text:
U.S. Edition
Nickelback can't seem to catch a break - the oft-derided band is taking another hit, this time from The Black Keys.
The duo tell Rolling Stone in the magazine's January 19 issue that the Canadian group is helping to kill off the rock genre.
"Rock & roll is dying because people became OK with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world," drummer Patrick Carney tells the magazine.
"So [people] became OK with the idea that the biggest rock band in the world is always going to be s*** - therefore you should never try to be the biggest rock band in the world," Carney continues. "F*** that!"
He'd also like to throw an "F" bomb at those who group his Black Keys band in with the likes of Nickelback.
"Rock & roll is the music I feel most passionately about, and I don't like to see it...ruined and spoon-fed down our throats in this watered-down, post-grunge crap," the drummer says. "When people start lumping us into that..., it's like, f*** you, honestly."
The rest of Rolling Stone's interview with The Black Keys will be available January 6.
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Get over yourselves. Less talk, more rock.
how right you are,they do need to get over themselves. what is really killing rock and roll is the media only signing indi bands like the black keys(irony) and fringe rock bands whether it be metal,rock that sounds too poppy or indi. I live in lou,ky and we no longer have a rock station and because of this everyone I know that has too listen to a radio while they work(production)has either turned to county or classic rock even though there is a huge demand for rock and hard rock.I'm sure the media and promoters are aware of this seeing how they can't throw free shows on our waterfront and pack the place but when they had rock shows attendance stood at about 10,000 paying customers. I think there is an agenda,the media isn't stupid and the dollars don't add up
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Nickelback had their first album released on EP and subsequently have been a force in the music nation. Leading many concerts and selling many tickets. With their new album and hit single Nickelback is making a strong stand. No one can say that they have made a comeback because to most and certainly to the music community Nickelback never went anywhere.
OMG! If anyone sucks its THE BLACK KEYS!!!
It's all smoke and mirrors in the music industry, and nothing is what it appears to look like in the mainstream. The masses are dumb down for a REASON, control over our social society. Back in the 60's is when music had its renaissance in all genres, rock, soul, jazz, etc..The mass media didn't have the controls in place yet to control it, so it got out there and the late 60's 70's generation of music listeners had a taste of quality way ahead of its time. We have gone backwards, some moments of light w the British metal scene and Punk movement and a brief encounter w the Seattle scene that was quickly swallowed up by the 'new' industry rules of engagement. The industry will not allow what happened in the past to EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. ROCK IS DEAD
The only people that like Nickleback are people who aren't true fans of music. They are the closest thing to everything that was wrong with rock in the 80's. Hairbands all over again.
Who are the Black Keys? Are they part of the Black Eyed Peas? When did Nickleback become the biggest rock band in the world? Maybe these guys are just to full of themselves and not really into creating music, but creating wealth.
Isn't nickelback what you get when you buy something for 95 cents and pay with a dollar bill?
Led Zeppelin sucks just as much as Nickelback
Led Zeppelin are gods! The band that sucks as much as Nickelback is the band Rush. Rush are indeed better players than Nickelback but their music sucks as much as Nickelback.
Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin suck just like Nickelback and The Black Keys imo
Well they would know about sucking bands, the Black Keys are sooooo freaking boring. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzz. Not one decent rift, terrible singing, no passion, just a boring drone.
Both those bands suck, please do me a favour and buy some Kyuss and Opeth
Nickleback, Paramore & Chili Peppers are the CBS of rock music. Young the Giant, AWOLNATION & The Flaming Lips– now that's some good shtuff!!
The Black Keys = crap
They are one of the only bands with less talent than Nickleback.
I fully admit that Nickleback is a bunch of lame posers, trying to be cool. Then again, that also describes most people who attend rock concerts these days.
10 years from now the fans will look back an wonder why they ever listened to either of these crappy bands.
The Black Keys are 100 percent correct. Although they themselves aren't doing it any favors either
The Black Keys – Real music made by real humans for real humans.
Nickleback – Robot music made by computers for zombies.
If you think Nickleback is some solid, authentic rock and roll, do yourself a favor and never mention that to anyone who has ever listened to actual music in their lives, because chances are they're going to want to spit in your face. I'm not saying don't listen to them. Listen to whatever you want. Just know that if you're listening to Nickleback, you're listening to soulless, computer-tuned, disposable cookie-cutter garbage.
Don't you find?
Nickelback is rock and roll you band sucks stop trying to get publicity over bashing another band.
You need to broaden your musical horizons worse than you need to learn about grammar.
nickleback is great the black keys suck
the black keys are terrible THEY WISH THEY WAS AS GOOD AS NICKLEBACK
If they dream of being as good as Nickleback, they aren't reaching for the stars, just the big bucks.
Listen to good music. seek out the music that resonates with your soul's progression, not JUST what is playing on the radio or on your friend's player, the new movie, or a video game. music taste is similar to literacy and emotional intelligence. It takes exploration to find out what truly resonates with your soul. an illiterate music listener is stuck in nostalgia of music that relates only to the past and place where he/she grew up. there is zero progression.
d-bag. all of you
If you've lived in the United States for any part of the last 5 years then you have all heard the Black Keys. Their songs have been sampled or used in 20-30% of the commercials, movies and TV shows on today.
if you dont like the black keys you really shouldnt be taking up air. and you should have been swallowed instead of being born
I have never heard of the Black Keys band until this morning when I read this article. I checked them out on you tube and a couple of other websites. I don't think their music sounds like NickelBack and I wasn't real impressed with anything I heard from them. I am totally turned off by their bashing of another band..... Jealous much? I don't think I will buy any of their cds just for that reason! .....DisLike!...Oh and NickelBack Rocks!!!
By the way who are the Black Key's, i have never heard of them before.
Nickelback's and The Black Keys' CD's should be used as clay pigeons for target practice!!!!
I like some of nickelbacks music. that said i bought staind and avenged sevenfolds and marilyn masons newest albums, i got nickelbacks newest album for free. i would not have spent money on it. I am the type of person that if my cd gets destroyed i will replace it if i liked it enough, as i have several times with marilyn mansons last tour on earth album. but as far as buying a nickelback, godsmack, other sellout over produced under influenced and stagnant or redundant sewage etc. I WILL NOT BE BUYING IT ONCE.
There are some good comments on here. Maybe they interviewed this Black Keys guy while he was drunk or something? I think that the real problem for popular music are acts like Rhianna, Katy Perry, Kesha, etc. Every track they put out is vapid garbage and represents a complete waste of time and resources.
These Guys from the Black Keys are simpletons...First of all, it is in such bad taste to be around for a MINUTE on the world music stage and defamate the character of ANY band that has been selling records, making money and navigating through the business end of industry, successfully, and without poor reputation for over a decade. I'm not saying that Nickelback is Led Zeppelin! But for every Led Zeppelin there was a Poison or a Warrant. The 80's taught us that there can be such a thing as radio-friendly rock that keeps the genre relevant for more serious artists to thrive to a deeper pallet of listener. Not everyone will be Sabbath...some don't want to! Some just want to be KISS or RATT! (haha) I love The Ramones as much as I love Iron Maiden. I can sing alonmg to Poison in my car and then switch to Dave Mason and Traffic. At the end of the day, I am a fan of rock in ALL of its forms. And may I remind The Black Keys and the pundits, here, that before Nickelback arrived on the scene, there was a post-grunge era where Rock was DEAD! Limp Bizkit ruled the airwaves and for two years MTV didn't even have a hard rick award to give out. When Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd & Stain'd hit the airwaves with others like Saliva in 2001, they may not have been the 2nd coming of Hendrix, but they ushered BACK rock on the radio, making the genre relevant again, so there could be more opportunities for more eclectic sounds to rise to the occaision. Some Nickeback stuff I like, some I don't. All of it is on the radio for me to hear and gauge and that is just fine for what they are...a radio-friendly rock band. Finally, I seem to remember another "classic rock band" that decided to make every track playable to the general FM population and spin out videos en masse...AEROSMITH! After every song from Permanent Vacation, Pump, Get a Grip & Nine Lives being in rotation on the radio, is there any room for anyone to criticize someone else? After all, they were the "kings of rock. there aint none higher!" hahaha. Food for thought.....
What I don't get is this: Nickelback is supposedly bankrolled before they even record, and this makes them sellouts. The Black Keys are bankrolled after they record, selling their music to anyone who will pay for commercial usage rights, and this does nt make them sellouts.
Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly like Nickelback as a band. I enjoy the way their guitars sound sometimes. Nor do I like the Black Keys as a band, particularly after this hater bullcrap. I may not think Chad Kroger is all about freedom and just jamming on a guitar, but clearly this Carney fellow is more focused on image than on what being a musician is all about.
It reminds me of all the dwellers at UltimateGuitar raging over games like Rocksmith. Who cares if a bunch of kids who'd never have bothered to learn to play suddenly learn how to play now? It's just more people to potentially jam with.
To the Black Keys, comparing you to Nickelback just implies that you will sell records (you do) and go mainstream (you have) and then eventually become a band that people hate because you are ingenuine (you will).
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I really don't get it, why do you "hate" Nickelback? Because they're popular? Because they're Canadian? It's the same damn thing with Justin Bieber. Seems that many out there saying they hate someone, really have no good reason to hate them in the first place. You know, I used to say I hate country music, or classical, etc. And then it hit me: how can I "hate" something I have not really given a good listen to, to begin with? So, to all you haters out there: yeah, I could say F U, but I won't. If I do, I'll be feeding the trolls, and I have no intention to do that. All I'm going to say is leave Nickelback alone, and start looking at your own miserable lives filled with hate, jealousy and greed. Then do something about THAT.
Hey Patrick, How about changing your bands name to THE BLACKIES. It would fit with your filthy mouth and crybaby outlook. Whoever said Nickelback was the biggest band in the world anyway. I have listened to their music and bought a few tracks.They are very good but not the best. If you want me to listen to your music just play your best and you will come around. Picking fights for attention is not cool. I am sure Nickelback has to play that style because it sells. Maybe you should sit down with them and learn.
Beavis and Butthead ruined my career!
I must have miss when it became cool to hate on Nickelback. Last I checked Nickelback has a ton of album sales . Though album sales might not make them a great group it certain suggest they have many fans and a large market. So the only people you can really blame for Nickelbacks success are the people.
I would lose it too if being a musician and someone compares me to Nickelback. Good bands that survive the test of time are those that evolve and are always trying to create something while keeping their distinctive sound. The Black Keys is one of those bands. Nickelback lacks both qualities. Nickelback has been playing combinations and permutations of the same song for 15 years and when you hear a new song on the radio you cannot tell if it is Nickeback, Foo Fighters, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots or a filler from a 20-year old Pearl Jam album. You hear one song, you heard them all. I used to like some of their early stuff but after 15 years it has become incredibly boring.
If Nickelback music bothers you so, then don't listen. We live in a suplly and demand society. If it doesn't sale, then it will not be played. and What exactly is consider the "Test of Time" 15 years is a long time in the music industry
Nickelback sold more albums than Black Keys anyway. What does that tell you? People have spoken, with their wallets! I've listened to Nickelback, and I will continue to listen to them any day. I've listened to Black Keys as well, one time, and that one time, plus this whiny sadass loser interview, are enough for me. Not gonna buy your stuff either.
Record sales DO NOT equal good music. Justin Bieber has sold boat loads of albums. Is he your hero too? How about Cher? Didn't think so. In 1300 AD if you wrote a book about how flat the world was, you'd have been a best selling author, and an ldl0t, all at the same time.
I understand why the Black Keys are not fond to be dumped on the same boat with Nickelback. They are producing music for two completely different audiences. Nickeback's won't be remembered for their originality or quality of their music, but you have to admire them for being able to cash on the same song for 15 years. Not taking risks is the easiest way to make money in the music industry. The masses have always loved what I would consider simple cheesy music. But from their perspective they probably think that the music I like is horrible. More creative artists that play music from their hearts, and see it as something more than a cash machine, are usually not very appreciated during their time. Led Zeppelin never had a number one hit. If you were listening to Led Zeppelin while everybody else was listening to KC & SB or listening to Stevie Ray Vaughan when everyone was listening to Def Leppard, You are probably listening to Black Keys when everybody else is listening to Nickelback or Lady Gaga today. Two completely different bands for two completely different markets. Although, I must say I am impressed that The Black Keys almost sold out on pre-sale every arena for their 2012 tour.
if anything nickelback is bringing rock back so all u nickleback haters can shut ur mouths
You're the reason people hate America. Go and die.
The Black Keys are interesting, and to be honest, I like them more than I like Nickelback, but I would never classify either as terribly, or even remotely, original, and I have to question much of the motivation behind the BK's words on the subject.
Firstly, I wasn't aware Nickelback was still the biggest band. I remember the hoopla from a few years ago, but I figured they had faded away by now (except for all the hate thrown at them lately). Their sound is admittedly played out, but then it isn't far off from the southern rock-pop erroneously called "Country" nowadays, which was also played out some thirty years ago when bands like .38 Special first drove it into the ground.
Secondly, there will always be "fringe" or "alt" acts ragging on more mainstream acts. Their supposed "rage" is just as pretentious and phony as the music they claim to be against. And there's nothing original about that.
Thirdly, the whole "we're cool and avant gaurde because we sound like a garage band" thing has been around since the 'sixties, peaked in the 'seventies with punk, and basically lost any and all lost all respect from me with the advent of the Lemonheads, who were truly as terrible as they hoped they were, and then some, proving that there is a clueless audience somewhere for any godawful noise, no matter how phonily "garage." So Black Keys, there is zero left for you to do in this regard and nothing original about you, either.
Next, I have to laugh at the seeming notion that the Black Keys begrudge the success of a more mainstream band. The point of music and image such as theirs is to remain untoucable by fame. The "tool cool for school" edict is to remain underground, so why should they care if they are not more huge? To my mind, that makes them no better – again – than the act they are besmirching.
And finally, Rolling Stone's stubborn refusal to embrace anything that does not directly remind Jann Wenner of his favorite hippy high smoking out to the psychadelic era, and insistance that nearly anything enjoyed by anybody born after 1964 is complete crap, outed them as totally irrelevant by the late 'seventies. But by the time it had yielded to about 60% Calvin Klein and perfume ads (complete with scent enough to stink up your bedroom for months at a time), any reasonable person should have realized the magazine was no longer worth the slick paper its overpriced rear end was printed on.
So what do you listen to?
Amen to that!
LOL at these fools
We beg to differ!
Best Twin Brother Act Ever [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBnVbC00Is0&w=640&h=390]
While you see a chance, take it.
U2 is the best rock band you imbeciles!!
The only band worse than Nickelback is U2, nobody lieks Bono, he has no friends.
Everyone smile at the ten-year-old who learned a big, new word today!
ROTMFFLMFAO!!!!!!!! U2 is awful!! and Bono smokes pole!
Until I read this, I thought that Train, Maroon 5 and Nickelback were all the same band! Now I wonder why I hate them all...
The Black Keys fart Nickelback. And I am not a fan of either band.
Back in the day, Rolling Stone hated Led Zeppelin. Who's laughing now?
neither of them are laughing now, they both suck. Rolling Stone is a second rate music magazine in a world that doesn't need a music magazine at all, and Led Zeppelin is over.
Nickleback = Led Zeppelin?
More like Nickleback = ABBA.
While i am not a fan of nickelback, i have to say that the black keys are not that great anymore either. What was once an awesome blues rock duo, has now turned into a synth pop rock band. Check out some of Junior Kimbrough's music, quite similar to the old black keys, ehh?
Dude, they released an entire album of his music, it's not just similar, it WAS WRITTEN BY HIM. They aren't wrong about nickle back at all, it's formulaic pop rock. The Black Keys aren't among my favorites at all, but nickel back is the opposite of music.
So the Black Keys have now joined the "It's Cool to Hate Nickelback Club". People hate on NB because they have a successful formula. The obviously strive for that catchy riff or chorus and sacrifice on depth. They are no different from Def Lepperd or Aerosmith who had the same approach to selling music. I am no NB fan, but i recognize they are a well polished hard working band. There is nothing more pathetic than musicians lamenting on what is killing rock and roll. There's no wining in rock! As for the Black Keys, there are a dozen other bands just like you. If you don't like being lumped in with Nickelback then get out of the business, you won't be missed.
@Greg I Agree completely!!
I love Nickelback. Seems the only ones who "hate" Nickelback are the ones who don't have the success they have and are jealous muscians/bands. I say to them get a life and do something about your own material and leave NB out of it. What a bunch of cry babies.
Actually the only one's who hate nickelback are the ones who have properly working ears. Unlike yourself.
Having a legit discussion about what band or music genre is better?? It's like having a discussion about religion or politics. Everyone thinks their idea is better and jam it down your throat when in fact it shouldn't matter. Just enjoy whatever music YOU want to, take absolutely no stock in what others think. Let none of these others tell you that your favorite singer or band is crap or that their favorites are better.
I enjoy the bands and singers I like for my reasons and my reasons alone. If someone doesn't like what I listen to, it's their choice. Not really a big deal, why does everyone have to make it one?
anyone on here saying "who are the black keys obviously knows nothing about Rock! which is so apparent since they are the same ones saying Nickleback is good. Another observation most were women. Pathetic ! !!!
Admit it, you're in love with the mongoloid one on the left in the photo above. Your butthurt rant tells the whole story.
Lame comment about women. More than likely most women don't want to be a part of the argument. Lamer still is one band ripping on another band. I love the Black Keys, but them ripping on another band is pathetic. Their arrogance will come back to bite them.
Foo Fighters are one of the few great rock n roll bands around. They are simply as good as it gets, and are world-renown. Not many bands can sell out 70k capacity British soccer stadiums two nights in a row, and then come back a few years later and sell out Milton-Keynes two nights in a row. They are simply the best in the world.
if you truly want rock you don't look at foo fighters, you look at bands like ac/dc or kiss now THAT'S true rock.
Whoa, Please don't put Kiss next to ACDC. Although Kiss is nice, they are more or a gimmick than a rock bank. Also, Foo Fighters are a great band.
FOO FIGHTERS ARE TODAYS ROCK N ROLL SAVIORS!!! RAW SUPREME TALENT!! yes AC DC is great, simple and basic, but great. And yes Kiss is great too, but definitely gimmicky. Do you see or hear about any other band today selling out Wembley two nights in a row? Also do you hear or see any other bands going to ordinary people's garages and playing gigs? NO YOU DON'T!!! How many bands today record an album in THEIR own garage with NO COMPUTERS, purely on analog tape? AGAIN, FOO FIGHTERS are the BEST Rock band out there today!!! lThey are keeping it real and alive,learn it, love it, live it!!!!
Nickelback sucks. The Black Keys are all right. ACDC is GOD!!!
Who the funk are the "black keys" – I'm not a nickelback fan by any means but at least I've heard of them. This black keys d-bag sounds like a hater.
To everyone who is saying "Who are the Black Keys" stop it. You're just proving your ignorance. The Black Keys are a 2 piece band from the very small town of Akron, Ohio. They've been recording Albums for about 10 years and they all have an incredibly unique and interesting sound. The Black Keys now have 3 Grammys under their belt, Nickelback has 0. The black keys are praised by legendary artists such as Neil Young, Nickelback is NOT. The black keys are selling out arenas on their upcoming tour as well. So next time you say something, take a moment and make sure you don't seem like an ignorant fool. thank you, I hope this cleared up everything. Thank you. Oh and one more thing, I see many of you saying it's rude/childish/arrogant for them to bash another band. Well generally I'd 100% agree with you, but there is a small list of bands where it is OK to bash them and Nickelback is absolutely on that very small list. Again, thank you for reading, hopefully this educated you.
the black keys come across as the needy, not that pretty girl who doesn't understand why she cannot get a boyfriend, while that shallow yet hot looking blond is fighting guys off.
and then she gets together will all the other needy, not that pretty girls and say bad things about the hot blond.
What? did you smoke enough meth this morning? I know Nickelback fans are quite fond of the stuff ;)
I don't like Nickelback, but I like the Black Keys even less. Sounds like they are jealous.
Anyone who says the Black Keys are jealous of Nickelback are crazy. And if you don't know who they are, then you are the reason why Patrick said this to begin with. Just turn on the radio for 10 minutes and you will know why he made this quote, it's all GARBAGE. Black Keys rock!
It's a matter of taste. I'd say Nickleback tastes like diarrhea (if I had to guess) but there's always going to be s#$%t eaters out there to eat it up. The Black Keys are alright, but they're still a flash in the pan compared to bands like Pearl Jam, CAKE, or even Foo Fighters. The Keys are a class below those guys and their comments remind me of the mindless chatter that went on between Robbie Williams and OASIS, both fighting over who's king sh&^%t of Europe when Radiohead is on the throne ignoring them both. Good luck with that, fellas.
Funny stuff. So is Nickelback Robbie Williams or Oasis?
You're right-I don't listen to The Black Keys and think, "Wow, these guys really know how to be diplomatic..." I think about how amazing their music is......their comments remind me of an article I read a while back where Stephen King talked about how terrible Stephanie Meyer's (Twilight author) writing is...it was pretty awesome....
I don't understand the hate on Nickelback. They're always putting out positive songs, listen to their lyrics. Black Keys....never heard of them. Who the heck are they?
Who the hell are these guys? Never heard of "The Black Keys", nor do I care much for Nickelback. I love how people are like "complexity of music" yet they mention Alter bridge, ha! Back to my White Chapel.
Ain't democracy wonderful? It allows you to voice your opinion (no matter how stupid or irrelevant) about something as WEIGHTY as whether or not Nickelback embody the true spirit of rock music. What's next....old Star Trek vs. new Star Trek?
Wow. How classy of the Black Keys. Nice of them to be supportive of fellow musicians. Nice language on them too. What a society we live in where everyone is so nice and encouraging!
I agree that Nickelback stinks. In fact, as a whole, I think that Europe has a better hold on music (with the exception of the Coldplay fetish) because rock & roll is more popular in Europe. The American genre of music consists of scantily clad one-hit-wonders & freakshows of women; as well as a billion men rapping that call themselves musicians (yeah right!) Rock & Roll is better, passionate, and just better than any genre all the way around. If Nickelback wrote better MUSIC, they'd be better off. Go ALTER BRIDGE, & every other rock band besides Nickelback!!!!
Nickelback is horrible and people that like their music are simple people that like simple sounds or sheep that think if it is played on the radio over and over than it must be good. Nickelback is more of a boy band that has producers making their moves for them than a group that actually has talent that can come up with original ideas. So if you like Nickelback you should just accept that you don't know anything about the complexity of music and you are contributing to the downfall of good music.
The Black Keys are phenomenal--El Camino is a mind-blowing-ly good album (as are all their albums, really)-and Nickelback is pretty terrible--still, not the best thing to say in an interview, perhaps. A bit bold.
Nickelback must be one phenomenal band if they can singlehandedly destroy a genre. Are you guys seriously trying to hold them accountable for making music that people like? Sounds like penis envy ... I'm not a huge Nickelback fan, although I like a few of their songs. But you know how that's possible? There's plenty of other rock out there to like, and so far, the Black Keys have not composed any of it.
Sucks to be you, I'm sorry you have no taste in good music.
Nickelback writes music this way: take 5-10 trite phrases, put three chords behind it- poof- song.
I have to admit the black keys rock but when a band has to come out and poke at another it takes away from their own luster... oh well... little bltches all around I guess...
oh theyre from ohio...... that explains it all..
also, youll never look like buddy holly ... quit trying..
Just like Nickleback will never look like Metallica...or sound like them.
Music is art. Art is subjective. If you don't like them, don't listen to them. I'm not a Nickelback fan, but so what? There are people who enjoy their music. People need to stfu with this Nickelback hate already.
Pop music is NOT art; it's a product. It's designed, refined, marketed and sold to a specific demographic by faceless corporation who demand the maximum return on their investment, just like the hottest new shoes, the trendiest automobile, or any beauty product. Don't be so naive.
An observation: this story has generated more comments than most stories on cnn.com. A fact: Nickelback sucks terribly, and THE BEST video on youtube is them getting pelted with rocks in Europe. Look it up.
It sounds like jealousy to me, don't make yourself look bad by being jealous of nickelback. the black keys, i should also point out that i like nickelback, listen to their interviews they don't take themselves as serious as people think they are the ones to poke fun at their work.
Who the heck are The Black Keys? Sounds like half of a piano...
that sounds like envy to me
He was just speaking his mind and I agree it came out as rude. But The Black Keys have nothing to envy Nickelback for... They are selling out arenas right now. Their 2012 Arena Tour was practically sold out on pre-sale and their new album will go gold in less than a month. Nickeback won't sell out a club. Isn't Nickelback an opening act these days?
The Black Who?!? At least I've heard of Nickelback.
Since you have heard of them and they are famouse they must be good right? F*ing idiots all over this country, AHHHHHH!
Um, who are the black keys?
Hey Junior, Buddy Holly and the Buddy Holly look dies 60 years ago. Yeeeesh, is that what passes for a rock star these days?
Nah. What passes for rock these days are greased up, blonde frosty tipped white Jesus-looking dudes who wear black t-shirts and play black guitars (because wearing black makes you bada$$) who let computers make sure every single note is so squeaky clean you could eat off them. Joke's on Chad. The only use of "black" that makes you bada$$ is when you put it in your band name (e.g., Black Flag, Black Sabbath, The Black Keys).
this is how you deal with un-ruley fans.......instead of crying and walking off stage flipping a bird [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4uahL_tQWc&w=640&h=390]
it's amazing how many people have never heard of the Black Keys, what rock do you live under? Creed started Nickleback, and Nickelback started Shinedown, and Shinedown started Breaking Benjamin, Saving Abel, Theory of a Deadman, Hinder, and all those other craptastic rock bands (although I do like Shinedown, lead singer can SING!). Sad thing is pretty much all those bands sound the same and I think that is what the Black Keys were saying. It seems like this new brand of rock music is out ala the bands I listed above. They just don't want to be compared or lumped in with that group of rock musicians. Now, do I think that NB is killing rock? Not necessarily. In my opinion, I'm always happy when somebody would rather listen to a band with guitars, drums, bass and a lead singer instead of dancers, background music, and fake theatrics. Whether you choose Nickelback or the Black Keys I'm happy for ya
They are only doing the Nickleback bashing for attention, plus it makes them feel relevant.
personally, i dislike both the bands in this article.......but nickleback is the WORST.....look at their songs, they all sound the same, the lyrics are basicly the same (usually about some chick getting beat up) and the crying and moaning just sound horrible. they need to give up, go back to canada,and stop playing music. i would have loved to have been at the concert where the fan threw a bottle at the lead singer and then the crowd booed them off stage... [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7F3O6WYfHQ&w=640&h=390]
Just lost respect for Black Keys. Did they somehow feel like there weren't enough people dissing Nickleback already? But why would any artist "slam" any other band or artist out there? This is music, not WWE. Everything's allowed. No rules. Free expression, and all that. Everybody's doing what they do, and if people like it, they buy it. And if they don't, they don't. That includes Black Keys stuff. So now we're all going to have a hard time listening to their music, because we can't get the thought out of our heads that we're listening to a couple of self-righteous, self-centered idiots. Good job, guys.
People like NIckelback. I don't, but I don't hate them for being successful either. The Black Keys come off as pretentious music elitists in this statement, and I find that appalling. They like to think that Nickelback's brand of process, pre-packaged consumer-friendly dudebro rock is ruining "rock music" but they don't seem to realize their own hipster sensibilities and their overwhelming pretention and arrogance are doing far more damage. Just let these guys have fun and let their fans have fun, you can keep making whiny, sappy indie rock to get you women because it's very obvious your looks and personality won't be yielding much in that department in the foreseeable future.
No, whiners like the Black Keys are killing rock. And I'm not a Nicleback fan; they are just more of the crapola pushed by record companies. Most of the music I listen to is indie.
Hey, so it seems there are far too many people out there that I am glad are NOT running the world. Who cares what kind of music you listen to? Are you the music police? Nickelback has as much right to get out there and play their music as any other band. I don't mind Nickelback, or the Black Keys for that matter...the point is that listen to your music, and bash other bands as much as you want to, but don't make a federal case out of it. You are not going to change anyone's mind with your comments full of spelling mistakes, spewing about your IQ. And last but not least, don't hate on the Foos.
Im not a nickleback fan, i dont own any of their cd's and useally turn the channel if one of their songs comes on the radio, however i do have to admitt, a few years ago, a ex gf of mine asked me to take her to one of their concerts and i did, an honestly they put on a great show. i still cant stand to listen to any of their cd's, but was really impressed with their live show.
I worked in the music biz for 8 years, and the Black Keys are jealous, considering no one even knows who they are. And as ugly as they are, I'm sure they are PO-ed because they can't get women, and Nickleback can.
when did you work in the music biz, the 60's? The Black Keys have won grammy awards and have headlined major tours and festivals. You have never heard of them because you do not listen to music relevant to the modern day era
I just saw the Black Keys co-headline day 1 of the Kanrocksas festival last year in Kansas City. They headlined over bands like Primus, A Perfect Circle, Ween, Cage the Elephant, Kid Cudi (rapper) and many more. If you don't know any of the bands I just named then you definitely don't listen to music relevant to this era
I'm not sure where you guys got your info, but this band is not Canadian. They're from Ohio.
