Music is a medium and playing is a craft. Some people play to express themselves in artistic ways and others play to make a living. It's all music, even when it's not art.

Nobody hates the guy who paints walls for a living for not being Picasso, but when it comes to music, everyone looks at any guy with a guitar expecting him to be the next artistic genius.

Sometimes he's just there to play three chords, get paid and go home.

I don't really like Nickelback's music, but if I ever need a house painted, I'd call them before calling someone who hasn't "sold out". I think that's their appeal.

The "sold out" thing bothers me sometimes, yes the ARE bands who come from less popular genres towards more mainstream sound because thats where they found commercial success and wanted/needed that money to keep doing what they do.

But there are also many bands who change genres and sound over time and some bands just enjoy playing that kind of 'radio friendly' music. Personally i feel like nickleback are in the 'we just like this kind of music' category.

(Personally I cant stand nicklebacks genre, so no bias here)