Chad Kroeger Says Even the Haters Will Show Up to Pantera's Reunion Tour

"Anybody who's sitting back hating on the idea, I think when it comes to town, they're gonna do the same thing that happens with those people that say they don't like Nickelback"

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Sep 26, 2022

Nickelback's Chad Kroeger — pronounced crew-ger, get it right — has weighed in on the Pantera reunion set to take place in 2023.

While the announcement this summer sparked excitement for many, as the '90s metal visionaries haven't played together in over 20 years, others weren't fond of the idea of the band touring without its late co-founding members, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott. But according to Kroeger, even the so-called haters are going to be getting in that virtual ticket queue.

On a new episode of The LA Lloyd Podcast, the 'back bandleader addressed the forthcoming reunion tour, which will feature surviving Pantera members Philip Anselmo and Rex Brown performing alongside Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Zakk Wylde, as well as the backlash it has prompted: "Anybody who's sitting back hating on the idea, I think when it comes to town, they're going to do the same thing that happens with those people that say they don't like Nickelback."

If you weren't aware, Kroeger is a long-time Pantera fan — "Side of a Bullet" from Nickelback's 2005 album All the Right Reasons laments the death of his friend Dimebag Darrell, and features the guitarist posthumously. The late metal musician had also collaborated with the Vancouver band on a 2003 cover of Elton John's "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)."

"Well, selfishly, I wanna see those songs performed live," Kroeger told Lloyd. "When you listen to a Pantera record and you think to yourself — well, as we thought, since the band broke up — it's, like, 'Oh, I'm never gonna get to see these songs live again.' And it's heartbreaking. So the fact that the boys are getting called in from here and there… Love Zakk; love Charlie — great, great guys. I think the fact that they're gonna get on stage and do this… All Phil has to do is just get up there and crush it."

In his closeness to the situation, the Canadian musician doesn't see anything irreverent in the tour concept (and is clearly looking forward to it himself), although he does admit that calling it a "tribute" might be more appropriate, adding:

I would go see that. I would buy a ticket to go see that show. I want to see it. I want to scream those songs. And I think that calling it more of a tribute is probably closer to what it's gonna be — which is great; that's great. People that love that music that want to recreate it live every single night… And like I said, as long as Phil brings it, it's gonna be great. Just to be able to sit back and watch those guys to do it up… And I think all the Pantera fans are gonna love it.

Anybody who's sitting back hating on the idea, I think when it comes to town, they're gonna do the same thing that happens with those people that say they don't like Nickelback. They always find themselves at the show. Strangely enough — shocker! It's like, "Ah, I hate those guys. They suck." "Are you going?" "Of course" [Laughs].


And Nickelback fans certainly turned out in the video for heavy-as-hell new single "San Quentin" — the lead track from the band's forthcoming 10th studio album Get Rollin'.

Listen to Kroeger discuss the Pantera tour and more on Lloyd's podcast below.

 

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