St. John's-based rock band Timber has struck gold once again in California. American primetime television has picked a song from Timber's brand new "College Daze" CD. The song "Machismo" was in the new primetime series "Grosse Point", which was aired in Canada on October 19 on The Global Network.
"Grosse Point" is a production from the same company that produces "Melrose Place", "Beverly Hills 90201" and "Sex in the City" for the WB Network. This is the third time in 11 months that Timber has received recognition from major television production houses in the U.S. Two songs from their debut CD release - "Foundering" and "Pretentious" - have aired on the Fox Network "Time of Your Life" series starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt.
"Being picked by the powerful WB Network is another feather in the cap for Timber," said drummer Greg Mercer. "Our resume is looking quite substantial these days with all the press attention and American exposure that we've received. Being included on a hip new sitcom is pretty cool. We had great success with the FOX Network and we are now hoping that WB Network will open some important doors for us."
In fact, Timber's success in the United States is forcing the band to re-examine its game plan in Canada. Despite making major inroads south of the border, Timber has not received any response from Canadian record labels and manager John Hutton is wrestling with what to do next.
"When companies like WB and the Fox Network sit up and take notice, from clear across the continent, you have to ask yourself: what are we doing trying to break into the Canadian market when the Americans have actually come seeking us out? I am really surprised that we haven't broken any ground in our back garden. Support from the Newfoundland radio stations has been overwhelming but it's hard for a Newfoundland rock band to break into the Canadian mainstream," Hutton said.
The band's challenge is to overcome stereotypes and redefine perceptions of what 'Newfoundland' music is, Hutton explained. "A band from Newfoundland that doesn't do Celtic music is a tough nut to crack. Being a rock band from Newfoundland poses different problems than, say, a rock band from Edmonton. How many times have I heard 'What do you mean you don't do any Irish music?' or 'How come you guys don't have a bodhran and fiddle?'"
Hutton says he will continue trying to gain a foothold in the Canadian market, but that emphasis will now switch to the U.S. "It would be nice to be recognized in your own country, but let's face it: the U.S. market is much larger and they've already given the band some amazing profile."
Meanwhile, Timber is touring relentlessly across Canada while writing new songs for the third album.