This from the band...that stole from the band, that stole from some bands...
I liked black keys until now. Now they are a group of pathetic babies jealous over other people's success.
Grow Up Black Keys ! Take a shower and re-listen to some of your overindulgent crap. You are way too smart for the masses !
I don't care for Nickelback's music or the lead singers cliched rock star lifestyle. but they are the receivers of a lot of jealousy from other bands. Like them or not, they've done what every other band would love to do by becoming very successful. They've done so by catering to the lowest common denominator market, and they've been very good at what they do.
Rock's not dead, but its heyday is over. Kinda like jazz.
Man, what passions over a totally subjective question. I like a few Nickelback songs, even if I wouldn't call them "great." But I always have to smirk at those who deride the most successful artists in the world. There's a reason they're successful; people like their stuff. And if you're not selling enough of yours, well, maybe there's a reason. "Good" art? "Bad" art? I've made my living as an artist doing what I love for years because people are willing to pay real money for what I produce. I'll take that over a million critics' snobby kudos any day.
There are lots of dating sites. But I think http://www.wealthychats.com is the best for you.
Who are The Black Keys? Never heard of them.
All of you people who have never heard of the Black Keys, where the hell have you been the past five years? They won three Grammies in 2011. It's no wonder you all came rushing to defend Nickelback. You've probably never heard good modern music, much less know how to identify it. Selling out concerts and albums doesn't make you a good artist. Soulja Boy can sell out concerts.
Whose business is it what music other people listen to, unless you're riding in a car with them? I personally think Nickelback is terrible, but I'm not going to make fun of someone or insult them because they listen to them or their style of music. To each his own!!
Frankly, I think the Black Keys are just as bad, and this article is very much the pot calling the kettle black – IN MY OPINION – but if someone on this thread disagrees with me, let's chat it out over a beer or a bottle of wine, and stop with the name calling. Based on the comments I've read here and in many other places where comments are posted about *__________*, the internet is nothing but a bunch of bratty, immature, illiterate teenagers that can't put up a decent argument to save their life. This thread is certainly no exception.
I have never heard of the Black Keys in my life. I am not a fan of Nickelback but if you hate Nickelback, dont listen to them! I am also not a fan of 50 cent or Lil Wayne HENCE I dont listen to them or buy their music. Simple.
Carney may have been a bit rude here, but every well respected critic within the music industry (including The Recording Academy) agrees that The Black Keys music is better-quality than Nickelback's unoriginal overproduced music for the masses. The first Nickelback hit was fine, but the problem is that you heard one Nickeback album and you heard them all...is that the new Nickeback song? ...oh wait, maybe its Bush?....maybe be Foo Fighters? They all sound the same! Boring!! All these guys defending Nickeback missed the memo that we are not in 1995 anymore. It does not matter how much they cry and shout after hearing the truth. Facts are facts. Time will tell.
Defintely the black keys have a good sound. But really, its just a throwback and not very original.
They are simply a cover band that listened to Daddy's Led Zeppelin and Doors records in the in rumpus room while Daddy and Mommy were making their own noise in the bedroom.
VampireJack: Just FYI. Led Zeppelin never had a #1 Billboard song. They were definitely not mainstream. Post-grunge copycat bands like Nickelback of Foo Fighters have chosen to play it safe for the last 10 years to keep selling albums. Don't get me wrong, I used to like some of the early Nickelback, but you have to accept they were not very original to begin with and every album sounds exactly the same. Not a lot of creativity there. They may be popular today, but they will remember as one more of those many post-grunge bands. They are definitely not in the same category as Led Zeppelin. You may not like the Black Keys but you have to accept they are doing something different and have a very characteristic sound. I had never heard of the Black Keys until recently, but I must say that they are very talented. If you don't believe me, please listen to their 'Rubber Factory' album…but only if you actually like Rock. If you like Lady Gaga or Adele, please disregard and keep listening to that.
pmbg: Just an FYI – FOO FIGHTERS DO NOT BELONG ANYWHERE NEAR COMPARSION WITH Nickelback. FOO FIGHTERS are no where near mainstream or common as Nickelback and FAR MORE talented than them. FOO FIGHTERS are todays Rock n Roll saviors, they are keepin it real and raw, and highly admired by members of Led Zeppelin and many other famous Rock musicians. FACT!
Ahhh..another great export from Alberta! Haha..thanks for all the $$$ US..Oil and Nickleback..
well the big question is who the hell are the black keys, and why would anyone care about what the think about a band that has millions and millions of fans around the world.
Well, I guess if you have to ask who a band is that is being featured on the cover of Rolling Stone this month, won a Grammy last year, and is likely up for another grammy this year, you probably shouldn't weigh in on the topic.
Just a thought.
The black who?
I had never heard of the Black Keys either until recently, but I must say that they are very talented. If you don't believe me, please listen to their 'Rubber Factory' album…but only if you actually like Rock. If you like Lady Gaga or Adele, please disregard and keep listening to that.
^All I have to say about the level of hate for these fine gentlemen.
As a Canadian, having this guy be poster boy for Canadian guitar music is awful. If you want good Canadian music, you just have to dig a little deeper, or time wrap to the nineties. Go and Listen To Matt Good, Grunge era Our lady peace, The Tea Party, Red Rider (Before life is a highway garbage) or City and Colour.
The Portugese have excellent taste!!!
Wow, i had to go out and listen to a few songs by The black Keys so that i would know who they were. To the black keys i say this....do not throw rocks when you live in a glass house. if Nickleback is killing Rock, you are molesting the corpse of Rock
Nickleback is 'popular' because they have fans that ACTUALLY PAY MONEY for their albums and shows. It's a different age now and the music industry is dependent on people doing idiotic things like buying ring tones, and Nickleback has, by far, more idiot fans than any other band.
I got similar grief liking KISS decade after decade...they MUST suck if they keep selling albums and tickets, right? Whatever, these guys are coming off like pompous fools. There's plenty of great music in any genre if you're willing to go looking for it.
I have never even heard of the black keys, when they actually have anything good to hear perhaps they might gain attention.
Sounds a little like envy from the Black Keys (and who are they anyway) and some defensive nationalism, so typical of Americans these days now that they are in decline.
Really? This from the country that gave us Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, and Nickleback. Ahhh thanks guy.
We'll take back our jazz, blues, rocket '88, soul, and rock and/or roll now.
Nickelback should play Leader of Men as their only concert song and maybe they could win some rock fans back.
I like BOTH kinds of music: country and western. har har
Isn't music truly in the ear of the beholder? I personally have music that I love from both Nickelback and The Black Keys on my iPod. Also, there is an equal amount of both bands' music that I can't stand (Nickelback can get too sappy and The Black Keys can be redundant). I really don't know why people are just piling on NB right now. Just 'cause they're the easy target? Y'all better watch your backs, so before long people will be talking smack about TBK as they're coming up.
Where'd Kyle go? He made me chuckle.
Art is subjective. Artisticallyderanged made that very clear earlier, well done. My point (and I believe Carney's as well) is that Nickelback is not art. By nature art and artists evolve. Inspiration takes them different places throughout their careers. Look at Van Gogh's earliest paintings, you would never know it was the same guy that painted Starry Night. The Black Keys (like them or not, that is your prerogative) have and continue to evolve. They remain true to their garage rock roots, and yet their album Brothers had a very Motown kind of feel because that is what they were inspired by while they were recording it. The Beatles went from A Hard Day's Night to Yellow Submarine in 5 years. (And before anybody gets offended, I'm simply making a case for evolution. I'm not saying The Black Keys are the next Beatles.) Chad Kroeger, while doing a fantastic job understanding the wants of the masses, has changed little outside trimming his hair since 1995. That makes him a pretty good business man, not so much an artist. Hell, I loved "Leader of Men" when I was 14. But a weak product was only made weaker by pop culture, breaking down all artistic integrity. I am not going to sit here and say "Nickelback sucks!". Because its not that simple. There is certainly a place for them in pop culture, their record sales prove that. Will we see them 20 years down the line in Rolling Stone as one the greatest rock bands of all time? Eh. Probably not. Someone made the comparison earlier of NB as a summer blockbuster film, ie Transformers. Not very deep, but fairly entertaining. NB aren't really my cup of tea, and neither was Transformers, but I'm one guy, and the people have spoken. I understand where Carney is coming from, and much like everyone else on this post, he has the right to speak his mind. Just think, if he hadn't, we wouldn't have had this little discussion.
These guys are a real class act...
The Black who? Nickleback makes no bones about their songwriting process or who the songs are created or marketed to.(in interviews they even make fun of themselves) I saw them years ago at Konocti Harbor and they played the first chorus and verse of "Cowboys from hell" Note for note. Then they stopped and Chad said. "Oh yeah There is no money playing that"..This is a business for some and a passion for others. They are just passionate about making money.And there is nothing wrong with that. They do put on a good (accurate) show though.
I really don't understand all the Nickelback bashing. They have some songs I like and some that I don't.
Why doesn't Nickelback make a recording without using syntheisized vocal harmonies? That's why their songs all sound alike–all those over-compressed parallel-third vocals under the lead. That's done with machines, people! (That is why they sound exactly the same in concert as they do on the CD!..because they have pre-recorded backup, just like Britney Spears or Kelly Clarkson. If they are so great, why can't they make a record without all the auto-tuning? You might not like the Black Keys' music, but at least it's not produced with computers. Lots of great bands don't use tricks like auto-harmony: Foo Fighters, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica. If Nickleback wants credibility, they should make a record without any silly computer tricks.
Dan Auerbach better grow back the beard. That is all.
OK people...The best band from the Great White North is HANDS DOWN...RUSH! Now...let's put together 2012 Monsters Of Rock Fantasy Lineup... Rush Pink Floyd (Waters & Gilmour) Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne Van Halen Genesis (Gabriel & Collins) Aerosmith The Rolling Stones Journey (Only with the Infinity Lineup!)
Now for a few extras at the show Opeth Alice Cooper Steve Vai (ONLY if Alex Z. Lifeson, Eddie VH, and Steve Vai cut heads onstage for at least 30 minutes! Porcupine Tree Novembre Riverside The War Nickelback (NOT!)
Better bring some Ben Gay and Geritol for that line-up. Extra adult diapers too.
Good point...for when Opeth scares the Schiese out of you and makes you foul your drawers! I still think it's a killer bill.
I totally agree with you, I really enjoy Genesis and Pink Floyd myself. I would've liked to add Jethro Tull and Yes to my fantasy concert lineup, myself. Cheers! =)
OK, Now that I've listened to some Black Eyed Keys garbage, I can comment. They do suck. Are they one of those bands with just a drummer and guitarist because they're too talented for any real rhythm section? I've been drumming for over 30 years and there is a reason they hide us in the back of the stage. Drummers are the trouble-makers. We're usually loaded and ready to raise hell. 'Loudmouth' might want to get back behind his trashy little kit and practice some more. Maybe he'll learn some originality or creativity. He's horrible...but not to be outdone by that, at best, mediocre guitar with the bad amp. After seeing their outfits and equipment, and listening to their production, they should change the name of the band (if you can call it that) to "Garage Sale". If those hacks have any effect what so ever on 'Rock-N-Roll', then we are very near the end of civilization as we know it!
Simple; if you don't like it, don't listen to it. I heard the Black Keys a couple of times, they suck. Seems like they chose their name just to get some attention standing next to the Blackeyed Peas.
If you shytcan Nickelback's early powerpop songs and just listen to stuff post "Name on a Bullet", then you are better off.
And who are these guy's talking about killing rock n roll? These guy's SUCK!
Who are the Black Keys? I bet they suck. Nickelback might suck...and they do...but at least they're known.
Good reasoning, Brett. According to you, all things that are unknown must suck.
Obviously all things unknown SUCK.
No, no, no...you mistake me good people. My belief in them sucking comes from my take on the article. As it turns out, I was correct. They suck. And, I followed up with a full investigation on their talents as musicians and/or 'Rockstars'...and they are neither. But in all truth and reality, sometimes the unknown does suck. Unfortunately, there is only one way to find out...KNOW. Then it's too late. It was better left unknown.
judas priest....slayer...........metallica.........ozzy osbourne......iron maidan......acdc...........this is fn music
...for people with mullets
I love how everyone takes this whole thing so seriously.
What no one is realizing is that music changes with the decade and that The Black Keys if they lived 30 years ago would've been a great band. But by todays standard they aren't hip enough to fit in with todays coulture. I like Nickleback and The Black Keys but they both are to different types of bands. Nickelback is new rock and The Black Keys are a classic rock band. I don't see anything to argue about.
All I have to say is that based on the Nickelback fan's comments on here, I'm glad I don't listen to Nickelback. I enjoy my intelligence too much to do that.
These guys are rockers, they look like Star Trek nerds... I listen to the music I enjoy, I enjoy Nickleback. Does that mean i'm wrong? No, my ears tell me what I enjoy.
These guys look like they got into Rock music to get girls, and from their bitterness, it sounds as though their plan failed.
Hmmm...Nickelback pretty much bring it in concert, are far more entertaining and talented, and haven't gotten as far as they have because they suck. Guess what? Excellent rock and metal is thriving. Quit complaining and learn how to put on a great show, and write some catchy songs while you're at it. If you choose to embrace an outsider, indie approach, then stick within your lines. When and if you want to compete in the arena rock realm, bring the arena rock show.
It is rather funny this whole thing. One cruddy band calling the other cruddy when indeed they are at least to me. People are free to listen to whatever they want. I like heavy stuff but hey not everyone does. Am I going to call someone stupid for it? No! Rock music is different to everyone. I consider these bands somewhat watered down modern rock. If you like that then listen if not shut up about it!
Nickelback's music is great! For teenage girls. I see where Carney is coming from. I wouldn't want to be lumped in to a genre with a band like Nickelback if I was him either. They do NOT play similar styles of music. But, this is America and even a Canadian band has the right to peddle their crap if someone is willing to buy it. If you like Nickelback, it doesn't make you stupid, but it does mean that you do not take Rock 'n Roll seriously and you don't have a particularly discerning ear. To their credit, i think Nickelback took the whole NFL half-time show situation in stride and didn't take themselves that seriously. They may be nice people, but that doesn't make their music any better. Look at Taylor Swift... she seems like a perfectly lovely girl, but that poor thing can't carry a tune in a bucket!
music since 1999 has pretty much all sucked. so dont know who these black keys people are but i'll lump them in with post '99
So The Black Keys believe Nickleback is killing rock. Wow, that's quite a compliment to the power of Nickelback to think that one band can kill a musical form that has existed for over 50 years. It's also a stupid, childish comment for one band to slam another band. It's not like The Black Keys are superstars, despite the drummer's Buddy Holly/Elvis Costello glasses. I'd only listen to comments like that if it came from a rock legend who has earned the right to say it. The Black Keys should shut up and worry about their own music.
