Billy Corgan on reviving the Smashing Pumpkins' sound

ABC News’ Ashan Singh sat down with the rock musician to discuss starting out in the ’90s, how the industry has changed and the band’s new album, “Aghori Mhori Mei.”
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[@lonewolf1843]

It seems like yesterday that Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was released. I can't listen to that album without thinking of my girlfriend at the time. We were 20-21 years old... better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

[@lexusdav]

❤💘Is it better to never have known love or have known love and be alone at 39 years old ? That's the Question....💔😢

[@whiskeytom4847]

​@lexusdav I have loved and lose every time. I'm adopting a kitty tomorrow 😺

[@chrischris2321]

Amen to that, man.

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

Men tend to never forget their first love , that's really difficult for women to get over when they have been chosen next.

[@underneonloneliness2]

I’ll buy the CD. Buying physical music is the way to go still.

[@TheDeconstructivist]

I've bought the CD (pre-order), but have listened to a few of the tracks since the album is available for free online. I don't mean this as knock, because I've really enjoyed a lot of the experimentation the Pumpkins have done over the last two decades, but Aghori Mhori Mei is a return to form. Specifically: the form that put them on the map to begin with. So whether or not you enjoy the last few decades of the Pumpkins, if you're an OG Pumpkins fan, it'll be hard to not enjoy Aghori Mhori Mei.

[@realmusicnews]

💯

[@Sam_T2000]

I pre-ordered the deluxe vinyl edition, but I have to wait until November for it to arrive… I wish it came with the digital version as well 😑

[@timallison8560]

we luv ya billy. pumpkins forever.

[@mercurymachines4311]

We are so blessed to have Billy with us and still making some of his best music.

[@fullmatthew]

I can tell the interviewer has never listened to Smashing Pumpkins lol

[@303nitzubishi4]

FR all he's heard are the pop hits disarm 1979 & Today 😆

[@Terry212am]

I don't know. I kind of like the question about how you'd describe 1979. It doesn't sound like much of anything else.

[@raffin2040]

The new album is actually really good. Most exciting they’ve sounded in 10 or 15 years. They had me worried after the last few records they put out 😅 but this one is pretty damn awesome

[@jlaw3255]

There's actually a lot of good songs on the last few records. I think people just wanted to hear them rock more. If you combine the best songs from those albums with the rockers on the new album into a play list. You get a Mellon Collie like Playlist.

[@calleucano]

​@@jlaw3255 Yeah but a lot of us like listening to albums, not playlist. And listening to a 33 song album where theres like 10 tracks i enjoy is really hard, even if those 10 are great. For the past decade Billy claimed several times that in the streaming era he was aiming to release as much songs as possible so people could choose the ones they like and add them to a playlist. Thats not for me, and im so happy they are back to 10 really polished songs over 30 that feel rushed.

[@rshone99]

@@jlaw3255 I certainly want more of a rock sound from them but after a few listens I really did like Cyr, Atum is not without it's high points as well. Every morning is probably one of my favourite pumpkins songs. People are not giving them a chance.

[@RocknRollAlien]

So cool to see Billy in such a good mood - great they are back!

[@yourstruly9978]

Just saw them play. Amazing show. They played new songs but also played the classics.

[@Randysfishingadventures]

Great performance last night in Philadelphia. Always wanted to see ya play live. I did. Thank you

[@chrissyponcedeleon]

Twas great!

[@MountainDewVs.Sprite]

We old dudes need to support our grandpa bands from the 90's. Pass me the ointment

[@mariepascale6921]

Vus sur la tournée "Adore". 😐 Fantastique ! Je me souviens surtout qu'il y avait 3 batteries sur scène !!

[@JohnB-nq4js]

Best band of the last 35 years

[@jeffreymontoya9933]

Easily.

[@rushshukla4636]

Totally. But they're not for everyone and I get that. It's what makes them special.

[@jhonnymattaarancibia728]

After Radiohead and Queens of the stone, but yeah, top 3

[@jeffreymontoya9933]

@@jhonnymattaarancibia728 queens of the Stone age is a great band but I wouldn't put them in the same tier as Radiohead or SP. I even saw them live on the songs for the def tour and I listen to them daily and still say this. SP gets just a little bit less respect than they deserve imo.

