Meet The Juno Nominees: Finger Eleven

The biggest celebrities, outside of non-nominee Dallas Green, at Tuesday's Juno nominees announcement were Finger Eleven's James Black and Rick Jackett. The former Rainbow Butt Monkeys changed their sound on Them Vs. You Vs. Me and suddenly found an entirely new fanbase to go along with their old one. They're nominated in three prestige Juno categories — group, rock record and single of the year for their ubiquitous hit, "Paralyzer."

ChartAttack: Don't be modest, how do you feel about being nominated?

James Black: It feels good.

Rick Jackett: It feels great because we got up at 6 a.m. this morning to be here. We were saying before that it would have sucked to come and not be nominated.

What was your musical highlight of the last year?

Black: I would have to say the whole year was the highlight. We were fortunate enough to take things to another level last year, so just getting to the next step. I couldn't really pinpoint one thing.

Jackett: For me, the four shows we did on the Canadian tour with Sum 41 and Die Mannequin, those shows had an awesome vibe. And then Deryck [Whibley]'s back got hurt and we had to cancel the rest, so that sucked, but those four shows I will remember forever.

Black: But, you know what? That set up what probably will be a highlight this year, which is playing Massey Hall. The shiny side of the coin, I guess.

Name something you'd do with your trophy other than put it on your mantle.

Black: We've never won one, so we don't know. I guess we'll have to decide who gets to take it home.

You all get one if you win.

Black: Oh! For MuchMusic, we never got any. We won the award for video of the year and we never got the award.

Triumph are this year's Canadian Music Hall Of Fame inductees. What's your favourite Triumph song?

Jackett: 'Magic Power!" We were just talking to Dallas Green about all the great Triumph songs, and 'Magic Power" came out on top.

Feist or Avril, who wins in a cage fight?

Jackett: Oh, Feist.

Black: Feist.

No competition?

Jackett: No competition.

Who is the first person you'll thank if you win?

Black: This is funny, because we've won a few awards and I never thanked my wife and she made a big deal out of it. So I guess I'd thank my wife.

Jackett: All people are important, especially family, but I have to say, for our band, probably the most important people are the owners of our label, Alan and Diana Metzler. They're two people who are hugely responsible for our success.

Black: And, of course, the other people are the fans.