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MUSIC: Nickelback, MEN Arena, Monday 16 Sep

David Sue
10/ 9/2008

WHEN it comes to rock bands, it’s very rare to hear a voice of cheery satisfaction.

You might hear a voice of angst, of teen neuroses, of surly aggression – especially when it comes to young Emo bands – but you’re unlikely to hear those bands extolling the joys of being famous.

All of which makes Canadian band Nickelback stick out like a sore thumb.

Their most recent hit Rockstar is surely the most triumphant ode ever written about the rock profession, an über anthem for the pure frivolity and extravagance of rock’n’roll stardom.

Across the world, the song has become the band’s biggest hit to date, spending an incredible nine months in the UK charts and even appearing as the backing music to a furniture store commercial (yes, that very annoying DFS sofa one).

But then, Nickelback have never been a self-pitying sort of rock band. On the grand scale of heavy commercial rock, they’re closer in their musical DNA to Bon Jovi than they are to, say, Nirvana.

Despite their grunge appearance, Nickelback are as old-fashioned stadium pop-rock as they come – loaded with big catchy choruses and lyrics which revel in pure sentimental cheese.

Such unsophisticated rock thrills might not be too popular with some (The Guardian published an article that condemned Rockstar as the worst song of all time!), but you sense Nickelback aren’t really too bothered. They’re clearly having too much fun, as their famous song explains, being rock stars.