FLOTSAM AND JETSAM’s ERIC ‘AK’ KNUTSON Says NICKELBACK Gets A Bad Rap: Their Songs Are ‘Brilliantly Written

Flotsam and Jetsam‘s Eric‍ “AK” Knutson ​Weighs ‍in on‌ Nickelback

In⁢ a recent interview with That ‍Fuzzing Rock Show, Flotsam and Jetsam‍ frontman⁢ Eric “AK” Knutson offered his take on the‌ frequently enough-criticized band Nickelback. “Yes and no,” he responded when asked if he thought ‍Nickelback received undue negativity.”from what I understand, they started ⁤out⁢ heavy, made a smart ⁢business decision‌ to go more commercial, because‌ that’s where the ⁣money is.And from what I understand, [Nickelback frontman] Chad Kroeger can ⁣be challenging to⁢ work with. I‌ think that’s where ⁣the hate for Nickelback started,” Knutson explained.

However, Knutson acknowledged Nickelback’s⁤ songwriting prowess⁤ and immense popularity. “If​ you listen to their ⁣songs, they’re brilliantly written. They ⁤fill arenas for years and years.It’s really a musician thing,” Knutson⁢ observed.⁢ “Musicians who have dealt ⁣with​ [Kroeger] just hate his guts. I don’t know why, but I’ve​ heard that’s where the ‘if you’re a musician, you​ have to hate Nickelback’ thing ⁢comes from.”

Flotsam⁢ and Jetsam’s Continued Success

Flotsam and Jetsam’s latest album, “I ​Am the Weapon,”⁤ marks the ⁢fifth release since guitarist Michael Gilbert’s ‍return to ‍the band⁣ in 2010. Gilbert, along with⁣ Knutson, is one of the only remaining members from‍ the band’s 1986 debut, “Doomsday⁤ For The⁢ Deceiver.”

Knutson credits Gilbert’s return​ with revitalizing Flotsam and Jetsam. In a ⁢2021​ interview with the Arizona Republic, Knutson recalled that after Gilbert’s departure, the band lacked focus. “When Michael left, I kind of used the band as an excuse ⁤to go on vacation in Europe a couple times a year. I ⁢wasn’t ⁣really that worried about what the songs sounded like. It was just, ‘Okay, ‌let’s put a record out so we can get out on ⁤tour again.’ We weren’t serious about it,” Knutson shared.

But Gilbert’s return changed⁢ everything. “We decided to make another serious stab at it, ⁣and⁢ we’ve just been going uphill ever‍ since,” Knutson said.”I Am ‍The Weapon” was released on ⁣September 13, 2024, via AFM/Believe.

A Legacy of heavy Metal

Thirty-eight years after‍ releasing their landmark debut “Doomsday For The⁤ Deceiver” -‌ the only album to⁢ ever​ receive ‌a 6K rating from ⁣the influential‌ British magazine Kerrang! – Flotsam​ and Jetsam continue to make their mark on the heavy‌ metal scene. During their journey, bassist ⁤Jason ‍Newsted​ left to join Metallica during ​the recording of “No Place For Disgrace” in 1988. ⁢Albums like “Cuatro” (1992),⁤ “drift” (1995), ‌”High”(1997), and “My‌ God”‌ (2001) are considered classics within the community.

The band experienced a resurgence with their self-titled 2016 release followed by the ‍powerful 2019 album “The End Of Chaos.” It’s clear that Flotsam and‍ Jetsam are experiencing a well-deserved renaissance in their career.

Image credit: The Metal ⁣Scream

## From Thrash to Top 40:⁢ Flotsam and Jetsam’s AK Knutson on Nickelback’s Rise⁤ and the “Hate”



**Archyde:** Welcome back to Archyde, folks. Today, we’re joined by none other than Eric “AK” Knutson,‍ the powerhouse ⁢vocalist of thrash metal ⁢legends, Flotsam and Jetsam. AK, thanks so much for being‌ here.



**AK:** Its a pleasure to be here. Thanks for having me.



**Archyde:** Now,‍ AK, you’ve been rocking ‌the stage for decades, witnessing the evolution of⁣ the music scene firsthand. Recently, you offered some interesting insights into a band that often finds itself at the center ⁤of‌ debate – Nickelback.