[@JohnB-nq4js]

@jhonnymattaarancibia728 yeah no offense, but qotsa is not in the same league as Pumpkins or Radiohead. A fine band who I do enjoy, though!

[@lexusdav]

Smashing Pumpkins from early work to Gish to Machina (1987/2000) Billy, Jimmy, James, D'arcy (💘)

[@Der8cho]

I miss the 90's

[@oscarpicon7164]

Me too. Big time.

[@MountainDewVs.Sprite]

I don't, I was broke and alone

[@oscarpicon7164]

@@MountainDewVs.Sprite I hope life has turned around for you.

[@MountainDewVs.Sprite]

@@oscarpicon7164 Thanks. I didn't marry a hot one but that was never my intention. I was more focused on personality. Haven't divorced and not rich or broke.

[@oscarpicon7164]

@@MountainDewVs.Sprite that’s what counts. Make it the best kid for you and your loved ones.

[@thereluv168]

That is about the chirpiest Billy Corgan I have seen since....Since.......

[@yrmthr]

The guys definitely mellowed out. I'm extremely happy for him

[@Hulkamaniac418]

New album is killer

[@MattKrack]

In me? Or, you?

[@pablohassan6897]

"Hi, I'm Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins. " "Hi, I'm Homer Simpson, smiling politely. " 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

That was almost a funny joke . Almost

[@kristopherryanwatson]

that stopped being funny a decade ago.

[@s5q1]

I will defend to the death that this is funny.

[@pablohassan6897]

@@SmokeWithMeInCT Simpsons did it, blame them....

[@pablohassan6897]

@kristopherryanwatson it's never stopped being funny, it's good to have a laugh, try it sometime....

[@brandonjensen5292]

New album slaps

[@STONESGAM]

I enjoy the new album but it is much more metal than their early stuff in their heyday. It doesn't have the hooks or the shoegaze dreamy sound like Siamese Dream had. It has it's moments but isn't nearly as good.

[@THXbox]

It’s too clean and slickly produced. No fuzzy/gauzy “wall of sound “. No deep layers in the guitar tracks. It’s good. But far from those two initial releases.

[@bibsma3401]

A bit dry and monochromatic, but it’s alive at least.

[@user-iz3ts8rm5e]

I remember listening to SP when I was much younger. I still do at 47 yrs old.

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

@@user-iz3ts8rm5e there is no comparison to STP and SP. STP will always be superior to these guys

[@brettwallis1]

@@SmokeWithMeInCTare you real?????

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

@@brettwallis1 no absolutely fake . I don’t exsist. Yeah buddy I am real. There was once this thing called respecting others opinions .. and thoughts . We know that’s not reality anymore for most

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

@@brettwallis1 and growing up in the era of both these bands it’s been very clear not only because I am saying it but by record sales , and charts ect ect ect .. even in death Scott and the boys top most subpar bands like SP in the era and genre of

[@ULOVEKYLE]

@@SmokeWithMeInCT nobody was talking about stone temple pilots...

[@ljdobles8104]

Amo que quiere que sus hijos vean su éxito y no contarlo como una vieja historia. Respect!

[@joshhorne]

What a great interview. The young man doing the interview was so excited and helped propel the conversation. Well done to him and to WPC of course!

[@charlenemack7040]

Billy is a legend and of course the smashing pumpkins giant legend🎃

[@justinrisen1929]

Pre ordered on Vinyl. I cannot wait. Best SP record since Adore imho. Such an amazing time to be a SP fan

[@user-ye9zy9xr2x]

Can they at least get an interviewer who doesn’t act like a smiling fake fool who with the first question immediately gives Billie the disrespect with 1979 being “only what there known for”

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

Having known their music pretty ok, I later found that Smashing Punmpikins documentary they made here on KZbin about their unique sound and was rather amazed at the lack of attention one has when growing up with something so beautiful they took for granted

[@jarrodkirkpatrick1300]

Just saw them here and St. Louis!!!.. Never had the opportunity to see them before and they were fantastic, and truly nostalgic. It's pretty undeniable that Billy's pushing 60. But he did great, we loved him anyway. Jimmy is probably one the most talented drummers I've ever seen play with such stoizum, as if he's casually sipping on a cup of Joe. Meanwhile, he's a beast... Then James, oh James, he's a personal favorite of mine due to his epic gutar melodies in A Perfect Circle, a band I hold special to my heart since I discovered them with my wife 24 years ago as I was coming into adulthood. Good times. So it was great to see him shred again too... If anyone reading this has the opportunity, go see them, you'll love it. Their set list gives you a satisfying mix of old and new...

