Jonathan Simkin breaks down the real story behind Nickelback backlash, internet hate culture, Marianas Trench pressure, and the fallout between 604 Records and The Organ.

From The Long Road selling millions while being labeled a "failure," to when Nickelback started to get public abuse, Jonathan explains what was actually happening behind the scenes during one of the biggest backlashes against a rock band.

He looks back on giving up creative control on Marianas Trench's This Means War video, and why that song didn't connect commercially. He also responds in detail to comments and narratives surrounding The Organ, their breakup, the Polaris Heritage Award controversy, and why he feels 604's role in the band's success has been erased from the story.

The episode also covers:

• Why Nickelback became a punching bag online
• The psychology of rock fans and backlash
• Marianas Trench's Astoria era pressure
• How The Organ almost became massive internationally
• The beginning of 604 studios due to The Organ 'tossing a record in the river'
• Why some Canada's biggest ever bands never made it out of the country

Each segment is also available on Youtube (or soon will be). Like, reviews, shares etc. help us big time. Thank you for listening!

We're back with the plaque series for three more episodes! Jonathan Simkin reacts to some of the biggest records and strangest success stories of his career.

He breaks down how Matthew Good went from playing small Vancouver cafes to becoming one of the biggest bands in Canada, why Two Heads exploded worldwide, what major labels get wrong after a hit song, and how a funeral ballad quietly became one of 604 Records' most streamed songs ever.

The episode also dives into:

• The early Matthew Good Band years
• CFOX Seeds and Vancouver rock history
• Why some artists become "one-hit wonders"
• How losing the person who signed you to a label can put your music career on the shelf
• The emotional impact of Dancing in the Sky
• Coleman Hell, Mad Dog Jones, and Thunder Bay's weird creative scene
• Why some Canadian bands never fully crossed into the US
• Canadian Live rock scenes in the 90s

Featuring stories about Matthew Good, Coleman Hell, Dani and Lizzy, Nickelback, Mad Dog Jones, 21 Pilots, Carly Rae Jepsen, Pure, Dreamworks Records, Columbia Records and more.

Each segment is also available on Youtube (or soon will be). Like, reviews, shares, subscribing etc. help us big time. Thank you for listening!

Ryan is one of Vancouver's most respected producers, mixers, and songwriters. He has worked with artists including Dear Rouge, Fake Shark, The Royal Foundry, and many others across the Canadian music scene.

In this episode, Ryan breaks down how he built his studio from the ground up, how it hospitalized him with anxiety, and the art of being a good hang to move up in the music industry.

Topics include:

- Building Echo Plant Studio

- Why he left a heavily religious upbringing

- Why mixing, producing, and songwriting require different mindsets

- Dear Rouge and Fake Shark

- The JUNOs are dwindling into nothingness

- Harrowing stories of anti-semites you come across from time to time in Music

- And much more!

This episode is also available in video form on YouTube. Subscribe to I Hate Simkin for bi-weekly deep dives into iconic Canadian music stories, behind-the-scenes label moments, and artist's career turning points. Likes, comments, and feedback help massively — thank you for supporting the show.