Chad Kroeger has belted out some very popular tunes as the lead singer of the Canadian rock
band Nickelback.
The band had no problem climbing to the top of the music charts in its heyday.
But soon enough, Kroeger and his band faced some serious backlash, as some fans became
fed up with Nickelback's repetitive lyrics and overall attitude.
As a result, Kroeger's name has largely stayed out of headlines, and his music barely makes
a dent these days.
Here are some of the reasons why you don't hear from Chad Kroeger anymore.
Cold crowds
When it was announced that Kroeger's band would be the headlining act for the Detroit
Lions' Thanksgiving day football game in 2011, football lovers were far from pleased.
An online petition to cancel Nickelback's performance garnered over 55,000 signatures
from people who wanted to keep the group away from the NFL.
In the end, angry ticket holders didn't get their wish and Kroeger was front and center
on the field to perform.
According to M Live, when the band was introduced, the crowd reportedly booed — and Nickelback
left the stage after one song.
With this much hate being sent his way, we can't really blame Kroeger if he's purposely
foregoing public appearances.
Dissing "average" people
Kroeger penned the 2006 smash hit "Rockstar" about the glamorous and gritty sides of fame,
and it sounded as if he had written an autobiographical tune.
However, in an interview with Men's Health, he admitted,
"[Rockstar] wasn't about my life or what I wanted my life to look like.
It was about how the average person conceptualizes being a rock star, which is kinda absurd."
Kroeger explained that his true fans would've realized right away that the lyrics were all
in jest, and went on to say,
"For the average listener, who just has music on in the background, they're probably not
going to pay too much attention.
Any irony falls on deaf ears."
By dissing the "average listener" and the "average person," Kroeger isn't just alienating
a portion of his fanbase — he's making it pretty hard to keep a positive presence in
the industry.
Not playing nice
Kroeger did an interview with Metal Covenant in 2017 in which he claimed Nickelback was
the most diverse band out there.
"Name me another band that could play, I would say, Stone Sour."
"Stone Sour?"
"Yeah, because they're trying to be Nickelback."
"They sound like Nickelback Lite."
Stone Sour's vocalist Corey Taylor heard Kroeger's harsh comments loud and clear and gave his
response to Exclaim, saying,
"I don't know what the hell planet [Kroeger's] living on […] Apparently it's Planet Kroeger,
and there must be good weed there, 'cause he's an idiot.
[...] He is not a liked person."
Youch.
Chart problems
There was once a time when Kroeger's jams reigned supreme on the Billboard charts.
"How You Remind Me" managed to peak at Number 1 on the Hot 100, while "Photograph" was able
to reach the Number 2 spot.
However, besides those two tracks, Kroeger has since struggled to secure the top spots,
despite consistently releasing music.
"When We Stand Together" maxed out at Number 44 on the Hot 100.
Similarly, "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" came to a screeching halt at Number 48.
So, has Kroeger disappeared?
Not at all.
However, his lack of presence at the top of the charts certainly coincides with his minimal
visibility in the mainstream media.
Recycled lyrics?
Clearly, not everyone's a fan of Nickelback's lyrics.
In November 2008, Toronto Now criticized the band's messages as well as the lead singer's
vocal abilities, saying,
"Kroeger's voice sounds more like a wounded goat than ever before, and their blatantly
recycled songs touch on familiar themes.
[...] The best evidence is on the song 'S.E.X.,' where Kroeger advocates rethinking consent."
The winning formula of glamorizing a fast and risqué lifestyle on their 2005 hit "Rockstar"
may have hit a home run for the band the first time around, but it's apparent that music
lovers have been growing sick and tired of the band's alleged promotion of terrible behavior.
"ACDC never reinvented the wheel.
They just keep making f---ing great songs."
Afraid to like him?
Despite selling over 50 million records worldwide, Kroeger is part of a band that everyone loves
to hate...
"Hey, play some good Nickelback songs."
"I'm sorry, Mark.
I'm afraid I can't do that."
...and he thinks it's been blown out of proportion.
He told CBC radio,
"We're not a cool indie band, we're not Arcade Fire.
[...] I don't think you're supposed to like us.
[...] Honestly, I even think the critics like Nickelback.
I honestly do.
[…] It's not like it's bad music, it's just music."
Kroeger could be right.
Even a Billboard review of their album No Fixed Address highlighted the reviewer's desire
to hate the music, which he wound up enjoying.
Perhaps if critics kept it real and gave the band some of the praise they deserved, others
might be more willing to do the same.
As bad as the haters can get, there's one thing Kroeger stands by:
"No one, and I know this is hard to believe, can make as much fun of us as we make fun
of ourselves, and we're harsh."
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