Ever heard of Live Nation? Ticketmaster? These two household names recently agreed to merge in what could eventually create the music world’s most formidable monopoly. High-profile musicians have begun taking sides in this industry battle, notably Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins and Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Corgan was once an avid advocate of independent ticketing, but he has since changed sides. Corgan wrote a letter to Congress back in February on the benefits of the merger (LiveMaster? TicketNation?), which is also summarized in the link.

However, in typical Trent “Free the Music” Reznor fashion, this post appeared on an NIN message board and has a far from glowing opinion of the merger. Reznor’s final line, commenting on the celebrities who support the union, is “what’s in it for them?” – a not-so-subtle jab at the fact that Corgan’s manager is also the CEO of Ticketmaster.

I’m not sure where I stand yet on this issue (and which of the two musicians I’d rather have mad at me), but even as a person with Corgan as her default avatar on Guitar Hero 4, who wouldn’t rather be smashed by a pumpkin than impaled on a nine-inch nail? Go Trent!

Image courtesy of Peter_Keeling on Flickr