The band consists of Chad Kroeger (vocals, guitar), Ryan Peake (guitar, vocals), Mike Kroeger (bass) and Daniel Adair (drums). The band's original drummer, Brandon Kroeger, left the group in 1997, and was replaced first by Mitch Guidon from 1997 to 1998 and then Ryan Vikedal from 1998 to 2005. The band has released 10 studio albums: "Curb" (1996), "The State" (1998), "Silver Side Up" (2001), "The Long Road" (2003), "All the Right Reasons" (2005), "Dark Horse" (2008), "Here and Now" (2011), "No Fixed Address" (2014), "Feed The Machine" (2017), and "Get Rollin'" (2022).
Early years: 1995–2000
The band was formed in the early 1990s as a cover band called the "Village Idiots" by Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Brandon Kroeger. The band performed covers of songs from Led Zeppelin and Metallica. Nickelback's first release was a seven-track EP called Hesher in 1996. In the same year, Nickelback recorded their first full-length album Curb. "Fly" was released on Hesher and Curb and was the first single produced by Nickelback. It did not chart and was only played on local radio stations.
The following album The State was recorded in 1998 and was released as an independent record the same year. Nickelback signed a record deal with EMI and Roadrunner Records. The State was then re-released in 2000 by EMI and Roadrunner Records. Two singles from the album, "Leader of Men" and "Breathe" were fairly successful and resulted in the album being certificated gold in Canada and the United States. It was certified Platinum in 2008.
Mainstream success: 2001–2007
In 2001, Nickelback released the Silver Side Up album, which propelled them into the mainstream. The single "How You Remind Me" was a huge success, peaking at #1 on both the American and Canadian charts at the same time. In the U.S., it was a #1 single on the Mainstream and Modern rock charts, as well as the pop chart. It also peaked at #2 on Adult Top 40. "How You Remind Me" became the Billboard Hot 100 #1 single of the year for 2002. The next single was "Too Bad", which also hit #1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and had a small amount of success on the pop chart. The final single from the album was "Never Again", another #1 hit on Mainstream Rock.
In 2002, Chad Kroeger collaborated with Josey Scott and Gaige Corvo who played the lead guitar on the Spider-Man theme song, "Hero." This also featured Tyler Connolly, Mike Kroeger, Matt Cameron, and Jeremy Taggart.
In 2003, Nickelback released The Long Road. The lead single was "Someday" and the album went on to sell five million copies worldwide. The band also released "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" as a single, which peaked at #3 on the Mainstream Rock Charts. "Figured You Out" was also released as a single and topped the Mainstream Rock Charts for 13 consecutive weeks.
Nickelback's fifth studio album, All the Right Reasons, produced five U.S. Hot 100 top 20 singles: "Photograph", "Savin' Me", "Far Away", "If Everyone Cared", "Rockstar". Three of these became U.S. Hot 100 top 10 singles. All the Right Reasons has sold 7,163,130 copies in the US as of June 13, 2009. In total, All the Right Reasons has sold abut 11 million copies worldwide since its 2005 release. Aside from all the success of All the Right Reasons, lead singer Kroeger began his own label named 604 Records in 2005 and holds the position of executive producer.
Dark Horse 2008-2010
After taking much of 2007 off, the band started recording a new album in earnest. In July 2008, the band signed with Live Nation for three touring and album cycles, with an option for a fourth.
On September 4, 2008 Roadrunner Records announced that the first single from their upcoming album was originally going to be "If Today Was Your Last Day" and was to be released September 30, 2008. However, the song was scrapped as the first single, and "Gotta Be Somebody" was the lead single instead. The new album, titled Dark Horse, was released on November 18, 2008. The album was produced by Mutt Lange. Something in Your Mouth was released as the second single to rock radio only on December 15, where it reached #1. "If Today Was Your Last Day" was released as the second major single instead. Two more singles have been released, "I'd Come for You" and "Burn It to the Ground".
The album also remained in the top 20 on the Billboard 200 for weeks after its release. The album was certified two times platinum in April 2009, and had by April 2010 sold over 3 million copies in the U.S. However, critical reception of the album has been mostly mixed to negative. In 2009, the band won three Juno Awards for Juno Fan Choice Award, group of the year, and album of the year; the band performed their single "Something In Your Mouth" at the ceremony. In 2010, Billboard year end charts listed Dark Horse as the top-selling rock and metal album of the year. The band was also listed at the top selling hard rock artist. On January 29, 2010 they released a Tap-Tap rhythm game for on the App Store, contrary to the band's prior comments against other music related video games such as Guitar Hero. On February 28, 2010, Nickelback gave a performance at the beginning of the concert portion of the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, performing "Burn It to the Ground". On October 2010 Nickelback finished their Dark Horse Tour.
Here and Now (2011-2013)
Chad Kroeger said in an interview with Billboard.com in September 2010 that songwriting for the next Nickelback album was planned to commence as early as February 2011 with "about four tunes" already in mind. Adair mentioned that the band wanted to go back to the musical style of All The Right Reasons, which he described as "more organic".
Nickelback announced their new album, Here and Now, on September 8, 2011, along with its two lead singles, "Bottoms Up" and "When We Stand Together". Kroeger said "We're four people who love making music, the way we like to make it. We entered the studio this year with a vision, and it all came together. We're extremely happy with the results, and can't wait to share them with our fans." The album was released on November 21, 2011, with the band calling it "Nickelblack Monday", a play on Nickelback and Black Monday. Two singles were released to radio stations on September 26, and September 27 for purchase on iTunes. Here and Now peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 226,714 copies in its first week of release, with Christmas by Michael Bublé taking #1 by a margin of only 419 copies.
As part of promotion for the album, Nickelback was booked to perform at the halftime shows for both an NFL Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field in Detroit on November 24, and the 99th Grey Cup in the band's hometown of Vancouver on November 27. Also, as a promotion the band played to Jimmy Kimmel upon the album's release. The band was nominated for four Juno Awards in 2012, and performed at the ceremony. Nickelback announced their Here and Now Tour on January 11, 2012, they are going to tour with Seether, Bush and My Darkest Days. The band released a music video for their fourth single off of the album Lullaby. The band officially announced the compilation album The Best of Nickelback Volume 1 through social media on October 3, 2013. Frontman Chad Kroeger had previously stated in an interview that the greatest hits album was to feature songs from previous albums along with new songs but the unveiled track listing ultimately contained only previously released material.
No Fixed Address and Feed the Machine (2014–2018)
According to an interview with Chad Kroeger on CFOX-FM, the band planned to release their eighth studio album before the end of 2014. The lead rock single was also announced, "Edge of a Revolution", was released in August 2014. The track was described as a "departure" for Nickelback and a political song. Frequent collaborator Chris Lord-Alge returned to mix some of the tracks on the album. It was also announced the band had signed to Republic Records. The lead single from the album was titled "Edge of a Revolution", and was scheduled to be sent for adds on Rock radio and be released to iTunes on August 18. The lead pop single, and second overall, was announced to be "What Are You Waiting For?", and was released in September. "What Are You Waiting For?" was released as a single on digital retailers on September 9, 2014. On August 22, 2014, Nickelback announced the album's title to be No Fixed Address, and released it on November 17, 2014.
No Fixed Address Tour was their fifth headlining concert tour, in support of No Fixed Address. The tour was announced on November 5, 2014, as well as The Pretty Reckless, Pop Evil, and Lifehouse as the support act for the majority of the shows in North American while Monster Truck was support act in Australia and Europe (2016). The second North American leg of the tour had to be canceled when lead vocalist Chad Kroeger required surgery for a cyst on his voice box. The entire leg of the European tour was postponed until Autumn 2016.
On August 19, 2016, Nickelback released a cover of Don Henley's song "Dirty Laundry" to streaming services. On January 23, 2017, a new single, "Feed the Machine" was announced to be released on February 1, alongside specific details of a 2017 tour. On January 25, Nickelback signed with BMG Rights Management to release their ninth album, also titled Feed the Machine. The album was released on June 16, 2017. The band released their second single from the album, "Song on Fire", on April 28, 2017. Shortly after the release of the album, the band began a 44-city tour on June 23, 2017, in North America, co-headlined with Daughtry, Shaman's Harvest and Cheap Trick as supporting acts.
Get Rollin' (2019–present)
In early 2019, band members spoke of recording a tenth studio album, though Chad Kroeger conceded there was no timetable or rush for the band to complete it. Mike Kroeger spoke of his personal desire to move in more of a heavy metal direction, or wanting to do an album of Slayer cover songs.