[@brileyhill3201]

My favorite band when I was a teenager

[@annamaj2943]

Grande Billy ottimo il nuovo album il migliore degli ultimi anni ❤❤

[@calixohiggins9843]

Surprisingly good interviewer! Pumpkins are one of the greatest bands of all time. Billy is articulate and seems like he's in a great chapter of his life. Will check out the new album

[@michelepasquale8227]

That guy had no idea who's Corgan, come on 😅😂

[@TheRubberStudiosASMR]

Nothing can beat the original 90’s lineup.

[@justmissjamey]

Agreed

[@lexusdav]

Same 1987/2000

[@zakt5590]

The new album is just Billy, Jimmy and James and it rocks pretty hard. It is the Original line up minus Darcy. Definitely worth a listen.

[@billsutherland3935]

@@zakt5590and it’s not like Darcy was an option at this point.

[@mercurymachines4311]

Mellisa was better than Darcy, let’s be honest.

[@user-rx2xq6jf5b]

Pleasantly surprised with the new SP album. It’s my favorite they’ve done since Zeitgeist.

[@Nothing51337]

Let’s go pumpkins! I knew we would get here 2024!

[@amycombs8034]

I freaking LOVE this guy! Can't wait to see them again in 6 days!!!

[@AndrewsOpinion15]

BILLY CORGAN SO AWESOME ABC NEWS !!!!

[@Dynamitethedrummer]

New album is solid, a masterclass on how to use tropes and not get overwelmed by.

[@TylerJSummers.education]

New album is killer, old albums are killer. Keep on slaying! 🤘

[@MariaSolis-s9l]

The Smashing Pumpkins are still the best!!!💯🙌❤️‍🔥

[@andrewedwards1339]

Can confirm it rules!

[@dmitryowens]

Billy is awesome - cool, down to Earth, and highly intelligent and talented.

[@kristopherryanwatson]

"fans know you from songs like 1979" 🤦🏻‍♂🤦🏻‍♂ they had plenty of great songs long before that one came out. it just so happens to be the most commercially successful.

[@CalimeraPink]

Exactly

[@kristopherryanwatson]

@@CalimeraPink its a decent song, but i'm so tired of hearing it and people talking about it as if shows their full potential as a band. if you're a die hard fan, you could argue that there are about 20 songs they have released well before Mellon Collie was released that are absolutely amazing, so much more so than 1979. but will never be heard or known of commercially.

[@lexusdav]

As a Bordeine, MCIS is my LIFE in an album. PERIOD.

[@Meggem216]

Billy is a national treasure ❤

[@locatolaka]

Excellent interview

[@TerribleEnglish]

He talks like he's being appreciated for new music (which I think is great, by the way), but their setlist is basically 90s greatest hits. Lol

[@osvisuals12]

All my favorite bands in the 90's are back cause new music these days don't know how to make them anymore. Much appreciated Star-Lord of the Guardians of the Galaxy for reviving the 90's punk rock music.

[@dollarsaurus01]

Why does this interview feel do choppy?

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

How much editing are they going to do to this interview

[@fazegregpaul3152]

It’s fairly irritating isn’t it

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

@@fazegregpaul3152 most def !

[@standinsilence]

I wish they would edit that interviewer out LOL..

[@allandresner]

Sign me up! Can't wait to see the Pumpkins again!

[@inspectious9839]

I remember watching that MTV special like it was yesterday

[@realmusicnews]

That would be great!

[@miguelmelchior986]

Good album.. finally 🤘

[@ZacharyMcLellanMusic]

Ah yes, the classic "A Bullet With Butterfly Wings".

[@standinsilence]

LOL yes horrible interviewer.

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

😂😂😂

[@jabasabon]

I'm so glad that this is going to help these poor guys provide for their families. They need the money about as much as those poor NFL players holding out so they can also support their families.

[@violetstarla]

Best longing living band sine the late 80s! Billy is a Vampire!

