Nickelback
Biography
Few bands did more than Nickelback to establish the force of slick, commercially minded post-grunge in the 2000s. Led by vocalist Chad Kroeger, the band initially emerged in the late '90s as Canada's answer to Creed, prizing a blend of gruff vocals and distorted (yet radio-friendly) guitars. After a handful of singles failed to gain much traction in Canada, "How You Remind Me" caught hold in 2001, eventually topping the charts in several countries while gathering four Grammy nominations and four Juno Awards. Creed imploded several years later, but Nickelback's popularity only grew as the decade progressed, effectively eclipsing those acts that had once informed the band's sound.
Chad Kroeger honed his frontman skills by performing with cover bands in Hanna, a small Canadian town 215 kilometers northeast of Calgary. After growing tired of playing other people's songs, he borrowed money from his stepfather and relocated to Vancouver, where he recorded his first batch of original material. Mike Kroeger, Chad's bass-playing sibling, decided to join his brother's band, as did fellow Vancouver transplants Ryan Peake (a guitarist who had befriended the Kroegers in middle school) and Ryan Vikedal (a drummer from Peake's hometown of Brooks, Alberta). Nickelback officially took shape in 1996 and quickly set to work, releasing two albums -- the Hesher EP and full-length album, Curb -- before the year was up. By 1998, the bandmates were managing themselves; Chad courted radio stations, brother Mike Kroeger handled distribution, Ryan Vikedal booked shows, and Peake maintained the band's website.
January 2000 saw the arrival of The State, Nickelback's second independent release. Issued at a time in which Canadian content requirements were increased (and, accordingly, local radio stations had begun to desperately seek out homegrown product), the album fared very well on indie charts. Nickelback toured ceaselessly in support of The State, logging approximately 200 shows while playing alongside other groups of the burgeoning post-grunge genre. Nickelback's commercial appeal wasn't lost on the record industry, either, and The State's distribution rights were quickly snapped up by Roadrunner Records in the U.S. and EMI in Canada. As the band continued to tour, Chad Kroeger kept writing new songs, many of which were honed in front of live audiences. Much of that material found its way onto Silver Side Up, which was produced by Rick Parashar (who came to prominence in the early '90s by helming Pearl Jam's Ten, Alice in Chains' Sap, and Blind Melon's self-titled debut) and recorded at Green House, the same Vancouver studio used during The State's creation. The combination of Nickelback's growing popularity and Kroeger's focused songwriting propelled Silver Side Up onto album charts across the world, spearheaded by the hit single "How You Remind Me." Kroeger capitalized on that exposure by producing another Vancouver-based band, Default, and collaborating with Saliva's Josey Scott for the Spiderman soundtrack. The Long Road then arrived in 2003, featuring an increasingly polished sound and another high-charting single, "Someday." While some listeners criticized the apparent similarities between "Someday" and "How You Remind Me," The Long Road had little trouble maintaining Nickelback's wide audience, eventually selling over five million copies worldwide.
In February 2005, Nickelback announced the departure of Ryan Vikedal. He was soon replaced by 3 Doors Down's former drummer, Daniel Adair, and Nickelback returned to Kroeger's studio in Vancouver to begin work on another album. ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and Pantera's Dimebag Darrell (who unfortunately died before the album's release) were guests on the chart-topping All the Right Reasons, which arrived in October 2005. The album proved to be Nickelback's most popular effort to date, remaining in the Billboard Top 30 for over two years and selling over 7 million copies in the U.S. alone. It also spawned five Top 20 singles, a feat that attracted the attention of veteran producer (and demonstrated hit-maker) Mutt Lange. Nickelback traveled to Lange's home in Switzerland to share songwriting ideas; impressed with the results, they also enlisted him to helm their next album. Recorded in a converted Vancouver barn, Dark Horse marked the band's sixth studio album upon its release in November 2008. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
They were better before Right Reasons, even though that had some awesome songs. Dark Horse just flat out sucked.
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I liked Nickelback before I knew who they were! I've always liked Far away then heard other songs by them.
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nickelback's 10 best songs:
1. Animals 2. Leader of Men 3. Far Away 4. Burn It To the Ground 5. Feelin' Way Too Damn Good 6. S.E.X. 7. Next Contestant 8. Figured You Out 9. Where Do I Hide 10. Follow You Home |
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I completly agree at least its good indicator on what kind of person your are talking to.
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well this basically is rap, just with a disguise of a different sound, it's just as talentless, soulless, and simple minded. they do a good job of keeping the double digit iq masses entertained.
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this band contributes more to the downfall of western society than any other band ever. except all those dumbass rappers
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My god, you all just hate them so passionately you can't keep it to yourself! You now, we really don't care how much you hate 'em, it's really annoying and you need a life. Or a fish, they always listen to you. :P
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I think you become your music though and if you want to only have drugs and no life then fine I dont really care its your life
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yup you're officially gay now.
but hey. i guess i'll be the better man and say that i'm putting an end to our fighting. |
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oh because their so bad i had to take the time to say that and up yours
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wow. you saying that if i protest your comment makes me an automatic f**got makes you a f**got. if you hate nickelback so much why do you come to their page? gosh i hate having to tell little a**holes like you (stargate) that they need their heads examined...
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Nickelback has no skill if you call what he does singing then you need to get your hearing checked because it isn't close only good thing is his voice will give out soon if he keeps chocking like that. if you protest to this you are an automatic f**got. oh and i don't have a choice since my bus plays it on the way to school. oh now im scared
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I agree wit mike hawk and you get a life noob and linkin park is 100000000000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 times ur mom beter
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thanks a ton mike hawk. just two comments below you robin shirley was politely asking haters like you to just stay the hell off of this site. and now you go bash again! do you even have a life?
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Every time I come on here sombody hateful has to say hateful comments about Nickelback. I loved Nickelback since 2004 any NIckelback haters if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all. because me and all the other fans appreciate them
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nickelback is awesome. it just takes too long for them to come out with a new cd. wish it could be one every six months...
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I just wish they would come to Central Florida more than once every 4 years or so.
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Nickelback is freakin awesome! For real, y'all. If you hate on them, then....you just don't appreciate good music.
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