Topic: Friends Don't Let Friends Listen To Nickelback (Read 46821 times)

squawk · « **on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:22 »

I am in high school, right? In high school, people listen to music. Sometimes this music is really bad, because they are just learning. Sometimes, kids who lack exposure to other things settle on bands such as Nickelback.

So, I know one of these kids, and I don't think he's a bad guy. He is very intelligent and also is a classically-trained pianist, so he enjoys Rachmaninoff and Chopin and is pretty open-minded. But when it comes to modern music, I don't think he has had anyone to help him along, so his favorite band list goes something like this, according to his Myspace: "breaking benjamin, the almost, hinder, mcr, three days grace, nickelback, jet, paramore, and much much more!"

He desperately needs help. As a gigantic music nerd/record store owner without a record store, I feel it is my duty to show him the light. Or hear it, whatever. But I am at a loss for where to start!
This is where I ask Internet. How do you wean someone off Nickelback before it is too late.

imagist42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:27 »

This is tough because Nickelback is so far off the right track it's not even funny.

Umm. Maybe try Franz Ferdinand, then Modest Mouse and the Pixies, then Spoon? I dunno, that worked for me. A swift kick to the balls would be a safer bet, though.

Social Bacon · « **Reply #2 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:30 »

Just start showing him music from better bands, when you mentions that he likes something that you send to him talk about it with him, being a music geek I'm sure he'd love to have a conversation about all the musical aspects of the songs (I know I do). I don't think you'll be able to convince him that Nickelback is bad right up front, so don't try, he'll probably get offended and not wish to listen to your music. Instead you just have to show him better music and he should slowly see the light.

Well, at least that's how it worked for me, and I used to like Sum 41.

Spluff · « **Reply #3 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:32 »

Find some hard rock artists that are in a similar vein but, yknow, not shit, and just continue from there.

Beastmouth · « **Reply #4 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:42 »

I remember I think it was Brian Posehn doing a show, and he said something about all those social cons being right, about how listening to the wrong kind of music will make kids want to kill people. He illustrated this point, naturally, by saying that listening to Nickelback's music makes him want to kill Nickelback.

imapiratearg · « **Reply #5 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 19:52 »

My friend Mike made this a while back. I thought it was pretty excellent.

MrSteevo · « **Reply #6 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 20:24 »

My Girlfriend listened to Nickelback, and three days grace...
Playing my Indie music around her when ever I could fixed that in about a month.

Liz · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 20:40 »

I used to listen to that kind of stuff, though I never did like Nickelback. I think it's just one of those stages you have to outgrow, like when I listened to boy bands and that kind of thing. It will pass with time.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 20:48 »

Perhaps, just perhaps, he actually likes that music and you don't need to "enlighten him" as to what "real music is".

I'm just sayin'. Does it matter that much?

Inlander · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 20:55 »

Five years from now, it will be "cool" for every scenester to have at least one friend who listens to "bad music".

EDIT: Also, when I was a kid I listened to Phil Collins. Nobody had to shame me out of it in order for me to stop doing it. Listening to Phil Collins didn't jeapordise my immortal soul. Now I'm grown up and I think I've turned out okay!

Jimmy the Squid · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:01 »

Just stop being friends with him. Any if he tries to talk to you you should spit in his face. If you see him across the road you can throw things at him if you like.

Seriously this is stupid. Why do you feel like you have to "educate" the dude just because he likes a band that you don't? Yeah Nickelback are shit but some people really like bland music. Trying to "enlighten" your so called friend to listen to your music is basically a dick move. Don't get me wrong, totally share your music with him but if you're only doing it because you can't be friends with someone who likes Nickelback then you're basically an elitist prick.

squawk · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:03 »

I never said that I couldn't be friends with him. (I think. I'll have to re-read it.) And he can still like Nickelback if he wants to, but really my hobby is just throwing music at people because I think they'll enjoy it and it's fun for me, too.

Jimmy the Squid · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:17 »

Well you're opening post comes across as preachy, arrogant and generally unpleasent. If you're just wanting to share music with the guy then go for it but trying to change his opinions in the hope that you won't have a friend with such a woeful taste in music is kinda dumb.

