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Nickelback: There are just different characters around the world

KindaMuzik sat down backstage with Ryan Vikedal, drummer for Nickelback, and tried to peek behind the surface of this popular contemporary "rock" act.

Tekst: Sven Schlijper

Publicatiedatum: 11 oktober 2002

On today's music television, neo-grunge's rather commercial rock acts — following the examples of bands like Bush and Live, who attracted faithful flocks of fans far larger than the bands they drew their inspiration from — seem to rule the airwaves. Alongside nu-metal's pumped-up "anger" of, and for, teenage kids and deadbeat losers, easily digestible melodic rock seems to be all about looks and catchy hooks. Marketing departments at record labels do exactly what they're paid for, perfectly along the all-American lines of: The audience doesn't need to get what it wants; make the largest possible audience want what it gets. So, let the kids think Band X is all that, through an extreme campaign, and collect the little fellows' pocket money. Even on the left side of the musical specter, where the Lowlands Festival used (!) to reside, program-wise, there is no escaping the mass market editions of what used to be something special called rock music. For this year's edition, the Lowlands Festival managed to contract one of the most popular, present day mainstream, commercial rock acts: Nickelback. You'll be sure to know them . . . along the chorus line: "This is how you remind me . . . "

Before the raving audience — gathered in Lowland's main stage Alpha tent — got the chance to scream its sixteen-year-old lungs out, KindaMuzik sat down backstage with Ryan Vikedal, drummer for Nickelback, and tried to peek behind the surface of this popular contemporary "rock" act. Rather surprisingly though, this man, playing in one of the most appalling bands I've ever had the displeasure of hearing, was a very pleasant chat partner. We talked through Nickelback's touring happenings, influences and music history. The results? See below.

What do you consider to be the best show Nickelback has ever played?
"That's tough, because there are so many special places and amazing crowds, and I don't want to pick one in particular, per se, as that might seem as if I am dismissing audiences elsewhere. But probably the most special show for us was our homecoming gig, after Nickelback made it huge all over the world, when we played in Edmonton for, like, 15,000 people in the hockey arena. A lot of friends and family were present there, and we had this one professionally recorded for future release on DVD. Right now, the DVD is in the final stages of editing, but there is no set release date, as of yet."

What would be your worst concert experience ever?
"Sometimes circumstances aren't that good, and you play a bad show, or at least we feel like it wasn't okay. But the absolutely worst . . . you might be referring to the incident we had in Portugal at a festival . . . about a week ago. I mean, when people drink a lot, things can get out of hand and ugly, and we truly believed we could win this crowd, but with the bombardment of beer, it was just too much and we decided to quit. Which is hard and a pity, 'cause we didn't get a chance to show the people over there some more. But there are no hard feelings towards the Portuguese. We would love to go back over there and convince them we do deserve at least the chance, which we didn't even get this time."

Earlier on, you most certainly opened for other acts, maybe later on still. What's the weirdest headliner you've opened for?
"No doubt, that would have to be the all-out rock circus of KISS! Absolutely an amazing rock act, with the enormous show aspect and bravado. We opened for others too, like 3 Doors Down, and Stone Temple Pilots, and at yesterday's Pukkelpop Festival we technically 'opened' for Jane's Addiction, an all-time favorite band of mine. Again and still, they pulled off a great set, as I was able to see, briefly before we had to leave for Holland."

What gig sticks out in your memory as the best you've ever seen?
"Oh yeah! Definitely Metallica, on their And Justice For All tour! With the Cult opening and getting booed off stage. Another great memory is seeing Oysterhead live. And a very special one was Tool. These guys not only play a superb form of metal rock music, but are also able to raise excitement and tension in their long compositions, as no other. With the movies on the huge screens, their show is certainly one of the very best."

Being on tour quite a lot, you must have seen many crowds. What is the best place to play?
“Again, there is no good or bad place, per se. There are just different characters around the world. European audiences give us a lot of inspiring energy feedback, because of their singing along and enthusiasm. Japan is totally off-the-wall, altogether. Amazing dedication to the music, but very controlled, and disciplined too. Quiet during the songs, but blowing the roof off in-between. Japan is a land where most bands are completely blown away by the reactions, and I must agree it is something very, very special over there."

