Blame Canada

As for Canadian bands that can't stand the administrative headache? There's always the promised lands of France, Spain, and Germany, since Europe tends to be a bit more receptive to foreign creatives. "I can make a comparable amount of money in Europe, and don't have to shell out $1,500 per person to get a visa," says Boeckner, who meanwhile is planning another go at the border for a few U.S. summer dates with both Handsome Furs and Wolf Parade. "It's hard, too, because if you talk to a lot of Canadian bands, touring Canada is a fucking pain in the ass—in the middle of the country, you're looking at a 10-hour drive between cities."

"Europe is great," Frog Eyes' Mercer effuses. "You come off the airplane and say, We're here! We're gonna rock! They say, Welcome."

Matt Moroz

Dan Boeckner of Handsome Furs, clearly posing no national security threat whatsoever

Details

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Handsome Furs, "What We Had" (MP3)
From Plague Park (Sub Pop)

Frog Eyes, "Bushels" (MP3)
From Tears of the Valedictorian (Absolutely Kosher)

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Handsome Furs (finally) play Mercury Lounge August 7, mercuryloungenyc.com