Beastmouth · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:22 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 01 Apr 2008, 20:48

Perhaps, just perhaps, he actually likes that music and you don't need to "enlighten him" as to what "real music is".

I'm just sayin'. Does it matter that much?

Generally? No.

Nickelback? Yes.

squawk · « **Reply #14 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:26 »

Yeah Jimmy I admit that, this is the first topic I've ever started so I guess I just formatted it like that... uh yeah.

RobbieOC · « **Reply #15 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 21:54 »

Sometimes I find myself thinking this exact same thing, but I used to listen to Creed in high school. I don't anymore, and I didn't have anyone show me "good" music. So, either I got lucky, or it's just a phase.

Sharing music is fun (heck, it's one of the main reasons I really got into music), so go for it. But I've found that most people get real defensive if they feel even a little bit that their taste is being challenged. Do it tactfully and he'll appreciate it. Do it untactfully, and he might just go the opposite way.

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #16 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:03 »

I guess I just take offense to the heavily implied notion in the OP that it is simply not possible to genuinely enjoy a band - yes, even Nickelback - because you "haven't been exposed to anything better", as though there exist bands that simply are not good ever because there are other bands doing the exact same thing only better. I can think of more obscure bands that sound like Nickelback, but I don't find them any more aurally appealing.

dalconnsuch · « **Reply #17 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:08 »

i'd just say

"hey, at least it ain't the monkees"

quite a dilemma you are in, i wouldn't know how to deal with it

Beastmouth · « **Reply #18 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:12 »

Quote from: zerodrone on 01 Apr 2008, 22:03

I can think of more obscure bands that sound like Nickelback, but I don't find them any more aurally appealing.

Right, the sound of Nickelback is physically offensive.

To some degree this is where the Monkees argument, so to speak, fails. Their music was unoriginal, derivative, &c., but it was not nauseatingly terrible.

RobbieOC · « **Reply #19 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:14 »

zero, you're right. It's a silly thing to believe, but if you're around someone enough who listens to music you don't enjoy, then it's understandable to get them into some music you can both enjoy, right? Maybe the OP is just tired of listening to uninteresting music when they're with this friend. That makes some sense, no?

Jackie Blue · « **Reply #20 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:31 »

Er, I guess? I only listen to music with three of my many real-life friends on any kind of regular basis, and we all like so many bands from so many genres and decades that rarely is it an issue.

Most of my friends, I hang out with either at shows or in bars and the music isn't something we're choosing, jukeboxes notwithstanding.

RobbieOC · « **Reply #21 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:46 »

Right, but if all they ever listen to is Nickleback, Hinder, etc. I can see how it would get old. The point, unless I'm mistaken, was that the friends doesn't listen to much music (and that the OP hates Nickleback). That's something that isn't offensive to try to change, I would say.

Jimmy the Squid · « **Reply #22 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 22:50 »

It's not offensive to try to extend the range of music someone listens to. It is offensive to have them listen to other music in an attempt to make them think their own taste in music is shit.

squawk · « **Reply #23 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 23:01 »

Yeah. I never insult people's music tastes in front of them, because that's dumb and they'd just beat me up anyway.

If, though, he starts liking some different bands, there's always the chance that he'll realize that "oh wait ew Nickelback." Possibly not, of course, but anyway guys this is basically just a poorly-executed recommendation thread with some sort of twist just start listing off some bands that'd be accessible okay

Carlyism · « **Reply #24 on:** 01 Apr 2008, 23:35 »

Daydream Nation is what started me off. Then again, that was the first album I ever owned. I wasn't really into music for most of my life. But yeah, try Sonic Youth.

atimholt · « **Reply #25 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 02:17 »

I'm just asking for punishment, but what do my (current) top 10 rated tracks in Rhapsody say about me?
1. No Rain (Blind Melon)
2. Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Daft Punk)
3. If you could read my mind (Gordon Lightfoot)
4. Flood (Jars of Clay)
5. Drifting (Enya)
6. Stairway to Heaven (London Symphony Orchestra) (I like the original, too, but it's not on Rhapsody (pathetic), so I bought the CD)
7. After The Gold Rush (Dolly Parton) (This particular song isn't country, honest)
8. Faint (Linkin Park)
9. When You're Alone (John Williams, "Hook" soundtrack)
10. Seven Nation Army (White Stripes)

Weird list. Some of these I haven't listened to for a while. I think its weighted by a combination of recentness and number of plays, or something.

