Are American rock fans and Canadian rock fans different in some fundamental way?
SR: Not really. That’s where a lot of the frustration comes from. Because when you do get down there, and you do play for people, they react the same way. I don’t think there’s this great cultural divide. I guess the outlets are different. The sheer number of bands vying for attention in the U.S. is pretty overwhelming, so throwing your hat in the ring can be daunting to say the least. The fruits of your labor don’t come quickly or easily. We’ve certainly felt that pinch. You’ve just got to develop a really thick skin and keep going down there. AVC: At what point do you decide to give up on the U.S.? SR: I think it just gets expensive. Your initial impulse is to invest in it, so you spend the money you make where things are going well on places that need developing. If it doesn’t pan out, after a while you have to assess whether this is something you can continue to do. I think every band in Canada faces that, whether they can afford to keep throwing themselves against the wall. The Tr