[@stillbuyingcds]

no, the world is

[@TigerPalmer]

Softball interview

[@ratiod2289]

Great interviewer and handsome.

[@lalaland2797]

I think I’m so emo because the smashing pumpkins were my favorite band growing up

[@SmokeWithMeInCT]

@@lalaland2797 emo? Do you even have a clue what era they come from ? Because Emo was def not a thing , and I have never heard correlation between SP and emo . Sounds funny

[@lalaland2797]

Check your record books again. And listen to this interview. Pumpkins were probably the founders of emo

[@alamartin]

It seems that fully embracing hairloss can bring a newfound courage, maturity and down to Earth humility that actually makes the unfortunate experience be entirely worthwhile.

[@syntheticsolace]

The new album is great

[@alukuhito]

The interviewer seems contrived. I'm not convinced he listened much to SP when he was young.

[@pushplayent]

The new album is its own vibe. I love it. As you are listening to it, you can see it being played in beautiful, outdoor venues. It's a majestic sound.

[@balkee42]

Interviewer apparently smoked a doobie

[@justmissjamey]

I seen them last year and i wish the set list would have been way better than it was. They have so many good older music that the new stuff doesnt compare. Imo

[@ninjabear2747]

👍

[@markparadis8029]

Wow buddy I'm in same boat I got a big I'll birthmark my whole arm I know exactly what it feels like

[@dolphenwulf2431]

Awww....

[@303nitzubishi4]

So D'arcy has been erased from history? She may not have contributed as much as the other three but she at least deserves to be mentioned

[@kristopherryanwatson]

not in this interview. not relevant. most have moved on, so you probably should too.

[@WhereOceansMeeet]

I haven't really liked them since Siamese Dream but I wish them well with their new album.

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

So, you're lost

[@jpanbe]

I can't watch this. terrible questions.

[@michaelsmith7846]

I wonder how Darcy is doing these days.

[@williampacult9431]

Uncle Fester thinks guitar color affects tone.

[@user-nf6pk5qb8e]

Huge fan of the Smashing Pumpkins

[@rushshukla4636]

I never understood how a band like Green Day sold 75M records and Smashing Pumpkins a mere 30M. They have a far broader and more powerful multidimentional sound than the three faux punks who sing dookie to the wookies. I don't own one GD record and never will. The fact they're supporting them is the biggest tragedy of all.

[@DeeDee-go2zt]

Song lengths might be different, short songs are more radio friendly I'm thinking

[@_permanence]

Normies like mediocre stuff

[@rushshukla4636]

The corporate media moguls know how to create and sell junk to the masses. Taylor Swift being the latest and biggest corporate swindle of all. What annoys me is ageing rock stars who are pacified by these anti music clones and shout their praises because they just don't have the fight in them anymore. It's easier to capitulate than fight the good fight and that's a cop out. Despite all my rage I'm still just a rat in a cage! 🎃 Life can only get better, all you need to do is fall in love Everyone else is having fun but you Buy that fun and you will fit in too Dance your problems away to the GOVT MUSIC Cheap escape to that mind control beat GOVT MUSIC Mellow out, life's too hard You don't even wanna think. TRIUMPH OF THE SWILL! Dead Kennedys

[@Sam_T2000]

didn’t they “get the band back together” in this current iteration in 2018?

[@starlodear2987]

Billy's vocals are the new album's weakness.

[@phillipyangmusic]

Cool

[@nicholassosin6965]

I’m apologizing to Billy for this fool of an interviewer. How does that guy keep his job?! 🤡

[@inspectious9839]

why's that? I think he did a pretty decent job

[@Fauss]

If he wanted the Pumpkins-sound back, he should go back to Butch Vig.

[@invisiblecurious856]

still miss d'arcy :\

[@davehoward22]

1:20 but not sisters..

[@sand9577]

I had no idea Bill Burr had a band.

[@DanRodriguez1]

Great interview!

[@First-q6l]

I could never get into them. I used to cringe every time mtv played that Tonight video

[@jaybarnes8034]

Billy resembles Zack Hample.

[@ashorsamano6576]

Great interview.