The Black Keys are hardly rock and roll. Nickelback, Motley Crue, Saliva, and Bruce Springsteen rock. The Black Keys just play music like the Stray Cats did in the 80's.
I dont know much about nickel Back but I do know this they have a alot of fans, I dont see the gain in calling down music you dont like, just dont listen, it is so imature to diss somthing. Like Kris Kristopherson sang....If you dont like Hank Williams You can Kiss my a$$. I thought The Black keys were secure enough in their talent to stay away from all that but apparently not. And for the rest of you criticizing how good are you? Big fan base yourselves? If you dont like some thing fine most of us dont like you. But keep the cake hole shut, it looks better on you.
Umm, The Black Keys have a Grammy, wheres yours, Nickelback? You people need to pull your heads out of the gutter. NIckelback is garbage
Correction: Black Keys: 3 grammy's Nickelback: 0
What is wrong w/this guy. What an ARROGANT AS*! I am 58, progressive & broad in my music interests ... emphasis on the S. MORE THAN ONE, DUDE! I like Bruce Springsteen, Tupac, Kanye West, Faith Hill, Michael Buble, Oak Ridge Boys, Beach Boys, Tony Bennett, Amy WInehouse, Adele. Coldplay, Jimi Hendrix... lol, All that to say artists come & go and go and come. New artists hit the scene every day. Nothin' wrong w/Nickleback and ONE THING FOR SURE I WILL NEVER BUY ANYTHING YOU PUT OUT! PERIOD!
Regardless of who you like or don't like....Black Keys are just getting their foot in the door while Nickelback has been around for a while. I really love how Nickelback just gives everyone a middle finger and keeps on playing no matter what anyone says! Regardless of who you like or don't like, Black Keys are too new to start trash talking anyone at this point....
DickelShat is red neck trash. People relate to the lyrics because there is nothing poetically profound about them at all. No wit, nothing said that really catches you off guard and blows your mind. The words are absolutely simpleton at best. A majority of people in this country we live in chose a band like this because they cannot relate to something deeper than this, something beyond their simpleton medium, which is why it is called pop (popular). Just because something is popular doesnt make it right or true, when it comes to art, the majority never rules. Dickelshyts songs are nothing more than souless soundbytes and the band itself will be nothing more than a footnote in unfinished story of rock.
I want to be a rock star too...Nickelback had a dream and worked their asses off. They are from a smaller town than the Black Keys. Maybe the Black Keys should join forces with Nickelback, do a song together and give the proceeds to after school music programs for at risk youths?
wow, some of you are SO open minded......I like SOME country, SOME rock, SOME "Motown" (ok, MOST "Motown").etc. You get the idea
I have never heard of the Black Keys. I listened to the first two songs posted above. The first song is total ass. The 2nd one is a poor gene splice of hendrix and nirvana. I give them credit for trying, and I am sure there is a person or two out there that will purchase an album, but they certainly dont rate a pimple on NB's ass in my opinion. I am not a huge fan of NB, but I do like some of their music, just as I like some Slipknot, AC/DC, Five Finger Death Punch, Bullet for my Valentine, etc, etc. Death to rock and roll? NO. The genre is way too broad for a single band to kill it. I don't understand why the Black Keys are trying to make a name for themselves by slamming someone else.
The death of rock and roll could very well be Nickelback. Think about it like this; people who like Nickelback like that style of rock, the very watered down, safe, generic sound. It is what rock and roll means to them, and they like it that way. They do not want it to change. Thus, when Nickelback releases the same song on the same album over and over with a new coat of paint, they buy it every time, and love it every time.
People such as the above will always hate bands like The Black Keys because they attempt to further the genre and they sound different. They don't get a ton of radio play, and Nickelback fans aren't told to like them, so they don't. Regardless of how critically acclaimed they are, they sound different, and when people who like Nickelback approach their music with the strict generic rock stereotype and it doesn't fit, they don't like it.
Basically, if you love more of the same and don't want it to change, Nickelback is your band. If you are willing to appreciate music and approach it with an open mind, regardless of the source, The Black Keys are probably more your speed, and you can see how they innovate and are a great band, at the same time identifying and agreeing with the shortcomings of Nickelback that are so often criticized.
I dont "hate" NB but I don't "love" them either. All their songs sound the same.
The sad thing is, everyone that hates on Nickelback probably will, if alone in their cars, sing along to "How You Remind Me."
Rock is dying because people don't support their local musicians and feel that music isn't worth spending money on anymore.
Find your local rockstars! Go support! Buy their shirts and tell your friends and get excited for good music!
God help us.
I like how The Black Keys totally suck a$$ and dare to make a statement about anyone. For the record, I never even heard of them until this article was posted. I went to iTunes and listened to about 7 songs – all horrible.
Learn how to sing and play an instrument first then brag and trash. I was as good as these guys in 10th grade and I'm not doing this for a living. You bag on Nickelback – but they have some hits to their names. Not a major fan there but they've earned some respect.
Black Keys – perhaps learn to become greeters at Wal-mart, baristas at Starbucks, or skaters for Disney on Ice – but musicians, that's not for you!!
The Stones once sang "it's only rock and roll but I like it" so true. Rock n' roll bands who refer to themselves as artists and slam other bands sound so pretentious don't you think. The Black Keys are recycling 70's rock not inventing anything new. Now kids listen to Jethro Tull's song Aqualung and tell me that they haven't ripped off the melody for Little Black Submarines. Oops! At least Nickleback write their own songs.
Justin Bieber sucks and is killing music!!!
The only band that ever mattered or will matter is the CRAMPS bi t hes!
RIP Lux.
I would agree 100% with the black keys,If it was not for their last album. Totally sold out on that commercial dribble. A far cry from all your other albums. What the F* guys? Kinda undermines your current opinion on rock n roll.
Nickelback is like Britney Spears – derided as an example of the mainstream LONG after they were even relevant
No Nickelback fan here, but the Black Keys? Really? No one had really heard of them until last fall and they already feel established enough to trash others? Take a look at the last few years, boys. I seem to remember Jet being the trendy new band, and there were the Kings of Leon. Where are they now? In this age of iTunes, you'll be sharing a stage with Fastball in no time.
ML, you are clearly part of the problem.
Love Nickleback.
Don't really care if anyone does or not.
My song Dream Weaver makes these bands sound like horse sh1t!
It's true, Nickleback are terrible, but frankly the Black Keys aren't all that great either.
They both suck,... and neither could have been where they are today if they were around back in the days of real rock-n-roll...they would have never gotten a record deal or airplay!
OK, so your worried that one band is better than another. Taste, like beauty, is in the eye, or mouth, of the beholder. At least both of these bands attempt to entertain. What I don't get is . . . how can people justify paying to see Snookie. What the hell is that about?
All I know is that when The Black Keys come on the radio or tv I enjoy it, when Nickelback comes on the tv or radio I changed the station/channel.
These comments after the story mean as much as the black keys comments about nickelback. Nothing. they'll change nothing. They wont change anyone's opinion and neither will you. Some guy in kansas just died in a car accident. it means nothing to you. nor I. No one cares what you post, what i post, or if its obama or gringrich. Stop posting, stop tweeting, and go play an instrument or paint a picture of your own.
No, these comments mean much less. What the Black Keys said is actually groundbreaking. Artists have been to friendly with each other, they don't call eachother out on sounding like crap any more. The more of that they do the better music will get.
Bashing Nickleback is groundbreaking? Hehe I've probably heard at least a half a dozen frontmen of bands take a shot at them.
Nickelback is great. They sell MILLIONS of records for a reason! If you dont like it, listen to some (c)Rap then. That's why there are different styles of music. How about less hate, more live and let live?
How about you cut your hair and get a job hippie?
They both suck, and I never listened to either. Put some Buddy Guy in the mix with some Sweet Tea, and u'll be doing urselfs a huge favor....
Well, first off yes Buddy Guy is incredible. But you can't say they both suck after saying you've never listened to either of them? how would you know, I hate nickelback but you have to at lieast listen to make your own assesment. As for the black keys, if you like blues or rock I guarantee you'll like them. In fact Buddy Guy is a huge influence of dan Auberbach (lead singer/guitarist black keys)
here's a list of "artists" who won grammys in the past 5 years that are worse than the Black Keys
-Lady Gaga -Train -Rihanna -Michael Buble -Muse -Usher -Cee Lo Green -Eminem -Jay Z -Kings of Leon -Taylor Swift -Jason Mraz -Black eyed Peas -Lil Wayne -Sugarland -Brad Paisley -Kanye West -amy Winehouse -Just Timberlake -Maroon 5 -chemical brothers -Dixie Chicks -Carrie Underwood -Christina Agulera -Madonna
Just to name a few. In fact the black keys are the best artist hands down over the last 5 years to win a grammy. Granted the best artists of the last 5 years are absolutely without a doubt Fleet Foxes and My Morning Jacket. The absolute best modern bands right now, and they haven't even been nominated because the Grammy's are a joke. If you haven't heard of either of them I highly suggest you check them out.
here's a list of bands
nirvana pearl jam the who the black stripes the white keys the green pickles
some of thes bands suck. others are awesome. You cant fight with that logic holmes.
Muse are NOT worse than the Black Keys. I would not say they are better than the other either. However, Muse are a great band and miles better than their counterpart Radiohead.
So I've read most of the comments are here seem to be the main points:
1) Any band that becomes popular automatically sucks 2) No one is allowed to have a personal opinion on their taste in music, and if they do have an opinion its wrong
I love these lyrics in a song I like. Uh oh, this is my opinion! Are you going to attack me for it? The context of this line is the band talking to one of the fans that called him a sell out. Anywheres here's the lyrics. "I sold out long before you ever even heard my name"
Well that depends, what song are you talking about? if it sucks then of course I'll attack you.
Exactly my point
Sigh is a poser for pretending to be distraught at the current state of music. Lame.
Sigh doesn't seem to distraught with the current state of music, more distraught with the way were all being jerks haha. Honestly though I am distraught with the current state of music. I'd rather live one day in the late 60's than the rest of my life in the now. Hopefully things get better. Good bands are faaaar and few between these days which is why 75% of the music I listen to is pre-1975. Too bad I'm only 23, if things don't change it's gonna be al ooong boring life.
Was there a point in your counter argument or are you already resorting to trolling and personal attacks? Oh, the latter.
Bands like Nickleback- who are terrible but rise to superstardom- are the reason that people think 'any band that becomes popular automatically sucks'.
And that was his entire point.
LOL @ Nickelback fans not knowing who The Black Keys are. That's kind of the point of the article. The Black Keys are a Rock 'n Roll band; one of the ONLY good Rock 'n Roll bands left. Who cares what you think about Nickelback (although they are horrible); the point is they are NOT Rock 'n Roll. Who do you think REAL bands like The Who, The Sonics, Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds and Cream would rather play with? You people have GOT to be kidding me.
Saying that Nickleback killed rock and roll is like saying that Pat Boone killed the Beatles and Rolling Stones, or that the Carpenters ruined music. It simply makes no sense. The Black Keys are fine, but they've long since begun the process of watering down their own style. They don't own the idea of "authentic rock" and obtained their own licks from raw blues artists. That is OK, but it isn't a position to preach about authenticity.
How about we agree to disagree? I genuinely like both bands. I think the Black Keys guy is kind of a dick for slamming Nickelback, but whatever. I like what I like and he likes what he likes. If you want to use numbers (airplay, album sales, concert sales) to base who's better then Nickelback wins. I really don't care. Nickelback is a guilty pleasure.
The band is two people. Only Pat, the drummer, tweets and generally begs for attention. Dan Auerbach is the talent who writes the songs, and is generally silent when in front of a microphone. Dan is a brilliant musician, period. Neither claims to be anything but entertainers. Don't take forced sound bites too seriously.
The band is two people. Only Pat, the drummer, tweets and generally begs for attention. Dan Auerbach is the talent who writes the songs, and is generally silent when in front of a microphone. Dan is a brilliant musician, period (Check out solo album, Keep it Hid). Neither claims to be anything but entertainers. Don't take forced sound bites too seriously.
I'm not taking forced sound bites seriously at all. I'm just pointing out the idiocy of the argument. People like different things.There's no validity in arguing over who's better. I personally like them both. But according to most of the people here I'm an idiot/moron for liking Nickelback. No one forces you to listen to them, buy their records or see them in concert. Free choice people.
Just tried listening to the Black Keys. UH hello Kettle, this is Pot, you're black. Not sure what that was but it wasn't ROCK.
Phish is it peeps. Only rock show out there right now. Except the Black Keys, they are sick but better as a duo. NIckelback hahahhahaha.
Nickelback uses synthesized vocal harmonies. The technology to do that is the same as pitch-correction, the kind used by Britney Spears and other pop acts. Auto-harmony is the reason all their songs sound so much alike (along with the tedious "grunge" guitars and lunk-headed rhythms) But it makes me wonder what they would sound like without all that technical voodoo. Perhaps they would not suck, but then why do they insist on using it every song? So it's no surprise 'purists' like Black Keys dis them. But hey, whatever works for you is fine. If you like synthetic pop rock, Nickelback is great!
I could hear autotune in what I heard from The Black Keys too.
Autotune on a Black Keys song. No. In fact, if you knew anything, you would know their first albums were all recorded low-fi, on old reel to reel and 8 track recorders. You may also be interested to know that Dan sounds exactly like he does on the recordings when he sings at shows. Ignorant comment.
I still don't understand why people hate Nickelback. I like some of their music (I'd like it more if it wasn't for the profanity). What is so bad about them? I'd understand it better if it was talentless hacks like Lady Gaga, Bieber, or even Britney Spears, but Nickelback? I just don't get it.
I just lost any respect for The Black Keys. Although I dont dig their style, I could appreciate their talent and understand why many people do get into them. This whining about Nickelback being number 1 just seems petty and shows theyre not purely in it for the art.
There a great interview with Andrew W.K. (not a fan of his style either) twhere hes real positive about people being welcome to like music for whatever reason they choose. Who are we to tell others they cannot like something for some reason, or they must like it for another reason http://www.toazted.es/interview/405/Andrew-WK.html
these Black Keys arent doing anything new differnt or groundbreaking – Grunge saved us from the hair bands. Who will save us from Bieber, Nickelback, LMFAO, and the Black Keys? They're all on the same bus if you ask me.
This critique coming from a guy wearing the brooklyn "hipster" uniform!! Nice black rimmed glasses! Your sooo unique!
