Latest news with #RyanPeake
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Nickelback's name has secret meaning and fans have only just realised it
Nickelback has been a mainstay of the music scene for almost three decades, but many people are still unaware of the meaning behind the Canadian rock band's name. Nickelback has been producing chart-topping hits since they first entered the music industry - and the rock band continues to enjoy popularity. The Canadian group consists of lead singer and guitarist Chad Kroeger, bassist Mike Kroeger, and rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist Ryan Peake. Over its initial 10 years, the band saw a rotation of drummers before Daniel Adair became a permanent fixture. Brothers Chad and Mike, who founded the band, initially named it Village Idiot. This was swiftly changed to Nickelback. Although the band, recognised for a discography that spans genres such as post-grunge, pop rock, alternative rock and more, was established in 1995, they didn't achieve mainstream success until 2002. Their big break came with the release of the single, How You Remind Me, which climbed to the top spot in both the United States and Canada, peaking at fourth in the UK, reports the Express. Further success ensued, with albums achieving platinum status and mega hits like Photograph, Far Away and Rockstar securing their position in the cultural landscape of the early 2000s. Despite their fame and wealth, many people don't know the origin of the band's name. The story behind Nickelback's name was discussed on the social media platform, Quora. Fans and music enthusiasts alike were eager to share their thoughts and insights on the band. As it turns out, the name Nickelback has ties to the well-known coffee shop chain, Starbucks. Responding to a query about the origin of the band's name on Quora, one user detailed: "Nickelback started life as a covers band called Village Idiot. "The band later changed its name to Nickelback, which originated from the nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger gave customers at his job at Starbucks; he would frequently say, 'Here's your nickel back'." Adding more depth to the coin reference, another user shared: "In the sixties, a phone call from a public phone cost a nickel. "To save money, I would give my parents one ring on the telephone when I was returning from NYC, they would then pick me up at the bus stop. If you hung up after one ring, you got your nickel back." In a Reddit thread, a social media user admitted to recently discovering the band was initially named Village Idiot. Speculating why they might have opted for a different name, one person suggested: "I guess they changed it because the original name was a bit too 'on the nose'." Another added: "They are one of my favorite bands. I'm glad they chose the current band name instead of the other." Regarding the initial name, Ryan Peake clarified: "Our small town was almost village-sized, so I thought it was appropriate." Eventually, the band decided to change their name as Village Idiot could potentially attract negative attention, particularly as they aimed to appeal to broader audiences. The origin of the name Nickelback actually stems from Mike Kroeger's time working at a Starbucks, where he would frequently hand customers a "nickel back" as change after they purchased their beverages. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘It will never happen again': former bikie-turned-golf pro Ryan Peake bears the scars of a chequered past
'I've done what I've done, I've been sentenced to do my time,' says Australian professional golfer and former Rebels bikie Ryan Peake. 'But the time didn't end there. Every day is essentially a continuation of my sentence.' In March, the 32-year-old broke through for his first professional victory at the New Zealand Open. Since he was released from prison for twice causing grievous bodily harm it has been five years, the same length of time he spent inside. 'I'm not saying that I've been hard done by or whatnot, I'm not saying that at all. These are events that I've created for myself, and I've got to deal with it, that's fine, that's not an issue,' Peake says over a glass of water in Melbourne, days after finishing second on the Australasian PGA Tour order of merit. 'What I am trying to say is that I don't want people to look at me as a role model.' Peake's recent achievements have catapulted him onto the world's golfing stage. He can now compete at this year's British Open Championship, perhaps the sport's most revered tournament. He has a card for next season's DP World Tour, the traditional European circuit now supercharged by investment from the Middle East and Asia. And he can play every stop on the Asian Tour this year. This elevation should be a milestone in any golfer's career, a chance to look to the future and the promise of a globetrotting sporting life. But Peake teeing off in many of these countries is not guaranteed. There are specific requirements for those with criminal records applying for visas, and no certainty in the application process. It is just another reminder that whatever his story's redemption arc, Peake's fateful decisions a decade ago still punctuate his everyday. 'When you do go down a certain path, or don't have the consequential thinking of your actions, you may only get a few years' jail. But just understand that the risks involved will carry on with you for the rest of your life,' Peake says. The court records are jarring. One matter involved a group of six including Peake beating another man. A second described Peake delivering a 'very forceful blow' to a man on a Perth street late one Saturday night. And these were not the then-22-year-old's only offences. 