We're having a day off in Chicago after playing Muskegon yesterday.
I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Muskegon is a special place for me. But is it shallow to feel a connection with a place just because it rhymes with your last name? I'm convinced an old country song is buried somewhere in Michigan. "Jimmy Creeggan from Muskegon, it's been a while since we've seen 'em...".
Until this gig I wasn't familiar with Muskegon, but for some freak of nature, the name came up in a Temptations documentary that we watched after the show. Now that I've set foot on Muskegon soil, will Muskegon be a part of my everyday life from this point on? It's only been 2 days, but I think it's only appropriate that I change my name to Jim Muskegon. If you can't beat 'em join 'em.
Thanks to the nice folks of Muskegon for showing us a good time.
By the way, I'm participating in a stationary bike-athon July 5th to raise money for an AIDS treatment organization called Dignitas International. I'll be riding a stationary bike for a three hour shift in Dundas Square, Toronto. If anyone would like to sponsor me, click right here. If anyone wants to come down and chat with me, I'll appreciate the company, you'll have a captive audience.
Thanks for a great night, Milwaukee. Our Summerfest show totally rocked because of you. There really is nothing like playing outside in the summer - even if it's under a giant expressway! We played three new ones last night: How Long, Summertime, and Another Heartbreak - all of which you seemed to enjoy, based on the reception, and the feedback we got at the signing after the show. I particularly enjoyed Kevin's random lyrics in IIHAMD, and the awesome rock and roll, above-head-claps during the vocal breakdown in Wind It Up. A very invigorating night for BNL. Summerfest, you do indeed Rock. Next up Muskegeon MI. Bring on the M's!
Wow. Last day of recording here. We are currently in the enviable position of having completed less songs than we have yet to complete. Feels good. In the way an unexpected kick in the throat feels good. The good news is... what we HAVE finished is sounding incredible, and we're looking at solutions to record the balance while Bob is mixing. I think we can, I think we can, I think we can.
I hope Tyler posts video of this really soon, cause it's awesome. Tyler has spent the last 3 or 4 hours preparing some killer ribs on the patio here. He decided mid prep that he need to sing a really high harmony, so he rolled in to the iso booth with rib sauce and beans all over his apron, and just rocked it. So funny. Ty in his sunglasses, and apron bustin some BGs. I love my job.
OK - I guess Ed was serious about finding someone else. Looks like he decided on an all Hi-Hat approach from now on. Revolutionary...
It's so nice to have a fancy new way to communicate with y'all! Special thanks to Mace and Thales and Nettwerk for putting this together.
If you've been following our studio updates www.twitter.com/barenakedladies you already know that we're in the home stretch of recording the new Barenaked Ladies album. Just a few more backing vocals and some shakes and quakes and we'll be ready to mix dis ting with the legendary Bob Clearmountain.
Recent live highlights have been The Family Day show we did at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa - where we rocked for over 2000 returning soldiers and their happy families. This was a cool gig cause we got to fly on a giant C-130 Hercules. They even put seats in it for us! We also rocked Muskoka Ontario for the benefit of The Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey Team. Special thanks to all of you who made the trip up North to be with us. You guys always amaze us with your willingness to travel all over the planet to see us rock.
Coming up we have gigs in, Milwaukee, Muskegon, and Chicago. Special thanks to the Windy City for breaking up our string of M-town shows!
I've been cooking for the boys during this last phase of the recording. Today I made grilled Fish sandwiches with Coleslaw and 7 grain salad. For dinner it was smoked Pork Chops with sides of Sauteed Kale with Mushrooms and Onion and Roasted Rosemary Potatoes. Ed told me, through a mouthful of Orange Roughy, that I'm catering the whole next album. "But I want to play drums too!" I replied. "Anyone can play drums - we need you to cook!" was his sarcastic retort. I guess if Bun E. Carlos can drive Cheap Trick's bus AND drive the drumkit, then I might be able to fill BNL's gullets while filling the end of 4 bar phrases. Renaissance men, Bun E. and I....
We're on pace for another 2 song day like we had yesterday. But we just spun up "Graffiti Love" which is feeling kick ass. Maybe this one actually only needs some BGs, and we can move on to another. Fingers crossed. Tyler is cooking steaks on the Big Green Egg. Mmmmmmmm
I love my job....
I currently lead the band in BLOG Postings!
I agree with Louis CK that EVERYTHING is a double-edged sword (I also agree that Deer are assholes). That is why I must be happy that one of Canada's Female Olympic Hockey players was overheard at our recent gig saying, "That Ed Guy is really hot"... and simply live with the fact that the sentence ended with "for an old guy".