Barenaked Ladies A Concert Review	June 5, 1996 The Riviera Chicago, IL A Review and Photos by: The Dude on the Right

I arrived at the Riviera Theater in Chicago, and looked at my watch to see exactly what day of the month it was. It was at this time I realized the next day was my dad's birthday and I forgot to send him a card. So, dad, if you're reading this, Happy Birthday! You're the best. Alright, enough of that. I began to get settled, and I next started to realize that there were tons of women, very good looking women, and I wondered just why it was I really hadn't heard of this band, Barenaked Ladies.

Then, as I further began to settle, what do I hear but the sound dude is playing everything from The Bee Gee's to Frank Sinatra before the band came out. It's been a while since I've heard a Bee Gee's tune, and maybe sad to say, I still remembered all of the words. Then out came the Barenaked Ladies.

Since I have no clue who Barenaked Ladies are, I think I'll just write down the notes I scribbled as I watched the show. I think they sum up the show, and how many times I find new favorite bands, and Barenaked Ladies are now one of them. So, without further ado, my notes about Barenaked Ladies (with some other notes explaining my notes).

Barenaked Ladies - 8:35 (they started at 8:35)
No clue what song is called. Kinda jazzy and a whole helluva lot of fun!
The "Chicago" band set, what a cool version of 25 or 6 to 4. (They poked fun at the band "Chicago," playing some abridged versions of "Chicago" classics.)
The bus song - they hit on about every aspect of riding public transportation.
Cool bass player. Pirate Ship theme. For a band I've never really heard before, they sure are popular - I see why! They're from Toronto, Canada. It's kinda older people music (late 20's to 30's), but the youngin's here like it too. They share fun stories about their trip in Chicago. If you hate yuppies, this would be your hell. Kinda a "dead"esque feel. The apple song. Wow, I feel like a horrible reviewer - I don't know any of these songs but I really like them. The band thanks all of the tall people for standing at the back of the theater. The brothers had fun, and the brothers, John, Bob, Darryl? were looking for the ladies - and there were plenty. Big ol' instrumental jam. I hope to get their CD soon, maybe to review it, but at least just to have - these guys are a blast. Wow, what a bonus - a good band and tons of women! They just look like they're having so much fun on stage. You're my Alternative Girlfriend (I think this was the name of one of the songs). It's a good light show. "I Like You 'Cause of Your Clothing" song (I think this was a song about man's best friend, his dog, but I don't know). Someone will need to pick up for the likes of Buffett someday as just a "fun time" band - bring on the Barenaked Ladies - the only problem is Toronto ain't no Margaritaville! They're a bunch of cybergeeks. They're talking about Tron and they didn't like the movie Dragonheart. Just the two front dudes, one acoustic, cool harmony. "When Doves Cry" - way cool (you know, the Prince song - he was Prince then). and the band is back, but acoustic up front now. The "twice fried bean" story into the mexican food song. "Be My Yoko Ono" - the crowd loved this song. It's a bass solo - Upright electric with a bow into... Techno bass with the band - The Shoebox Song. I think I'm the only person here who doesn't know the words. "If I had a million dollars" song - with a crowd sing-a-long - and people started throwing stuff - I'm told it's Kraft Cheese and Macaroni? "And You Say He's Just a Friend" What ever happened to Biz Mar Que? (Yep, they played the song). The rap set into "I Want Your Love" into the Alanis' "You Outta Know." 10:15 I've never seen so many yuppie types so out of control. ENCORE Powerful voices, they remind me of the strong voice like Meat Loaf. "This is Where We Used to Live" song 10:20 ENCORE II some slow song everyone knew but me 10:25 ENCORE III Holy shit - they're back again. Another song I'm the only one who doesn't know - some "hello" song. 10:35

And that was it for the Barenaked Ladies. As I read my notes, I realized is wasn't going to be easy to put together an article about a band I have never heard of, but now know what I'm missing. This had to be one of the funnest bands I have ever seen, and I think if they were promoted a little bit more, they just might be your next "cult" band, bringing on a legion of "Barenaked Ladies," and I might not even be scared. Yeppur, you guessed it, Barenaked Ladies gets TWO HUGE THUMBS UP!!! I can't wait to get their CD, and I can't wait for them to come back into town. A whole helluva lot of fun, yes they are, and if you like the likes of Jimmy Buffett with a slightly Grateful Dead feel, fear not the Barenaked Ladies!!! Until the Next Review, I'm the Dude on the Right - L8R!