'I know it doesn't sound great saying that I'm thankful I went to jail, but in one way or another, I am thankful. Because if it wasn't for that maybe I wouldn't have been able to have that time and reflect on where I was heading in life,' Peake says. As a talented junior golfer, Peake was good enough to play in Australian representative teams alongside the likes of 2022 Open Championship winner and LIV Golf star Cameron Smith. But in his teens he struggled with depression, low self-esteem, violence and alcohol, and his love of the sport waned. He hoped turning pro at 19 might revive his passion for a game introduced to him by his English bricklayer father Mel, on the northern fringes of Perth. But he lasted just one tournament, and instead leapt from embraces of the golfing community to those of the Rebels motorcycle club. Within three years, he was in prison. Peake's story was told many times before his first victory as a professional last month, but interest from international media has since surged. While these stories have heavily recycled his chequered past, most overlooked the drama of his trip. He was in immigration limbo hours before his flight out of Australia, stuck at the airport waiting for his visa to clear. 'When my passport wasn't being scanned, as much as I was disappointed that it wasn't looking like I was going to play the New Zealand Open, I was also standing there with my backpack on with a ring in it as well, thinking, 'Well, this isn't going be handed over this trip either',' Peake says. It was an engagement ring for his then-girlfriend Lee, now his fiancé. At the last minute, his visa was processed and the pair were able to make their flight to Queenstown. After a second round 64 that pushed Peake into contention, the couple went on a helicopter ride during which he proposed. 'I'm glad I've done it on the Friday, because if I had done it on the Sunday, I may have had to spend a little bit more money on the ring,' Peake says. Lee's visit was short, and she had been booked to fly back to Australia before the end of the final round. 'When I was four shots back going into the last round, we were thinking about changing her flights, but then we just thought, 'Let's not get ahead of ourselves and just stick to what we planned'. But that was a pretty cool phone call to make after the round.' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Peake is not unfamiliar with significant phone calls. The one with golf coach Ritchie Smith, midway through his jail term, changed the course of his life. Smith's West Australian stable includes Hannah Green, Minjee Lee, Min Woo Lee and Elvis Smylie, who shaded Peake on the Australasian order of merit this season. Smith knew Peake from his junior days, and the mentor's attention and training plan gave Peake a purpose during his incarceration. Smith's influence on Peake will only grow in coming years. 'A lot of this is a new experience to me,' Peake says. 'And Ritchie is going to have a very big say in how long I play for, and what I'm going to play.' The financial realities of an emerging professional golfer are also a consideration. Peake's decision to turn pro in 2023 was only possible thanks to two anonymous benefactors. 'They're just genuine guys, them and their families, that just want to try and help someone else achieve things that they've achieved for their life as well,' he says. The New Zealand Open offered a purse of NZ$2m (AU$1.8m), but as the winner Peake took home only NZ$300,000 (AU$270,000) before tax. 'Although for my family it was a big lump sum, it still hasn't got me ahead of where your normal 32-year-old is, the amount of money that we've invested into trying to get that first win. You know, we're still in negative figures.' His costs of travelling on the European tour next year are likely to exceed AU$150,000, and although he enjoys the sport's competition, Peake is up-front about his ultimate motivation. 'If I wasn't good at golf – I've got no academic skills, no trades or anything like that – I would be digging holes. I'm fortunate that I'm pretty good at hitting the golf ball, so money is the drive. This is how I can make money and set my family up.' Despite Peake's burgeoning status, interest from commercial partners – apart from a long-time arrangement with equipment sponsor Titleist and a new apparel deal with Good Good – has been limited. His manager, Matt Cutler from WME Sports, suspects companies are waiting for others to take the plunge before committing themselves. 'Given Ryan's history, perhaps there is a reluctance to partner with him,' Cutler says, before adding that Peake's appeal is his story, and one 'unlike any other in golf and a person simply wanting to be the best version of themselves.' The source of his fame has made Peake question the nature of celebrity. 'Everyone's got a story, and there's plenty of other stories out there,' he says, offering the example of Kiwi golfer Michael Hendry, who has returned to the professional game after a cancer diagnosis. 'My story will get run more than his, but for the wrong things I've done in my life,' Peake says. 'I could go and win the Masters, and they're not going to say, 'Ryan Peake won the Masters because he played great golf this week'.' Peake is now working on his short game in preparation for coming tournaments in Asia, and July's 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. He will travel there on his British passport, and he has some idea of the imminent international media frenzy. 'People use my story because that sells papers, right? This story is never, ever going to happen again. There's never going to be another golfer, bikie, prisoner that plays an Open. It will never happen again.'
