Rock dies and comes back all the time. Each generation shocks it back to new life. It will echo their frustration and pain; it will celebrate with them.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…that’s what I’d like to think but:
Nickelback was the greatest rock band in the worst era of rock music (the dreaded 0’s). They produced hit after hit and set the standard for commercial success while the music industry got derailed by the monster of file sharing. Like a sophisticated factory fishing vessel wiping out the last of the great whales, Nickelback harpooned and sliced their way to the top with mechanical precision. They took everything and reached a saturation point that made them the pinnacle of rock music.
Is that bad?
Every form of entertainment needs a good villain.
While the general average public was busy supporting their favorite band by buying tickets and CD’s and downloads-we serious types were doing way too much of thinking what good taste we had and not supporting quality music with our hard earned dollars. We can learn a lot from Nickelback fans.
It is simple and it works.
This band was formed for the sole purpose of making hits and making money. You have to respect them for getting away with it.
“Nickelback is prefabricated emotionless garbage, I need my music to live on the edge” -O.K fine, but isn’t it good to have a band that shows young people that even with limited talent and zero originality- you can still make a good living as a RockStar?
Someone needs to set the standard in order for all the haters to respond with stuff of their own.
And are they really that bad or are we just piling on? Admit it Rock Fans- if 5FDP does a version of “Follow you Home”…all the kids would love it.
Or if M83 all of a sudden were the biggest selling group in the world-All “serious music fans” would dismiss them as just “a bunch of over-important artsy monk-chanting mixed with atmospheric disco”.
So thank you Nickelback for helping me see that music for the masses has a place in this world.
I still can’t listen to you but thank you.
Cave of Fame 
Now that’s a provocative title! Nice job as the devil’s advocate, reminiscent of Aaron Eckhart defending the tobacco industry in Thank You For Smoking. You’re right though (and I will join you in continuing to abstain from listening).
I have to give even the Nickelback lead singer credit – when told, Nickelback sucks, he replied “Nickelback doesn’t suck. Nickelback is very good at what they do.”
Thanks, I am glad this post is starting to get found (may be the best I have done) and you really got what I was going for. Everyone hates them for creating this monster when their intent all along was to create this monster. They get my begrudged respect for succeeding in a very difficult time for rock music.
Haha I can’t get enough of the last line. Great article as always Wayne. You took one of my most hated bands and gave me a whole new way of looking at them
Really like your blog, nominated you for the ABC Award, Info on my latest post. Have fun filling all of this out again. 🙂
Thanks for the honor! I will do it again…it is going to be a bit shorter and it may take me a while but I love the challenge! And you have an excellent blog yourself so I respect where this is coming from.
Thanks man!
Best post ever, I think I want to read it again and again.
Thanks! I first slammed classic rock fans, now I go after “serious” music fans…I think I have insulted my entire readership!!…
Wonderful!