Chad Kroeger Is Lovin' McNuggets, Hatin' Illegal Downloading

06/03/04 3:00pm

by David Missio (CHARTattack)

Apparently the kids are still downloading music. Apparently they'd still rather do it for free as opposed to paying. Apparently that's still bad, and Chad Kroeger is not lovin' it at all.

The Nickelback frontman and 604 Records executive has just shaken the big yellow glove of that red-haired harlequin known as Ronald to become the Canadian spokesman for the new McDonalds Big Mac Meal Tracks promotion.

As if the delicious burger and convenient cardboard flip-box that your Big Mac comes in wasn't treat enough, now you'll also receive an access code with each sandwich or, for the more gluttonous of us, Extra Value Meal. Then, through a partnership with Sony and Puretracks, you'll be able to log on to a website that will allow you to download one song absolutely free.

Kroeger, who incidentally likes the McNuggets best, spoke at a press conference held today at the Eaton's Centre in Toronto for Big Mac Meal Tracks. There was the buffoonery of Ronald, the unveiling of a new I'm Lovin' It ad campaign and a live performance by The Brothers Conti, who perform the soundtrack to the new commercials. Kroeger, however, was all about the music.

Wearing a really cool-looking tan leather jacket, Kroeger sat down with ChartAttack to discuss the music industry, upcoming plans for Nickelback and perogies.

"If trends continue the way they are, there isn't going to be any new music for people to download," says Kroeger. "From a guy who runs a record company, who produces bands and plays in a band, it's a horrifying thought. I love playing my guitar for people and singing for people and I would hate to think that could all be taken away with a couple of clicks on a mouse."

While Kroeger admitted that it was difficult for younger people to have access to credit cards for the legal download sites, he claimed the problem ran deeper than simple economics.

"Young people don't think," says Kroeger with more than a hint of anger in his voice. "I'd be surprised if young people know what the hell Sam The Record Man or HMV was. Everyone just goes to the computer, downloads whatever the hell they want, they burn it and then they just play it in their cars. That's killing the music industry."

Kroeger sees the McDonalds/Sony initiative as being a positive step to help the music industry and those musicians hurt by rampant illegal downloads.

"Changing people's mindsets, that's what has to happen," Kroger says.

After performing at 44 arenas across Canada recently, Kroeger and the Nickelback boys are going to give the Great White North a little break as they head across the ocean before their American tour later this summer.

"We're on our way to Germany," says Kroeger. "We're playing festivals with Metallica and the Chili Peppers, then we come back and start the U.S. tour, the co-headlining tour with Three Doors Down and Puddle of Mudd."

While Kroeger admitted to liking the McNuggets (I didn't find out if he preferred the new white meat ones) his favourite meal growing up wasn't a McAnything.

"We didn't have a lot of money growing up. I grew up in a trailer park, and once or twice a week my mom would boil some perogies," Kroeger says. "There wasn't enough for everybody, there wasn't enough for myself and my brother [Nickelback bassist Mike] and my mom, so Mike and I would sit on either side of her and she'd cut every single perogie into three. I'd get a chunk and he'd get a chunk and she'd get a chunk and that was what my favourite meal was growing up."

The Big Mac Meal Tracks launch will be on June 8 and will run through July 27.