Raine Maida Reflects on Our Lady Peace’s 30 Years in Music

A Journey Down Memory Lane

As Our Lady Peace celebrates its 30th anniversary on the road, frontman Raine Maida finds himself reminiscing about the band’s remarkable journey. Among the memories, some stand out more vividly than others, highlighting both the high points and the challenges faced along the way.

Unexpected Recognition from Rock Legends

One particularly memorable moment occurred in the spring of 1995 when legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant reached out after hearing the band’s second single, “Starseed.” Maida recalls the excitement when their tour manager burst into the room with the news.

“(Plant) heard our song in his limo in New York,” Maida recounts. “We were playing some small club in Boston called the Middle East, and our tour manager ran in; ‘You’re not gonna believe this, but Robert Plant just heard your song on the radio and he literally wants you guys to not play tonight and drive to Chicago and open for them!’ I was like, ‘Oh, but we have our first sold-out show in Boston…'”

Despite initial hesitation, the band quickly packed up and set off for Chicago, where they had the opportunity to open for Plant and Jimmy Page. “It was incredible,” Maida states. “There was something about Zeppelin’s crowd; they were so giving of their ears and their hearts and time. They loved us. It was like, ‘What the hell — this is crazy!'”

Conversations with a Legend

Maida also treasures the conversations he had with Plant during those shows. “I had some incredible conversations with Robert Plant, which was such a gift early on in my career,” he shares. “He watched our sound check and came up to me after — I almost s— my pants. He just shook my hand and said, ‘I’ve had a chance to live with the Naveed album. I like the vibe of it.’ It was such a great example early on in my career.”

Challenges on the Van Halen Tour

However, not all experiences were as uplifting. A few months later, Our Lady Peace was set to open for Van Halen during their summer tour. While the band played 27 dates, the atmosphere proved to be quite different from their experience with Plant and Page.

“I love Eddie (Van Halen). I love Alex. For whatever reason, Sammy and I didn’t get along,” Maida admits. “We were nervous. We were playing in these sold-out amphitheaters in the summer, and the fans really didn’t want to see us. They were there to see Van Halen.” Maida recalls receiving negative reactions from the audience, which was disheartening at the time.

A Clash of Performers

Despite having a couple of hits under their belt, the band faced hostility from some fans. “Sammy came up to me a couple times and said, ‘Hey, this is supposed to be a party. You’ve got to get the crowd pumped up more,'” Maida explains. “I was like, ‘Respectfully, Sammy, I totally get that. You’re an incredible singer… but I’m a very different performer.'” Eventually, tensions rose, and Maida found himself on the verge of being kicked off the tour.

Support from Van Halen

Fortunately, Maida received support from Eddie and Alex Van Halen, who reassured him that he wasn’t being removed from the tour. “They said, ‘Don’t listen to Sammy; he doesn’t have the power to do that. You’re not getting kicked off the tour,'” Maida recalls. “I ended up talking to Sammy again; it wasn’t a great vibe, but Eddie and Alex saved us.”

Lessons Learned from the Icons

Reflecting on these experiences, Maida acknowledges the valuable lessons he learned from both Robert Plant and Eddie Van Halen. “Eddie just showed you what it takes to be a master musician,” he remarks. “He would come into catering with his guitar on and start sound checking an hour and a half earlier than the rest of the guys. He wasn’t a guitar player; it was like he was the guitar.” This dedication to his craft left a lasting impression on Maida.

Looking Ahead

As Our Lady Peace continues its 30th anniversary tour, which runs through April 4 and includes festival dates later in the year, the band is also working on new projects. A documentary focusing on a dedicated New York superfan is in the works, and the group plans to return to the studio in May to start recording their next album with producer Nick Raskulinecz.

Conclusion

Raine Maida’s reflections on three decades in the music industry reveal the profound impact that experiences, both good and bad, can have on an artist’s journey. As Our Lady Peace looks to the future, the lessons learned from music legends will undoubtedly continue to guide their path.

FAQs

What is Our Lady Peace’s 30th anniversary tour about?

The tour celebrates the band’s three decades in the music industry, featuring performances of their classic hits and new material.

Who are some of the artists that Our Lady Peace has opened for?

They have opened for notable acts like Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, as well as Van Halen.

What new projects is Our Lady Peace working on?

The band is working on a documentary about a superfan and plans to record a new album with producer Nick Raskulinecz.