Barenaked Ladies and Stephen Page Part Ways

The Barenaked Ladies have announced by a statement on their website that after 20 years frontman Stephen Page is leaving the band:

"By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall."

While the rest of the band is going to stay together, tour, and record another album I cannot think of a single instance where the front man of a band has left and things have gone uphill afterward - at least not an established band.

As for Page he has a new blog and a twitter and says

" I am no longer a Barenaked Lady. After twenty years (plus a few months), I'm heading out on my own. I'm really excited about all the opportunities coming my way:"

Thanks to CanCult for the heads up.

Barenaked Ladies - Brian Wilson

Stephen Page Arrested on Drug Charges

Barenaked Ladies frontman Stephen Page has been arrested on drug charges according to the CBC.

Steven Page, along with two women, were arrested after police found cocaine and marijuana in a Fayetteville, N.Y., apartment, according to a Syracuse-area radio station's website, 9WSYR.com.

Page and one of the women were apparently arrested Friday after police discovered a car with an open door in the driveway of a home. While they were investigating the vehicle, officers observed a man and a woman sitting at a kitchen table with a white capsule inside an apartment.

Police said the man and woman had a substance that tested positive for cocaine. Page, 38, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree. He was reportedly arraigned in Manlius, N.Y., Town Court and released after posting $10,000 US bail.

It is not apparently clear who the drugs belonged to or what the outcome of any court proceedings might be. Page's manager Terry McBride is promising business as usual until the case is decided however, according to US law, this could result in Page being unable to re-enter the United States. Remember folks, if you want to stay out of trouble (whether you've done anything wrong or not) is don't go to the U.S..

Barenaked Ladies - Pollywog in a Bog



We can only hope that Page will receive a fair trial and won't wind up in Guantanamo or Syria.