Billy Corgan and his current Smashing Pumpkins explain why they only feel the need to play certain older songs and why they won't "sell out" like other band's from the 90's have.
For several years The Smashing Pumpkins have baffled fans and outsiders alike through moves like unexpected lineup changes and their reticence to play more than a few classic tunes at concerts. In the band's recent backstage sitdown at London's O2 Academy, Billy Corgan and crew addressed many of those topics. Corgan's thoughts on the current version of the band seemed to point to what was missing in previous incarnations:
"I think this particular lineup of the band is very good for who we need to be today - which is nimble, quick, very diverse. We play a progressive style, we're very consistent, we get a long very well, we like working together, we have common musical goals and I think we have a very bright future."
Corgan also revealed that the band rejected their label's suggestion to focus on older songs to support the recent reissues of "Gish" and "Siamese Dream". The SP frontman further explained the cause for their refusal to oblige the label's request:
"We just play what we want to play from those records. We don't feel like we have to support those deliberately. We're so focused on the future that we're only playing the stuff from the past that's fun to play and makes the concert be a better concert. I'm happy to be in a band that still believes in something, still wants to change things, still wants to kind of push the barriers and boundaries of what's possible. It's amazing how many people from my generation have just totally sold out and cashed in and go play their old songs and they have no ambition, no future. They don't call you and 'old band' anymore, they call you a 'heritage act' - that's the last thing we're going to be."
The band also gave a progress report on the new album "Oceania", saying it will be a 13 song, hour-long affair that will most likely hit stores in March 2012 as oppose to the planned release this month.
Although their classic material is awesome and I will never get tired of listening to it, their new songs (Teargarden by Kaleidyscope) are quite good to be honest. I would really like to listen to Oceania, I expect great things from that album.
'Billy Corgan" and "we" are two words that don't usually mix up in a Pumpkins' article. That guy has always tried to be the Man Orchestra and has made sure the world knows it. To hear him talking about 'we' makes me think he's a hypocrite ****er.
Maybe people want to hear your better songs. Their new stuff is at least 20 times worse than their stuff from their 1st 3 albums. Zeitgeist was horrible, and Teargarden has had a few promising songs, but also a few duds.
Maybe people want to hear your better songs. Their new stuff is at least 20 times worse than their stuff from their 1st 3 albums. Zeitgeist was horrible, and Teargarden has had a few promising songs, but also a few duds.
Nah, Zeitgeist is a pretty solid rock album...but the Teargarden project has been almost uniformly terrible. Bad production, cheesy synths, limp guitar work...
I just find it so funny how the new members are all talking as the Smashing Pumpkins like they've been there for decades. I mean, I know it is technically their band to some extent, but their positions are just so fragile, haha. The interview just seemed so forced, in my opinion... like they're trying to work cohesively, but it doesn't seem genuine.
anybody else feel like he axel'd james jimmy and darcy?
No, because he didn't. James and D'Arcy said no to the reunion, Jimmy said yes then left 2 years ago of his own accord.
How is that so different from GN'R?
Axl never forced anybody out of the band (aside from Steven Adler being fired). They left on their own accord, and I don't recall ever hearing Axl that say he wouldn't welcome any of them back.
so Billy replaced the the drummer (jimmy), a girl (D'Arcy) and asian guy (James) with...a drummer a girl, and an asian guy. brings new meaning to "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" lol but I am interesting in hearing their new stuff.
But what I want to know, is whats with all the pills Billy is taking DURING AN INTERVIEW??? It's disconcerting to see SP frontman popping pills so casually.
