here’s the setlist from the show.  A few years ago I said I didn’t need to see BNL again because they tend to play the same songs every show.  That’s not exactly true, but they have said that they feel like they need to play a lot of their biggest hits for the fans.  So you get five or six of the same songs every show.   And yet, it’s been two albums since I saw them last, so they had five songs I’d never heard before. (more…)

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Barenaked Ladies / Toad the Wet Sprocket / Gin Blossoms (The Met Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, July 13, 2021) [rescheduled date]

Posted in Barenaked Ladies, Coronavirus, Gin Blossoms, Philadelphia, PA, Postponed, Quarantine, The Met Philadelphia, Toad the Wet Sprocket on July 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »

[POSTPONED: July 13, 2021] Barenaked Ladies / Toad the Wet Sprocket / Gin Blossoms [rescheduled from July 14, 2020]

indexAs recent as mid-May this concert was still listed as happening in 2021, but when you clicked to buy tickets, the ticket pages said 2022.

I know that the whole “Last Summer on Earth” thing is a joke, but it’s getting a little creepy now.

I was kind of hoping they’d switch opening bands by now but, instead of this show, I think I’ll be seeing them at the Festival of Ballooning on July 24th instead.

~~~~

I have seen Barenaked Ladies almost more than any other band.  I’ve seen them from way back in the early days to a few times in the last few years.  They are reliably solid live (if not a bit predictable with their setlists).

We didn’t see them for last year’s “Last Summer on Earth” tour.  They have been using that name for the last several years, it may be time to think of a new name, especially given the current state of the world.  I wasn’t planning on going to this show mostly because I don’t really like the opening acts.  And, honestly, unless the show was something special and different, it would entirely depend on the opening acts whether I went or not. Maybe they’ll mix them up for next year.

Toad the Wet Sprocket got their name from a Monty Python skit which immediately made me like them.  I think I ha a cassette of their first album, maybe.  I haven’t really thought of them in years and remember them being kind of inoffensive.  Oh, wait, they had a pretty big hit with “All I Want,” a sweet slightly alt folk rock song.  I’ll bet there would be lots of lighters up for that song.

I really hated Gin Blossoms back in the 90s.  They were so overplayed and hardly qualified as alternative or college rock, but they were lumped in that category.  They had a number of songs that I probably know all the words to even though I never listened to them on purpose.

With a lineup change I’d consider seeing them next summer, especially if they changed the name of the tour.

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