[@mariepascale6921]

C'est intéressant de le voir si souriant alors qu'il chante des chansons sur des airs lugubres. 😐

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

Tolkien About My Generation

[@CarsonFrederick-n4p]

I didn’t know Bill Burr was in the Smashing Pumpkins

[@cal3blipa]

Corgan 2:08 😆 could tell how shitty clip fuzzy and hazy mtv was

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

Why do little kids think insulting technology is cool?

[@TruDis01]

Those chairs are ridiculous

[@rattusrodney]

oh god no.

[@StarSail63]

They are definitely one of my fav bands but I do not like the last few albums since Oceania. The melodies are not good at all.

[@OpalMoonstone247]

I hated Zeitgeist, except for Bleeding the Orchid and Tarantula. The sound needed adjustment, like it was an obnoxious overtone. Anyway, SP still one of my top 5 favorite bands.

[@StarSail63]

@@OpalMoonstone247 funny enough zeitgeist is my personal favorite of theirs. The songs stellar and ma belle are my 2 favorite smashing pumpkins songs ever but I also listen to the remixed version that fixed the album. Check it out on KZbin.

[@missingmissmoss]

Yep it’s terrible Corgan cult Scientology sounding BS

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

Oblique Christ

[@ed52369]

Did this interviewer go to the Jimmy Fallon School of Moronic Interviewers?

[@lovedeathdisco]

sick! but please make peace w/your sister d'arcy and then it will be the smashing pumpkins

[@prepro595]

Is the interviewer stoned? From Ted Kopple to this kid? Talk about degenerative return.

[@Alberto-hy2fp]

It's ABC 😊

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

They just do not make them like they used to. Well, there is some incredible talent online, but they don't have the connections or desire to work for someone who regulates their every word.

[@DanielWhite-v4e]

it ain't about deserve

[@EthanS1481]

Meh… he didn’t revive anything. I lived on the Pumpkins in the early 90s’-early 00s’. Kudos to him for maybe adhering to his fans and tempt to make a normal pumpkins record - but except for some nice riffage on the guitar, Corgan completely lost his ability to write anything memorable. I understand that he’s much older ofcourse, but his vocals are just stale and uninspired… Chamberlain- the backbone of Pumpkins and a master drummer - also just sounds like he would rather be doing something else then playing on this record. as a fan of early Pumpkins records , I find this album agonising to listen to… I’m not expecting Siamese or Melon Collie. That’s absurd. But a little heart and passion to come through would be nice…

[@inspectious9839]

Partially agree on this. His voice is the main problem now, he lost that angst boyish vocals present on the 3 first albums, the mix doesn't help, as it puts Billy's vocals on top. I think the drumming is the best part pf the new record, but there are some unlistenable tracks that seem to belong to Atum or whatever that 3 piece of thrash is called

[@EthanS1481]

@@inspectious9839 it’s cool to loose that teenage angst. He was able to create incredible songs (musically, vocal wise as well as lyric wise), post those first 3 records. Adore - which I am not a huge fan of, has some of his most beautiful, and tear jerking pieces. Also Machina has some angstless gems. To some extent- even Oceania managed to do this ( probably the last album to somewhat sound like a Pumpkin album). In this new album, Corgan just feels passionless vocally, and his lyrics sound mostly unrelateable. He gives out literally 0 emotion, where as in the past every line in his delivery had depth and emotion. Sure - we all grow old and change. But I can feel more depth and emotion in the Electronic stuff they’ve been doing (which I cannot listen to). This album is a phone in imo.

[@inspectious9839]

@@EthanS1481 Yes, agree with everything. I see Oceania more like a new band album, like Zwan. You can feel the freshness. Nicole was great as a bassist and backing vocalist. I also think that was the last inspired record. After that is just pretentious thrash, specially Atum, that is the only album I never managed to listen in full

[@kalebmanning4425]

I love Billy Corgan. Can’t wait for him to go back on Infowars. We need more big cultural names not afraid to speak the truth.

[@missingmissmoss]

Schizophrenic maga says what? You literally believe an audience was AI! speaking the truth?? 😂 sit that 1 out of

[@drivingintothedesertuntilt3202]

ftm

[@Mickeymouse7727]

Billy Corgan on using ridiculous words in his senile old age

[@GenZIsDopeShit]

Girl, what?

[@hadrosaurus]

he stinks