Nickelback

Nickelback biography

Nickelback is a Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta. Since 1995 the band has included guitarist and lead vocalist Chad Kroeger, guitarist and back-up vocalist Ryan Peake and bassist Mike Kroeger. The band's current drummer and percussionist is Daniel Adair who has been with the band since 2005. Nickelback's music is classed as hard rock, ranking as the 11th best selling music act of the 2000s, and is the 2nd best selling foreign act in the U.S. behind The Beatles for the 2000's.

The band is based in Vancouver, Canada. The band's original domestic signing was with EMI Canada. They subsequently obtained an American deal with global distribution via Roadrunner Records. For the release of their seventh album, the band parted from EMI Canada and signed a new Canadian domestic distribution deal with Universal Music Canada.

History

Curb and The State (1995-2000)

Nickelback was formed in 1995 by Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Brandon Kroeger. Its name originates from the nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger gave customers at his job at Starbucks; he would frequently say, "Here's your nickel back." Nickelback's first release was a seven-track EP called Hesher in 1996. In the same year, they also recorded their first full-length album Curb. "Fly" was included on both Hesher and Curb and was the first single produced by Nickelback. In 1997, Brandon Kroeger left the band and the band searched for a new drummer. Later that year Mitch Guindon join the band, but he decided to leave in 1998 because he started working in a car company. In Summer 1998, Ryan Vikedal joined the band.

Roadrunner A&R Ron Burman told HitQuarters that one of his West Coast scouts sent him the self-released album and, suitably impressed, he travelled to Vancouver to see them perform live. Although an unknown property in the industry at the time, the venue was packed out. In Burman's words: "I immediately got the chills! I thought their song "Leader of Men" was a smash hit." Off the stage he was impressed by their industry and initiative in managing their career: Despite this it still took Burman three months for him to convince his label bosses' to approve the signing, a decision that would mark Roadrunner's first move into mainstream rock. Nickelback signed a record deal with EMI and Roadrunner Records. In late 1998, the band fired their managers and started managing themselves. Mike Kroeger handled all the distribution, Chad – all the radio tracking, and Ryan Vikedal – all the bookings. In 1999, Roadrunner Records signed Nickelback because the band sold more than 10,000 copies of Hesher and their first album Curb as an independent label.

The State, was released by Nickelback in 2000 by Roadrunner Records and EMI Canada. The State, was released in Europe in 2001. It spawned 4 singles: "Old Enough", "Worthy To Say" plus the hits "Leader of Men" and "Breathe", which were Top 10 rock hits and resulted in the album being certificated gold in the United States in late 2001. It reached Platinum status in 2008, after the success of three consecutive multi-platinum efforts. Nickelback toured with other bands such as Creed, SevenDust, and 3 Doors Down in their State tour. Nickelback won a Juno Award in 2001, for best new group. The State has sold over one million copies worldwide. The album entered the Billboard 200 albums charts in position number 130 and peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Top Independent albums chart.

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