SPOT ON – hipsters. fake phony and the other side of the nickelbak coin they rip on.
artifically messy hair? check Horn rim glasses? Check pouty lips, hands in pockets like i just dont care – check flood pants? check messenger bag? always – fake aged....no wait....distressed leather jacket......CHECK!!!!!!!!
Laughable. His mastery of language is matched by........well.................nothing. These two don't have the pedigree to take themselves that seriously, nor do they have the ability to articulate it if they did. But to each his own.
I know a lot of people who are truly masters of their instruments. Some are rockers, some are jazz artists, some hold endowed chairs in symphony orchestras. All are serious, professional musicians. And a lot of them think the Black Keys suck , too.
It's all in the eye of the beholder.
I think what they are really trying to say is that marketing is ruining this type of music, I am not a nickelback fan (to each his own) but it seems to me they got to where they are by lots of marketing and airplay(which can be bought). A record label can make anyone seem good to the legions of social media zombies nowadays. I do like the Black keys but who knows they may be the new Nickelback 5-10 years from now, money and power can do strange things to good people.
I think with many fail to understand is that the problem with Nickelback isn't simply their music – it's what they represent. Nickelback embodies the worst, most damaging business model in the music industry – if something sells, just keep repeating it. Nickelback has not only ripped off countless grunge bands, they even rip off themselves. Most of their music repeats the same formula, and don't kid yourselves, that is 100% to make money. Their music expresses nothing. It is about nothing. They might be competent studio musicians, but that doesn't excuse the shallowness of their music. They churn out meathead anthems about getting laid and partying on every album because they know that's what will sell. There is nothing genuine, original, or creative about Nickelback. They are a corporate product designed simply to make money, with minor tweaks each year to prevent them from simply covering their own songs. If that's what music is to you, you don't understand music. You don't have to like The Black Keys, but they worked their way up in the industry while staying true to themselves. Nickelback would change their sound completely if that's what it took to stay relevant.
Well said, my man. Spot on.
So if they are so terrible why are they the number one selling band right now. I am more classic rock but they sell so somebody likes em. To each their own
Actually these days most music is downloaded. Most people who buy music are just to dim to learn about torrents. So your argument is flawed. Nickelback has sails because guidos don't know how to use a computer. plain and simple.
Peter, The Macarena spent 14 weeks at #1 on the billboard charts. Milli Vanilli sold 30 million singles and 11 million albums, and they weren't even a real band. Sales have no reflection whatsoever on quality, but simply how well something is marketed.
12 million people joined a facebook group in 2008 entiled "I bet this pickle can get more fans on facebook than Nickelback" food for though :)
Wow, these cool hipsters look like they will save rock and roll (the 1950's called, they want their term back)........
"Man, we just need a cool hip name." "what about like....the white stripes......instead of white we say black....and instead of stripes we go keys..." "totall......Our less then mediocre music, this name, and saying we hate Nickelback should take us streaight to the top mate"
Matt, a few notes:
1) The Black Keys never said they were trying to save Rock and Roll, just you. They are also not hipsters, but many of their fans unfortunately are 2) "The Black Keys" comes from a crazed old homeless man in their home town that would call people he viewed as bad seeds, "black keys" 3) The black keys are also used for the blues scale on piano. The Black Keys are blues-inspired. It makes a fair amount of sense when you think about it 4) They've tapped into a bevy of different demographics, have won awards, sold loads of records and are well-respected in the industry. That's the ideal career for any band. What have you accomplished?
Don't forget the Black Keys also won 2 grammies for Brothers in 2011. So eat that Black Keys haters!
Dude, these guys are total posers. He wears those glasses for vision right? Just another prop in another wanna be band. puke vomit choike.
These guys missed the ripping on nickelback window – that was cool a few years ago, now its lame.
They are hipsters – they think they are tool cool for school if you ask me. Pass the spliff.
I just googled worst artists of all time to win a grammy – top 3 were 3) milli vanilli 2) baha men 1) black keys
Hey amy here's a list of "artists" who won grammys in the past 5 years that are worse than the Black Keys
I keep trying to post something and CNN won't let me post it. It is not vulgur or offensive in any way.
Thanksgiving half time show ford field, they won't let me say the details on here, look it up and learn what happened.
55,000 people
Signed pet-
-ition to stop
Nickelback from playing the halftime show!
Wow, Black Keys, jealous much? You might want to know a little secret: your music sucks, too.
Hey Black Keys when you can make some original music that doesn't sound like it came out of the 90s (where music is still stuck) then you can talk. Sure Nickleback is a ripoff of creed/Pearl Jam... which one again is all from the 90s. Rock music is dying not because of Nickleback but because there hasnt been another "Nirvana". I feel sorry for kids these days because all their music sounds like my music.. I can't listen to a song now and go "Oh thats so 20??" I can definatly hear an 80s song and go "thats so 80s" though.
These 2 nerds probably only heard the Nickelback radio songs that sorta do suck. Nickelback has other songs that never made the radio that are actually pretty good. Slamming another band is low. Black Keys are good, but not THAT good.. & probably never going to be "the biggest rock band in the world".
Rock was dead 20 years ago. Cry harder. Also the irony of this being in Rolling Stone is delicious. RS wouldn't know rock from a festering llama corpse. All they do is follow pop fads. I don't understand how they're still in business.
I'm getting annoyed with this crappy bands! 1988 is where it was at!
the 80's sucked.
All I got from this..."Wahhhh Nickelback is > my band so they're awful wahhh."
I'm not a Nickleback fan but if I was the drummer for Black Keys, I would keep my mouth shut. They could be so much better with a decent drummer. He is so bad in so many ways and I am suprised Dan keeps him around. Nobody else (including Nickleback) would touch this guy!
I wipe my butt with Nickelback CD's!!!!
Guys, have either of these groups done a song about thinking about those nights in Montreal, and wanting to stop and tell you how I feel about you babe? Well then they can both kiss my a$$!!!!
What in the world are you talking about?
Nothing against NB personally, but I despise everything they do. A coworker had that stupid "Photograph" song as his ring tone for about a year. I now hate that song even more than the others!
All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! I LOVE The Black Keys and LOVE they finally put in to words the ultimate SUCK that is Nickleback!!!!
Good for you, poser. Who will you "LOVE" tomorrow, I wonder?
Wow. I've been a fan of the Black Keys for years, their early albums were a big influence on my own band, and I am happy to see them receiving mainstream success. That said, I am really surprised at Carney's combative comments regarding Nickleback. I imagine Dan Auerbach was sitting next to him during the interview thinking, "please stop talking, please stop talking..." I can now see why Dan has done most of the press for the band. I do love their music, but this kind of press statement seems like rookie mistake. Being a little older and a tiny bit wiser than my younger days, I know it's completely pointless to argue with another person in regards to music that's good and music that sucks. Can you honestly think of a time when an argument of that nature ended with someone saying "You know what? You're right, I was wrong. Your group rocks and mine sucks".
Amen! I've been listening to The Black Keys since Thickfreakness (well before they were ever well known). I never thought they would get the mainstream success they deserved until they started touring the United Center and the Quicken Loans Arena this year (far from the $2 show I saw them play for <100 people years back). For anyone bashing the Black Keys, or saying they never heard of them, then you must live in a cave. They have actually been quite popular for a year or two now, and have won several Grammys, and have been talked about by the likes of Robert Plant (who offered to play bass for them). Their older stuff was much more bluesy (including a whole album of Junior Kimbrough covers). Recently, with the addition of more instruments in their albums (starting with Attack & Release) they have been making more mainstream music. They are insanely talented, and anyone who knows their old work, or have seen them live know that. They also know that Pat likes to spew off random things, like this Nickelback rant, and should know not to take him entirely seriously. I do hate Nickelback though, and found this more amusing than anything else.
Has either one of those groups ever done a song about a ship that was the pride of the American Side coming back from some dell in Wisconsin? No? Then both bands can STFU!
Its "mill" you clod, not "dell"
Wow, hipsters ragging on popular music. How original.
This reminds me after the 80's were over and Rolling Stone picked The Replacements over Bon Jovi and being the better band and Jon asked "Who are The Replacements?".
Although the Black Keys have their opinion of how rock'n'roll is being represented in today's popular music, true rock'n'roll will always find a way into people's hearts. Once it has its hooks in you, it won't ever let go.
Vampire Weekend thinks that Muse is ruining rock and roll.
Um, they both are.
This happens in all styles of music. they hype an artist that has not talent but marketable looks and image and forget about the real talent that should be there. Therefore, people like nicelback and taylor swift, make it hard for the real talent to be herd. The market seems to make cookie cutter people and market only to the very young who buy up alot of the stuff.
I consider myself a music snob but I rock out in my car to "If Today Was Your Last Day" ! Sorry
I love the idea that because a band isn't popular then they must not be good. nickelback will definitely sell more albums, but they jsut are not as good as the Black Keys. As a musician myself, I know lots of great guys who make crappy music. I don't say it so bluntly, but they invite me to shows and I just respond with "no thanks, you guys are good at what you do, but it's just not my style".
I get the keys point, I guess I'm just not as interested in how people would classify me as they are.
Black Keys are a popular band, just not to this MTV bubblegum crap crowd. They have been around for ages. Used to like em, got bored with them.
@Brian: 2001 is not "for ages." Nickelback is definitely not what I'd consider quality music, but the black keys wouldn't qualify either. They're just as bubblegum as nickelback, just spearmint instead of strawberry.
FiveFingerTheoryofaNickelHinder! Best band ever! Now where did I lose my Affliction Shirt? Bro-Rock forever, Bro.
Uhh....Black Keys stink too. Both are terrible bands. Yo, Black keys, you don't fool me with your bubble gum crud "rock" BS.
Tony Hawk and Andy Dick started a band?
AAAHAHAHAHAAA, good one!!
What I mostly can't stand about Nickelback is the singer's voice. It sounds like he chewed on glass shards before going into the studio.
I somehow remember their full show at bonnaroo...... nice
Black keys suck. who are they to talk about nickelback? All aof their songs may not be great but the ones that are great are awesome :)
Yup, few songs can beat "Something in your mouth". I envision a really hot chick twirling around a pole with a lollipop. How can you beat that? Oh, and if my girlfriend asks, I didn't say that......
This is like Black Keys calling the kettle black.
All these "rock" bands S__K., they've been in this state of S since like 10, 15 years now, maybe more. A long decline... there's no ROCK now? Who are they kidding!
The less people that like Nickelback, the better it is for ME!! I love Nickelback, and the less people that like them, the easier it will be for me to get better tickets to their shows . . . and what a show they put on!!! Fire, explosions, great musice, just AWESOME!! You knuckleheads don't know what your missing, but I'm glad you will be missing it – THANKS for staying out of my way come concert time!! See ya soon Nickelback :)
Yes, because the Black Keys are SUCH an amazing band.
Um... Nickelback is only popular because PEOPLE LIKE THEM. It's not Nickelback's fault that millions of people like their music – isn't that the point? It makes not a shred of difference what the Black Keys think, or you think, or I think of Nickelback. They should be "called out" and "ostracized" for creating music people like? You realize how silly that sounds?
well said Skinny ;)
I think Nickelback purposely sets out to make radio friendly garbage they know will sell to the masses versus making something with originality and depth, that's what makes them "suck". Regardless, I do think it is lame when other bands bash other bands like this. "Butt Rock" is nothing new.
I am a Black Keys fan, not a fan of Nickelback, but getting into the old "we're artists and you're not" thing is completely lame. Some people like Nickelback's lyrics, some even like their music (blech). But if they are popular (and they are) it doesn't mean "good" music is negatively impacted. Trust me, it's not like Nickelback fans are going to wake out of their crappy music liking stupor and start buying GBV and Pixies records. Let them like their Creed and Nickelback and overproduced country music, or watch NASCAR and WWF, or buy their beer in 30 packs. Enjoy and God bless. Oh, and none of that makes anybody stupid. Some people like their down time to be relaxed and unchallenging, and simple and unchallenging music fits that bill.
Bashing Nickleback is a bit passe...Kid Rock sells records as well and is just as boring. I like The Black Keys but they aren't doing anything special.
Dickleback sucks dickles.
I've known this for years, that Rock & Roll music as I used to know it is dying off a slow painful death. Rock excited me a lot growing up-simply loved it, but now there is only less than a handful of acts I will go see live or buy their records. Look at the bands these days! Simply AWFUL. I don't even listen to most of them. I go back to the 60s, 70s, 80s and the 90swhich, in my opinion was the last decade of Rock (Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam Soundgarden, Rage, etc.) to listen to some real rock music. I like the type of Rock with that Bluesy feel to it. I simply do not hear that classic type of Rock anymore, and so I don't listen to Rock radio as much anymore. Shameful.
its beer censored not his stupid site?
Nickelback and the black keys both suck donkey kongs. Bunch of hipster tards with your little frame glasses and I bet you wear converse shoes what a bunch of posers.
Van Halen's new album will resurrect Rock and Roll.........next week is the release
Rock and Roll is a category that covers alot of territory – – Nickleback and Black Keys are just a teeny smidge of whats out there and neither are very impressive so seriously folks ... who really cares ! I prefer Alternative myself ;)
Regardless of your opinions, and some of yours are quite "strong", pick up ANY Black Keys record and you will truly see what great music is all about
Right, because there's no such thing as differing taste. Let people listen to what *they* think is "real" music and stop bashing things just to make yourself look cool. You're not.
Ugh. As much as I hate Nickelback lyrics, I'm so sick and tired of Nickelback-bashers. They make their music, do their thing, mind their business, give back to charity and from what I hear, are pretty nice guys. As much as I'm not a fan of their music, I see no fault in allowing them the freedom to do what they want to do. The Black Keys, on the other hand, just lost my respect. Such an immature, whiney position. If you believe that your music is good enough to speak for itself, than why lash out at a band who I'm sure doesn't steal away any of your market share. Last I checked, Nickelback fans and Black Keys fans were from an entirely different universe... After reading this, I think I might just go buy a Nickelback album or two just to support their cause.... and forget ever buying another Black Keys album.
Those of you saying if you haven't heard of Black Keys to listen to the radio and watch tv, well, I DO listen to the radio. Every day, in fact. And I watch a lot of tv as well. NEVER. HEARD. OF. THEM. I do hear Nickleback. I also hear Lady Antebellum. Now, if you want to talk about what is killing rock-n-roll, look no further than these crap-tastic cross-over bands! They are the ones causing its demise. I have never wanted to slap anyone (besides Colby Caillat) more than Lady Antebellum! Learn to sing correctly, please, unless you really ARE talking about wanting a jewish person or chewing tobacco product.