On August 14, 2020, the band released a cover of The Charlie Daniels Band song "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", featuring Dave Martone.
In a July 2021 interview bassist Mike Kroeger commented when asked about the band's progress on new music saying "That is happening right now, music is being composed and recorded up in Canada. We were out there, and something came up and our producer had to take some time off. So I took that opportunity to return home to Los Angeles with family and spend a little time at home but I'll be headed back up there in a couple of weeks to pick it up again." When asked about a potential timeframe for a release date, Kroeger said "it'll be done when it's done", explaining that the band would rather not be confined to a timescale for fear of making "a shitty record". "Release dates are primarily arrived at by business interests, like record labels and whatever. We don't have one of those", he said. "We've been managing ourselves for about a year. So, the answer is no. We're doing it on our schedule, at our own pace, and it'll be done when it's done. 'Cause we've blown up deadlines in the past lots of times. Because we feel that you can make a good record and be late, but you can't, or you shouldn't, make a shitty record to be on time. So we won't be pressed for time.
In August 2022, Nickelback began posting small snippets and teasers of new music via their official social media accounts with the date "09.07.2022" being branded on the posts.
On August 26, 2022, students attending school at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia received a newsletter stating they were invited to attend and participate in a video shoot Nickelback would be hosting on August 30, 2022, for their single, outside the Convocation Mall on campus.
The album title was revealed to be Get Rollin'. The lead single "San Quentin" was released on September 7, 2022. The band is set to embark on its "Get Rollin' Tour" with opening acts Brantley Gilbert and Josh Ross. They will perform on 38 dates in Canada and the United States from June to August 2023.
List of Nickelback band members
Current members
* Chad Kroeger – lead vocals, lead guitar (1995–present)
* Ryan Peake – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1995–present)
* Mike Kroeger – bass guitar, backing vocals (1995–present)
* Daniel Adair – drums, backing vocals (2005–present)
Former members
* Brandon Kroeger – drums (1995–1997)
* Mitch Guindon – drums (1997–1998)
* Ryan Vikedal – drums (1998–2005)
Never Again
Nickelback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She must have done something wrong tonight
The living room becomes a boxing ring
It's time to run when you see him clenching his hands
She's just a woman, never again
I hear her scream from down the hall
Amazing she can even talk at all
I'm terrified that she'll wind up dead in his hands
She's just a woman, never again
Been there before but not like this
Seen it before but not like this
Never before have I ever seen it this bad
She's just a woman, never again
Just tell the nurse you slipped and fell
It starts to sting as it starts to swell
She looks at you, she wants the truth
It's right out there in the waiting room with those hands
Lookin' just as sweet as he can, never again
Seen it before but not like this
Been there before but not like this
Never before have I ever seen it this bad
She's just a woman, never again
Never again
Father's a name you haven't earned yet
You're just a child with a temper
Haven't you heard don't hit a lady?
Kicking your ass would be a pleasure
He's drunk again, it's time to fight
Same old shit, just on a different night
She grabs the gun, she's had enough
Tonight she'll find out how fuckin' tough is this man
Pulls the trigger fast as she can, never again
Seen it before but not like this
Been there before but not like this
Never before have I ever seen it this bad
She's just a woman, never again
Seen it before but not like this
Been there before but not like this
Never before have I ever seen it this bad
She's just a woman, never again
Never again, never again
No, never again
The lyrics in Nickelback's song Never Again describe a toxic and abusive relationship between a man and a woman. The first stanza of the song depicts the physical abuse that the woman in the relationship is subjected to by the man who is drunk and violent. The living room turns into a boxing ring, and the woman is helpless and cannot fight back. She is just a woman, and she never wants to go through this again.
The second stanza is a portrayal of the emotional abuse the woman goes through. She screams as she pleads for help, and the singer hears it down the hall. The woman is too afraid to tell the truth about the cause of her injuries, and the man is looking sweet, which shows that he can easily manipulate her. The singer has seen this before, but it's never been this bad.
In the final stanza, the woman takes matters into her own hands and decides to fight back. She grabs a gun, and for the first time in the song, becomes empowered, and makes a decision for herself. The woman pulls the trigger, and it's clear that she will never allow this to happen to her again.