Having toured the world now, where would you still like to play?
"That would be South Africa, and the southern parts of Asia. And I think that will work out eventually. We played all over the world this tour, and on some pretty special locations, too. So there will most definitely be some shows in areas bands normally don't play. And for Nickelback, there is literally no place we wouldn't play, as we strive to entertain all people open to music and having a good time with us."

Let's talk about some bands you like, were fans of, or regard to be influential<
"First of all, I have been a huge fan of Red Hot Chili Peppers for years, and their latest record is playing virtually non-stop in the tour bus. Just an amazingly funky and rocking group still going strong. I listen to Bob Marley, CCR, but also to the old-school Metallica, as I don't like the Loaded/Reloaded and Garage Inc. style so much. U2, everybody's favorite, can never go wrong with me either. And for the rest, loads of jazz of John Coltrane and Miles Davis, and some classical music."

Are there any new, up-and-coming bands worth checking out that you want to mention?
"We do get demos sent in and there are always some promising acts around. The best we've encountered so far is now signed to Chad's (lead singer) label. Chad helped their production and a release is due, but I can't give you any exact release date. Theory of a Madman is what they call themselves, and strong, melodic rock 'n' roll is their trade. They are a very good band, I must say."

Right, now I'd like to get some short reactions to the following bands . . .

Pearl Jam
"Changed the musical mind of a whole generation in the 1990s. Magnificent band, with only strong records from Ten till now. Seen them at Lolla-1992, where all the other greats of that era played: Porno for Pyros, Soundgarden, RHCP, Ministry. Amazing lineup of legendary bands. "

Limp Bizkit
"I like the heavy sound of the riffs, courtesy of Wes, but with him leaving the band, well . . . Sonically, it was a strong thing they had. "

TOOL
"Music as pure art. Absolutely inspiring band for their meticulous work ethic and Danny's control of the intrinsically complex and yet naturally flowing rhythms. We do want to put on a highly entertaining show, but the artful videos of Tool don't fit Nickelback, so we will be working on a huge pyro show, like tonight. "

Creed
"Never been a fan. It's not about liking or disliking them, but it doesn't work for me on an emotional level, it doesn't hit a nerve for me. It just misses the blues elements I like so much in Nickelback. "

The Smashing Pumpkins
"One of the very cool, rather artful too, but different than Tool. Great band from the '90s. I discovered their sound first, somewhere early on, when I heard some demos of stuff sounding like The Cure, just when the Pumpkins were getting out of the underground of Chicago. Amazingly powerful sound; one of the very best. "

The Cure
"Is still on high rotation and very highly appreciated. Although I was never into goth, I really loved their music and the atmosphere they are able to create. "

Bush
"Like Creed, It's not bad, but it won't work for me. "

Nine Inch Nails
"Basically a one man band, but the intensity is enormous! Trent Reznor is one of the last musical geniuses of today. "

David Bowie
"Bowie has never let me down as a songwriter, and with Heathen, he again delivered a strong record. Shapeshifting as no other, he has always managed to keep up with, and be, ahead of time. A true role model for many artists, I think!"

Well, later that night, the screams did fill the Alpha, as did Nickelback's fireworks. And Nickelback seems to be fulfilling their mission statement to write songs with good melodies that people will sing at their shows and remember when they walk away. Critically, there are some major issues with these commercial acts; but then again, why should the "underground" be hugged to death and highly cherished? Didn't Nirvana get accused of selling out when Nevermind went huge? Did that affect or spoil their music? A never-ending story this is. Nickelback entertains massive groups of people. I don't like their music, and I wonder: Why would a truly honest, nice, funny, good-hearted music lover like Ryan play in a band like Nickelback? But I am one. And money talks. Guess what walks . . . Nickelback's music: It certainly is plain and simple, McDonald's-style, and fodder for the masses. But with all due respect, Nickelback is one of the biggest bands in this branch of highly unoriginal "rock" music. Maybe the question has to be why in the world was Nickelback signed to play the Lowlands Festival in the first place, rather than to criticize Nickelback's every move as being dishonest, fake, arrogant, etc. If Nickelback is not your cup of tea, join me and get a coffee.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/interview/nickelback/nickelback-there-are-just-different-characters-around-the-world/1939/
Meer Nickelback op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/nickelback