As for Nickleback, it isn't too bad if you like the same song permutated into "new" songs far too many times. In other words, it's very bad.
Okay, I've only heard two of their songs that I recall, and I genuinely wondered if the second one wasn't "This is how you remind me" for the first two minutes of the song.

Patrick · « **Reply #26 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 03:45 »

If somebody tells me they listen to Nickelback and they ask for recommendations, I usually say Creed or Puddle of Mudd and laugh a good, hearty guffaw when they thank me.

pinkpiche · « **Reply #27 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 03:46 »

This is a pretty silly thread.

I don't think the author of this thread is trying to broaden his/her musical horizon as much as telling him/her indirectly that his/her music sucks. There is no light to be shown, there is no right music. What the fuck guys.

MadassAlex · « **Reply #28 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 03:51 »

There is such a thing as bad music.

I mean, there is a difference between someone not liking death metal and just a fucking bad death metal song.

Patrick · « **Reply #29 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 04:06 »

Quote from: pinkpiche on 02 Apr 2008, 03:46

This is a pretty silly thread.

I don't think the author of this thread is trying to broaden his/her musical horizon as much as telling him/her indirectly that his/her music sucks. There is no light to be shown, there is no right music. What the fuck guys.

Oh man, and I can't say anything to you here, because it'd be hypocritical of me (I still think that whole thing can suck my cock, to whom it may concern).

Spluff · « **Reply #30 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 04:14 »

Quote from: MadassAlex on 02 Apr 2008, 03:51

There is such a thing as bad music.

I mean, there is a difference between someone not liking death metal and just a fucking bad death metal song.

Apparently some people actually like Cannibal Corpse.

Lummer · « **Reply #31 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 05:23 »

I firmly believe that everyone needs to listen to Clutch.

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #32 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 05:59 »

There's nothing wrong with playing people music you think they might like. This person obviously likes catchy rock music, so I'd play them Big Star - #1 Record, The Ergs - Dorkrockcorkrod, Alkaline Trio - Goddamnit, Sleater-Kinney - All Hands On The Bad One and Pavement - Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain. They may well enjoy them.

Alternatively, ignore everything they like get them a copy of Time Won't Heal This by Knuckledust (and a wifebeater vest to go with it).

rynne · « **Reply #33 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 06:02 »

Quote from: imagist42 on 01 Apr 2008, 19:27

A swift kick to the balls would be a safer bet, though.

Oh, man. That’s exactly that my first reaction was, too. Two votes for a kick to the nuts.

Sersiously, though? Um, well, he obviously like his "modern" music as bland as possible. Maybe use some Braff rock as a gateway to decent indie?

Inlander · « **Reply #34 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 06:30 »

Quote from: tommydski on 02 Apr 2008, 04:14

I recall when I was a lot, lot younger, specific folks in my life gave me a jovial kick in the bottom regarding the bands I was listening to and a bunch of artists to check out. I am grateful to this day for the actions of these people. They are indirectly responsible for me eventually finding the music, culture and people I most closely associate myself with. Had they been prevented from doing so by some over-protective sense of misguided etiquette, I would not be the person I am today.

Ah, but would that other you have grown up to be miserable because of his musical taste? Or would he have grown just as musically content, within his own degree of experience, as you are now? You can't apply received wisdom to a hypothetical situation in which that wisdom is never received.

(I'm trying to side-track this thread into a philosophical discussion of questions of identity. Work with me, guys.)

Patrick · « **Reply #35 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 06:52 »

Possibly.

Shit-music Tommy would've grown up to be a bored individual and would probably just masturbate to yaoi all day. Good music, however, has kept him from degenerating into such a person!

THIS IS THE ONLY POSSIBLE ALTERNATE-UNIVERSE SCENARIO

Sox · « **Reply #36 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 07:31 »

Saying that "shit music" will affect the personality of a person is pretty ridiculous. A kind person is a kind person whether they listen to bad music or not. It will affect their mood though, which could change how they react to people. For example, a teenager who listens to hormonal screams in their music is more likely to feel sad all the time, whereas a teenager who listens to upbeat pop music might have a bounce in their step and a smile on their face.
Both of these examples could actually be the same person on a different day. I know I have albums that, when I am playing, make it impossible to be sad. I also have albums that make me sob uncontrollably. Whether or not this is due to nostalgia or me attaching them to painful memories is debatable, but I certainly didn't have either of those factors when I was in my angsty early teens.

muteKi · « **Reply #37 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 07:48 »

I am checking stuff out of theirs on Youtube and do not find it anywhere near as offensive as you all make it out to be.

I think that this is maybe why I don't usually visit this forum much.

Sox · « **Reply #38 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 07:52 »

Well, that's the thing. Bands like Nickelback are usually only offensive in how utterly dull and uninteresting they are.

rynne · « **Reply #39 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:04 »

Frankly, I find that worse. I know it's somewhat cliche, but I'd rather listen to something that's an utter trainwreck than something that's totally insipid. Complete failures are sometimes interesting; mediocrity never is.

valley_parade · « **Reply #40 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:07 »

Quote from: Spluff on 01 Apr 2008, 19:32

Find some hard rock artists that are in a similar vein but, yknow, not shit, and just continue from there.

BORIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS.

amok · « **Reply #41 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:08 »

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04

Frankly, I find that worse. I know it's somewhat cliche, but I'd rather listen to something that's an utter trainwreck than something that's totally insipid. Complete failures are sometimes interesting; mediocrity never is.

Yeah, absolutely. A band that arouses no emotion in me whatsoever fails harder than a band that's at least exciting enough for me to go out of my way to hate.

Christophe · « **Reply #42 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:29 »

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04

Complete

Yes, exactly.

Patrick · « **Reply #43 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:39 »

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04

I know it's somewhat cliche, but I'd rather listen to something that's an utter trainwreck

Guys, look! I found another Ramones fan!

imapiratearg · « **Reply #44 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:41 »

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04

Frankly, I find that worse. I know it's somewhat cliche, but I'd rather listen to something that's an utter trainwreck than something that's totally insipid. Complete failures are sometimes interesting; mediocrity never is.

This. I would much rather listen to something that is an aural assault, rather than a total bore. My friends don't seem to understand why I hate We The Kings but I can listen to Drive Like Jehu.

suitupletsgo · « **Reply #45 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:46 »

Quote from: Patrick on 02 Apr 2008, 08:39

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04
I know it's somewhat cliche, but I'd rather listen to something that's an utter trainwreck

Guys, look! I found another Ramones fan!

i lol'd.

rynne · « **Reply #46 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 08:54 »

I don’t have any Ramones records. For me, loud guitars + leather jacket + mid-70s NYC = Metal Machine Music.

... which demonstrates my point, I think.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #47 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 09:37 »

Quote from: Spluff on 02 Apr 2008, 04:14

Apparently some people actually like Cannibal Corpse.

Cannibal Corpse have sold over a million albums.

Think about that for a minute.

muteKi · « **Reply #48 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 09:38 »

Quote from: TheLetterM on 02 Apr 2008, 08:29

Quote from: rynne on 02 Apr 2008, 08:04
Complete

Yes, exactly.

I find this song to be kinda boring, more so than the stuff from Nickelback.

But then perhaps I am merely crazy.

Also, this (I like a lot): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEaln4gqsXU

KharBevNor · « **Reply #49 on:** 02 Apr 2008, 10:12 »

DOT DOT DOT

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Friends Don't Let Friends Listen To Nickelback (Read 46821 times)

dalconnsuch

Carlyism

muteKi

muteKi