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Artist:

Nickelback

Song:

How You Remind Me

Album: 

Silver Side Up

Year: 

2001

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About The Artist

Though journalistic shorthand often finds Nickelback dubbed "the Canadian Creed," the band found success on its own terms right from the start with...
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hmd1987 | MEMORY FROM 2001

Death of Mainstream Music

LOCATION: Watching (Not quite) Music Television...errmm "MTV" , Houston

YEAR: 2001

TAGS: Nickelback, Mainstream Music, How You Remind Me

PUBLISHED: June 30, 2008

I was young and impressionable. I was in 8th grade at the time that Nickelcrap's hauntingly crappy 1st single "How You Remind Me" was being shoved down the collective throats of my generation, and everyone swallowed. I didn't realize it at the time, but Nickelback really sucked (and still suck). I don't know what it is, maybe it's just the fact that when you're between the ages of 12 to 16 you just take what the spoonman gives you. In middle school I DID listen to good music (not a lot though), but I'd also listen to utter shite: Limp Bizkit, Creed, *insert other hacks here*, but I've been apologizing for that time in my life ever since.

It's not so bad to be spoonfed GOOD music, which lets admit it: The 90's might be the last decade where the majority of mainstream music was actually very good (including the indie ranks but that's a given). There was even some good Christian music. (gasp) ANYWAY, the whole point of this particular jamsbio entry (cool site) of mine is to humbly express how I think that the day "How You Remind Me" hit the mainstream circuit was also the day when there was no turning back. Since then, RARELY have I been captivated when I turn on the FM stations now (not ALL THE TIME though). As a result, rarely do I elect to listen to the radio. Rarely am I ever impressed when I see TRL, a "music" television show that plays the (allegedly) top 10 most requested music videos of the week or something. For those who don't know: TRL is practically this long commercial with 10 second snippets of music videos in-between.

Those who don't understand my grievances probably don't understand just how generically derivative this "post-grunge" band really is. It's just as bad as listening to some "hot new indie band" that only plays kitchen appliances just because they play kitchen appliances. Sure, NickelCRAP has sold a lot of albums, but don't sit here and insult the legends of the past by trying to convince me that Nickelcrap deserves a place in music history unless it has to do with "worst band ever" ranking. Don't insult music lovers by trying to convince us that Nickelcrap has artistic integrity either. So in conclusion, thinking back on the year 2001 reminds me of puke. I could go on and on but I'll spare you. ...I haven't puked in awhile. I'll go do it right now.

"...You're not artistic, and you have no integrity!" - Seinfeld

Love, hmd1987

Other Jamsbio entries of mine:

just look in the top right corner and read all about other artists that I find to be quite sucky. Might as well read about why I think Hinder is the next NickelCRAP.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO NON-NICKELCRAP-ISH MUSIC

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COMMENTS (31)
conrad salvador said: Damn that Carson Daily, damn him to hell. (6/30/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to conrad salvador's comment:
Damn that Carson Daily, damn him to hell.
who would've known he would've moved on from TRL to become the worst talk show host ever. (6/30/2008)

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VivaLaMainstream said: While I'm hardly Nickelback's biggest fan, I fail to believe that mainstream music has died. It may not be the hotbed of brilliance it once was, but do you really think the indie garbage the blogs offer up as "alternative" is any better? Being unique does not by default make you good. ==TJ== (6/30/2008)

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santoshiom said: hey kid dont be such an smartass- they arent that bad. Not everybody can be Led Zeppelin, can they. I also used to say in my teenage days that music practically died in the early 80s, but now i think it as a kind of evolution- should accept the new changes. Look at the Grammys, there's rap and only rap and black music- i am not a racist but i sure miss good rock music too. (7/2/2008)

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xidarian said: it amazes me that you think music from the past is so much better. Just because you don't like what is in doesn't mean its garbage, NickleBack isn't any worse than any other band out there right now or that was out there, they happen to re-use the same music, but GreenDay does that too, so do many bands. Thats the thing, when you write music, you can use it as many times as you like. Its interesting you mentioned Led Zeppelin because they stole from other bands, check out Justhttp://www.listropolis.com/200... because you don't like mainstream music doesn't mean all mainstream bands are talentless. (7/2/2008)