Khaleej Times
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
‘I've just changed my life' - Former inmate Ryan Peake wins New Zealand Open in stunning comeback
Ryan Peake's return to professional golf is nothing short of extraordinary. After spending five years in prison, the Australian left-hander completed a stunning redemption arc by winning the New Zealand Open, presented by Sky Sport, in a performance worthy of a Hollywood script. Ten years ago, at just 21, Peake was a promising amateur golfer whose career was derailed when he fell in with the wrong crowd, becoming involved with the Rebels motorcycle gang. An assault conviction led to a five-year prison sentence, seemingly ending his sporting aspirations. But while behind bars, Peake was given an unexpected second chance. Renowned coach Ritchie Smith saw potential in him and reached out, offering guidance and a way back into the game. Peake seized the opportunity, dedicating himself to rebuilding his life and career. Now, a decade later, he has delivered on that promise dramatically. Holding his nerve in a tense final round, Peake drained a clutch 10-foot par putt on the 18th hole to secure victory at Millbrook Golf Resort. His bogey-free final-round 5-under 66 took him to 23-under for the tournament, edging out Asian Tour regulars Jack Thompson, Kazuki Higa, and Ian Snyman by a single stroke. 'I've just changed my life,' Peake said in an emotional post-round interview. 'This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is, but I'm just out here playing golf ... I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of when.' Peake's win was historic in more ways than one. He became the first left-handed golfer to claim the New Zealand Open title since Sir Bob Charles in 1973. Even more impressively, he played his final 55 holes without a single bogey—an extraordinary display of composure. His victory also secured him a coveted spot in this year's Open Championship at Royal Portrush, with the New Zealand Open serving as part of the Open Qualifying Series. A decade ago, Peake's life was at a crossroads. Now, he stands as a champion—living proof that resilience, hard work, and second chances can lead to remarkable redemption.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
After five years in prison, ex-gang member qualifies for British Open
Ryan Peake, a former member of Australia's outlawed Rebels motorcycle gang, has won the New Zealand Open Golf tournament and qualified for the British Open. Peake, who served five years in prison for assault, shot a final round of 66 to win by one stroke. This victory marks his first professional title and secures him a spot in the upcoming championship at Royal Portrush in July. The 31-year-old was a promising golfer in his youth and re-embraced the sport after his release from prison in 2019. He was coached by Ritchie Smith, who was instrumental in encouraging him to return to golf.
USA Today
03-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ryan Peake, former biker gang member, earns spot in 2025 Open Championship
Ryan Peake, former biker gang member, earns spot in 2025 Open Championship Show Caption Hide Caption What exactly is speedgolf? This British team just won the World Cup Speedgolf combines running and golf. This British team just won the speedgolf World Cup in Japan. Ryan Peake's comeback story reached a new height Sunday. The 31-year-old Australian won the 2025 New Zealand Open on Sunday, earning a spot in the field at the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. The lefty holed a 10-footer for par on the par-3 18th to win by one shot. What's even more impressive is the journey that led to Peake's incredible victory Sunday. Ten years ago when he was 21, Peake was a member of the Rebels, an Australian bike gang, and he was sent to prison for five years for assault. Growing up, Peake was a competitive amateur, playing alongside 2022 Open Championship winner Cameron Smith in Australia. While in prison, coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked whether Peake wanted to play competitive golf again. Peake said yes, and now he's going to make his first Open Championship start. "I've just changed my life," Peake said after the win. "This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is but I'm just out here playing golf ... I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time of when I was going to do it." His criminal record still follows him to this day. He had visa issues entering New Zealand this week and didn't even get into the country until Tuesday evening. He will also have to get clearance to travel to Northern Ireland this July. He went bogey free over his final 55 holes, shooting 5-under 66 on Sunday to finish at 23 under for the week, earning his Asian Tour card in the process. This year, Peake earned his Australasian Tour card for the first time. Peake's comeback story is one of the best in golf, and he gets to write a new chapter in his story this summer. "Yeah, I'm pretty lost for words at the moment, (the win is) life-changing," Peake said. "It's one hell of a story, one hell of a moment."
