When Billy Corgan, the domed leader of Smashing Pumpkins, talks – the music world generally listens. Why? Because he’s usually got some pretty batty shit to say.
Whether it’s about the fact he considered changing the Pumpkins’ name or conversely talking about fame vs artistry as his greatest struggle; right down to letting everyone know that his love for pro wrestling is much more than a hobby with the recent news that he’s looking into deals to launch his own ‘behind-the-scenes’ wrestling TV reality show.
His latest tasty quotable? In a recent interview with Antiquiet, Corgan spoke about the risks the latest Pumpkins album, Oceania, was taking and in turn took a potshot at one of music’s most influential acts. “I’ll piss on fuckin’ Radiohead, because of all this pomposity,” said the singer, comparing the value of classic rock acts with today’s bands.
“Obviously there’s a level of reverence,” he added, “but there’s also a level of intelligence to even know what to piss on. ‘Cause I’m not pissing on Rainbow. I’m not pissing on Deep Purple… this value system that says Jonny Greenwood is more valuable than Ritchie Blackmore. Not in the world I grew up in, buddy.”
Corgan went on to say, “I’m attacking the pomposity that says this is more valuable than that. I’m sick of that. I’m so fucking sick of it, and nobody seems to tire of it.”
In a similar move to Radiohead’s sudden release of In Rainbows in 2007, Corgan has teamed up with Apple to make Oceania available as full, free stream on iTunes – right now!
Although not due for official release until Friday 22nd June, the latest Smashing Pumpkins album is available to stream in its entirety from the iTunes store without any forewarning or the usual early reviews and singles. Fans will get to hear the material live when The Smashing Pumpkins play the sold-out Splendour In The Grass Festival this July.
You can click the image below to jump to the iTunes site and start listening to Oceania right now:
