Editorial: Hating Them For All The Wrong Reasons

In defense of Nickelback

Among the long list of things people hate for no reason (Michael Bay, Chihuahuas, Volkswagen Beetles, and every Tom Cruise movie ever), one group sits on a very high throne above them all for undeserved hate: Nickelback.

That’s right people, I am saying that Nickelback, one of the most hated things on the planet, king of the Internet memes, and laughing stock of Twitter comments, is actually one of the greatest bands to ever grace the music world. So before you all go lighting your torches and sharpening your pitchforks, allow me to explain.

First of all, Nickelback gets shots fired at them for nearly everything they do, no matter how small. But what a lot of you pop music sheep don’t know is that Nickelback is more successful than any of your talentless, egotistical, radio vacuums you call “good music” will ever dream to be. In the 22 years since being formed in 1995, Nickelback have sold over 50 million albums, making them the 11th best selling music act of the 2000s. All the while, becoming the 2nd best top-selling foreign act in the United States, behind only The Beatles, according to CTV News. Let’s see Wiz top that, please.

Also, many people also go about saying they have “no talent,” “all their songs sound the same,” and “they have no meaning.”

Wrong, wrong, and even more wrong!

Nickelback has generated so many memorable, and not to mention emotional, songs over the past couple of years. I mean come on, if “Far Away,”  “Lullaby,” or “Photograph” didn’t move you in the slightest of ways, you’re pretty heartless. They’re not only caring and supportive in their songs, but in real life, too. In fact, Kroeger and Co. have donated over $2 million to charities such as the Obakki Foundation, which was created by Nickelback co-founder Ryan Peake’s, wife, Treana Peake. Money was donated to the STOMP Out Bullying campaign as well. They’ve also donated 50,000 dollars to the BC Children’s Hospital during their WWE Tribute to the Troops performance.

Furthermore, Nickelback has found success in a wide array of musical styles. They were built on the basis of grunge rock, but have also played various instruments in tune with metal, alternative, pop rock, and ballads. They have also been respectful and honorable to past greats of music. In their 2005 song “Side of a Bullet,”a guitar solo was included from Chad’s friend and rock band Pantera guitarist, Dimebag Darrell. The song was written in remembrance of Darrell, who was murdered onstage during a concert. They have also made music with ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, Chris Daughtry, Tim McGraw, Timbaland, Santana, and even made a single for their cover of Don Henley’s “Dirty Laundry.” “We’re four people who love making music, the way we like to make it. We entered the studio this year with a vision, and it all came together. We’re extremely happy with the results, and can’t wait to share them with our fans,” said Kroeger when their 2012 album, Here and Now, dropped.

Lastly, if you tell someone in this day and age that Nickelback sucks, they’ll probably just tell you to shut up and hop off the bandwagon. Hating Nickelback was a bandwagon meme on the internet to begin, and you people have just blindly towed behind the hate train without a reason why. In fact, not even Nickelback cares if you hate them. They actually welcome your blind hate. When they announced they were performing the 2011 NFL Thanksgiving game in Detroit, there was a literal landslide of negativity towards them. There was even a petition signed to force them out of the game. The petition never even reached half of the signatures, AND Nickelback themselves came back with a Funny or Die video saying that they’re playing the show regardless of the resistance.

So in other words, if you’re someone who hates Nickelback for no reason, you can stay far away. They’re four guys who just want to be rock stars and scream “bottoms up.” But if you decide to wake up one day to GOOD music, pick up a Nickelback CD, and I’ll See You at the Show.

Little known fact: Nickelback’s Photograph was voted Class Song by the Tyrone High School Class of 2006