Steven Page Busted For Coke

07/16/08 3:01pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Barenaked Ladies sing about how they don't like salmon on "I Don't Like," a track from their recently released Snacktime children's album. But we're willing to bet singer/guitarist Steven Page also didn't like being arrested and charged with cocaine possession last week.

Police discovered a car parked outside a Fayetteville, N.Y. apartment at around 2 a.m. on Friday with its driver side door open. They entered the apartment to investigate and found Page, 38, and Stephanie Ford, 25, seated at a kitchen table with what police say was a white capsule.

Page and Ford were both charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and Ford was also charged with unlawful possession of marijuana. Police said they found more cocaine and marijuana when they searched the apartment. Christine Benedicto, 27, was later arrested and charged in connection with the marijuana and cocaine that police say they found.

Page was released after he posted $10,000 U.S. bail, which is one percent of the $1 million he wished he'd had early in his career. He also posted $5,000 for Ford (perhaps she's his "Coko Ono") and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. Page could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, which is way more than one week.

"Steven has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested," says a message on the Barenaked Ladies website.  "While this is happening, it's business as usual for Barenaked Ladies. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album."

Barenaked Ladies are scheduled to play a Disney Music Block Party children's charities benefit concert in Long Island, N.Y. next month.

Page recently separated from his wife, Carolyn Ricketts, with whom he has three sons. He has also previously suffered from depression. The band's manager, Terry McBride, said in a statement that he was "confident that our client Steven will be completely exonerated."