Have you ever been surprised to find out a performer, band or author is from another country than the one you always assumed?

Yes.for the longest time I thought Bono was from Lilliput. ;)

Queensryche-At first I thought they were British because they have that NWOBHM sound in their songs (twin guitar attacks and vocals similar to Bruce Dickinson’s), but I was quite surprised when I found out they were actually American.

Elton John’s roots are in Uranus….ouch sounds painful, here’s me thinking he hailed from Watford, England.

Finger Eleven, Canadian

The Killers on their first album, Hot Fuss. I thought for sure that they were British, but they’re actually American. I think they just did the slight accent thing on purpose.

The band in Spinal Tap was very convincing as the not-too-bright Brits. And Hugh Laurie does the best American that I have heard, although I like him better when he uses his tosh real accent.

@gailcalled I’m with you on the Hugh Laurie bit.

I’m often surprised at the quality of bands coming from the Netherlands (who turn out to in fact only really be known in the Netherlands). Of course, me not being a native speaker of English probably helps in not recognizing a Dutch accent.

Long time ago i was surprised that a particular band whose music i enjoyed actually are from right here in South Africa. I was so used to only listening to American and maybe UK music and assumed nothing good (music wise) could come from SA (probably because we don’t make good movies on the scale the US does, so i assumed the same goes for music).

Yes. At this point if a celebrity is really funny, I just default assume they are from Canada. Specifically Jim Carrey & Phil Hartman, but others.

And if there is a new uber-hot starlet, chances are not small she is from Vancouver, BC.

Must be something in the water.

Peter North is a Canadian fer christ sakes. How can this be?

The Canucks always have some ringer hanging around, unbeknownst.

@Vincentt I often feel the same way, though most of them fall apart after a few years. And guys like frans bauer and gerard joling make me want to kill myself.

I thought “Weird Al” Yankovic was Canadian for the longest time. I was also surprised when I found out AC/DC was Australian—Australia just seemed like a weird place for anybody to be from.
And I was also surprised how many English-speaking musicians are from Scandanavia… Hey! I think I have a question to ask…

I met and had drinks with a most wonderful band – from Holland – who you’d think from their English – weren’t. Here’s a light clip (audio only), enjoy

@zen_ That song is a keeper. It’s the kind that needs to be played when there is room to dance about in the room. Thanks for sharing.

@Pied_Pfeffer All their songs are great and a cappella.