Chuck Klosterman on the hatred of Creed & Nickelback

Citizen Zack

Really, really interesting read. I love Klosterman's stuff. He breaks about the universial hatred for Creed & Nickelback by attending each one's concert on the same night.

http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7846322/taking-concert-doubleheader-creed-nickelback-world-most-hated-bands

The part where he breaks down Chad Kroger as a musician/writer is hilarious. Love the footnote about 'genius.'

Stardog3..

"I don't mean genius like Einstein. I mean genius like Nikki Sixx."

Citizen Zack

Stardog3.. wrote:

"I don't mean genius like Einstein. I mean genius like Nikki Sixx."

That's the one. Hilarious. The concept is really intriguing though - this guy and his band play sold out shows to over-the-top die hard fans, yet all they get asked about is why everyone hates them so much (because basically everyone does). And I think Klosterman nails it with the explanation of how people can hate them arbitrarily and will almost never be asked to justify the hatred. It's just univerally acceptable to hate those bands. It must be a very surreal existence for them - so hated, yet so rich and famous.

erocshifty

I FREAKIN LOOOOVE HIS BOOKS! currently reading Eating The Dinosaur, and have read all of his others, except Downtown Owl. he cracks me up & is genious at the same time! going to the link now. THANKS!

facepollution

Interesting read, but I can easily explain why I dislike their music so much..........

Back in the early 90's when I got into rock music, the biggest bands around were bands like Nirvana, R.E.M, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden. These bands brought something new to the table, of course they gave nods to their influences, but they did something new and creative with it.

Then if you go back further to the 60's, 70's and 80's, the biggest bands around were bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, U2, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N Roses etc. Real trailblazers. I'm not saying there wasn's crap music around then too, but those crap bands never eclipsed the talent - the cream rose to the top.

Now take bands like Creed and Nickelback. Yes they obviously have some talent, they are clearly proficient at playing and writing popular songs, but there is little to no creativity involved. To me it feels cynical and contrived.

I read a piece by Michael Beinhorn (the guy who produced Soundgarden's Superunknown amongst other stuff), talking about the difference between 'good' and 'great' music and I found myself totally agreeing with him. At some point in the late 90's the great bands retreated into the background, and where a new crop of great bands should have taken their place, it was actually the mediocre second rate bands that floated to the top.

Cut to today, and the state of popular rock is pretty depressing. I literally can't think of a single decent popular rock band that has emerged in the last ten years. At a push I would say Kings Of Leon started off very promisingly, but there's no denying they are in danger of crushing their own legacy with their increasing mediocrity. I'm not saying there isn't great music around, but none of these great bands are as popular as they should be - as their 60's, 70's, 80's,90's counterparts were. Therefore we are left with our huge bands being largely mediocre, or older artists.

Rant over

mfc2006

I have no idea what "Something in Your Mouth" is about (I'm guessing dentistry school).

Citizen Zack

facepollution wrote:

Interesting read, but I can easily explain why I dislike their music so much..........

Back in the early 90's when I got into rock music, the biggest bands around were bands like Nirvana, R.E.M, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Soundgarden. These bands brought something new to the table, of course they gave nods to their influences, but they did something new and creative with it.

Then if you go back further to the 60's, 70's and 80's, the biggest bands around were bands like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, U2, The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N Roses etc. Real trailblazers. I'm not saying there wasn's crap music around then too, but those crap bands never eclipsed the talent - the cream rose to the top.

Now take bands like Creed and Nickelback. Yes they obviously have some talent, they are clearly proficient at playing and writing popular songs, but there is little to no creativity involved. To me it feels cynical and contrived.

I read a piece by Michael Beinhorn (the guy who produced Soundgarden's Superunknown amongst other stuff), talking about the difference between 'good' and 'great' music and I found myself totally agreeing with him. At some point in the late 90's the great bands retreated into the background, and where a new crop of great bands should have taken their place, it was actually the mediocre second rate bands that floated to the top.

Cut to today, and the state of popular rock is pretty depressing. I literally can't think of a single decent popular rock band that has emerged in the last ten years. At a push I would say Kings Of Leon started off very promisingly, but there's no denying they are in danger of crushing their own legacy with their increasing mediocrity. I'm not saying there isn't great music around, but none of these great bands are as popular as they should be - as their 60's, 70's, 80's,90's counterparts were. Therefore we are left with our huge bands being largely mediocre, or older artists.

Rant over

I agree 100% - I too got into rock in the early 90s and fell in love with PJ, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Blind Melon, AIC, Smashing Pumpkins. They were great bands to get into as a youngster. Flash forward 20 years and popular bands tend to be pretty generic. Like he wrote in the article, there's pretty much a formula for popular songs and Kroger has somehow mastered it. I can't stand his music, but he's definitely found that money making zone and is milking it for all it's worth. Can't say I blame him.

But I think that part of the point of the article was to show how it's trendy to hate those bands, even if you have no reason or know nothing about them. Some have their reasons, others just hate them because it's the thing to do.

Stardog3..

Citizen Zack wrote:

Like he wrote in the article, there's pretty much a formula for popular songs.

Dave Grohl can teach you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oojzmjJ3ugE

facepollution

Citizen Zack wrote:

But I think that part of the point of the article was to show how it's trendy to hate those bands, even if you have no reason or know nothing about them. Some have their reasons, others just hate them because it's the thing to do.

Yeah I hear what you're saying, some people do rely on the popular opinion to form their own. That said, I think anybody who had any serious knowledge of the history of music would tell you that despite their success, Nickelback will never be remembered as a pioneering or creative band.

mydogmookieblaylock

that was a good read - and spot on with the 5 bands its totally okay to hate

Citizen Zack

facepollution wrote:

Citizen Zack wrote:

But I think that part of the point of the article was to show how it's trendy to hate those bands, even if you have no reason or know nothing about them. Some have their reasons, others just hate them because it's the thing to do.

Yeah I hear what you're saying, some people do rely on the popular opinion to form their own. That said, I think anybody who had any serious knowledge of the history of music would tell you that despite their success, Nickelback will never be remembered as a pioneering or creative band.

Spot on. It's hard to imagine a classic rock station 25 years from now doing a run of Black Dog, Smoke on the Water, Even Flow, Purple Haze, Black Hole Sun, Smells Like Teen Spirit, My Generation, Something In Your Mouth...

facepollution

Citizen Zack wrote:

Spot on. It's hard to imagine a classic rock station 25 years from now doing a run of Black Dog, Smoke on the Water, Even Flow, Purple Haze, Black Hole Sun, Smells Like Teen Spirit, My Generation, Something In Your Mouth...

On a side note......I'm aware there are people on here who happily lump Foo Fighters in with bands like Nickelback. Whilst they might not be the most creative band ever, they do have some 'great' material, and you never get the impression that they are doing it for any other reason than the sheer love of making music.

erocshifty

when i first heard creed, i thought they were hacking pj, aic & soundgarden all at the same time. then singing about not having to settle a goddamned score, while living under the reign of 1 king?!? contradictory & ripoffs. when i first heard nickelback, i thought the singer recorded his vocals whilst trying to force a shit out! however, rockstar is a guilty pleasure...i am ashamed to admit. i do hate all 5 of the bands that it's ok to hate, ironically...great article, thanks again. i found another one about UK that i sent to family that live in lexington, ky & worship that school. if anybody out there hasn't read klostermans books, do yourself a favor & pick them up. start with Fargo Rock City or Killing Yourself To Live. if you are between the ages of 35-45, you will be transported back in time!