To "deflect all curiosity"Rock Band: Nickelback was the codename Harmonix used in order to keep the Rock Band Network under wraps.
The Rock Band Network, a "revolutionary system that will allow bands, studios and record labels to create and sell playable game content from their master recordings" using the same tools as Harmonix's developers, is coming soon to the Xbox 360 version of Rock Band. So revolutionary is this concept, Harmonix went to great lengths to keep the project's development secret.

In order to keep prying eyes away from the developing project, Harmonix gave it the unofficial in-house code name "Rock Band: Nickelback", on the theory that "the name of the quintessentially generic modern rock group would be enough to deflect all curiosity," according to a
write-up in the NYT.
Harmonix are pretty stoked about their new Network, hoping that it will "explode... to be the new music industry." So, naturally, they didn't want word slipping out early. Early support for the Network is already exciting, with the Sub Pop label intending to convert their existing catalogue, which includes early Nirvana material, into Rock Band tracks.
Nickelback is the perfect band to destroy all interest in a project. In addition to being shit, they are generally disliked by anyone with functioning eardrums. They especially
made enemies of rhythm action enthusiasts when, back in November of last year, they blamed the lack of new US bands on games such as Guitar Hero, and urged kids to "Set down the Guitar Hero" and "learn how to play an actual guitar."
We're just thankful Harmonix isn't actually serious about the whole Nickelback thing. It'd be cheaper just to get one Nickelback song and
play it multiple times.
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Tiger_Walts - on 13/08/2009 at 09:52 wrote:
Their music makes me want to shoot people who sit on sofas.
peej - on 13/08/2009 at 10:36 wrote:
GLOL! If there's one way of making sure no one clicks on a link or investigates a Rock Band exclusive, it's to cover up its identity and link it with Nickelback. They are the Glenn Medieros of rock!
NewYork - on 13/08/2009 at 14:19 wrote:
@T_W
Yes! Them and that freakin' sofa advert!