Avril Lavigne Engaged to Nickelback's Chad Kroeger

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

As much as I loathe Nickelback, as individual musicians away from their bread and butter gig they are all excellent musicians. As per your example, Chad Kroeger knows (having bothered to learn) enough about music to understand he has the vocal range (lowest to highest note sung well) of a Rubbermaid bin, and somehow found a way to carve hit after hit after hit. Why? Excellent technical composer. Outstanding, really, and as much as I loathe to admit it.

I think this is a fair comment. I would never say he is not talented. I just don't find his work very interesting.

[OilKiller]

Every single guy who has posted something witty or derogatory in this thread would give his left nut to change places with Chad Kroeger and have that fame and money. Every one.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

The points that have been mentioned about substantially better and more talented artists being ignored while those who engage in what I like to call "Music Mad Libs" are much bigger stars annoys those of us who are fans of the smaller artists.

Yes but would those artists be as good if put into the mainstream? Would they sell out and make crappy music? Some probably would. Or maybe they become just as famous to the point that they are always in your face and everyone talks about them ad nauseum and you become the hipster that liked them before they were cool.

Sometimes the cool part about those lesser known bands is the fact that no one knows about them really. Yeah as fans we'd like to see them gain more popularity so we could maybe go see them more often or whatever. But I know I go into a rage-fit when someone tells me how awesome Oasis is and when I ask what their favorite song they say "Wonderwall". "Ok, Wonderwall's pretty sweet, i think they have a lot of better tunes but to each their own. What other songs do you like of theirs?" ".... other songs?.."

[troutman]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Every single guy who has posted something witty or derogatory in this thread would give his left nut to change places with Chad Kroeger and have that fame and money. Every one.

Not me. Some people want to make art, and fame and money are irrelevant motivations.

[The Yen Man]

I guess my argument (and always has been) is what's considered technically good vs. good measured in enjoyment are two different things, and you can't deny that Nickleback makes music that appeal to the masses. If I had the choice between being able to make good technical music that few know how to enjoy or music that will me popular with the masses (and hence rake in millions of dollars), I would choose the latter over the former 10 times out of 10.

You can argue doing the former means leaving a good legacy, and doing the latter means ridicule, but as a guy who doesn't believe in religion, I really don't care once I'm worm food what kind of legacy I leave behind since I'll be dead anyways. What's important is raking in the millions so I can enjoy this life before it ends.

The other argument is self fulfillment in creating something good, which honestly I think I would get more self fulfillment driving my Ferrari or partying with hot chicks, but I guess that's why I'm not a musician. Realistically they're both selfish in that rather than revel in the praise and butt kissing from critics and music snobs, I get to revel in the millions of dollars I'd be making. I guess what I'm saying is, given the chance, I'd be a total sellout and not even ashamed to admit it.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by troutman

Not me. Some people want to make art, and fame and money are irrelevant motivations.

Agreed. I think it was an interview with Eddy Van Halen I was watching and he said "If you're goal is to be rich or famous you've already failed. You'll never get there. Do what you do, and if people like it, great1 If they dont, who cares?"

Not a direct quote, and it could have been Eddy Vedder too, but the point stands.

[johnnyrocket03]

I wonder if their wedding will be as expensive as Champions...

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by troutman

Not me. Some people want to make art, and fame and money are irrelevant motivations.

Easy to say standing where you are now and the "cool" stance, but OK, that's one.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

You can argue doing the former means leaving a good legacy, and doing the latter means ridicule, but as a guy who doesn't believe in religion, I really don't care once I'm worm food what kind of legacy I leave behind since I'll be dead anyways. What's important is raking in the millions so I can enjoy this life before it ends.

Yes but could you enjoy your life if what youre doing isn't enjoyable? Music starts as a hobby for anyone. The people that can turn it into a career obviously work very hard (generally) to create their own visions of music. Now if your whole career is built on you making music that you yourself don't even enjoy listening to or playing, whats the point?

Not to mention that if you're playing music youe don't like, you're probably doing a crappy job of it, regardless of how good you are.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Easy to say standing where you are now and the "cool" stance, but OK, that's one.

More like two

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Yes but would those artists be as good if put into the mainstream? Would they sell out and make crappy music? Some probably would. Or maybe they become just as famous to the point that they are always in your face and everyone talks about them ad nauseum and you become the hipster that liked them before they were cool.

Sometimes the cool part about those lesser known bands is the fact that no one knows about them really. Yeah as fans we'd like to see them gain more popularity so we could maybe go see them more often or whatever. But I know I go into a rage-fit when someone tells me how awesome Oasis is and when I ask what their favorite song they say "Wonderwall". "Ok, Wonderwall's pretty sweet, i think they have a lot of better tunes but to each their own. What other songs do you like of theirs?" ".... other songs?.."

Thats not the approach to take though. The approach should be people discovering the band and appreciating it, not the band modifying its sound to develop a greater audience. The White Stripes are a perfect example, never changed their approach to making music, but over time people discovered they were pretty awesome. Nickelback's first two albums sound nothing like everything after "How You Remind Me", suggesting the artist took the shortcut to popularity (i.e. abandoning their musical values for profit). I actually don't care when bands do this, so long as they don't mind all the labels that come with that.

