“Frankly, the band itself was a five-way democracy and one of the great things about it is that it’s been about the five-way collaboration, but it’s also one of the things that’s made me decide to be a solo artist.”

Page and the band announced his departure in a joint announcement posted earlier this week on BarenakedLadies.com, saying Page would pursue solo projects including “theatrical opportunities.”

“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.

“Page says ‘These guys are my brothers. We’ve grown up together over the past twenty years. I love them and wish them all the best in the future.’”

Page, along with his girlfriend and her roommate, were charged with drug possession last July in New York State, but all charges were dropped in October on the condition the trio stays out of trouble for six months.

Page says that while the drug episode didn’t directly cause the split, it did cause all five members to re-examine their goals.

“Even after all the stuff last year, everybody was very supportive of each other, which was great. But what last year forced everybody to do was take a good hard look at what it was they wanted from their future.”

Page’s current projects include working on a solo album and complete the scoring of his third play for Ontario’s Stratford Festival. The former Barenaked Lady recently finished an album with Toronto’s Art Of Time Ensemble.

And while Page says he will miss the band, he also says everybody will keep on keepin’ on.

“I will miss being a Barenaked Lady like crazy, but there are lots of other things I’m really looking forward to. No one’s going anywhere. I’m going to continue to make music and those guys are going to continue to make music as well. I think it will be good for everybody.”