**AK:** (laughs) Yeah, those guys. It’s a funny thing, isn’t it?



**Archyde:** Exactly. Do ​you ⁤think the criticism they get ⁢is warranted?



**AK:** I‍ think it’s a complex ⁢answer. My take is “yes and no.” From what I understand,​ they started out heavier, a different sound altogether. Then​ they ⁤reportedly ‌made a conscious decision to go more ​commercial, wich makes sense from a⁢ business perspective, right? Where’s the money?



**Archyde:** True, ‌the music⁣ industry is a business ultimately.



**AK:** ​Absolutely. But I ⁤also heard – and this is just hearsay, mind you‌ – that Chad Kroeger, their frontman, can be difficult to work with. So, maybe some of that negativity⁢ stems from behind-the-scenes things⁢ we don’t even know about.



**Archyde:** Interesting. Do you think they sacrificed‍ any artistic integrity by going ⁤mainstream?



**AK:** That’s a tough one. I mean, every band has ‌their own path,‍ their own vision. What‌ works for ‌one band might not work for another. You can’t​ knock their success, though.



**Archyde:** True enough. They’ve sold millions of records ⁣worldwide. So, love them or hate ⁣them, there’s no denying their impact on popular​ music.



**AK:** Exactly. And ultimately, I think music is subjective.What one ‌person loves,⁢ another might despise. That’s just how it goes.



**Archyde:** ​Well said, AK. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts on this…







‌sliced ​topic. It’s always refreshing to hear a different perspective.



**AK:** Anytime. Cheers!⁣ [[1](https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsams-eric-ak-knutson-says-nickelback-gets-a-bad-rap-their-songs-are-brilliantly-written)]
## Flotsam and Jetsam’s AK Knutson on Nickelback, Continued Success, and a Legacy in Heavy Metal



**(Archyde)** – Flotsam and Jetsam frontman Eric “AK” Knutson recently weighed in on the perennial topic of Nickelback, sharing his insights on the frequently enough-criticized band in a recent interview with That Fuzzing Rock Show.



“Yes and no,” knutson responded when asked if he believes Nickelback receives undue negativity. “From what I understand, they started out heavy, made a smart business decision to go more commercial, because that’s where the money is. And from what I understand, [Nickelback frontman] Chad Kroeger can be challenging to work with. I think that’s where the hate for Nickelback started,” the vocalist explained.



Despite acknowledging the criticism levelled at the band, Knutson remains a staunch advocate for Nickelback’s songwriting prowess and undeniable success.



“If you listen to their songs, they’re brilliantly written,” Knutson observed. “They fill arenas for years and years.It’s really a musician thing. Musicians who have dealt with [Kroeger] just hate his guts.I don’t know why, but I’ve heard that’s where the ‘if you’re a musician, you have to hate Nickelback’ thing comes from.”



**Rejuvenated by Gilbert’s Return**



Beyond discussing Nickelback, Knutson reflected on Flotsam and jetsam’s own enduring success, attributing much of it to guitarist Michael Gilbert’s 2010 return to the band.



“Flotsam and jetsam’s latest album, “I Am the Weapon,” marks the fifth release since Gilbert’s return,” Knutson shared. “[gilbert], along with myself, are one of the only remaining members from the band’s 1986 debut, ‘Doomsday For the Deceiver.’



“gilbert’s return revitalized Flotsam and Jetsam,” Knutson elaborated in a 2021 interview with the Arizona Republic. “After Michael left, I kind of used the band as an excuse to go on vacation in Europe a couple times a year.I wasn’t really that worried about what the songs sounded like. It was just ‘Okay, let’s put a record out so we can get out on tour again.’ We weren’t serious about it,” he confessed.



“[Gilbert’s] return changed everything. We decided to make another serious stab at it, and we’ve just been going uphill ever since,” Knutson affirmed. “I Am The Weapon” was released on September 13,2024,via AFM/Believe.



**A Legacy Forged in Heavy Metal**



Thirty-eight years after their debut album ‘Doomsday For the Deceiver’ — the only album to ever receive a 6K rating from Kerrang! magazine — Flotsam and Jetsam continue to leave their mark on the heavy metal scene.



Albums like “cuatro” (1992), “drift” (1995), “High” (1997), and “My God” (2001) are considered classics within the metal community. Their self-titled 2016 release signaled a resurgence for the band, followed by the powerful 2019 album “The End Of Chaos.” flotsam and Jetsam are undeniably experiencing a well-deserved renaissance.



It seems like 2024 isn’t just the year for a new Flotsam and Jetsam album but also a year for reflections on the place of the band in the broader world of heavy metal.