Hate to Love: Nickelback

I can see a lot of comments stating "I never understood the Nickelback hate" Well as someone who grew up and witnessed it in real time the backlash was never because they were "played on radio too much", it all started with the cringe now and cringe then single "Figure you out" - which was misogynistic trash sandwiched between a couple of written for radio ballads, which lyrically read like theyre from another band.

If you watch this documentary you just come away with the thought that they're just a bunch of great guys who worked real hard and just got backlash because of social media hate . Might all be true, but even the reason and controversy of them firing their original drummer is completely avoided (look up wikipedia for the truth, it wasnt because 3 doors down just had a better drummer), but in this it's all hugged out and forgiven, which is such a stark gap in the story I had to go google straight away. Also the drummer has horrible facial hair, a pre request for all the Pearl Jam light bands of that era so I guess he completed things.

The first 30 minutes is very good, looking at their beginnings in a small town and extra hard hustle to be a success (a good note for anyone actually wanting to be in a successful music act - you have to put in the complete focus of hours and sweat with little return to even have a chance of taking off). But after that anything that's deep and dark with their history is completely skipped over to just continue to pump up the band's image like they dont expect any of us to google.

Nickelbacks over the top hate might have been unfair, but it was certainly earned. Maybe this doc will change things, because most people are too lazy to even google on the same phone they're watching the thing. Guess we'll see.

And with the interviews with the bottom price lawyer - he's an old man wearing sunnies inside trying to be a cool dude, even that is cringe.

I don't love or hate Nickelback. I liked This is How You Remind me when it came out all those years ago, but I stopped listening to them shortly after.

However, I think I like them less after watching this documentary.

Here are some of the reasons why:

The lyrics to some of their songs deserve the derision they earned the band. Chad claims they are "risque" but they're just crude and corny. There was no attempt to justify or explain these lyrics.

The attitude of Chad Kroeger ("I'm great at getting out of trouble")' is.deserving of scorn. This a 50 year old man acting in a cringeworthy manner.

The documentary didn't even mention the lawsuits related to the firing of the drummer. Apparently it was over songwriting royalties, which would make Chad Kroeger crude, cringeworthy, and greedy.

There was no self reflection as to why people disliked them. It was just dismissed as nasty online trolls, which is only part of the truth.

However, there were some parts that made me feel sympathetic towards the rest of the band. Bullying kids because their father is in Nickelback is not acceptable. It's sad that that happened.

But apart from that, I came away very unimpressed and unsympathetic. The music is crude, the lead singer is cringe, and they lack self awareness as to why they are disliked.

An intriguing documentary of the power of friendship, palpable among themselves and then shared with their audience consistently. The movie highlights the challenges to that bond through the trials of fame, especially after being attacked by so many out of what can only be jealousy on a mass scale. The strength of the personality of the band leader Chad and likeability of the members sets the stage for partying in the best sense, keeping the intent intense but fun. I had been to only one concert but really felt like I would like to reexperience what they offer even though I've left my Woodstock days pretty far behind me.

Listen, facts are facts. They have one of the largest fan bases ever, not only in Canada but the World. If I were a wealthy and successful as these guys I would LOVE TO BE HATED!!! I seriously doubt that the haters of Nickelback have ever been to one of their shows. They pack so much energy and stage presence that there are few who could top them. Hit after Hit after Hit...So proud to call them kick ass Alberta boys...well Daniel we will adopt you into this great province!!!

Because it appears people have forgotten, Nickelback became hated because they refused to perform at a charity concert at the last minute unless they got paid more. A charity concert.....now they're desperate to come up with other excuses for why people started to hate them.

They were very popular when they first came out but then their personalities started to show. That's okay though, it's 2024 and everyone is a victim in the world of avoiding responsibility for your actions.

Aside from that they're what Green Day became except Nickelback became pop much quicker once in the limelight. Don't blame others for your bad choices and greedy nature.