Here’s Your Nickelback— The Canadian Invasion By Rochelle Karina At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Formed in Alberta by Chad Kroeger on lead vocals and guitar, Mike Kroeger keeping the rhythm on bass, Ryan Peake playing guitar and backing vocals and then-drummer Brandon Kroeger (later replaced at the drums by Daniel Adair), Nickelback is probably one of the most definitive bands of the modern post-grunge era genre. They first hit the scene in the mid ‘90s with the 7-track EP “Hesher,” which was quickly followed by the full-length “Curb.”

They started out as a cover band but quickly tired of playing other people’s songs, so Chad Kroeger put together a collection of original works, borrowed money from family and headed to Vancouver to a friend’s studio. That work brought the band to Vancouver and later that year, “Hesher” and “Curb” were born and series of cross-country tours soon followed.

The release of “The State” in 2000 sparked a 200-date tour and propelled Nickelback from virtual unknowns to a band playing in front of over a million people and appearing alongside the likes of Creek, 3 Doors Down and Fuel.

Nickelback has, over the years, developed a pool of fans spanning the pop, hard rock, alternative and metal genres with some rather disparate celebrity artists embracing and collaborating with the band.

The Right Reasons

The 2005 release of the chart-topping record “All The Right Reasons” included a guest appearance by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. The song “Side of a Bullet,” inspired by death of friend Dimebag Darrell Abbott of Pantera, also includes some guitar outtakes by the rock guitarist.

“All The Right Reasons” came after a long time on the road, when the band got together in Chad’s studio to jam. They took their time and over seven months and countless hours produced 11 tracks of the most insistent, dynamic and diverse Nickelback songs to date. “Savin’ Me” introduced a piano to their musical mix, and surprisingly, it works. The band has evolved into a deeply personal and mature sound, while losing none of their cutting edge appeal.

With a series of Grammy nominations, Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Juno Awards, MuchMusic Video Awards and a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Group, Nickelback certainly don’t lack critical acclaim. The World Music Awards crowned Nickelback The Worlds’ Best Rock Band in 2006.

The band’s sound is hard-rock, somewhere between post-grunge and metal, and though early efforts were met with little success, Nickelback took off in 2002 with “How You Remind Me.” The band got their name thanks to bassist Mike Kroeger’s experience working in a certain coffee shop and repeatedly saying, “Here’s your nickel back” when handing a customer their change.

Partial Discography

1996Curb
2000The State
2001Silver Side Up (UK #1)
2003The Long Road (UK #5)
2005All The Right Reasons (UK #2)

Rockstars

Their album “All the Right Reasons” spawned a series of chart-topping hits with “Photograph,” “Animals,” Savin’ Me,” “Rock Star,” “Far Away” and “If Everyone Cared” all topping the charts at #1. The band donated all proceeds from their digital single “If Everyone Cared” to Amnesty International and International Childrens’ Awareness Canada.

Their most recent single, “Rockstar” off “All The Right Reasons,” has taken the charts by storm. With a growing list of popular hits, a string of movie soundtrack songs, including “Hero,” featuring Josey Scott of Saliva from Spider-Man and “Too Bad” from The Hills Have Eyes, and hugely popular concert tours, the band from Alberta has settled into success. Their sound and songs are better than ever and they’ve just announced a new tour for September 2008, hitting nine gigs across Germany, Ireland and England.

On the wave of all this success, the band announced a September European tour, including their first show at the O2 Arena in London.

Dates and Venues

8/9/2008Cologne ArenaCologne, Germany
9/9/2008SchleyerhalleStuttgart, Germany
12/9/2008Belfast OdysseyBelfast, Ireland
13/9/2008RDS SimmonscourtDublin, Ireland
15/9/2008ArenaManchester, England
16/9/2008ArenaSheffield, England
18/9/2008Birmingham NECBirmingham, England
19/9/2008O2 ArenaLondon, England
21/9/2008Wembley ArenaLondon, England

This is last to chance to catch Nickelback in Europe. After the tour, the band plans to close ranks and head home to Canada to begin work on album number six, which Roadrunner Records has scheduled for release in 2009.

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