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'We are the same'... only different
The Hip tour, 13th album, mark two decades of making music
TARA MULLOWNEY
The Telegram
They may be the same five guys from Kingston, Ont., that started a band more than two decades ago, but despite what they might profess on their latest album cover, the members of The Tragically Hip are not the same as ever.
"We Are the Same," the Hip's recently released CD, is different from the band's previous 13 albums, appearing to be a little more melancholy and reflective.
"We are the same, but we couldn't be further apart, you know?" drummer Johnny Fay told The Telegram of the band members. "In a working relationship of more than 25 years, it's hard to all stay on the same page."
The album, through songs like "Honey, Please," "Love is a First," and a trio of tunes called "Depression Suites," is an examination of relationships of all sorts, Fay said.
"Gord (Downie) writes all the lyrics, and he lets everyone paint their own picture in their mind," Fay explained. "He says from the stage that this album's about relationships - relationships with his father and his kids and us as a band, and maybe even as a family. A travelling family that's been doing it for 25 years."
Though Fay doesn't classify the album as being political, Downie's lyrics also discuss topics like residential schools and the country's First Nations population, and those stuck working menial jobs.
"Someone said the other day, 'These new songs are not like your hits.' Well, those songs took 10 years to become hits," Fay said of the band's earlier tunes.
"We were playing them as we were driving across the country, sitting around by a campfire, things like that. Six or seven months after we first put our record 'Up to Here' out, we were playing in Pennsylvania to, like, nine people. We came off the stage and our road manager at the time said, 'I know it's not looking good out there, but I just got a call from your record company. I think your record is going to go gold at home, which is 50,000 copies.' We just thought, whoa- there are 50,000 people who like our band. Do you know how great that feels?"
Since then, the Hip has sold more than eight million albums worldwide and has won 11 Juno awards out of 31 nominations.
Staying current after so long and through so many albums - and with a fan demographic that now includes teenagers who weren't even born when some of the band's biggest hits were made - isn't easy, Fay said.
For The Tragically Hip, it comes down to the guys' unwillingness to sit still - rarely going four months without getting together to write, record or play a gig - a supportive record company, Universal, and not following trends.
"We've always made our own music and if people liked it, they liked it. If they didn't, then they didn't buy it. We didn't hold anyone hostage for it," Fay said.
"We just do our own thing and if it appeals to people, that's great."
The Hip has been touring the country in support of "We Are the Same," and will play at Mile One Centre in St. John's Thursday evening.
Fans can expect some old as well as new tunes, along with an acoustic set featuring earlier songs like "Fiddler's Green, and somewhat of a nautical theme," Fay said.
The Hip members are particularly pleased that their schedule allows them to get in town a little early, and they plan to take in a little sightseeing.
"We always look forward to playing out there. I'm sure it'll be a good show and a great time," he said.
Tickets for The Tragically Hip concert are still available at the Mile One Centre box office, by phone at 576-7657 or 1-800-361-4595, and online at <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sonicconcerts.com">www.sonicconcerts.com</a><!-- w -->.
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