Bad Feeling Magazine Podcast # 28 with Lori Barbero (Babes in Toyland)

Of all the 90’s bands to recently hit the reunion circuit, none was as unexpected as the return of Minneapolis’ Babes in Toyland. After disbanding back in 2001, the band’s 90’s lineup – singer / guitarist Kat Bjelland, bassist Maureen Herman and drummer Lori Barbero –  essentially disappeared from public view. With various members of the band dealing with serious drug and mental issues, and with lingering resentment over Bjelland’s short 2002 European tour without Herman and Barbero, the notion of the band playing together again seemed pretty far-fetched.

Apparently time heals most wounds however, as the band reunited earlier this year, thanks to their unlikely benefactors, Powersniff, a tech company created by a trio of ex-Google employees who offered to bankroll the entire reunion. With backing that allowed the members to criss-cross the country to rehearse, the reunion seemed to be running as smoothly as possible, until the sudden announcement of Maureen Herman’s firing this past August (she has since been replaced by Clara Salyer).

Babes in Toyland are currently out on tour with their revamped line-up, including Canadian stops at Pop Montreal on September 19, and Toronto’s Riot Fest on September 20.

We spoke to Lori Barbero about how the reunion came about, what it’s like touring with the band after so many years, and why she’s never listened to a Babes in Toyland album.

Listen to the interview with Lori here, or via the embedded media player at the top of the page. If you enjoy this episode, you can subscribe to the podcast over on iTunes, or check out back episodes here.