I do agree that its nice to keep some bands a secret and having them be smaller time can make their appeal greater. And if you go the White Stripes route where people simply discover you and you become bigger, than thats cool. I was thrilled when the White Stripes started getting more recognition, because they didn't betray themselves musically to make it happen. Can't say the same for Nickelback.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Easy to say standing where you are now and the "cool" stance, but OK, that's one.

It may stun you, but not everyone is driven by money and fame. Daniel Day-Lewis is probably the best actor of the last 30 years and I don't see him out there seeking out fame and fortune. He seeks out quality projects first and foremost, and over time has become fairly famous and probably nicely rich.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Easy to say standing where you are now and the "cool" stance, but OK, that's one.

Many people make music because they are creatively driven. It has nothing to do with being cool. Very few musicians make much money. They drive around the country in vans, and sleep in the homes of strangers on the floor. It is hard to explain why they do this, other than they are following their muse. They will create music whether or not they get paid for it. It is a passion.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

More like two

LOL...yeah, I knew it would go like this the second I hit post. Oh well, again, easy to post that not being able or offered the change in real life.

Nickleback is what it is. I've liked some of the music and hated some of it, but no one can deny the success for a little band from Hanna, AB. When I first heard 'How you Remind me', I knew it would be HUGE. Good for Chad and the band. They keep creating music that is not only played a lot in Canada on every type of station (some because it needs to be played, while more because it simply has become a hit), but the fact that the States keeps playing them and a lot and they keep churning out hits in the States where they don't "have" to play them tells me they are doing something right and good on them. Good for a Canadian band I say.

[Coach]

Yeah I agree with you Senator. Thats why I'm happy with what's happening with the Black Keys. They had like 4 or 5 smaller Eps and LPs before they started to get recognition and now they are blowing up. It actually gives me hope for music that bands like them and Jack White are gaining more and more popularity. It shows that people are sick of the crappy, fabricated pop music and want something more raw and real.

God the blues is awesome!

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It may stun you, but not everyone is driven by money and fame. Daniel Day-Lewis is probably the best actor of the last 30 years and I don't see him out there seeking out fame and fortune. He seeks out quality projects first and foremost, and over time has become fairly famous and probably nicely rich.

No, it doesn't stun me, and I understand not all are motivated by the same thing, but I would say that some would simply not be truthful in the event it doesn't look "cool". No one in particular, just some I would bet.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

LOL...yeah, I knew it would go like this the second I hit post. Oh well, again, easy to post that not being able or offered the change in real life.

Nickleback is what it is. I've liked some of the music and hated some of it, but no one can deny the success for a little band from Taber, AB. When I first heard 'How you Remind me', I knew it would be HUGE. Good for Chad and the band. They keep creating music that is not only played a lot in Canada on every type of station (some because it needs to be played, while more because it simply has become a hit), but the fact that the States keeps playing them and a lot and they keep churning out hits in the States where they don't "have" to play them tells me they are doing something right and good on them. Good for a Canadian band I say.

Just to show you what sellouts they are, they're from Vancouver. Ask them. It was better for helping them sell records. No lie there. Chad didn't call it 403 records, he called it 604 for a reason.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Nickleback is what it is. I've liked some of the music and hated some of it, but no one can deny the success for a little band from Taber, AB. When I first heard 'How you Remind me', I knew it would be HUGE. Good for Chad and the band. They keep creating music that is not only played a lot in Canada on every type of station (some because it needs to be played, while more because it simply has become a hit), but the fact that the States keeps playing them and a lot and they keep churning out hits in the States where they don't "have" to play them tells me they are doing something right and good on them. Good for a Canadian band I say.

I agree that Nickleback maybe gets a bad rap. I like to compare them to (and I'll get flamed for this) to the AC/DC of our generation. Not in talent or anything. But both bands spit out formulaic party rock that people love to jump around and get wasted too.

But I think they're hatred gets overblown in Canada BECAUSE theyre so famous. People outside of Canada associate our type of music with Nickleback because its the biggest group from here. When I would much rather be associated with groups like Sam Roberts, or the Arkells. Bands that I feel convey the type of attitudes of Canadians much more than Nickleback.

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Just to show you what sellouts they are, they're from Vancouver. Ask them. It was better for helping them sell records. No lie there. Chad didn't call it 403 records, he called it 604 for a reason.

Theyre actually from Hanna, not Taber. And they moved to Van early in their career for more exposure, like any smart group would do. Being in Hanna, or even Calgary for that matter, was not going to get them very far. You have to go where the people can see/hear you.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by MattyC

I agree that Nickleback maybe gets a bad rap. I like to compare them to (and I'll get flamed for this) to the AC/DC of our generation. Not in talent or anything. But both bands spit out formulaic party rock that people love to jump around and get wasted too.

Not sure why anyone would flame you for the comparision. It's literally a perfect comparison. I think the difference has a lot to do with the lyrics (AC/DCs are very much tongue in cheek; Nickelback's are often dumb and sometimes borderline misogynistic) and attitude (Chad is probably in rocks 3 biggest A-Holes), but otherwise they both have a formula they follow, it works for them to sell records, and their fans like it.

[Coach]

Well AC/DC is a legendary group with loyal life-long fans everywhere. And comparing them to a crappy generic rock band from today can cause a stir haha.