Nickleback does suck. But the Black Keys are a couple of derivative poseurs. They suck long and hard – just in a different way.
Keep fighting Kyle! I'm with you..Nickelback blows. 99% of popular music these days is pre-packaged, overproduced, posturing, garbage. You can't tell bands apart anymore just by their sound, you have to wait till the lyrics come in. Soon they'll figure out a way to make all singers sound the same too. Listen to what you want people, in my opinion by listening to this nonsense being shoved down your throat, you're short-changing yourself.
Nickelback's album 'The State' was really good. After that they became watered down and the last few albums have been terrible.
I never liked Nickelback but now I think far less of the Black Keys. My 3 chords is better than your 3 chords come on it's all a matter of taste!
======================== EXACTLY ! ... duh ... :) =====================================
This is funny, another Canadian group bashing another Canadian group over who is rock.... Baby, theres only one rock and thats AMERICAN ROCK, everything else is just wannabes
The Black Keys aren't Canadian. They're from Ohio. Good try, though.
Phish is better than all of them.
I agree... Nickleback = lame...
Guys, Creed is the number one rock band in the world and it isn't even debateable.
Markingnoise, as a fellow musician I definitely agree with you that the Black Keys sound like amateur hour (two 12 year olds working with dad's recording gear for the first time). I heard forever about how I had to listen to this Black Keys group and I finally did and the drums were all over tempo-wise and the guitar work was sloppy.
Cane, ever think that it sounds like that for a reason? Do you have any idea where their first few albums were recorded? The effects you hear might have to do with the "sound" they were trying to create.
So what you are saying is that they are intentionally trying to make cr@p? Perhaps we need a cr@p rock genre then and they can be the biggest band in it.
While the Black Keys music may suck (I just checked it out, and it does), they clearly have it going on in the marketing department. Look at how many people who didn't know who they were now know. Sad that it makes them look like whiny babies with a bad case of sour-grapes, but that's the chance you take when you start bashing highly-successful artists who make millions of dollars every few weeks.
how dare you call nickleback artists, whats wrong with you?
anyone who thinks nickel back is the biggest rock band in the world should not be listened to. I think u2 Muse cold play DMB and a few others would probably laugh at that. And BTW the black keys are pretty horrible IMO.
Hey, my brother plays guitar in Nickelback and he got me a new Lexus for christmas! I bet the Black Keyes can't afford to buy their brothers new luxury cars!
They play soda pop style music and my grandma could hit the drum harder.
This guy (Carney) comes off like a total moron with a vocabulary to match. The Black Keys are NOT that great, and he's just PO'd that Nickelback's been more successful. Maybe he should stop whining and name-calling like a little baby and grow a set. That's what real rock-and-rollers do. What a puss.
As a professional drummer in a rock band, I can appreciate Nickleback as great musicians. Nickelback's music on the other hand is a matter of taste but after listening to the Black Keys for the first time I just laughed out loud, they sound like two no talent 12 year olds making noise, sloppy guitar, bad vocals and worse drums! Maybe they will keep practicing and grow up some day.
Hmmmm, sounds like the Black Keys are jealous! I like Nickelback.
Remember when they put Jethro Tull in the JAZZ category for the Grammys? Forgot this? You will forget what the Black Keys stated as well! Got it?
It was actually the heavy metal category your dum sh-t. They won the award over Metalica, lol.
For the people that don't know who The Black Keys are please turn on a radio or the tv. This band is huge and I highly doubt they are even remotely jealous of Nickelback.
hm i turn the radio on when these losers come on, the suck! i love nickleback.Honestly black keys are a walking pile of S..t
The problem with Nickelback, in addition to their music being 100% unoriginal claptrap, is that it's disingenuous. It's not music, it's a product. It's music execs sitting in a room trying to figure out how to appeal to the broadest possible demographic and sell the most records – period. Nickelback is so blatantly derivative of other bands, their lyrical content so meat-headed and inane, that it would be impossible for anyone who takes music seriously or has even the broadest knowledge about music history to take them seriously. That is who they cater to – people who listen to music in clubs or sports events, that make no attempt to dig any further. Likewise, if you love comedy and take it seriously, you're not going to listen to Carlos Mencia everyday instead of Richard Pryor.
Regardless of whether you like The Black Keys music, they are two hard-working, genuine guys making music that is true to them. I don't care what they sound like, I will ALWAYS value genuine music over streamlined corporate product. The fact that many people seem to take Nickelback seriously is a sad statement about music today.
Spot on!
While I do agree with your post, I want to ask this...
How is this Nickleback's fault? This has been going on for the last two decades. Has there truly been an "original" mainstream band that was on top of the heap since 2000?
Heck, look at the Axis of Awesome's skit on the 4 chord song to realize that this isn't an issue that has started now but has been going on since the days of New Kids on the Block or before that.
I'm shocked by the amount of people that are saying that Nickelback isn't that bad and that The Black Keys are terrible. These people must have a hard time walking and talking at the same time since they clearly are morons.
Really? Hmm. I'm an ex-military computer programmer with a 147 IQ working in IT for a successful multi-national corporation. I listen to many genres of music, preferably rock of all kinds. I say that some of NB's stuff is not that bad. Go ahead and call me a moron from the safety of mommy's basement you cave troll.
People who state their IQ's on the web threads are f*ing idiots and probably like Nickelback, no suprise here.
You can throw a can of dog food to a crowd of starving people... just because they swarm it, doesn't make it filet.
Good analogy.
Black Keys....?
Kinda like naming your group "The Top Two Guitar Strings" or "The Lower Cymbal of the Hi-Hat".
No, wait....they're named after the "Black Keys" song by the Jonas Brothers that my 7-yr old daughter listens to, right...?
Yet another reason to love The Black Keys.
Yup, I said the same thing. The Black Keys' music kicks ass, but now we know that they're paying attention and feel the same way most of us rock n' roll fans feel. Nickelback is nothing but corporate rock, just like the some of those late-70s/early-80s bands. Their lyrics have no imagination and their progressions sound like they've been lifted from "How to write a rock song for beginners." Long live Rock! Long live The Black Keys!!
Look I am not a huge fan of Nickelback at all. I'll respect the fact their style of music appeals to people, but not me. Are they killing Rock and Roll. Not at all. What bands like Arcade Fire, Black Keys and the likes are, are the 2010+ versions of these bands. Nickelback has not done anything different for the genre than other bands of that ilk have. Black Keys are no different, they are just in a different era. I like neither band because they don't inspire me. Bands like Animals as Leaders, Periphery, Lamb of God to bands like M83, Fair to Midland I enjoy.
Everyone has their own opinion. I like some Nickelback songs like "If Today Was Your Last Day" and I dislike others like "This Afternoon" I've listened to the Black Keys and I like some of their songs as well. As for BK's trashing Nickelback... well, I do believe that this is going to be the Angelina Jolie vs Jennifer Aniston of rock music. Tone down the testosterone and just do your damn work. Fans will enjoy what they enjoy so shut your f*ing mouth about other bands.
You can't kill rock & roll, it's here to stay – Ozzy
heard a few Nickleback tunes ..... typical AOR , middle of the road , bland ( corporate ) rock ........ same for The Black Keys .......... zzzzzzzzzzz seems neither can get good PR on the basis of their music ...... so it comes down to celebrity sniping zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I think it's pretty lame when one artist puts down another artist, If your making good music then why the need to put someone else down, unless your insecure and you suck too...oh, I guess that applies to The Black Keys.
Couldn't have said it better myself!
Yup. It's always so cool for these sub-par bands to point at the successful ones and say "They've sold out, but we haven't. We're real!" Yup, real bad.
Right... The Black Keys are selling out arenas. Their 2012 Arena Tour was practically sold out on pre-sale. Nickeback won't sell out a club. Aren't they an opening act these days?
It's so sad for rock music...
You look at hip hop or pop or country, and take the top performers that are on the radio. Within those genres of music, you can easily say that those artists are generally the best of the best. But you look at rock music, the radio rock and rollers, and you get Nickelback, and that's all people see. The Black Keys make a great point. Alternative radio stations all over the country are going off the airwaves, and the only representative for rock music in the top 40 most often times is Nickelback. It is a dark day...
Wow, that is one scary looking duo. They make the lead singer of Nickleback look attractive.
The Black Keys are from Cleveland...enough said.
Actually they are from Akron, cleveland is a great city full of hardworking blue collar americans. Cities like Cleveland made this country what it is.
I guess complaining about a bad band is the only way another bad band can get attention for themselves. At least Nickleback can afford to buy the black and white keys so I am sure they are laughing all the way to the bank.
Kyle: Officious, self-important jerks like you are a major part of the world's problem . . . so sad to be you! You obviously think that no one is allowed to have an opinion that disagrees with yours, and no matter how you spell them, words used to deride the developmentally challenged are offensive to anyone with a brain and a conscience.
wow wow wow stop the presses nickelback is still around? i thought they sucked when they first came out wonder how bad they are now? and who are the black keys? i think this means i am getting old
One more thing, when was NB EVER the biggest rock band in the world?
Kettle? Meet pot.
Both bands SUCK.
I hear the same stuff in rap music and the hip-hop culture. Crazy everybody sayin that the music is changing for the worse. Different era=different taste or some other simillar formula. I personally find wat I like and leave it at that. Shout out to whoever made the point about art bein subjective. O and my vote goes to Rage Against the Machine for best band but that's wat I like and u don't gotta feel me. I just gotta feel me.
I love the black keys, and Patrick is totally right, but I just wanted to mention...am I the only one who thinks Dan looks like homer simpson with hair in this picture?
Nickelback isn't that bad, jeez take it easy, lol. Having said that, can't wait until Feb for Van Halens NEW album.
Why all the hatin on bands? you don't like their music don't listen. No one is going to agree on what band is best... that's why there are a lot of them for different tastes
Give Wilco a listen if you want some rock music in your life
The Black Keys are way more musically talented than Nickelback. And they simply don't want to be compared to the worst music ever. Patty's right. FU Nickelback
Our songs aren't played on the radio – boo hoo !
long live rock and roll who ever it might be and down with pin heads like kyle
Also, before anyone gets on their pedestal and starts ranting, check out the nominees of the best rock performance for the past Grammys. When you have Coldplay and Mumford and Sons as rock performances, Nickelback is the least of your problems. The word to study and remember is genre. There are a bunch in the music industry.
I agree that Mumford & Sons aren't exactly rock, but they are truly magnificent songwriters in my opinion.
While I can wholeheartedly agree that Nickelback sucks, it's such a turn-off when artists trash each other. The Keys should be a bit more humble, because El Camino is NOT one of their better albums. I was actually kind of disappointed. I'd be more worried about their own sound losing its edge than how much other artists suck.
nothing made me happier when someone threw a rock at them in europe
I have chunks of crappy bands like Nickleback and Black Keys in my stool.
Not to mention the 2nd and 3rd Boston albums...
I loved, loved, loved, Nickelback's Silver Side Up. That's what put them on the map. Great story-telling lyrics, melodies, yet hard-rockin' too. But after that, it went downhill from there. The music became stale, more commercial and Chad Kroeger became more of a one-trick pony, vocally. The Black Keys are probably my favorite of the current crop of bands and I get where they're coming from.
"F*** You, Honestly" needs to be on a t-shirt. Like right now.
Nothing like a good tongue lashing from arrogant d-bags who want to tell us what is "happening" and what we should like and not like. I give them 2 years ... then no one will even know who they are. They are a joke ... like when Hall and Oats said they were like the Beatles of the 80's ... lol. or
I tell the Nickleback critics around me that I think they're using the wrong ruler for the band. Nickleback is music's equivalent of a summer blockbuster movie. It's not deep, it's not meant to be all thought provoking and medatative. It's fun, aimed at an audience that wants to have their own brand of fun with their music. I mean, Ghostbusters was fun, millions of people loved it, but it wasn't aimed at the same audience as Full Metal Jacket.
I love Nickelback, probably always will, because I listen to it when I am in a fun frame of mind, it doesn't pull me down. If more people listen to Chad and the boys than listen to the Black Keys, then so be it. It's not the same genre of music, so Nickelback isn't ruining anything for anyone, maybe more people would rather have fun than listen to a band that's whining about someone else ruining their chance. Work to keep the fans you have, instead of ailienating the people who won't ever be your fans anyway.
Mr Carney doesn't know that rock ended before he was born.
The Black Keys are idiots just for the fact that they think this..."Rock & roll is dying because people became OK with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world," drummer Patrick Carney tells the magazine. When did Nickelback become the biggest band in the world? They are on too many drugs and their music reflects it.
TRUE that...nickelback SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
Is Nickelback a "great" rock band ? questionable -are they still producing music that is considered rock n roll ? Yes -if the black keys are so worried about nickelback keeping rock alive -then just put out better songs & rise above it-I prefer bands like Jet or even buckcherry (albeit a little older) anyway
haha Buckcherry, even worse than Nickelback.
Wether Nickelback is good or bad doesn't matter. People like Nickelback. More people like Nickelback than the Black Keys. They're attacking the big shot so they can get some publicity. If the Black Keys are true rock n' roll then they should succeed through their music instead of wining and crying about another band being more likable. One more thing to note. Who said the Black Keys are now all of a sudden the people to decide what is true rock and what is not. If anyone it should be Nickelback to decide. Whatever Nickelback is doing is working, therefore Nickelback should be the band to aspire to because in the end being in a band is a career choice and the main goal in a career is to make money. Nickelback is making it, more than most bands.
"More people like Nickelback than the Black Keys." I am not too sure about that. They basically sell out wherever they go. Yes, they aren't selling out arenas, but neither is Nickelback.
Um... Yea the Black keys definitely just won a grammy and are selling out arenas for their upcoming tour... Get out of the house much?
Actually, most real rock and roll bands never "really" suceeded through thier music i.e went commerically popular. Most great and inovative bands were never recognized in their time for their achievements. Look at Iggy Pop for example.
comeon: Just FYI. The Black Keys are selling out arenas!! Their 2012 Tour (all Arenas) is practically sold out. Nickeback maybe can sell out one arena in Canada, but not anywhere else. Aren't they an opening act these days? Nickelback fans: News for you: we are not in 1995 anymore. Get over it. If you like to listen to the same song again and again for 15 years, it's your choice. But PLEASE don't try to defend that it is good music. Nickelback has received widespread negative reviews from various sources. Review aggregator Metacritic reports that three of their six most recent studio albums since becoming a mainstream act, The Long Road, All the Right Reasons and Dark Horse, have scores of 62%, 41% and 49% respectively, which means horrible by any standards.
Nickleback is the Warrant/Winger/Stryper of the new millennium.
Nothing like chastising people for their own opinion of what they find good to make people feel American.
Nickleback is Canadian moron.
