The Chainsmokers [Courtesy Columbia]
Earlier this week, an Esquire piece declared The Chainsmokers to be the “Nickelback of EDM.” The comparison was not intended as a compliment.
“[The Chainsmokers are] doing for EDM what Nickelback did to post-grunge arena rock: becoming immensely popular by using the worst cliches the genre has to offer, and then taking it down to the river and putting it out of its misery,” wrote Esquire’s Matt Miller.
Taking the criticism in stride, The Chainsmokers responded with a mash-up of their current hit “Paris” and Nickelback’s breakthrough “How You Remind Me.” In singing the mash-up, Chainsmokers vocalist Drew Taggart delivered an exaggerated impression of Chad Kroeger’s signature vocal style.
Late Wednesday night, Nickelback offered a response of its own. Band member Ryan Peake mashed up The Chainsmokers’ multi-week #1 “Closer” with “How You Remind Me.”
“Also a Nickelback-Chainsmokers that no one wanted to hear,” joked Peake. “Can’t please everyone guys – welcome to the club.”
Both Tweets are embedded below: