For a promising band about to release its second album, the idea of a name change might seem a tad unsound - unless, of course, your name is the Rainbow Butt Monkeys. Sporting a carefully messed coif ready for publicity photos, James Black, guitarist and tunesmith for the newly renamed Finger Eleven, takes a serious approach to explaining the change. "We didn't feel as strongly about the name as we did about the music. We wanted to be happy with the entire thing." The band extracted "Finger Eleven" from the new song 'Thin Spirits'. Singer/lyricist Scott Anderson says the reference pertains to "making a decision that might not be the smartest, but it's something you just have to do." The to-the-point explanation goes like this: Finger Eleven are making a leap from silly to serious with a new album called Tip which they hope will command respect. So shit-can the lame name, and let's get down to business.

Commited from the outset to making the best record they could, the band sat down and compiled a list of top-notch producers. On the short list was Arnold Lanni, whose recent work with Our Lady Peace has made him Canada's hottest studio hand. So how did they go about retaining the services of this year's favourite producer? Easy. They asked manager Rob Lanni to phone his brother. After a round of shadow-boxing nepotism jabs and details of their label's involvement, Anderson exalts the relationship which grew between the band and their producer. "We were obviously excited, and we got some feedback that Arnold was excited as well. It gave it a cool boost when we actually got started."

The final product reflects the achievement of the band's two key goals. First is the hedging of their bets with a proven pop producer. Although this meal is noticeably cooked in the same kitchen, Finger Eleven's ingredients differ from Our Lady Peace's enough to have their own flavour. The second and more rewarding accomplishment is the maturation of the song writing. "I used to be really into the Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and stuff like that. I think for the new record the spectrum was a lot wider. There was a lot of mellow stuff like Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley that I listened to, and then stuff like Tool and Failure. That's part of why this record is more dynamic than the last one. The softer stuff I was listening to was softer than it was before, and the heavier stuff seemed heavier."

Before bandmates Rick Jackett (guitar), Sean Anderson (bass) and Rob Gommerman (drums) make their instrumental contributions, Anderson works out the melodies to his predominantly sombre subject matter. In discussing his unsettling spirit, Anderson ultimately finds it to be a great source of humor. "I think it's a personal thing a lot of times. It was kind of depressing sitting at home for the last year. You're supposed to be in a band and you're still living at home."

Living at home. You mean, like, with Mom and Dad? Anderson nods, and the rest of the band concedes to playing house with their parental units. Black adds, "The rock & roll money truck hasn't shown up yet."

Now Finger Eleven hits the road with Tip, playing a nationwide tour of universities after some Edgefest appearances. "It's cool to hang out and talk," concludes Black on the healthy side of touring. "Basically, just exchange stories with other bands and you realize that everyone's going through the same kinda things. You realize you're not just the one weird guy in the music industry. Everyone's weird - or we're all normal."