Nickleback really sucks. I feel bad for kids that listen to that garbage as there introduction rock. The band that introduced me to rock was Def Leppard Pyromania.
But if you remember back in those days, people were saying the same thing about Def too. I thought they were soft pop compared to Metallica, Slayer, Megadeath, etc at the time. It just goes to show that many things do not change. People just listen to what they like, nothing wrong with that.
I hope you realize that the current Nickleback crap and Pyromania were produced/written by the same guy. ;) Robert "Mutt" Lange is the king of producers. Great guy, but he has gone over the edge ever since he went country with that Shania garbage. He ruins bands now. Old Nickleback was tolerable and even edgy. This new crap sounds too contrived.
The Black Who??? Sounds like a bunch of sour grapes to me because everyone knows who Nickleback is... can you say the same Pat???
Really? Have you watched tv or listened to the radio in the last 3 years? The Black Keys have been everywhere recently and its because they are one of a very few great bands to come out in a long time.
Right. They are so jealous... The Black Keys are selling out arenas. Their 2012 Arena Tour was practically sold out on pre-sale and their new album will go gold in less than a month. Nickeback won't sell out a club. Isn't Nickelback an opening act these days?
Who cares? You listen to what you want and I will listen to what I want. Nuff said.
...and for that matter...who the heck likes the Black Key's? They suck as well. You call that rock n roll? LMAO
Well said...Nickelback is for pansies...cattle.
What is this point of this statement? Nickelback was in years ago and most people are aware of how bad they suck.
any publicity is good publicity. by talking s**t they are just getting people to listen to them.
Saw these guys on Colbert and they had to be the two stupidest, least interesting individuals that I had ever seen interviewed.
Here is the only good video Nickledork was ever in. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7F3O6WYfHQ
And please watch it, especially if you hate the band. LOL!!!
Aerosmith, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, these artist are true rockers. When music gets back to what it was in the day, only then will rock be back on track. Making noise is not making music. It's just noise.
The Black Keys are taking themself too seriously. It's all subjective. Some like opera and some like NASCAR. Some like The Beatles and some like The Stones. This same arguement has been over Matchbox 20 and even ZZTop.
Chill out
It's only Rock-N-Roll.
hey kyle your a retard shut up stuipd you dont know anything about music take a look in the mirror if u want to see a moron
*Hey *, *you're *. *Shut *, *stupid *. *You *don't *. *Take *you *.
Neither band is Taylor Dane. Neither!
Who the hell is Taylor Dane?
You mean nether of them are Tyler Durden.
Tell it to my heart.
Chad Kroger has the most s.e.xy bedroom growl vocals! This kind of music has its own niche, its own fans! I love my rock hard, but sometimes I want to hear something more poppy or mellow or classical! Rock has many categories, not everything has to sound like Metallica or AC/DC!
Yeah, it's called post-grunge. Everything the Seattle Sound never stood for. Take a Nirvana albulms, destroy whatever creativity it has, destroy it and market it to the mass audience.
Do that and you will actually end up with Nirvana. The most overrated, average music in history
Nickelback is not rock..Led Zepplin is rock...Black Keys is more blues than rock...Madonna is pop...who cares? To each his own. I listen to all of these bands and like them for their individuality not because I only listen to one type of music..and Kyle are you on the payroll for the Black Keys? Seriously, they don't need defending....
Actually I'm on the payroll for the A.N.A. (Anti Nickelback Association)
Who the hell are the Black Keys to be judging any other band on whether they are good or not. I listened to the Black Keys once... ONCE. Never again. Let's be honest, Nickelback certainly isn't the greatest rock band in the world. I don't really listen to them much and I think they sound very commercial. However, the level of hatred for them boggles my mind. There have certainly been worse bands in rock history. Did it ever occur to the haters that they are doing so well because 1. There are actually people who do like them and 2. they obviously have a crack team of promoters behind them. At any rate, I'll stick with Iron Maiden, Symphony X and Dream Theater and leave the commercial bands and their fanboys and haters to bicker amongst themselves.
Honeslty, and I'm not just saying this, honestly I have never personally met a single human being that like nickelback. Not only that bu everyone I've ever talked to about the Black Keys in person has nothing but good things to say about them. But hey I guess that's just my fault for surrounding myself with people who listen to real music....
Here's the thing, yes art is subjective. But then there are manufactured versions of mass produced "art" that is nothing more than a business model. Such as Nickelback, Bieber, Hannah Montanna, Lady Gaga. Art is subjective, but artists such as those aren't even art int he first place, it's not that i dislike them as artists it's that they aren't artist. For instance I don't like widespread panic or all of radioheads stuff, or all of led zeppelins stuff, but they are absolutely artists and I can respect them for that. The likes of Nickelback are not artists, plain and simple.
Maybe you should read up on Lady Gaga a bit before lumping her in with the others.
Why can't people just like what they like? Why do people like you have to put people down just because they like something different from you? So if someone likes to listen to NB and you don't, then they are lousy people? GROW UP. There are more important things in life that define a person besides their musical tastes.
How's the 5th grade? Does mom know you are still on the computer?
Kyle – Couldn't have said it better myself. I can respect an artist I don't particularly like, but there are a myriad of performers that can't be considered artist. Pretty much your list and a plethora of others. The Black Keys are some of the freshest acts in the mainstream in years.
They waited until they were ahead of Nickelback in current billboard charts before slamming them so they had some clout with their comments. Bottom line, they don't like that Nickelback has been making a mockery of their profession for years and are finally in a position to call them out. Rock on.
I'd rather gouge out my eardrums with a rusty icepick than listen to Nickelback. The Black Keys rock.
Thank you voice of reason!
Lemme know where to send the ice pick, and if you want help.
Jealous much? Black Keys flat out suck!! Trash compacters are more pleasant to list to
No worries Marty... those of us with actual musical taste will continue to enjoy The Black Keys... you can have Nickelback. Keep listening to them, Creed, Matchbox 20, Sum 41 on your Zune.
Comeon.., please lets leave Matchbox Twenty out of your little perception of what good music is , the vocalist for Matchbox Twenty ,Rob Thomas ,is well respected and admired by not just the fans but just about every major act in music , and is concidered one of the best singer/songwriters in music today, he has written for some of the best out there , has numerous grammy's and almost 100 platinum albums, other acts including Willie Nelson have won grammy's using his music,( Willie invited Rob Thomas on stage during his lifetime acheivment award at the Grammy's to thank him for his writing ) what have the Black Keys done lately
I never said anything bad about Rob Thomas by himself, but I think Matchbox 20 is pretty awful. But that's just my opinion.
To 'What???" – So Rob Thomas has written 100 platimum albums? So he's the reason all this crappy music is out there? It's called a common denominator.
Rock n' Roll can really be classified anywhere between buddy holly and slipknot. Nickleback may be "poppy", but maybe they will also open up their listeners to other harder and different types of bands. This is just another cliche classic case of hating anything successful and popular to make yourself seem more outside the establishment. Many other bands can probably say the same thing about the black keys. The throwing in expletives is sort of the same thing. No you are not "relevant" because you know how to swear, it just makes you look like an idiot in this type of interview and makes you lose credibility (not gain it). Personally I like everything from blues to death metal, but I am not going to hate a nickleback or a bieber just because they are successful. Obviously many people like them or they would not be where they are. Not my thing, but there are plenty of bands I like and those are the ones I listen to. I cannot care less what other people prefer. It is up to them. Quite simple really. People just like to hate. This has gone on for generations, and will always continue. Some bands will be overly popular, and it will be just as popular to slam them in order to seem "cool/sick/groovy/beast/crunk/hepcat/whatever" Rock will never die as the cliche goes, it just changes over time.
Your name fits you perfectly. You don't have the slightest idea what art is.
Ah Kyle, busy today? Actually I know very well what art is. In fact I have been working as a professional artist for over 20 years. And if you can actually read and comprehend, you would see I do not actually like Nickleback anyway. I am simply talking about hating and putting down anything that does not fit your taste. As an artist, I have learned over the years that art is a very subjective matter, and 100 people looking at a piece of art will have 100 opinions. It does not change the art itself just the perception. I know enough that what some call art some others call garbage. The most classic acts in rock history have all been slammed as garbage by someone. And many bad ones have been put on pedestals.
I am going to have to agree with Kyle on this one. There is a difference between hating and not wanting to be associated with a group b/c they are terrible. And anyone that says the like "everything from blues to death metal", I can't really take seriously as a critic. If you say you like everything, you don't really like anything... or you're lying. It's not in human nature to like everything.
comeon, I am sorry you don't believe it possible to like more then one kind of music. I feel a little sad for you. I also like steak and sometimes cookies. Does that also boggle your mind? Sometimes I like slasher flicks, sometimes big budget scifis, and sometimes small arthouse films. Sometimes I read biographies, sometimes I like horror, sometimes texts on scientific discoveries. Are you getting the picture? To me there is good and bad music in all genres, and depending on my mood I do in fact listen to an extremely wide range. Now as for hating vs not being associated with them, just don't listen to something you don't like. It is not actually forced on you. I personally am not a fan of nickleback, and I don't listen to them. Quite easy. I also do not like opera, and do not listen to that either. If someone hears me listening to fear factory for instance and associates that with Nickleback, then that is their assumption and lack of knowledge. It is not like I am walking around with a giant nickleback backpatch or have their name tattooed on my forehead. (although I am wearing a Dio shirt right now, some habits are hard to break. hehe)
I was looking for the like button. I would say you nailed it.
Oh, I like many genres of music, but I won't say that I like "everything from blues to death metal" b/c that is a pretty large spectrum. There is a lot of stuff in there I don't like and, from what wrote on other post, so do you. I can't stand country music, but I like bluegrass. And like you, I don't listen to something that I don't like. I would assume The Black Keys are the same, b/c any rational person wouldn't listen to something they can't stand. What I think The Black Keys are getting at, is that they don't want Nickelback to considered Rock music (music that they hold dear) – as well as other overly commercialized, over produced, cookie cutter bands like them. They don't want to be associated with that sort of music – Pop music basically. And I like sugar cookies, cookies w/ m&ms, snikerdoodles, and chocolate chip cookies (but not w/ semi sweet choc chips).
Can't find the like button either but I agree with AD. Couldn't of said it better myself. There's good music and then there's the stuff I don't listen to. There's no bad music....
"Mainstream" or "Pop" rock will never have much artistic integrity. Once big business gets a hold of it it becomes dumbed down twang that the masses want to listen to. If you want to find really good rock, it's out there playing a club near you or you can just rediscover some old stuff...try Defiance Ohio, Toy Dolls, Patti Smith, The Dead Milkmen, or The Dead Kennedys if you need something to chew on.
@comeon: I listened to some black keys since I hadn't heard them before, and what I think they need to understand is that rock covers a large range. Are they also upset with groups like Metallica, Divine Heresy, Foo Fighters, etc who are in rock or rock-derived genres for "helping to kill rock?" To me, they more sound like a poor rip-off of The White Stripes than anything. I don't care for nickelback either, but if anything if they're worried about someone killing rock, they'd have to blame the consumers and record companies ultimately.
Have to agree totally with AD here... and I like chocolate chip cookies with milk chocolate chips as well as strawberries, and enjoy classical music and most types of rock. Amazingly, I am diverse enough for that. Don't see the need to put down what I don't choose to listen to (or eat for that matter).
Best post here. Well said sir.
I agree with AD. The point is that what is noise to some, is sweet music others. Pop music is for the masses and is intentionally dumbed down. Nickleback started out that way and most would assume they would evolve from that into something else, but they haven't. I don't hate them for it, but I don't buy thier music either.
Two talentless nerds critiquing Nickleback. They are just pis sed that they look like that.
Jesus johnny, did you put your ears in the blender again?
Talentless nerds? Wow. Troll harder bud. Black Keys ooze talent.
they be oozin' da fugly...and the choons is dh*t...
So looks are important in your music? Glad to know there are Justin Bieber and N'Sync fans out there defending Nickelback.
Music is about musicianship, not looks. You think Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Keith Moon, Bryan Adams, Meatloaf, Buddy Holly, Eric Clapton, or Stephen Tyler are rock legends based on their good looks or their ability to rock?
Two talentless nerds with three Grammy Awards on their mantels, you mean.
maybe this will open your eyes. If you don't think this is better than nickelback you have something seriously wrong with you.
I listened to both songs with an open mind(I would like to find a new artist to dig), but what I just heard was terrible.
The Black Keys are good, but ""Little Black Submarine" is an awful "Stairway to Heaven" rip-off.
I don't like Nickleback by any means, but I agree with Mike. The White Stripes called... they want their 2 man band ™ gimmick back.
The Black Keys are FN garbage. Nickleback has a couple of good songs, but they are way better than this crap a$$ band. They (The Black Keys) are not Rock and Roll, they are trash.
The Black Keys would be Awesome.... If it were in the 1970s still.
No bad music, just nothing that original, they sound like rehashed 1970s songs. Rubber Factory doesn't have a good match-up of music and voice though, El Camino blends the singers voice and the music together well. That is one area that Nickleback does excel in... the music and vocals are melded together well, which is what gives Nickleback its signature nickleback sound. Love or hate em, its what they do. And Obviusly many many people like that.
I like their sound, thanks Kyle. I'm not entirely sure I would consider that Rock & Roll, though. Seems pretty folky to me. But I hate to tell you – I like Nickelback, too! And Tool. And NIN. And Johnny Cash. Different strokes for different folks.
Yea kid that was horrible, nickelback is definetly more rock than that crap. Someone said it best earlier, it sounds folksy, not rocky.
Kyle, as one who has been into rock music since the 50s (yeah, I know . . . I'm old), I can only say that these two songs are not representative of the best the Black Keys have to offer. Maybe you should have given us "Lonely Boy" off the new album. That song makes me bounce in my seat.
Mike ans w/Mike: If the Black Keys stole from the White Stripes, then the White Stripes stole from the Flat Duo Jets.
2-man acts are not new. That is the only thing these bands have in common. The sound and songwriting is very different. All three duos rock and are far better than Nickelback. Nickelback is great if you want to sit in your house and send a love song to a girlfriend on your path to dying safe and secure in a care-bear nation. The other three are great if you want to go to a live venue and be blown away by raw, honest, rock-n-roll, drink a little, and perhaps get in a fight or meet a girl. I'd love to see 4-5 more duos, all rocking, on the charts because it would indicate people are remembering what good rock music is about...it's not about listening to it in your car or on your home theater system. It's about going out and experiencing musicianship and feeling alive before your time here is gone.
good music is good music get over it bands like nickleback kick ass they deserve the credit and the fame they got
You're a moron, good music is good music, which is why you should realize nickelback sucks.
