An Australian police force is knocking Nickelback in a cheeky social media post as the Alberta rockers tour the country. A phoney wanted poster uploaded by Queensland Police Service features an image of the group along with the words: "Be on the lookout, wanted for crimes against music." THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Queensland Police Service-Facebook
Republished May 22, 2015 - 1:29 PM
Original Publication Date May 21, 2015 - 8:40 AM
TORONTO - An Australian police force is knocking Nickelback in a cheeky social media post as the Alberta rockers tour the country.
A phoney wanted poster uploaded by Queensland Police Service features an image of the group along with the words: "Be on the lookout, wanted for crimes against music."
A caption for the image adds: "Police are on the lookout for these men who are believed to be impersonating musicians around Boondall this evening."
It concludes: "Avoid the area. It may be hazardous to your hearing and street cred."
Comments on the post ranged from support for the joke to criticism of the police force, with some fans calling the image a form of bullying.
Nickelback has sold more than 50 million albums but has faced much backlash worldwide, including mock petitions and protests calling for the band's retirement.
Nickelback brought the "No Fixed Address" tour to Brisbane on Wednesday and is set to play in Sydney on Friday.
A statement from Queensland police says the force often posts light-hearted content on social media to gain profile so it can get a bigger audience when it has a serious message.
The statement says the posts about Nickelback weren't meant to be taken seriously.
"Posting at the expense of Nickelback and other bands such as One Direction has been one of many tactics used to engage the public outside of emergencies," said the emailed statement. "The band often attracts online criticism for its music and the post was intended to pick up on that theme."
"There are many Nickelback fans within the QPS and the post is not meant to cause offence," the statement added.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015