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Prince George Citizen
by Mark Neilson
Prince George Citizen
Let's be clear on that one: Nickelback did play at the UNBC backyard barbecue, but as one of the headline acts, along with Big Sugar, back in 1999.
Nor were they responsible for raising enough complaints about the noise from the neighbours to send the anual bash inside the Multiplex. That happened three years later - but don't worry, they're as loud as any rockband should be.
Here's the real story. Whenever bassist Mike Kroeger, brother of frontman Chad, is in town now, it's not only a chance to rock out one of Canada's major junior arenas but also a visit to the in-laws.
He's been married to Prince George's Angela Papp for four years, after they met through friends in Vancouver where she had been studying to become a jeweler. And as chance would have it, the band has twice performed in the Multiplex on the day before their anniversary, the last time being in 2002.
"It really keeps it there for me. It helps," said Kroeger of ways to remember the big day when the conversation takes a side trip through lame jokes about the husband who chronically forgets the date of his wedding anniversary.
Kroeger's marriage is not the only reason they play Prince George. Indeed, the boys from Hanna, Alberta still make a habit of playing the mid sized venues - and doing interviews with the local media - even though Nickelback is now one of the biggest names in rock.
The scepticism usually comes from the other bands who tour with them, but they often come away pleasently surprised.
"Most people in bands, especially American bands, have never heard of places like Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George," he said. "They would never come here if it wasn't for us. What they can't believe is how many people we draw in these towns."
It's no news Nickelback is big, but it's still not something that is lost on Kroeger, even after playing in front of 120,000 at Wembley Stadium, which he lists as the highlights, so far, of a stellar career.
But with the fame comes a harsher glare from the media. With the release of their latest album, "The Long Road", a self-produced project, Nickelback has been accused of being formulatic, that all of their songs sound the same. Kroeger's response? He readily admits their sound can be stretched only so far, but if it ain't broke don't fix it, he adds, and points to another often-maligned but still thriving band as an example.
"If you listen to the last six, eight AC/DC records, you'd be hardpressed to detect a difference," he said. "After Bon Scott passed away and Brian Johnson took over, there was a noticeable change, but that aside they've been playing the same music for 20 years. I don't think that's a bad thing. I think they discovered their place and discovered what they do best, and this is what people want. Let's give them what they want."
Kroeger plans to continue enjoying the band's success, but if the end is apparent, he says, Nickelback won't linger.
"I think you've got to go quietly when it's your time. When it's over and you know it's over, that's the time to go. Some people fight it as I'm sure you're aware."