+1 to Kyle. Nickelback is absolutely terrible.
Nickleback is the sound I make when I SHlT.
This is so great, we need more bands like The Black Keys to speak out on what's happening to music. Nickelback is horrible and it's disgusting that they are doing well. If you think Nickelback is any good your ears are clearly broken. Fight this pop top 40 bs and bring back REAL rock n roll!
So what is REAL rock'n'roll to you Kyle? Hmm? I'm not a huge NB fan, but I have liked some of their stuff. I also like other bands that are considered sellout crap bands (Godsmack, Disturbed). So what? Is your definition of rock the one and only true definition? You don't have to like what I like and vice versa. People like you who need others to believe as you do are just seeking validation for your own existence. It's sad really.
you people are arguing with a 12 year old forum troll...who cares what he or frankly, any of us, thinks about anything. some peope like stuff, some people dont..so what.
Thing is though, if we had LED ZEPPELIN today and they sold millions of records like back in the day, there would be haters who would accuse them of being sell-out commercial pop. This is what success breeds. Accusations of selling out. I remember back in the day when Metallica fans were moaning that if more people listened to Metallica then it would be great because people would be listening to REAL music. Then they release the black album, which was ADORED by metal fans at first, but then they had the nerve to start selling by the bucketload to people with short hair, and all of a sudden the same damn album gets accussed, by the same damn fans, of being a commerical sell out. Now, if the black album had only sold a couple of million copies then these same fans would be claiming it to be one of the greatest melal albums ever, and it should have sold soooooo many more copies.
Personally I don't like Nickelback – but fair play to them for being successful and having decent sales in the modern era.
Really Jack? Comparing Nickleback with Led Zeppelin??? I think a more apt comparison would be with The Monkeys.
Nickleback will NOT be remembered as a great rock band, and they will NOT stand the test of time.
If you like them, thats cool. Just don't try to make the case that because music is popular it is should also automatically be considered 'great'.
I believe you have absolutely NO understanding or taste in music. Crossdressing wasn't enough for you, so you just have to continue to be outlandish
The Black Keys have the musical talent of Barney the Dinosaur.
Actually, Led Zeppelin were never Billboard hits. If you look at the Billboard charts from the 1970s, you'll see a bunch of pop stars who you know longer know and a few big names here and there (Rod Stewart, etc.). Bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Doors (what we now know as "classic" rock) were never as commercially big as Nickelback, but look now, everyone knows them. Just goes to show that sell-out crap like NB will never stand the test of time and the true innovators (not that the black keys are true innovators, but at least they try) are the ones people remember.
VampireJack: Just FYI. Led Zeppelin never had a #1 Billboard song. They were definitely not mainstream. Post-grunge copycat bands like Nickelback of Foo Fighters have chosen to play it safe for the last 10 years to keep selling albums. Don't get me wrong; I used to like some early Nickelback songs, but you have to accept they were not very original to begin with and every album sounds exactly the same. Not a lot of creativity there. They may be popular today, but they will remember as one of those many post-grunge bands. They are definitely not in the same category as Led Zeppelin. You may not like the Black Keys but you have to accept they are doing something different and have a very characteristic sound. I had never heard of the Black Keys until recently, but I must say that they are very talented. If you don't believe me, please listen to their 'Rubber Factory' album…but only if you actually like Rock. If you like Lady Gaga or Adele, please disregard and keep listening to that.
@vampireJack – exactamundo. @kyle – you bl0w goats
I would lose my temper too if I was a musician and someone compares me to Nickelback. Good bands that survive the test of time are those that evolve and are always trying to create something while keeping their distinctive sound. The Black Keys is one of those bands. Nickelback lacks both qualities. Nickelback has been playing combinations and permutations of the same song for 15 years and when you hear a new song on the radio you cannot tell if it is Nickeback, Foo Fighters, Creed, Stone Temple Pilots or a filler from a 20-year old Pearl Jam album. You hear one song, you heard them all. I used to like some of their early stuff but after 15 years it has become incredibly boring.
real rock and roll is where it's at. There is NOTHING rock and roll about the black keys. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate that they are doing their thing. But it's not rock. Well, maybe P-rock.
Nickelback does suck by the way! They're like Maroon 5 or some lame boy band with instruments.
Heh, true.
No dude...the Black Keys suck! Bloody awful group; makes all the dogs on the block howl with pain. The Black Keys attract the tougher guys who still want to play hide the snausage up other fellas. The Black Keys are a hit at all the gay Biker Bars.
Nickleback is terrific...Theory of a Deadman is even better!
Thor Johnson: News for you: we are not in 1995 anymore. Get over it. If you like to listen to the same song again and again for 15 years, it's your choice. But PLEASE don't try to say Nickelback is good music. Nickelback has received widespread negative reviews from various sources. Review aggregator Metacritic reports that three of their six most recent studio albums since becoming a mainstream act, The Long Road, All the Right Reasons and Dark Horse, have scores of 62%, 41% and 49% respectively, which means horrible by any standards.
Rock n Roll will never die!
YEAH!!!!! .....hm...is this cool?
You should invest in Sirus Radio... They have multiple channels dedicated to the real rock era with NO commercials. I bought Sirus 4 years ago and never ever listen to local radio anymore. No I don't have stock or work for Sirus. It is just that good. Keep Rocken!!!
Now that's just where you're wrong OB1. Recent studies show that rock and roll is, in fact, dying.
Mr. Carney needs to remember that everyone is judged by what they say and do. Maybe if this you angry lad would learn to communicate like a rational adult, then rockers like me might pause a moment and listen to what he has to say. When you speak garbage – what you say os garbage!
No, they're speaking their minds, just like people used to do. Bands like niclback need to called out and ostracized if we ever want rock music to be respectable again. It's lost so much integrity over the last 2 decades that it makes me sick.
Integrity and respectable?????that's what you think rock music is about? that is exactly what it's against , you should maybe get a clue before you start talking.
Bryan, that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read. Rock is about one thing....freedom. And all truly great rock music has one thing in common....integrity (i.e. The honest, passionate expression of emotion through song.)
i dont care what anyone says nickelback rocks
So what's your IQ? 50? maybe 60? Nickelback is for R-Tards you dumby.
I really like a few of Nickelback's songs but I also hate some others. One thing I can say is that Chad Kroeger is a genuinely nice guy. I met him back stage because a coworker gave him a tour of the Johnson Space Center. He not only treated us like friends but he's surprisingly funny. It's a shame that internet lemmings like kyle feel the need to follow what is considered "internet cool" and bash nickelback. If you don't like the music, that's fine. But when you start insulting other's for having a different taste in music than you, you're the one with the IQ problem.
I agree that nickelback is horrible, downright HORRIBLE. However, KYLE you are quite the instigator. What one sees as art might be seen as trash to another. Just because it doesn't fit your model of "art" doesn't mean its not an artform. Why do you think it's ok to belittle and out down people for liking and/or defending nickelback. You have too much time on your hands today. Again though, I HATE NICKELBACK and would never waste my money on them. But stop acting like you're some know all music buff. I studied music all 4 yrs in college, that doesn't make me some whiz kid.
Nickelback sucks big time. So does most of the pop rock on the radio these days. Rock and Roll died many many years ago. The Black Keys can't save it either but some of us appreciate the effort gents.
Hi Kyle, My I.Q. is 136 and I LOVE Nickelback... I think idiots like you should stay off the internet until you have something worthwhile to say.
hey kyle, learn how to spell. also, Nickelback may not be the "greatest" rock and roll band but they are very good. I like them, they put on a good show. Also, who the heck are the black keys??? Never heard of them until now-shows how popular they are!
I don't understand how childish some people are. So you don't like Nickelback, or Lady Gaga, or Cher, or Roy Clark. So? Then just don't listen to them. Yes, it's that easy. And if other people do happen to like singers you don't then so what? People are free to like whatever music they want. And millions do like Nickleback. It seems these other bands that whine about them must be just a tad too jealous, methinks. If Nickleback is the most popular rock band and the moment and you disagree then perhaps you're just out of touch with most people and need to work harder at your craft instead of acting like jealous children.
My IQ..."IT'S OVER 9,000!!!!"...I just melted Nickleback with my mind.
another "hater" like the band "Jet" who will make 1 hit and you'll never hear from them again. Not so much about NB's music as the lyrics that listeners relate to.
Worst. Band. Ever. Satan will make me listen to Nickelback and Staind in hell. I totally get what they mean about ruining Rock & Roll. Bands these days don't compare to the guitar gods and rockers of the past
I'm not a fan of Nickelback (but my missus loves them – figures.....) myself, but WHO THE HELL ARE THE BLACK KEYS? Never heard of them. I wonder if it's just another hater band who are jealous because they don't have the album sales? Tough break – get over it and be thankful you don't have to put up with Coldplay! Now THEY suck!
Well, having never heard of the band before (Black Keys) I decided to check them out on Youtube.....
Ha ha – they're actually pretty good. Kinda remind me of the midway point between White Stripes and Queens Of The Stone Age. Still reckon they are jealous because of album sales though.....
@vampirejack, where have you been for the past 5 years? The Black Keys have won multiple Grammy nominations for 3 years running, and their last album went gold in 8 months
Nickleback is the worst band to ever play a chord.
Arctic Monkeys........!!! British rock is where its at!
the black keys are just as derivative...who care if someone covers them they sound like a cover band...
NIckelback sucks. Just not talent bla songs. Only rock star out there is Trey Anastasio, he's top five guitar players ever but people don't like inproversational music. Oh well, more for real music fans.
"echopolitics @vampirejack, where have you been for the past 5 years? The Black Keys have won multiple Grammy nominations for 3 years running, and their last album went gold in 8 months"
I've been in ENGLAND. I presume they are popular in the US, but are pretty much unheard elsewhere. When it comes to the Grammys, again I don't think anyone outside of the US are really interested in them. Hell, even Homer Simpson has won a Grammy! :)
Oh, Eric, Eric, Eric... you silly man... Nickelback can't play chords!
Meh, they should try some white keys too, otherwise it's all just a pentatonic scale isn't it? If I paid a nickel to see Nickelback, I'd want my nickle back!
Sucks Rocks, you mean.
Listen to the new Foo Fighters album if you want to know what real rock sounds like.
Nickelback absolutely rocks. I've seen them twice in concert and they keep it hard.
The Black Keys absolutely suck. Anyone who remotely thinks the Black Keys have any musical talent also believe Biz Markie's "Just a Friend" is a melodic masterpiece. The Black Keys are awful and they'll fade out so quickly, you won't even remember them in 5 years from now Listen to Theory of a Deadman if you love Nickelback!
Looks like they both wanted to be rock stars?
Nickelback sucks. Anyone who thinks otherwise has lousy taste in music. I hated Nickelback before it was cool to hate them. Bottom line, it's prefab garbage. And LOL @ the people slinging their IQ's they got from some internet IQ test. Funny how everyone is either a genius or borderline genius. If you like NIckelback, you are one of the many sheep making crappy bands like Nickelback rich. You are also the same people that eat at Subway and drink starbucks. You don't care about quality, you are only interested in what you like being popular and main stream. And at one time, Nickelback was popular, but people got sick of it being crammed down our throats. Next you are going to try and tell me Lady Gaga is original, LOL!
By their own admission the Rolling Stones stole Muddy Waters songs. All bands are thieves of earlier musicians. It doesn't matter. Listen to the music you like from Bach to Beastie Boys. Everyone should just mind their own music tastes and business.
Nickelback is to music what McDonald's is to food. Incredibly popular, but never worthy of respect from people who truly care about the time/effort that goes into something and the taste that results from it.
i agree i adore nickleback, black keyes who>?
No. The Black Keys may suck just a little less than Nickelback but they suck none the less! Pop Rock sucks, you can't even tell the difference between it and new country! Screw all these bands they all suck! Josh Homme is God!
That drummer in Black Keys is somewhat of a puke. To have a head like that and be some kinda big mouth industry goo-roo is laughable. I think he was still living at home suckeling his moms jugs 10 years back when Nickel back got their FIRST American gold record. If these bands meet up in the same town any "one" of the Nickelback guys could slap-out these pukes.
@ James. Over 9000!
NB is for children who can't understand real RoK-N-rOLL...enjoy miley and NB and katy perry....when you grow hair on your balls you may learn to enjoy real ROCK -
I don't care if Nickelback is great or sucks – one band slamming on another band is really low. Shame on the Black Keys. What comes around goes around
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Lol. Two Crappy Bands arguing over which one is worse. Awesone! Black Keys suck just as bad.
The black keys sucks. end of story. Id rather pay 100 dollars to see nickelback than to pay 5 dollars to see the black keys.
Glen: Just FYI. Arctic Monkeys are opening for The Black Keys in 2012.
I am a big fan of both Nickleback & Black Keys. Both in their own right have very different musical talents (Black Keys is a little more 60's and NB's style is a bit more 90's).
By the sounds of things through their obsessive compulsive nature that they so "gallantly" display, American's can't handle that there is more then just their self centered talent anymore in this very large world. You need to just give it up, if you don't like it then don't listen...simple as that.
You guys, who I admire as a great band, need to just shut your holes......it makes me not want to listen to your music anymore at this point and I probably won't.
The Black Keys? At first I thought someone had misstyped The Black Eyed Peas then saw the photo and realized there's not an iota of black in this group unless you count the Elvis Costello clone's eyeglass frames.
This article is about as culturally important as Kim Kardashian's cousin taking a dump.
Classic trick. You pick a fight with a more famous band just to get some press. Now people who only know Nickleback are saying "who are the Black Keys." Well done Black Keys, well done.
I've never even heard a Black Keys song, probably because that dude on the right looks like a zithead mongoloid.
Go buy a Melvins album and study it
yes, he might be on to something..Nickelback is a pretty crappy band, almost like they were invented by American Idol or something?? A true corporate rock band...
I like Nickelback and The Black Keys have some good songs.. the guy on the left kinda looks like Chris Kattan and Tony Hawk had a kid and the guy on the right is Buddy Holly all day long.
Ahh nickleback. The Bud Light of rock and roll.
Watered down, tasteless, cheap knockoff of the real thing...
Hi I got famous by playing the same song with different generic crappy lyrics for the last twenty years, but most people are too stupid to realize it.
To me, Nickelback just feels generic and recycled. There sound just seems about as unoriginal as it gets.
knucklesack: Try The Sheepdogs. Pretty old school and a cut above.
Why are so many people proud of their ignorance? "I've never heard of the Black Keys," they say, as if that proves the band is not good. Ever heard of Youtube? Go listen to their music and have an actual basis to say whether they're any good.
On the other end of the spectrum, we have hipsters who think that a popular band is, by definition, bad. Pretty narrow-minded, really.
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