OT: Dark Horse Brewery spurns Nickelback

Submitted by Ernis on

Aaron Morse of Dark Horse Brewing Co. is a man of esteemed character. Dare we say... a Michigan (craft beer) Man? Nickleback wants to give him money and associate his beer with their intolerable muzak. Does he give in to the soul-crushing, corporate schlock machine? No!

Well it's new old news. This all happened back in 2010, but is getting good publcity now, even making it to the Huffington Post.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

justingoblue

June 27th, 2012 at 10:23 PM ^

also, to the guy above, I'm guessing "gay America" hates Nickleback as much as "straight America".

I'm going to go grab some Dark Horse this weekend just to reward their sound decision making.

cozy200

June 27th, 2012 at 10:25 PM ^

As much as i love scotty karate, thank god it didnt make a national debut on some shitbag music video. Still had the desired outcome tho if you ask me!

MichGoBlue858

June 27th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^

I will risk getting flamebait/troll moderation by saying why does everyone hate Nickelback so much? I don't like them either, I think they make pretty shitty music. But I've never understood the amount hate they get on the internet. 

Roy G. Biv

June 28th, 2012 at 9:53 AM ^

That statement is far too broad; it needs to be more specific.  Nearly everything played on the radio--especially terrestrial radio--can be described as such.  Popular music today is a fucking abomination.  If you'll excuse me, I need to go yell at some kids on my lawn.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

June 27th, 2012 at 10:56 PM ^

They're just the occupants of the Scott Stapp Endowed Chair of Musical Hatred.  Creed broke up and forfeited the original spot, and Coldplay moved just far enough into hipster territory that they were no longer eligible.  Nickelback has been basically doing the same songs for several years now, and they fit all the criteria perfectly, so they're the official cool-to-hate band until either they break up or someone else comes along and does it better.

ChopBlock

June 27th, 2012 at 10:50 PM ^

"Morse said he'd entertain the idea if the brewery was approached by a cool band, such as Slayer."

Glad to see someone appreciates good music. Next time I'm in Michigan, you better believe I'm detouring to Kzoo. 

 

ChopBlock

June 27th, 2012 at 11:15 PM ^

http://www.mlive.com/music/index.ssf/2012/04/nickelback_a_retrospective_tim.html

Normally, I'd say that MLive is about as braindead as Nickelback is cheesy, but it's kind of fun to watch one rip on the other:

 

Nov. 24, 2011: Despite the protest, Nickelback plays at the Lions game. The band performs one song to a shower of boos. The Lions lose, and star defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh is thrown out of the game after stomping on an opposing player, apparently mistaking him for Kroeger.

bronxblue

June 27th, 2012 at 10:59 PM ^

Good for Dark Horse to not wanting to be associated with music they don't approve of, but I don't understand the constant crapping on anyone who offered you money to endorse your product.  Say no thank you and move on, but adding in '"I absolutely hate that band," Morse said today. "It's s--- rock and roll that doesn't deserve to be on the radio"' is just unnecessary.  Personally, I don't mind them beyond the fact that their music can be trite and repetitive, but then again you can find people who hate Slayer, Judas Priest, Justi Bieber, Nas, etc.  Their is no universal music, but the notion that because you like some type of music that other people find enjoyable that makes you better than other people who happen to like some other music you don't is the height of hypocrisy.

MGoBender

June 28th, 2012 at 12:14 AM ^

The other side of the argument is:

What are the odds that another similarly well-known band offers similar publicity?

Slim to none.  So, if you're going to decline, do so in the most publicity garnering fashion - by truthfully stating how much Nickleback sucks and that you'd never sell your soul to LOOK AT THIS PHOTOGRAPH

Also:

 

triangle_M

June 28th, 2012 at 12:14 PM ^

I also think its a poor business decision.  How many people are going to start drinking Dark Horse on account of the owner's Nickelback derision?  For all purposes it is a middling microbrew (I like it just fine).  The public display does nothing to enhance his reputation among other buisiness owners.  It just comes off as immaturity.  

Look I don't like much of anything on the radio these days and Nickelback is just as unrecognizable to me as the next piece of turd they try to polish and present to us as music (I'm lookin at you Owl City).  An old timer once said to me early in my career, "you attract more flies with sugar than with vinegar" and although its a messed up metaphor (because who the hell wants to be attracting flies?) the point is salient nonetheless.   Stay positive, don't burn bridges because its a small world that gets smaller every day.

RakeFight

June 28th, 2012 at 1:34 PM ^

Very valid point.  Just like I've never understood why a business would put a campaign sign up during an election year.  Yes, they have every right to do so, but it just doesn't seem like a good business decision... there will be someone on the other side of the political spectrum who feels so strongly, that they will take their business elsewhere.  Why bother?

Kinda Blue

June 28th, 2012 at 8:55 AM ^

That has nothing to do with political correctness. It is common courtesy, which there is not enough of. Nickelback was a fan/patron of the beer and wanted to feature Morse's product. Rather than politely decline, Morse used it as an opportunity to crap on one of his own patrons/fans so he could seem cool and above it all. It's just a lousy way to act toward someone who appreciates your beer. He could have said no without publicly dumping on them in the process.



And I not only dislike political correctness, I also dislike when people use the political correctness label as a shield to deflect the fact that someone is just being a douche.

JL

June 28th, 2012 at 8:45 AM ^

Highly recommended. My in-laws have mugs there so we find ourselves there quite a bit. I recommend the Oil of the Sun w/chicken and feta. Pair it with their Amber and have yourself a good summer evening. Also, sit outside.

RakeFight

June 28th, 2012 at 10:09 AM ^

I grew up in Marshall before Dark Horse existed, but try to stop in everytime I go home.  The beers are top-notch (and I can't get them yet in Missouri), but I love the atmosphere... it has that true small town gritty feel... no pretense, no beer snobbery, just a lot of friendly people who love good beer and a good time.  Oh, and the pizza is pretty damn good too.

d.

June 28th, 2012 at 10:44 AM ^

I remember this happening.  There was a blog post or something where, IIRC, Aaron was talking about whether to allow "a certain band" to use their truck/beer in a music video.  I'm not 100% sure, but I think they did and that was the end of it. 

Dark Horse is one of the absolute gems in the state of michigan.  Love that place- going this weekend.

GetSumBlue

June 28th, 2012 at 1:55 PM ^

Is running far too rampant. Anybody who says anything about hating Nickelback from now on shall be tared and feathered.

It's become utterly obnoxious and most people are only saying it because they heard everyone else doesn't like them.