You can be my Yoko Ono

Anyone who knows me, knows that the Barenaked Ladies are a longtime favourite of mine. And so, I would be remiss if I said nothing about the departure of Steven Page from the band.

I've given it a day or two to sink in to see how I really feel about it. Sure I'm sad, but mostly I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed that he thinks he needs to leave to do solo work which doesn't make sense because he's been doing that for at least the past 5 years. I'm disappointed that the new woman in his life might just possibly have something to do with this, and I'm disappointed by his timing. The guys have been talking for months about their "big 20th anniversary" this year. There was supposed to be a box set and a celebratory tour in the fall.

So why couldn't he have waited? What is so pressing right this very moment that he didn't feel he needed to live up to those commitments? Not that I know him on any kind of personal level, but it just doesn't seem like him. He and the rest of the band have always taken their obligations to their fans very seriously. More than any other musical act I've seen, they are true performers. Their shows aren't about special effects or highly choreographed dance numbers (at least ones that aren't done in jest). Their shows are about them just being themselves. They are fallible, humble and self-deprecating in their hilarity. They are consummate professionals. As such, considering how long they've be hyping their 20th year, it's a surprise that Steven wouldn't ride it out.

Steve has often been criticized for seeming aloof and standoffish when he's not "on". Offstage, not performing he seems uncomfortable with the attention. As intelligent as he so obviously is, he doesn't have a heck of a lot to say to his gushing followers. He's appreciative, but never seems to want to deal with the fame aspect of his career. Can't really blame the guy.

Then he meets this new girl. The break-up of his marriage didn't surprise me. Anyone who's paid attention to his lyrics has been party to the progression and then demise of that relationship. But this new girl seems to pump up his ego like his high school sweetheart never did. The MySpace superfan has managed to intrigue him in a way that has captivated him instead of turn him off. Wow, that seems a little harsh, but getting him caught with coke doesn't win her too many points with me. She simply doesn't seem to fit the life he's created for himself as a family man who's passionate about social justice and the environment. And perhaps that's exactly why he's into her? It's disappointing that his "life is just one big pun". Middle-life crisis? Really?

But more than anything, I'm disappointed that I didn't have a chance to say good-bye. I know they're not going anywhere - not really. But a little heads up and a chance to see them all together one last time would've been nice. I just listened to the download of their last show from the cruise they just wrapped up, and well Steve, I love ya, but it kinda sucked. You were funny and all, but I sure wish that your last gig as a Lady would've been as stellar as I'm used to instead of the flat, strained, note-missing attempt that it was. Oh well... That's the fallible part of them that we love. I've seen these guys live more times than I can remember and I now cherish how obsessive Mark has been in making sure I got to see every show they played, being at a bookstore in North York or the ACC or the Mod Club. I have an iPod full of classics and improvs that won't leave the rotation for quite a long while. My consolation is that living in the boys' hometown, I have every expectation that they'll perform together somewhere, for something, eventually.

I guess in the end, the guys don't owe me a thing. They've given voice to many different times of my life and I hear new things in their lyrics all of the time that make me smile, weep or both. Thanks Ladies, for the past 20 years.