We’re not sure exactly when it happened, but at some point in 2015 we all just decided that we as a society are over Nickelback jokes. Yeah, they were funny at the time, but making fun of the Canadian stadium rock giants just got really old all of a sudden.

After several years spent as everybody’s favourite punchline, Nickelback are just another band now. Some people like them, some people don’t, but no one actually thinks they’re the worst band ever or anything. A little beige, perhaps, but they don’t hurt anyone.

Guess Royal Blood never got the memo. They recently took to Twitter to share a Nickelback joke that not only comes ages after we all decided to get over Nickelback jokes, but makes absolutely no sense. Seriously, can someone explain to us just what they’re on about?

“Donald Trump + Hillary Clinton = Nickelback,” the band wrote. So two unpopular American politicians, when combined, make a really popular Canadian rock band?

Or is it that both Trump and Hillary are so bad they’re like Nickelback. Does anybody get this? Are we just stupid? To make matters worse, Royal Blood included the American flag at the end of their tweet, even though Nickelback are famously Canadian.

Regardless, nobody was laughing with the UK duo. Quite the opposite, in fact. One commenter summed up the general sentiment towards the band’s lame joke by sharing an image entitled “This room is full of people that think you are funny”, along with an image of an empty room.

But the band really got served once Nickelback caught wind of the tweet. Their totally boss reply: “Nickelback jokes are like Royal Blood, they were a lot cooler a couple years ago. Don’t drink and tweet fellas. Stay safe. XO.”

Can we all please give a hearty slow clap to Nickelback?

Whilst we’re on the subject, it’s worth noting that a Finnish academic figured out why the world so loves (or loved) to hate Nickelback. According to her research, earlier reviews of the band were not as harsh but critics realised they could authenticate themselves by ridiculing the band.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine