Billy Corgan, 24 years later
Smashing Pumpkins 2012 (from left): Nicole Fiorentino, Billy Corgan, Mike Byrne and Jeff Schroeder
Smashing Pumpkins frontman and cofounder Billy Corgan has survived the troubles that plagued his band, including its breakup in 2000 and the exit of original members James Iha, D’arcy Wretzky and Jimmy Chamberlin, as well as Melissa Auf der Maur.
He reformed Smashing Pumpkins in 2007 with Chamberlin and new members—only to break it up again.
In 2010 Smashing Pumpkins had another set of new members—guitarist Jeff Schroeder, drummer Mike Byrne and bassist Nicole Fiorentino—whom Corgan took on a world tour. They also started to record new songs.
This is the lineup that worked on the band’s new album, “Oceania,” which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 upon its release in June this year.
Smashing Pumpkins will perform Tuesday, 8 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the middle of a tour, Corgan found time for an e-mail chat with the Inquirer.
You talk a lot about the importance of innovation.
Art that does not innovate is by definition not art, but rather a self-reflective form of pornography where only the minor details matter. Bands should look for transformation or they are merely pleasure seekers playing in a discordant sandbox. My band members, simply by being themselves, create the opportunity for something new to happen.
In other interviews, you mention the dichotomy of mainstream and alternative music and how the scene has changed.
The band is now an entity unto itself, existing without the tendrils of the music business sucking it dry. The industry has only hampered the band’s abilities by asking it to play a game I don’t believe in personally.
You’re known to speak your mind, especially when it comes to other bands.
There are many, many talented artists, that is without question. It’s a shame to see so many of them waste their gifts on vapid nonsense that will only enslave them to more of the same.
“Teargarden by Kaleidyscope” was inspired by the Tarot, and you named a compilation album “Pisces Iscariot,” which of course refers to astrology and the Bible. What is it about the esoteric and the spiritual that intrigues or inspires you?
God is a mystery. Simple as that. Appears craftily in many forms. The inspiration comes in trying to decode the arcane language of life.
What else do you want to achieve, given your long career?
I don’t state my goals because it only asks me to be compared to others who don’t belong in the conversation. So let’s just say my goals don’t matter.
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The Smashing Pumpkins will be “live tweeting” its show at the Big Dome. For two hours before the show, each band member will be tweeting their photos and experience in Manila. Their tweets will be retweeted by @smashingpumpkin and supported by @twittermusic. Fans are encouraged to tweet their photos of the show using the #SPPH hashtag. The best photos will be retweeted by the band.
(The show is presented by Little Asia. Call or text 0917-8334223 for promos. )
