Two weeks ago, on February 3rd, 2010, one woman, named Coral Anne, set out on a mission to create a Facebook fan page with more fans than Nickelback. At the time, we highlighted the page as part of an ongoing Facebook phenomenon. Diving deep into her psyche, she determined that what better way to upstage and simultaneously embarass Nickelback than to base her movement on an otherwise nondescript pickle. A few days ago, the mission proved successful.
On February 19, 2010, she accomplished her goal and her fan page entitled “Can this pickle get more fans than Nickleback?” exceeded Nickelback’s fan page’s 1.4 million fans. This prompted a possibly-fake Chad Kroeger, lead vocalist for Nickelback, to demand it be put down, with the proof shown below in the image.
Doubters will of course wonder whether a multi-Platinum rock star lead singer would come after this Facebook group, but Chad Kroeger has been known to lash back before. Famously, in responses to general criticism about his band, he stated:
“(Millions) around the world will disagree with anybody who says that,” he said. “Nickelback does not suck – if you don’t like Nickelback, you don’t like Nickelback – (but) Nickelback does not suck.”
Certainly, having to explain the only reason you don’t suck is by counting your record sales is a questionable strategy to deflect criticsm, but in any case, Chad is the type to fight back.
Finally, the fan page has prompted an official page, entitled Pickleback, and as the site and Fan page’s popularity grows, the page will certainly continue its meteoric rise, probably based on the hilarity of the word Pickleback alone.
Coral Anne stated a few important notes as well, that do highlight interesting facets of Facebook Pages:
1. I am fully aware that I misspelled Nickelback as “Nickleback” in the name of the page. This is because Facebook doesn’t allow you to put the word Nickelback in the name of a page because I guess if someone did it would be copyright infringement.
2. Yes, this page was inspired by “Can this onion ring get more fans than Justin Bieber?” before anyone tells me that I copied the guy who made that. I know I have but I thought his idea was so hilarious that I just had to do something in its likeness. So I was inspired, more or less!
Perhaps if Nickelback didn't suck so bad, they wouldn't have to be so defensive. When I take a big crap and am squeezing it out, I can shout some lyrics and it sounds a lot like Nickelback, only better.
Comment by Tim F — February 22, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
Wow, such hate of this woman.
Wonder why Jason Benway would work so hard to bring down her name ? He must be a very sad loner.
Dog mess.
Comment by Benny Hinn — February 22, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
i somehow doubt that she was trying to bring down nickleback. i think that she chose a popular band and something nodescript, to see whether or not people would take part in a mass joke. i know plenty of nickleback fans who are part of that page
Comment by Facebook User — February 22, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Dear Jason Benway,
because people voice opinions. And it's funny.
Comment by EVERYONE ELSE ON EAR — February 22, 2010 @ 12:57 pm
Jason, your comment appears to be riddled with judgement and a littleness of mind that is devoid of humor. you -must- be a very sad person. cheer up sport and laugh a little every now and again!
Comment by Jen — February 22, 2010 @ 12:58 pm
I saw it as a big joke… I don't think something like this would really be bad for Nickelback overall… They say any press is good press, and this is definitely light-hearted.
Comment by Neil Vidyarthi — February 22, 2010 @ 1:01 pm
Wow, such hate in the world.
Why does this conservative douche not understand the humor behind Pickleback? He must be too busy quoting the Sarah Palin book to his friends.
God Is Dead
Comment by Landon Sorgenstein — February 22, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
but come on guys… that pickle is pretty freakin awesome. There isn't much that is more awesome than that pickle.
Nickelback sucks pretty hard though. I mean, really… Those lyrics would only sound good if they were sung by a 7th grade girl. Coming from this chad dude… its just creepy.
Comment by 5qr47ch — February 22, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
There is no way that's really him. She's just a smart girl who knows how to create a buzz:
http://blog.conflictinthesky.com/2010/02/chad-kro...
Comment by Chris Fullam — February 22, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
Wow, such hate in the world.
Why would this women have to work so hard to bring down nickleback? She must be a very sad women.
God Bless
Comment by Jason Benway — February 22, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
I like pickles.
I hate nickleback.
I joined the group.
I'm glad we accomplished our goal.
No hate here, just a lot of laughing.
Nickleback was beat out by a pickle. They were also stoned off stage over seas during one of their performances.
Lovely.
Comment by andy lai — February 22, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
Wasn't this just great for Facebook and Nickelback? Maybe it was a buzz marketing campaign!
http://www.motherboard.tv/2010/2/23/can-this-post...
Comment by alex — February 23, 2010 @ 8:20 am
nickleback does suck! lmfao
Comment by Robyn B. Holmes — February 23, 2010 @ 12:20 pm
Guys,
The whole "Can this Pickle get more fans…" thing became a social experiement that sheds light on the strengths and weaknesses of Social Networking/Bookmarking. Yes, there is an element of sarcasm – but not really Hate. I like Nickleback but that's not the point either. The strength observed is a lesson in viral phenomena (the nature of popularity in being seen as a member of a cool, upcoming thing; like joining that group). The weakness observed is how easy it now is for a single person (with so little effort) – to garner a "following" of people to throw virtual tomatoes at an "established" industry juggernaut.
It opened up issues such as copyright and trademark limits, the voice of an individual where everyone has a printing press, and exposes the disparity in power between a corporation and an individual. "Hate" is too strong a word. Of course there are going to be people who consider themselves afficionados of music and look scornfully on "popular" acts like Nickleback. That's not the point; it could have been the Foo Fighters if their name rhymed with something funny in comparison. It gave all us members a little soapbox to stand on and say "They suck", and we get a little thrill out of it. The dynamic is more complicated, and I think that we, as people who are students of this Social Networking movement need to think about this. You KNOW they are thinking about this at Facebook, and wondering how to make a legal buck off of it. Think about what new directions this Group may have inadvertently opened up. What opportunities can be seen in it?
Comment by Rick Bellows — February 26, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/I-listened-to-pickl...
Hahaha Brilliant!
Comment by PickleSoldOut — April 8, 2010 @ 10:33 am
Oi gente ….
adoro nickelbeck
não seii vcs mais elis são dimais …
Comment by vanessa domingues — February 7, 2011 @ 7:15 pm