Arguably the best rock band to ever come out of Canada. They sell hundreds of thousands of records every year and their songwriting skills rival U2 and REM. In addition, their live shows are outstanding they’ve made several tours of the States in order to increase their exposure. Still, they’re basically unknown outside of the Great White North.
On behalf of all Canadians, I ask you, why aren’t these guys one of the biggest bands in the world?
I have!! I live near the border though. I have all of their albums, have been to many shows and I agree that they are the best rock band to come out of Canada.
Know 'em, like 'em, seen 'em live a couple of times. They do get some airplay here in the states but you have to be listening to just the right radio station.
Weren’t they an 80s band? Or at least aren’t they considered such in America?
Yes, I know them. They’re not huge in Europe, but they certainly have a following.
Of course, there’s one thing they’re absolutely not, and that is “arguably the best rock band to ever come out of Canada”. That honour belongs to Rush. 
I’ve heard of them. I found out about them through a vanity search of my real name on the internet. Turns out I have the same name as one of the members.
I’ve tried to like them, really I have. Just can’t seem to manage it.
They just played here in town a few weeks ago. But, I’m practically in Canada, so I might not count. But I’ve definitely heard of 'em.
When I was in school in Dallas back in the late 80’s early 90’s there was a radio station who hyped them big-time so I bought Road Apples. I thought Three Pistols was pretty cool and the rest of the disk was OK but I didn’t think they were that great. TO be fair there is nothing wrong with the band - I’m just into stuff a bit heavier as a matter of preference.
Why they aren’t big here in the states (or elsewhere)? Probably promotion, same reason some really crappy bands getting major airplay when other more talented bands are never heard. Finland has Sentenced and for the life of me I can’t figure out why they are not HUGE in the states but sadly few have heard of them.
Here in Austin, they got a lot of radio airplay for a song called “New Orleans Is Sinking,” but that must have been ten years ago, maybe more.
Other than that one song, I can’t remember ever hearing much about them. I never even knew they were Canadian.
I know them, not really well, but I’ve been a casual listener of their stuff for about 8 years now. I think the reason they’re not real big outside of Canada is that Canada sends the rest of the world lame-ass exports like Bryan Adams, Chilliwack and Alanis while keeping all the good stuff for itself. (Tragically Hip, Jale, Sloan, Luba, Mudgirl . . .)
I thought their song “Courage,” BTW, was used to excellent effect in Atom Egoyan’s film The Sweet Hereafter.
I knew them. But then, I was engaged to a Canadian chick for a couple of years, so I was “Kanuck-by-association.”
But I didn’t think they were all that…
My friend John, a born and bred Texan, is a huge fan of The Hip. I had some trouble finding Americans who like them, some of my friends here still don’t know who they are even after I play their albums.
The people here who are fans seem to be as solid as the Canadian fans.
I can’t wait for their next trip down this way.
Well, sure, but then living an hour from Canada it hardly counts that I have heard of them.
Yes, but I lived in Vancouver for several months last year. Before that, I’d heard OF them, but don’t think I’d ever actually heard them. I like them quite a bit. I keep meaning to pick up some stuff by them, but always seem to forget when I’m in a record store.
I have not only heard of them, but i have seen them live a few times. I’m a few hours south of the Canadian border. They play in clubs down here, and standing in line before the shows I have had the chance to talk with Canadian fans of the band who come to see them play in the smaller venues down here.
I’ve heard of them, even heard them on the radio. I can’t for the life of me think of any of their songs I’d could actually name the title of, though. There was one that was popular for a couple of months a few years back…
Now on the other hand, I liked Nickleback (another Canadian band) for a couple of years before their so-called break through hit “How You Remind Me” took over the airwaves. I still don’t understand why " Leader of Men" didn’t get more air play.
I’ve heard and love their one song “Blow at High Dough” thanks to my local PBS station airing the Canadian show “Industry” for a while.
I miss that show 
I’ve heard and love their one song “Blow at High Dough” thanks to my local PBS station airing the Canadian show “Industry” for a while.
I miss that show
Don’t they do a song called “The 100th Meridian” (Where the Great Plains Begin")?
They are OK in my book, I bought one of their CD’s years ago, haven’t heard hide nor tail of them since though.
They have a good following in chicago, where WXRT (chicagos finest rock) plays them quite regularly. gord is a freak. good songs, great show.