Fueling the Post-Grunge Fire

They are becoming absolutely unavoidable. Their stink pollutes the air everywhere you go. Do you think you are safe in your car? Not a chance! That is where they will attack you the most! No, I am not talking about flesh-eating zombies. I am obviously referring to the post-grunge movement. Led by Nickelback, 3 Doors Down, and Daughtry, more and more bands are coming out of nowhere to inflate this genre. Continuing with the theme of non-original sounds in today's music, there are too many bands who are trying to follow in the footsteps of monster acts such as Nickelback.

...and why shouldn't they, right? What band in their right mind wouldn't want to have the type of world-wide success as Chad Kroeger and the Nickelback gang? What's not to love? They sold eight million copies of their last album in America and seem to be having similar success with their new "masterpiece." They have their flag perched high on the peak of Pop Radio Mountain. Yes, and if that is not enough, it is impossible to walk into a bar or clothing store without being treated with a listen of their epically written and performed "Rock Star." Alright, you caught me! Obviously I am laying the sarcasm on pretty thick. Although sometimes uncalled for and unprovoked, it is always enjoyable to take shots at Nickelback. After all, a Canadian band that at first glance appears to be led by Sammy Hagar's ass-ugly son is an easy target. Plus, a wise man once told me that every time a Nickelback song plays, a puppy dies. Fine, back to the point: As incredibly awful as they truly are, selling millions of albums is no accident. Sure, every song sounds the same and they are EMI's puppets, but somebody must be doing something right...

Now we have all these copy-cat bands sprouting out everywhere. It is highly doubtful these kids dreamed their whole lives of one day sounding exactly like Nickelback. They may have had huge ambitions of writing the next "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Night Moves", or "Stairway to Heaven". Perhaps they were raised on bands from the 80's such as Duran Duran, New Order, or Psychedelic Furs. I have money riding on the fact they once pictured themselves gracefully tearing up the stage while channeling Mick Jagger or Freddie Mercury. So, what happened? It actually is not a tough case to solve. They woke up one morning and realized that type of sound and behavior just does not sell records anymore! Why would you want to be like Brandon Flowers and be out of the Top 10 after two weeks, when you can be like Daughtry and have your album hang strong on the charts for years?

Hinder, Saving Abel, Shinedown, and Theory of a Deadman all sound a like to me. It would be totally within the realm to believe any Hinder song could easily fit into Shinedown's game plan. Oh well, this bland music is selling better than the original, unique sounds being released by bands such as MGMT and Franz Ferdinand. We can spend our whole lives making fun of Chad Kroeger's hair, Daughtry's American Idol roots, and 3 Doors Down self-inflicted decline from rock stars to pop whores all we want, but we are to blame for this madness. Americans keep forking out the cash for the music and fueling this endemic...