In a new interview with the Edmonton Journal, singer/songwriter Chad Kroeger reveals the group is well aware of how they are perceived – that is, largely negatively except for the millions that have scooped up their records and made them arena headliners.
But they’re OK with the haters. Really… even the Black Keys who infamously slagged the band, saying "rock n'roll was dying because people were OK with Nickelback"
Speaking to the Journal, Kroeger jokes, "We may be dead by then but I think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will probably show up the same time as our first Grammy."
He also spoke about the fan protests that took place when his band was announced as the half-time entertainment at the football game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers over American Thanksgiving last year, saying that the NFL authorities couldn't have been happier.
He joked: "When the whole thing was going on with the petition and, you know, the NFL was calling us twice a day going, 'Oh, my God, we're so happy. The viewership just went up by 15 million.'"
For those keeping score, the band - Chad Kroeger (guitar/vocals), Mike Kroeger (bass), Ryan Peake (guitars/vocals) and Daniel Adair (drums) - broke through globally with its third CD, the 2002 release Silver Side Up, which included the hit "How You Remind Me," Billboard magazine's "Hot 100 song of the year" for 2002.
Since then, the multi-platinum albums and hit singles have kept coming, most recently with the 2005 album All The Right Reasons selling 10 million copies worldwide and producing five hit songs. Then 2008's chart-topping Dark Horse delivered six hit singles, including the chart-topping “Gotta Be Somebody."
The band is now touring behind its 2011 album, Here and Now, which seems poised to be another platinum-seller, even if so far it hasn't had a blockbuster single. So while the haters hate, Nickelback just keeps on rocking.
It’s hard to argue with success.
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Who are the Black Keys??? No, seriously.
Posted by: MissLToe | 06/19/2012 at 09:24 PM
I totally agree with you MissLToe!!!
Posted by: Pumpkin | 06/20/2012 at 06:11 PM
their soulless, unoriginal brand of "music" should be banned. ratings or popularity has never equated to musical integrity or ingenuity. they are the reason i refuse to listen to the radio.
Posted by: mahoviak | 06/20/2012 at 06:30 PM
their song "Lullaby" I can't get enough of!!!
Posted by: K | 06/20/2012 at 07:18 PM
AC/DC also never "racked up heaps of critical kudos or music industry awards" but 40 years later and still one of the top arena rock bands in the world ......, the critics can flap their gums all they want, it's what the fans want that counts.
Posted by: Nothin' But Hot Air | 06/20/2012 at 07:55 PM
Nickleback is the bar against which all other rock bands are measured. NB is a Canadian Icon.
Posted by: Darcy Bell | 06/20/2012 at 08:05 PM
Never been a fan. They are the Nex-gen equivalent of Phil Collins. Same song different name, over and over and over and over and over andover and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over but the 16 yr old boys have to have something to listen to while their girlfriends watch Justin Bieber videos
Posted by: casual observer | 06/20/2012 at 08:09 PM
The main reason I dislike them is Chad Kroegers drunk driving conviction. Speeding in his Lamborghini with twice the legal limit.
That is blantant disregard for the safety of others and I don't care if it was 2am. There is no excuse for that.
This is why I will never, support this band.
Posted by: Tam | 06/20/2012 at 08:27 PM
nback can still go f themselves. still hated. useless talentless misogynist grunty pigs.
Posted by: nbacksux | 06/20/2012 at 08:33 PM
They are so mediocre, I wish they would retire!
Posted by: sara | 06/20/2012 at 09:03 PM
nickelback ARE AWESOME. i'm 55 from lethbridge ab. the band is from cowtown. ab. in my books nickelback stacks up right along side of johnny cash,april wine. for someone to hate them. well thats cause their, not right in the head.
Posted by: mike | 06/20/2012 at 09:10 PM
they are fantastic..they others are just jealous and why are other bands(black keys) bashing fellow musicians.
Posted by: michelle | 06/20/2012 at 09:29 PM
More power Nickelback. Most music critics don't pay tickets to see a show anyways. Forget the critics in North America. Just like what Bryan Adam said, North America is only 40 percent of the music market. Go out there and represent Canada.
Posted by: RockieG | 06/20/2012 at 10:23 PM
Oh and the infamous Nickelback-hating gruelling Dave Grohl should just "Foo" off...I mean really - who would he be without his dead ex-frontman anyway? Slagging other musicians like that is truly one of the most heinous, uncouth things I've heard a high profile so-called "professional" do since Kanye last offered his musical opinion publicly. I mean who are these people????
Posted by: CDB | 06/20/2012 at 10:59 PM
Any crap band that has radio airplay can do the same thing Nickelback does.
Nothing they do is actually an accomplishment or success.
Posted by: John | 06/21/2012 at 02:03 AM
So viewership went up 15 million because Nickelback played.
Ya think ego has anything to do with how you are perceived?
Posted by: Thestraightpoop | 06/21/2012 at 06:38 AM
If every song sounds the same, that means every song is good then! Because even the haters have found themselves humming along or singing along to at least one nickelback song. Millions of albums sold and arenas sold out EVERYWHERE they go. They must be doing something right. In due time, they will say "I told you so" to the musicians and bands that cut them down. And to tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you a Black Keys song to save my life so maybe they need to be a bit more supportive to other bands and oh I dont know, come up to Canada with some respect for our bands! I will NEVER purchase anything black keys related.
Posted by: Kim | 06/21/2012 at 03:38 PM
There are so many people in this world that you can sell garbage and enough people will buy it (and say dam this is garbage)that you'll still make money. Movies are a good example as well as Nickelback.
Posted by: This is garbage | 06/27/2012 at 01:54 PM
Did you know that Nickelback said in a interview that they had to "dumb down" thier lyrics so thier fans could understand what they were singing about. So basically they called all thier fans DUMB. LMAO
I find it so funny seeing you fans saying how great they are and wonder that maybe you really are that stupid. Maybe the band will write a book for you people "Nickelback for dummies". LMAO
Posted by: Chip | 06/27/2012 at 04:57 PM