Style
Nickelback's style can be described as alternative rock with a melodic undertone, modern arena rock sound; many claim there are also a small amount of heavy metal and country influences, while detractors of the band label them as a 'jock-rock' sound and malign the formulaic, bland nature of their compositions. The frontman Chad Kroeger is the dominant element; his vocals sustain the songs through verse and hook.
As with many bands, Nickelback's lyrics primarily deal with intimacy. Earlier albums included songs discussing problems such as parental desertion and domestic abuse. They seldom if ever speak metaphorically.
Their fifth album, All the Right Reasons (2005), sees a change in their subject matter. Kroeger deals with nostalgia, friendships and the passage of time in one of the 2005 singles, "Photograph". "Rockstar" has the band reflecting on the consequences of their new status as recognized musicians and is a typical grunge style attack on commercialisation and manufactured artists. The album, however, has received negative reviews. All Music Guide called Nickelback "unspeakably awful" in the album's critical review.[4]
Nickelback was the main support act for Bon Jovi on the European & American legs of the latter's "Have a Nice Day Tour" in 2006.
Issues
In 2003, an internet meme pokes fun at the similarities between the song How You Remind Me and Someday, referred to as "How You Remind Me of Someday". Chad Kroeger, on the official Nickelback website said of the album The Long Road, "We've pushed things further in every way possible. Fans of real rock music are in for a surprise."
A student from Vancouver, Canada, however, synchronised the two songs together, showing that both songs appear to be of nearly identical length (indeed, both songs last 3 minutes with just a few seconds difference between them). As well, the rhythms match almost perfectly in syncopation. A British website put these two songs together in a similar fashion in a flash file,[5] where one song is played through the left speaker and one through the right.
In a press conference, bassist Mike Kroeger said to the Cleveland Free Times, "I think that's remarkable for someone to notice that there is a hit quality. If all hits sound the same, then sorry. When you are a band that has a distinct style such as us or AC/DC, that happens. When you have a distinct style, you run the risk of sounding similar."[6].
Nickelback is often the target of jokes and criticism on Australian radio show Get This on Triple M. Hosts Tony Martin and Ed Kavalee regularly point out the seemingly untalented singing style in which all the songs are merely shouted, the lack of variety in Nickelback songs, overly vulgar and descriptive language of a sexual nature and the odd references to 'paper back novels'.
Chad Kroeger was charged for drinking-and-driving on September 22, 2006 [1]. Kroeger was arrested in Surrey, British Columbia on June 22, 2006 after RCMP stopped a car when officers became suspicious of the way it was being driven.
Members
Current members
- Chad Kroeger — lead vocals and lead guitar
- Ryan Peake — rhythm guitar and backing vocals
- Mike Kroeger — bass guitar
- Daniel Adair — drums and backing vocals
Former members
- Brandon Kroeger — drums (1996 — 1997)
- Ryan Vikedal — drums (2000 — 2003)
Discography
Albums
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artists
Nickelback DISCOGRAPHY