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conrad salvador replied to VivaLaMainstream's comment:
While I'm hardly Nickelback's biggest fan, I fail to believe that mainstream...
I totally agree with what you are saying. There can be crap on both sides of the fence. BUT, indie labels do not follow the formulaic packaging that major labels (for the most part) like to shovel down our throats. I love a lot of bands on major labels. But the reason I love them is because they stand apart from sameness and deliver on quality of music. Being "unique" does not necessarily make you good, but it's a start in the right direction. (7/3/2008)

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bobbledigook said: if you think nickleback are good then i'm just going to assume you are fat. it's music for people who are lazy and don't take the time to go find good music. it's music that is just thrown in your face and you just take it because you are sitting there in your fat chair eating a burger. it's like listening to cardboard ffs. (7/3/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to bobbledigook's comment:
if you think nickleback are good then i'm just going to assume you are fat....
finally another voice of reason. thank you bobbledigook. i just can't believe 8 million copies of nickelcrap's latest crap opus has been sold. these guys are assuming i only listen to music from the 60's and 70's too....gahhhhh....arcade fire is a great band and their from THIS decade. (7/3/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to santoshiom's comment:
hey kid dont be such an smartass- they arent that bad. Not everybody can be...
i'm not being smartass, and i also listen to A LOT OF GOOD MUSIC FROM THIS DECADE!!!!!! it just so happens that the majority (note i said majority and not ALL) of the music on FM stations i listen to in Houston tends to suck. (7/3/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to xidarian's comment:
it amazes me that you think music from the past is so much better. Just...
i don't think music from the past is "so much better" at all. look it: there is an exponentially greater number of idiots making music than there was so much as 15 years ago. everybody and their grandma can make 4-track recordings and then post it on myspace or even worse - get a million dollar contract in order to make an entire shite album to be shoved down the general public's skull - indie bands included. think about how there was so much good music in the 90's. think about how all the popular artists happened to be good even if they weren't so original. i could go on and on but i have no desire to engage in conversations with vegetables. (7/3/2008)

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jrk301 replied to hmd1987's comment:
who would've known he would've moved on from TRL to become the worst talk...
What's worse is that there's no laugh track to that show, so it's just him in a dark room saying jokes nobody is laughing to... (7/4/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to jrk301's comment:
What's worse is that there's no laugh track to that show, so it's just him...
hahaha Carson is and will always be the king of tools. everyone who watches that show watches it specifically to laugh at how pathetic he is. conan for president. (7/4/2008)

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msbluesky said: "There's only one artist that's worse than Nickelcrap..." plugplugplug. (7/7/2008)

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Beene said: It took me awhile to get there, but I got over the whole pretentious "your music is crap therefore you suck" thing. People can listen to what they want to, and differences of opinion will occur...that said, if you ask me my opinion, I will give it to you. Nickelback is generic rock to my ears, and always warrants a skip on the radio (when I actually listen to radio.) (7/11/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Beene's comment:
It took me awhile to get there, but I got over the whole pretentious "your...
Arrrgh, see Beene I feel like stating an opinion isn't pretentious either. I really don't like pretentious indie snobs...and though I may sound like one...I sincerely am just stating how much I think they suck. I'm glad you don't listen to them either. "Post-grunge" mights as well be re-labeled "Nirvana imitator" (7/11/2008)

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Beene replied to hmd1987's comment:
Arrrgh, see Beene I feel like stating an opinion isn't pretentious either. I...
I'm not disagreeing with you, they do suck. I was pretentious in that I felt that only my opinion, and a few choice others, mattered, and the rest of the music world were uncultured, stupid morons. It took me long enough go get to a "to each their own" point. That doesn't always mean I agree with their opinion, but they can love whatever band they like. Personally? This'll probably piss a lot of people off, but I have only one rule in my car: if Billy Joel comes on the radio, the station must be turned immediately. I know lots of people love Billy Joel, but it's a personal preference. In my younger days I would have told people they were stupid for liking Billy Joel. Hopefully I've grown up some. Nickelback does still suck IMO tho. (7/11/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Beene's comment:
I'm not disagreeing with you, they do suck. I was pretentious in that I...
oh i didn't think you were disagreeing with me at all for you clearly stated that you change the channel when u hear nickelcrap. i thought you were warning me that i sound a tad snobbish, but now i see where you're coming from too. taste in music is def all relative. i must admit too - i never understood the importance of Billy Joel other than maybe I could write a jamsbio about him and MAYBE win that autograph edition thingy and then put it on ebay for some one else to appreciate (and pay money for). (7/12/2008)

