at 20:36 on July 15, 2008, EDT.
By Cassandra Szklarski, THE CANADIAN PRESS


Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page has been charged in New York state with drug possession. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn/ file


TORONTO - Barenaked Ladies frontman Steven Page, known for his clean-cut image and goofy stage antics, has been charged in New York state with possession of cocaine.

Police said Tuesday that the bespectacled singer, responsible for such pop hits as "If I Had a $1,000,000" and "Be My Yoko Ono," was charged last Friday with criminal possession of a controlled substance after cocaine and marijuana were found in an apartment in Fayetteville, N.Y.

Capt. Bill Bleyle of the nearby town of Manlius said the 38-year-old Page was released Friday upon paying $10,000 bail on the felony charge.

Bleyle said the arrest occurred at about 2 a.m. Friday after patrolling police noticed a suspicious car with its driver's side door left open and found a man and woman in a nearby apartment with a white capsule in front of them. Bleyle said the pair were later found to be in possession of cocaine.

"In the process of making the arrest, the girl he (Page) was with identified him as the lead singer for the group," Bleyle said from Manlius, just outside Syracuse.

"He subsequently said, 'Yes, I play the guitar and sing."'

Stephanie Ford, 25, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as unlawful possession of marijuana. A second woman, Christine Benedicto, 27, was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Bleyle said Page posted the $5,000 bail for Ford.

Page's manager, Terry McBride, said from Vancouver that he wouldn't discuss the matter but was confident the popular frontman would be cleared.

"We cannot comment because the matter is before the courts but we are confident that our client Steven will be completely exonerated," McBride said.

"Until that time it's business as usual for the Barenaked Ladies."

Page is to return to Fayetteville court Thursday.

The Toronto-based Ladies, formed in 1988, recently released their debut kids CD "Snacktime." The band's website said they were scheduled to perform at a children's benefit concert next month in Long Island, New York.

The band's only notable controversy dates back to the early '90s when it was banned from playing Toronto city hall because a city staffer claimed their name was offensive to women.

Page formed the group with school chum Ed Robertson, later adding bassist Jim Creeggan, keyboardist Kevin Hearn and drummer Tyler Stewart. They soon became known for upbeat live shows that incorporated humorous banter between songs and improvised rap lyrics.

In recent years, Page has become an outspoken critic of federal government proposals to update copyright laws, has emerged as a champion of environmental initiatives and is a strong supporter of the federal NDP.

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On the Net: http://www.bnlmusic.com/


©The Canadian Press, 2008