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These days, it seems, Billy Corgan is in a good place.
The leader of the Smashing Pumpkins is back on the road with the latest incarnation of his band, one with which he’s especially happy. He’s releasing new music on his own terms. He’s comfortable with who he is and where he’s going.
How has Corgan changed since he founded the Pumpkins in Chicago in 1988?
“I’m the same person in my eyes,” Corgan said by e-mail from the road, where the band was finishing up a six-country tour of South America. “The same boy who wrote ‘Today’ (from “Siamese Dream” in 1993) is the same man who wrote ‘The Fellowship’ (released in October).
“The only difference is my perception of the world around me, and how I choose to relate to it. I see now how false most of the material world is, and in seeing that it does not own or control me like it once did.”
While Corgan may be the same guy as 20 years ago, the music business is nothing like it was when the Pumpkins released their debut, “Gish,” in 1991 or “Siamese Dream” in ’93. The Internet has changed the rules of distribution entirely, and the compact disc is no longer king.
“Everything has changed and it will never, ever be the same,” Corgan said. “Everyone runs their own world, so artists are asked to serve individual interest masked as collective interest. What once mattered in terms of tradition and integrity is just a circus show now that some play at better than others.
“I’ve given up trying to fulfill any of those projections of integrity because the gatekeepers have gone into business for themselves in a way that is very hurtful to music overall. The only antidote to cultural mediocrity and diminished expectation is personal authenticity.”
Smashing Pumpkins was one of the biggest bands of the ’90s, a huge concert draw who achieved multiplatinum status with “Dream” and “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” released in 1995. But they bickered regularly, becoming a running melodrama in the press, and were hampered by the drug problems of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, whom Corgan finally fired after trying repeatedly to get him to clean up. The two have since reunited several times since Chamberlin got his life in order.
By the time of “Adore” in 1998, the original quartet of Corgan, guitarist James Iha, bassist D’Arcy Wretzky and Chamberlin was down to the former three, and its musical direction had shifted toward electronica. The album didn’t sell as well as its predecessors. For the 2000 album “Machina/The Machines of God,” Chamberlin returned but Wretzky was replaced by Hole bassist Melissa Auf der Maur. “Machina” also didn’t sell like previous discs, and in 2000 the Pumpkins broke up, playing their last show at Chicago’s famed Metro, the site of their first-ever gig.
After the breakup, Corgan and Chamberlin formed Zwan, which released one album; Corgan published a book of poetry, and in 2005 put out a solo album, “TheFutureEmbrace.” He re-formed the Pumpkins with new members and released “Zeitgeist” in 2007. It was well-received critically but didn’t sell particularly well.
“I think ‘Zeitgeist’ is a decent record, not great in hindsight,” Corgan said. “It did get good reviews here and there, four stars in Rolling Stone, for example. As far as its street reception, it failed because it wasn’t ‘Siamese Dream 2′ or ‘Mellon Collie 2.’ The only other winning possibility would have been a dominating, fresh return full of big hits, which it was not designed to ever be. Hence perceived failure for an album that sold.
“I think over time the record will be received more warmly. I have other examples of that in my life; ‘Machina,’ ‘Adore,’ my solo album all have grown in stature over time.”
By 2009 the latest incarnation of the Pumpkins was born: guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Nicole Fiorentino and drummer Mike Byrne. Corgan is clearly excited about his new mates.
“This is the first band I’ve ever been in where the dedication level of each person to the music is pretty much equal, which is very inspiring to me for our future,” he said. “They are also very good at playing with space and texture, in addition to being kind, considerate, and intelligent people to be around.”
The band, with some help from guest musicians, began recording Corgan’s most ambitious project yet: “Teargarden by Kaleidyscope,” a 44-song collection in which songs are released free, one at a time, on the band’s website. In doing so the band is avoiding what’s left of traditional distribution channels and doing things its own way.
“My goals are realistic: Put our music in the hands of the fan without a filter and let them decide its worth,” Corgan said. “The rest is easy after that.”
Thematically, he said, “The theme is a lone human life, as it plays out in various stages: child, skeptic, mystic, saint, etc. I’ve written more than enough (to fill the 44 songs), but am also making it up as I go along. Next year will be much different than this one, including how we release.”
The Pumpkins have been well-received on their fall tour, with many shows selling out. Does Corgan ever see a day when bands will tour less, perhaps releasing more live shows on streaming video as the technology continues to improve?
“Nothing will ever replace the live experience of seeing a band like us play in the flesh, but it has been severely challenged by an ‘I want it now’ culture,” he said. “The best concerts I find require some patience on the part of an audience, and a willingness to take a unique journey. What is the standard de facto concert experience these days is you go to see a show where you already know what is going to happen before it happens (or you probably aren’t going to go). This of course works against artistic risk-taking and innovation, and rewards the beautiful poseurs of the world.”
Throughout his career, Corgan has had a reputation for being “difficult” when it comes to getting the results he wants from Smashing Pumpkins. But how much of that is reality, and how much is just media-fueled hype?
“One need look no further than the total expression of my musical life to see that that is an invalid question,” he said. “It is asked from a place of naivete, and doesn’t bear in the reality of my day-to-day life. My life is so full of love and music, and I have expressed that love of music by touring all over the world countless times to play for millions of people. And millions have shown me a lot of love back by not only buying tickets, or getting a hold of my songs, but also by listening intently.
“Even in some cases being married to their favorite tune or playing a meaningful song as their firstborn comes into the world. There is plenty of room on this planet for someone like me: smart, silly, crazy, brilliant, shy, passionate, awkward and manipulative towards the purpose of making my point. And don’t forget someone who is willing to live their failures just as strongly as they live their occasional success.”
Smashing Pumpkins
WHEN: 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7. Doors open at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Sunshine Theater, 120 W. Central
HOW MUCH: $38. For tickets, visit www.sunshinetheaterlive.com