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AndreasKusnacht said: Oh Man, I've just read this and my day will be ruined in two ways: 1. I will have that weird dog face and beard combo lodged in my mind 2. I will have that loathsome dirge stuck in my ears until I get out of this airport lounge and hear something better. I don't have my ipod so I'm asking the other passengers to hum anything by Boney M. Damn your eyes, hmd1987! (7/23/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to AndreasKusnacht's comment:
Oh Man, I've just read this and my day will be ruined in two ways: 1. I...
hahhaahhaha i sympathize with you my cyber friend. it's a dirty job exposing the shite that is nickelback, but some body's gotta do it. (7/23/2008)

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Starfish said: 'dude' like...i totally agree. actually, if you think back at the 1999-2001 period...you realize (even though at the time i was all into this sort of stuff because i was young and i did eat everything "music" television fed me) that it was a really bad time for music. it needed rehab. and a couple of kicks in the head. and so did i. (8/15/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Starfish's comment:
'dude' like...i totally agree. actually, if you think back at the 1999-2001...
hahaha we all need a good couple of kicks to the head. you're not alone Starfish. (8/15/2008)

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Starfish replied to hmd1987's comment:
hahaha we all need a good couple of kicks to the head. you're not alone...
that's always good to know. thank whichever-god we're-praying-to-this-wee k for mtv2 (europe, via zane lowe) to snap me out of the hypnotic trance i was in at the time. (8/16/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Starfish's comment:
that's always good to know. thank whichever-god we're-praying-to-this-wee k...
Thank God you live in Europe (i assume); it seems that good music still triumphs over there. (8/16/2008)

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Starfish replied to hmd1987's comment:
Thank God you live in Europe (i assume); it seems that good music still...
Yes, i do, and it does. thankfully. i find it very sad that good american bands find great success in europe, but not in the US...what is up with that? You have to make that part of your mission! (8/16/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Starfish's comment:
Yes, i do, and it does. thankfully. i find it very sad that good american...
you've no idea how frustrating it is to hear a good band go "we're big in Europe". major "WTF" to that phenomena... and indeed, pitchforkmedia.com seems to me the only legitimate website that's contributing to helping good music get noticed. ugh. (8/16/2008)

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Starfish replied to hmd1987's comment:
you've no idea how frustrating it is to hear a good band go "we're big in...
hmm...this reply could go 2 ways: optimistic and pessimistic. and since my brain can never really decide (makes for a great conversation, though), i'll let you pick the one you want. here goes: optimistic -> at least there's that. and if the internet works as great as people say it does, and as long as there are people who actually listen to music rather than just going with the tidal wave (aka media), then great music has a fighting chance! pessimistic -> i suppose that's a good start...but as long as MTV exists to promote sellable(no...i doubt it exists. i made it up just like most words i use), promotable, seen-it-and-heard-it, bullshit...i'm afraid good music doesn't actually stand a chance to get the attention it deserves. there you go. hope dies last, and i love music far too much to give up on it, so i think i'll stick with the optimistic part. (8/17/2008)

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hmd1987 replied to Starfish's comment:
hmm...this reply could go 2 ways: optimistic and pessimistic. and since my...
ahhh starfish...you're right about both views that you offered there. ultimately i too will go w/ the optimistic - ignorance is bliss. (8/17/2008)

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Starfish replied to hmd1987's comment:
ahhh starfish...you're right about both views that you offered there....
i often wonder...if ignorance really is bliss...why aren't more people happy? (8/18/2008)

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hmd1987 said: hahahhahhaha touche starfish, touche. (8/19/2008)

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rocket said: 2001 was a good year for music. I remember reading SPIN and spending my lunch money on records. Yes, I was a poser but I actually liked all those "The" bands, "the new big thing" bullshit. I quit reading SPIN when Chuck Klosterman left for Esquire... Anyway, I like your writing. You could have written and given some more thought to MTV and mainstream radio... it's not that bad, really. Nickelback ripped Nirvana but that radio or channel still played Nirvana and always will, unlike Nickelback. Limp Bizkit and rap metal is just a tribal phenomenom. Okay I'm boring you with this. (10/16/2008)

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rocket replied to Beene's comment:
It took me awhile to get there, but I got over the whole pretentious "your...
It's like that "Your Favorite Band Sucks" t-shirt. It's just a t-shirt. You wore it everyday in junior high and now are ashamed of it. I think if you like music (this goes for every melomaniac) it's important to listen to everything before debating. And when debating Mainstream vs. Indie, you need to do some research! Hey, Sonic Youth was on MTV. (10/16/2008)

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