Overall, the lyrics are a plea for women to stand up against abusive relationships and take control of their lives. The song is powerful and emphatic, and the words tell a story that many women can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
He's drunk again, it's time to fight
The man has become drunk again and is likely to start fighting.
She must have done something wrong tonight
The woman likely did something wrong to anger the clearly violent man.
The living room becomes a boxing ring
The conflict has escalated to the point where their living room will become a place of physical combat.
It's time to run when you see him clenching his hands
If you see the man start to clench his hands, you should get away from him as he is likely to become violent.
She's just a woman, never again
The woman has had enough of this violent relationship and will never put up with it again.
I hear her scream from down the hall
The singer can hear the woman screaming from a distance.
Amazing she can even talk at all
Despite being in a lot of pain, the woman is still able to speak.
She cries to me go back to bed
The woman is asking the artist to go back to bed and stay out of the situation.
I'm terrified that she'll wind up dead in his hands
The artist is afraid that the man will end up killing the woman.
She's just a woman, never again
The woman is determined to never endure this type of violence again.
Been there before but not like this
The singer has witnessed similar situations before, but this one is worse.
Seen it before but not like this
The artist has seen similar situations before, but this one is worse.
Never before have I ever seen it this bad
This is the worst situation the singer has ever seen.
She's just a woman, never again
The woman is firm in the decision to never tolerate this abuse again.
Just tell the nurse you slipped and fell
The singer advises the woman to lie about the injury for medical treatment so the man cannot be blamed.
It starts to sting as it starts to swell
The woman's injury is starting to cause her great pain.
She looks at you, she wants the truth
The woman is asking the artist to be truthful about what really happened.
It's right out there in the waiting room with those hands
The man's violent tendencies are obvious to everyone in the waiting room.
Lookin' just as sweet as he can, never again
The man may attempt to appear sweet and kind, but the woman is determined to never put up with his violence again.
Father's a name you haven't earned yet
The man does not deserve to be called 'father'.
You're just a child with a temper
The man is acting like a child with a short fuse.
Haven't you heard don't hit a lady
The man should know better than to hit a woman.
Kickin' your ass would be a pleasure
The singer would enjoy causing harm to the violent man.
Same old shit, just on a different night
The situation is a recurring cycle of violence.
She grabs the gun, she's had enough
The woman has reached her limit and has decided to take drastic action.
Tonight she'll find out how fuckin' tough is this man
The woman plans to stand up to the man and show him that she is not weak.
Pulls the trigger fast as she can, never again
The woman shoots the man and is determined to never endure this type of violence again.
Never again
The woman is resolute in her decision to never put up with the man's violent behavior again.
Lyrics © Regard Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Chad Kroeger, Michael Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Ryan Vikedal
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@aliveandwell8730
People talk shit about Nickelback and I’ve never understood it. Every song they put out is a story most of us can relate to. This one in particular…..hits home for so many people. Nickelback is a truly great band! First class all the way and not deserving of the hate thrown their way.
@mugable
People love to hate popular things. I think they probably unfairly got labeled as pop-rock/metal music money makers. They have some catchy songs and riffs and from what I've heard over the years are genuinely good dudes. No scandals or ridiculous diva moments. Besides, how can Nickelback be the worst band ever when Radiohead exists? 😉
@dukehooten3281
Nickelback was so hugely popular back in the day that you couldn't turn the radio on without hearing them. Some comedian, I think on one of the late night talk shows, although I'm not positive of that, made a joke about hating Nickelback because they were always on the radio. The joke was repeated to the point that it took on a life of its own and it became "cool" to trash Nickelback.
@lourenssianturi4373
Agree Alive and Well,, look at their powerfull performance.
Damn! So manly
@bethepperson5363
So damned true!! Screw the F*&^$55 haters! They must have been born with a silver spoon up their ass!!
@greghackett8074
What happens in the house staid in the house
@billrush7965
This song will never get old, one of the best!
@andrewgage6942
Sadly, some of us lived this sort of life in one way or another, brings tears to my eyes even now, but still one of the best songs ever
@valeirep9758
Agreed 👍
@ASMODEUS420
Nickelback pretty sung and brought up shit that was wrong with people and problems with the world and people start dancing without hearing the lyrics if people listened to the lyrics they would know why people are talking about it but yh Nickelback is one the best bands underrated and not recognised as a great band