Nickelback is set to tour in 2012 on the Here and Now Tour. We know that on OnlineSeats, for we certainly have Nickelback tickets for the next batch of concerts. However, they have recently come under heavy criticism from a Grammy Award winner. This Canadian rock band is no stranger to the ferocity of its detractors, but this one and the power of the Internet have finally moved Chad Kroeger to speak out in his own defense.

The charges that inspired the normally mum rock band lead singer were levied by Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney. One half of the duo that took home three Grammy Awards in 2011, including Best Alternative Music Album for Brothers, stated “rock and roll is dying because people because they are OK with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world.”

The popular movement against Nickelback has come in the form of online petitions requesting the band not play venues in the city. These petitions gained particular traction when Nickelback played the Thanksgiving game half time show in Detroit.

Well, Nickelback proved to be the highest grossing rock act of the first decade of the 21st century, and perhaps that trumps all music awards. Kroeger has taken to publically stating he does not care what these critical music fans (as well as critics) think of the band. He also has stated the group is comfortable in the stagnant nature of the group’s musical evolution, meaning they will be singing about strippers, drugs, getting drunk, and sex until their fans stop giving them a monetary reason to stop.

Do I like Nickelback? That does not matter. A certain audience obviously does. So no matter how many people use Twitter to denigrate the group they will continue to thrive. The only real charge here to bring against the group is the new media strategy that has them responding to the negative tweets. Egging the twitter-verse may keep you relevant but it makes you look like a hypocrite, so please just stop. Let those people buy the Black Keys tickets as they tour in 2012 while Nickelback fans continue to support the band’s lifestyle. Remember, no matter how many do not like your music, many do. Nobody likes a troll.