The Barenaked Ladies may be Canadian, but they're ready to rock on America's birthday
On July 4, the Barenaked Ladies will take the stage at the Red Hat Amphitheater, along with KT Tunstall and Better Than Ezra as part of the "Last Summer on Earth 2018" tour.
The group has been busy this year, between releasing their 12th studio album "Fake Nudes" in November and being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in March. But drummer Tyler Stewart still found time to answer some questions.
Q: This won't be your first time playing in Raleigh. Actually it will be your 11th time. Do you have any particular memories of playing in Raleigh?
A: Eleven times, wow. Well, on the seventh time, I’m pretty sure I had some delicious Carolina barbecue. And on the eighth time, I’m pretty sure I had some delicious Carolina barbecue. And on the 10th time (laughs) ... you get my drift?"
Q: Where did it come from?
A: Right up the street from the venue. If you’re at the back of the venue, you go up that hill to the left, and there’s this place that's really good... It's The Pit.
But what else I remember about Raleigh is we always did great shows there. Back in the day we played Walnut Creek Amphitheatre, and then we would play downtown at the shimmer wall (at Red Hat Amphitheater.) We’ve done probably three or four improvised raps about the shimmer wall, it makes for a good chorus. So we always have a great time in Raleigh, the crowd is always awesome.
Q: What can fans expect from this tour?
A: We like to mix it up. When we play new songs, obviously, we’re more engaged, we have to concentrate a little more because they’re newer, and you know we’re excited about our new music. But we also keep in mind that people come to hear the hits. We put a lot of hits in the show, we sprinkle the new stuff in there, and also we go for some deep cuts from any one of our 16 albums.
So we mix it up, but I think it’s a real balanced evening, and it's also balanced in that the acts on the bill are really compatible with each other. KT Tunstall has amazing energy that she brings every night, and with Better Than Ezra, you’re just going to recognize so many of their songs, because they were all over the radio in the '90s, and then us, so it’s a pretty great evening of music and fun.
Q: Last time you were here, you were touring with Howard Jones and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), and you had Howard Jones come back out on stage and you all did his song "No One Is To Blame" together. This time, do you have any plans for similar collaborations?
A: I don't want to ruin the surprise entirely, but yes, we do have something similar up our sleeve. One of the great things about touring with other artists that are awesome, that we love and respect, is that we get to have them up on stage with us. KT (Tunstall), who is an incredible performer, great singer, and also Kevin Griffin, from Better Than Ezra, have been joining us for some numbers. We love that part of the show, it provides new energy for us on songs that we have been playing for years, so we’re really excited about that.
Q: Do you have a dream three-band line up? Two other bands, living or dead, who you would want to do a tour with.
A: That's a great question. Let's go... Barenaked Ladies, Beastie Boys, Led Zeppelin.
Q: Speaking of getting to hang out with the greats, a couple months ago you guys got inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by Geddy Lee (of Canadian rock band Rush). How was that experience?
A: It was an awesome experience. Geddy and Rush were huge for us Canadian kids growing up playing music, and to have him saying such nice things about us as we got inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside some incredible people like Neil Young, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Alanis Morrisette, et cetera... We’re very honored to be inducted and the fact that Geddy did it for us is off the charts. We were like eight 10-year-old boys, you know, we were so excited.
Q: Canada Day will be on July 1, and then you guys are playing a show here on July 4. What with the recent political tensions between the United States and Canada, do you have any qualms about playing a July 4 show?
A: I don’t define Americans by their president, and in this case certainly I don’t. All I know is that July Fourth is always a great day for families, everyone is out having barbecue and hot dogs, flying the flag, being together and celebrating, I think it's great. So I have no ill will at all, despite the lingering trade issues, et cetera, I have no qualms whatsoever about playing for groups of families who want to have a great time. I'm looking forward to the gig, it should be great.
Details
Who: Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra and KT Tunstall for Last Summer on Earth tour
When: 6:30 p.m. July 4
Where: Red Hat Amphitheater, 500 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
Cost: $27 and up
Info: redhatamphitheater.com
This story was originally published June 27, 2018 at 11:18 AM.